What's the best Shakespeare play ever written? Round 3 of 'This Be Madness'

"What's done is done."
 By 
MJ Franklin
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"What is done cannot be undone."

It's Round 3 of our This Be Madness bracket. Each day from April 18 - April 22, we're posting Twitter polls with rounds of matchups for you to vote on until we find our champion. Then on April 23, which is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, we will reveal our grand winner.


You May Also Like

Round 2 featured some titanic clashes, and we lost formidable plays including MacBeth and Romeo and Juliet. That said, the bracket is still anyone's game.




Check out the updated bracket below (click here if you want to see more details about yesterday's poll results), and be sure to vote for who you think should advance to the next round. And as always, tell us why you think your favorite play should win on Twitter with the hashtag #ThisBeMadness.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

1. Much Ado About Nothing vs. Taming of the Shrew

Much Ado About Nothing: Beatrice and Benedick would make a TERRIBLE couple, so their friends conspire to set them up anyway. Romance! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Taming of the Shrew: Who needs feminism? This play. It's basically the opposite of HeForShe.


2. Richard III vs. Henry IV

Richard III

: No one likes this king — he's a murder and in a bad mood. Long live the (new) king!


Henry IV: Being the king is cool, except it isn't because you have to fight a ton of wars and your son is best friends with an alcoholic. Long live the (new) king!


3. Othello vs. King Lear

Othello: Jealousy kills. Also, racism. Lots and lots of racism.

King Lear: Don't choose a favorite kid, because you'll probably pick wrong and end up dead.


4. Hamlet vs. Midsummer Night's Dream

Hamlet: Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, and it involves ghosts, teenage angst and a very strong Oedipus complex. Just watch Sassy Gay Friend; he had this one spot-on.

Midsummer Night's Dream: Everyone goes into the woods, everyone falls in love, everyone leaves the woods mysteriously naked.


Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.



Topics Books

Mashable Image
MJ Franklin

MJ Franklin was an Assistant Editor at Mashable and a host of the MashReads Podcast.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
How to watch 2026 March Madness online for free
Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer and guard Cayden Boozer play against Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso


I read this website's free AI-written YA novels so you don't have to
Three AI-generated novel covers for 'the Starless Crown,' 'the Probability Garden,' and 'the Unraveling of Whispers.'


The internet reacts to the March Madness bracket
A view of NCAA March Madness and Wilson logos prior to the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the UCLA Bruins

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!