Romeo and Juliet
Two teenagers from feuding families in Verona fall instantly in love at a party. They secretly marry with Friar Lawrence's help, but their families' hatred leads to violence—Romeo kills Juliet's cousin and is banished. A plan for Juliet to fake her death goes tragically wrong when Romeo doesn't get the message, drinks poison at her tomb, and Juliet wakes to find him dead and kills herself. The families finally reconcile over their children's bodies.
Much Ado About Nothing
In Messina, the witty Beatrice and Benedick constantly insult each other while claiming to hate love. Their friends trick them into believing each is secretly in love with the other, leading them to actually fall in love. Meanwhile, Beatrice's cousin Hero is falsely accused of infidelity on her wedding day, but the truth emerges, she's vindicated, and both couples marry happily.
Othello
Othello, a Moorish general in Venice, secretly marries Desdemona. His ensign Iago, bitter about being passed over for promotion, manipulates Othello into believing Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Consumed by jealousy, Othello smothers Desdemona. When the truth comes out, Othello kills himself in grief while Iago is arrested.
Antony and Cleopatra
After Julius Caesar's death, Roman general Mark Antony falls in love with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, neglecting his duties. His affair causes political tensions with Octavius Caesar. When war erupts, Antony loses the Battle of Actium after following Cleopatra's retreating ships. Believing false news of Cleopatra's death, Antony falls on his sword. Cleopatra then kills herself with an asp rather than be captured by Octavius.
Macbeth
Scottish general Macbeth receives a prophecy that he'll be king. Spurred by his ambitious wife Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan and takes the throne. Guilt and paranoia drive them both mad—Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, obsessively washing imaginary blood from her hands, then dies. Macbeth becomes a tyrant and is eventually killed by Macduff in battle.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
In Athens, Hermia loves Lysander but her father wants her to marry Demetrius, who's loved by Helena. The four lovers flee to an enchanted forest where fairy king Oberon and queen Titania are quarreling. Oberon's servant Puck uses a magic flower that makes people fall in love with the first thing they see, causing chaos—including Titania falling for a man with a donkey's head. Eventually Puck fixes everything, the right couples pair up, and they all marry alongside the fairy king and queen's reconciliation.
The Taming of the Shrew
In Padua, Petruchio seeks a wealthy wife and marries the sharp-tongued Katherine despite her reputation. He "tames" her through psychological manipulation, depriving her of food and sleep while claiming everything is for her benefit. By the end, Katherine appears to submit, giving a speech about wifely obedience, though interpretations vary on whether she's genuinely changed or playing along.