If you enjoy reading books by William Shakespeare then you might also like the following authors:
Christopher Marlowe was an English playwright and poet who lived during the same time as William Shakespeare. Known for his bold characters and dramatic stories, one of his most famous works is “Doctor Faustus.”
The play follows Dr. Faustus, a brilliant scholar who grows dissatisfied with his studies and makes a pact with the devil, trading his soul for unlimited knowledge and power.
The story explores his rise and eventual downfall as he enjoys his newfound abilities but begins to face the consequences of his decision.
Ben Jonson was a playwright and poet from the same era as William Shakespeare. His work often looked at human nature with sharp humor and clever structure.
One of his standout plays, “Volpone,” tells the story of a wealthy man in Venice who pretends to be on his deathbed to manipulate others for their money and gifts. The characters get tangled in greed and deception, creating moments that are funny, tense, and surprising.
If you enjoy Shakespeare’s way of mixing wit with drama, Jonson’s style offers something similar but with a sharper bite.
Thomas Kyd was an English playwright from the late 16th century, often credited with influencing the rise of Elizabethan drama. His most famous work is “The Spanish Tragedy,” a play that paved the way for revenge tragedies later seen in Shakespeare’s works.
The story follows Hieronimo, a man seeking justice for the murder of his son. It’s full of betrayal, secret plots, and unexpected twists. The themes of revenge and justice are intense, and the use of a play-within-a-play adds an extra layer of intrigue.
If you enjoy Shakespeare’s darker tales, Kyd’s work might catch your interest.
John Webster was an English playwright from the early 17th century, known for his dark and intense dramas. One of his most famous works, “The Duchess of Malfi,” tells the story of a noblewoman who chooses to marry for love despite her brothers’ cruel and controlling objections.
The play dives into betrayal, corruption, and the fallout of her choices. The Duchess is a strong, independent character who defies the expectations of her time, landing her in a battle for survival against some truly twisted foes.
Fans of Shakespeare might enjoy Webster’s rich language and exploration of power and human weakness.
Lope de Vega was a Spanish playwright known for his enormous contribution to literature during the Golden Age of Spain. If you’re a fan of Shakespeare’s dramatic works, you might enjoy Lope’s “Fuenteovejuna.”
The story centers on a small village uniting against a cruel commander who abuses his power. The townspeople come together and refuse to betray anyone when questioned.
This tension creates a deep sense of solidarity and defiance, showing how ordinary people can resist oppression. Lope de Vega captures the emotions of loyalty and courage in a way that feels immediate and powerful.
Thomas Middleton was a playwright from the same era as William Shakespeare, and his works share a taste for drama that mixes sharp wit with intense conflict. One of his most known plays, “The Changeling,” is a dark tale about love, betrayal, and murder.
It follows Beatrice-Joanna, a young woman who hires a servant to help her eliminate an unwanted fiancé, but things spiral out of control when the servant begins to manipulate her. The story pulls you into its messy web of moral corruption and tragic consequences.
If you enjoy Shakespeare’s complex characters and dramatic tension, Middleton’s work is worth exploring.
Edmund Spenser was an English poet who lived during the same era as William Shakespeare. His most famous work, “The Faerie Queene,” is an epic poem filled with knights, quests, and allegory.
It tells the story of noble heroes, like the Redcrosse Knight, who must face dangerous trials to prove their virtue. The poem weaves together tales of bravery, honor, and moral struggles, set in a mythical world full of adventure.
Fans of Shakespeare’s language and themes might enjoy Spenser’s poetic style and storytelling.
Francesco Petrarch was an Italian poet and scholar from the 14th century, often called the father of humanism. His work greatly influenced later writers, including Shakespeare.
One of his most famous collections is “Canzoniere,” a series of poems centered on his love for a woman named Laura. The poems explore his passion, longing, and inner conflict. There’s a raw and intimate look at how love can inspire and torment.
Shakespearean readers might enjoy the emotional depth and the exploration of human nature found in Petrarch’s sonnets.
Miguel de Cervantes was a Spanish writer who lived around the same time as Shakespeare. His most famous work is “Don Quixote,” a story about a man who reads too many books about knights and decides to become one himself.
He sets out across the countryside on his old horse, with a simple farmer named Sancho Panza as his squire. The book is filled with adventures, mistakes, and moments that are both funny and sad.
One of the best-known scenes is when Don Quixote charges at windmills, thinking they are giants. It’s a story that mixes humor with a touch of tragedy, exploring dreams and the way people see the world.
George Chapman was an English dramatist, poet, and translator from the same period as William Shakespeare. He is best known for his plays and translations of Homer, but his plays carry that same intense focus on human ambition and conflict found in Shakespeare’s works.
One of his plays, “Bussy D’Ambois,” tells the story of a fearless but reckless soldier who rises to power in the French court. The play explores his thirst for glory and the dangers that arise when ambition outweighs wisdom.
It has sharp dialogue, dramatic confrontations, and a dark look at how ambition can destroy those who chase it. Readers who enjoy Shakespeare’s tragedies might find Chapman’s work engaging.
Pierre Corneille was a French playwright who wrote during the 17th century. His works often explore themes of honor, love, and personal sacrifice.
One of his most famous plays, “Le Cid,” follows the story of a young nobleman, Rodrigue, who is torn between his loyalty to his father and his love for Chimène.
A feud between their families forces Rodrigue to make an impossible choice, which leads to battles, heartbreak, and questions about duty.
The play combines romance and high-stakes drama, showing how characters wrestle with their moral obligations and the consequences of their decisions.
Jean Racine was a 17th-century French playwright known for his tragedies, where emotions run high and characters wrestle with fate. His play “Phèdre” tells the story of a queen consumed by forbidden love for her stepson.
Set in a world of ancient gods and rigid honor codes, the characters face moral dilemmas that spiral into devastating consequences.
Phèdre’s internal conflict and the weight of her guilt create a tense, emotionally charged drama that feels universal despite its classical setting. If you enjoy Shakespeare’s tales of flawed characters and dramatic turns, Racine’s work might captivate you.
Molière was a French playwright known for his sharp humor and clever way of exploring human flaws. One of his most famous plays, “Tartuffe,” tells the story of a wealthy man, Orgon, who becomes spellbound by Tartuffe, a con artist pretending to be a pious and holy man.
Tartuffe works his way into Orgon’s household, convincing him to hand over his estate and even his daughter in marriage. The rest of the family sees through Tartuffe’s act and scrambles to stop him before it’s too late.
Molière’s humor and quick-witted dialogue make this tale of deception and hypocrisy unforgettable. It’s a play that mixes chaos and wit in a way you won’t want to miss.
Aphra Behn was one of the first English women to earn a living by writing. Her work often explores themes of love, power, and betrayal. In her novel *“Oroonoko”*, she tells the story of an African prince who is tricked into slavery and brought to a plantation in Suriname.
The story captures his dignity and strength as he fights to keep his honor in a world filled with deceit. The descriptions of his courage and the bond he shares with his love, Imoinda, make the characters stand out.
It’s a story that mixes drama, love, and tragedy, offering a lot to fans of Shakespeare’s plays.
Philip Massinger was a playwright from the same era as Shakespeare, known for his sharp dialogue and intricate plots. One of his notable works is “A New Way to Pay Old Debts.”
The story revolves around a greedy and corrupt character, Sir Giles Overreach, who manipulates and ruins others to gain wealth and power. The play captures his schemes and the attempts of those around him to counter his tyranny.
It’s packed with dramatic confrontations and sharp twists, making it a striking look at ambition and morality. Sir Giles is a character you won’t forget—his ruthlessness holds the audience’s attention right up to the end.