Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Linear
• Method 2 of 2: prose / poetry
• Tips

Quoting Shakespeare involves using special rules than quoting other texts. In this case, the link must be placed in round quotation marks, and not only indicate the original source. First, you need to choose one of the citation methods with your curator. Two accepted methods are described below:

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Linear

1. 1 Select the passage you are going to quote. If the passage is four lines or less, then you can use linear quoting without specifying a paragraph.
2. 2 Add a subject if you haven't already done so. If in your work you use more than one play or Shakespeare's sonnet, then you need to indicate the exact title of this play.
3. 3 The quote is put in quotation marks, as in any other case when you quote the original source.
4. 4 Add the act, scene, and quote page after it ends. This must be done in round quotes, there are several rules for how this is done.
   • If you are citing various Shakespearean plays, start the link with the title of the play. For most drama and poetry classes or circles, you can use accepted abbreviations, such as “NAM” instead of “Twelfth Night”.
   • Next, you need to add an act, a scene and a page in Latin numbers. For example: "(I.iii.16)".
   • You can also use Arabic numerals. For example: "(1.3.16)". But ask your curator which method is preferable.
   • If the page number is less than 100, then indicate the full page number. After the hundredth page, you can shorten the writing of the second page. For example: "110-12."
5. 5 Remember that the period is placed after the closing of the parenthesis. The period is not placed after the quotation marks.
6. 6 You can use this linear approach for quotes that are one to four lines long. Use a backslash between each line of the poem. Retain the original punctuation and use the required punctuation after the parentheses.

Method 2 of 2: prose / poetry

1. 1 Determine if your Shakespeare quote will be longer than 4 lines of text. In this case, you should place the quote in a double-indented paragraph. In this case, quotes are not needed.
2. 2 By placing a colon, you indicate that a quote will be given next.
3. 3 Hero names are written in full capital letters at the beginning of the line. For example: "MACBETH"
   • If only one character speaks, then you do not need to retype his name in the following lines. But, as soon as the character changes, then you will need to indicate his name.
   • Leave a space between the name of the character and his words, if so indicated in the original source.
4. 4 At the end of the last line, add the act, scene and page number in Latin or Arabic numerals. You must indicate the link to the source in parentheses, as in the first method.
5. 5 Place a period after the parentheses. Except if in this piece the period is at the end of the last line.
6. 6 If you are continuing a quote, then continue it in the paragraph without indentation.

Tips

• Always use italics when referring to a sonnet or a Shakespeare play. This will help make the title of the play stand out from the names of the characters.