Citing William Shakespeare in MLA format can seem daunting, especially with the unique challenges posed by his works. Unlike modern texts with page numbers, Shakespearean citations typically rely on act, scene, and line numbers. This system ensures that readers, regardless of their edition, can locate the exact passage you're referencing. At EssayMatrix, we understand these nuances and are here to help you navigate them with confidence.
Why Specificity Matters with Shakespeare
Shakespeare's works have been published in countless editions over centuries. A simple page number citation would be useless. The standardized act, scene, and line number system, often referred to as the "lineation" of the play, is universally understood and allows for precise referencing across all editions. This is crucial for academic integrity and allows your instructors and peers to verify your sources.
Citing Shakespearean Plays
When citing a play by Shakespeare in MLA, you'll need to include the author's last name, the title of the play (italicized), and then the act, scene, and line numbers.
In-Text Citations
The standard format for an in-text citation for a play is:
(Author Act.Scene.Line)
For example, to cite a line from Hamlet:
"To be, or not to be, that is the question" (Shakespeare 3.1.56-57).
- Author: Shakespeare
- Act: 3
- Scene: 1
- Line Numbers: 56-57
If you've already mentioned the author's name in your sentence, you can omit it from the parenthetical citation:
Hamlet famously contemplates existence: "To be, or not to be, that is the question" (3.1.56-57).
Important Notes for Plays:
- No Commas: Notice there are no commas between the act, scene, and line numbers.
- Periods: A period follows the closing parenthesis.
- Line Number Ranges: Use a hyphen to indicate a range of lines.
- Shortened Titles: For frequently cited plays within the same paper, you may use a shortened version of the title after the first full citation. For example, after citing Hamlet, you could later refer to it as (Ham.). However, it's often clearer to stick with the full title or author's last name unless your instructor specifies otherwise.
Works Cited Entry for Plays
Your Works Cited page entry should provide full bibliographic information.
Format:
Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Play. Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example:
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. The Folger Shakespeare Library, 2005.
If you are using a specific edition with an editor:
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Harold Bloom, Chelsea House, 1987.
If you are citing a specific collection:
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The Riverside Shakespeare, edited by G. Blakemore Evans et al., 2nd ed., Houghton Mifflin, 1997, pp. 1133-1186.
In this collection example, you would still cite using act, scene, and line numbers in your text, even though page numbers are present in the entry. The page numbers are for the entire play's inclusion in the collection.
Citing Shakespearean Poems
Shakespeare also penned numerous sonnets and narrative poems. Citing these works requires a slightly different approach, as they often don't have acts or scenes.
In-Text Citations for Poems
For sonnets, you typically cite the sonnet number. For longer narrative poems, you might cite the canto or book number, followed by the line number.
Sonnets:
(Author Sonnet.Line)
Example:
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" (Shakespeare Sonnet 18.1).
- Author: Shakespeare
- Sonnet: 18
- Line: 1
**Narrative Poems (e.g., Venus and Adonis, The Rape of Lucrece):**
(Author Book.Line) or (Author Canto.Line)
Example for Venus and Adonis:
"Even as the sun with purple-colored face / Had sprinkled fire on the clouds afar" (Shakespeare Venus 1.1-2).
- Author: Shakespeare
- ***Venus*:** Abbreviated title for Venus and Adonis
- Line Numbers: 1-2
Important Notes for Poems:
- Sonnets: Always use "Sonnet" before the number for clarity.
- Line Numbers: For poems, it's common to cite individual line numbers.
- Abbreviated Titles: For narrative poems, you can use an accepted abbreviation for the title after the first full citation.
Works Cited Entry for Poems
The Works Cited entry for poems follows a similar structure to plays, but without act or scene information.
Format:
Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of Poem. Publisher, Year of Publication.
Example for a Sonnet:
Shakespeare, William. Sonnet 18. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, vol. 1, 9th ed., W. W. Norton, 2012, p. 1234.
Again, you would cite using Sonnet 18.Line in your text, even though the page number is provided for its inclusion in the anthology.
Example for a Narrative Poem:
Shakespeare, William. Venus and Adonis. The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, W. W. Norton, 1997, pp. 2157-2191.
Citing Speeches or Soliloquies
When you want to pinpoint a specific famous speech or soliloquy, you still use the act, scene, and line number system. The key is to ensure the citation is precise.
In-Text Citations for Speeches/Soliloquies
To cite Hamlet's famous soliloquy:
"To be, or not to be, that is the question" (Shakespeare 3.1.56-57).
If you are focusing on a specific speech within a larger scene, ensure your line numbers accurately reflect the beginning and end of that speech.
Works Cited Entry for Speeches/Soliloquies
The Works Cited entry remains the same as for the play itself. The specificity comes in the in-text citation.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Using Page Numbers: Never use page numbers for Shakespeare in MLA unless the specific edition you are using is the only source available and your instructor approves.
- Incorrect Punctuation: Double-check that you are using periods correctly and avoiding unnecessary commas in act/scene/line citations.
- Omitting the Author: Always include the author's last name in the in-text citation unless it's clearly established in the sentence.
- Inconsistent Formatting: Ensure your formatting is consistent throughout your paper, from in-text citations to your Works Cited page.
Navigating these citation styles can be complex, but with practice, it becomes second nature. For any lingering doubts or for a final review of your academic work, EssayMatrix offers professional editing and formatting services to ensure your Shakespearean citations are impeccable.
By adhering to these MLA guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite Shakespeare, enhancing the credibility and clarity of your academic writing.