How to Quote Shakespeare in MLA: A Comprehensive Guide
When citing Shakespeare’s works in MLA format, it is important to follow specific guidelines to ensure accurate and consistent citations. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the necessary information to quote Shakespeare in MLA format, including the use of act, scene, and line numbers, quoting verses, and quoting dialogues.
Use Act, Scene, and Line Numbers
Instead of using page numbers, MLA requires you to specify the act, scene, and line numbers of the quoted material. This practice helps readers locate the passage in any edition of the text. For example, you would cite a quote from “Hamlet” as (Ham. 3.1.55-57), indicating Act 3, Scene 1, lines 55-57.
Quoting a Verse
When quoting up to three lines from a poem or play, treat it like a typical quote. Use a forward slash (/) to indicate a new line. If there is a stanza break, use a double slash (//) to indicate it. For example:
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate” (Sonnet 18, lines 1-2).
If the quote consists of four or more lines, format it as a block quote and indent the quotation. Do not use quotation marks. For example:
When sorrows come, they come not single spies,
But in battalions. (Ham. 4.5.83-84)
Quoting a Dialogue
When quoting a dialogue, present it as a block quote. Start each part of the dialogue with the name of the character indented one inch from the left margin. Write the name in all capital letters, followed by a period. Indent subsequent lines of the character’s speech an extra quarter inch. Indent a new line an inch from the left margin when the dialogue shifts to another character. For example:
HAMLET.
To be, or not to be: that is the question.
// Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
// The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
// Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
// And by opposing end them? (Ham. 3.1.56-60)
Remember to use the appropriate indentation and punctuation to clearly distinguish between characters in the dialogue.
By following these guidelines, you can accurately and effectively quote Shakespeare in MLA format.
Sources:
- “How to Cite Shakespeare in MLA | Format & Examples.” Scribbr. Accessed from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/shakespeare-citation/.
- “Citing Shakespeare (MLA).” St Paul’s High School- Canada. Accessed from https://stpauls-mb.libguides.com/citations/shakespearemla.
- “How To Cite Shakespeare In MLA ~ Format With Examples.” BachelorPrint. Accessed from https://www.bachelorprint.com/mla/how-to-cite-shakespeare-in-mla/.
FAQs
How to Quote Shakespeare in MLA Comprehensive Guide
How do I cite Shakespeare’s plays in MLA format?
To cite Shakespeare’s plays in MLA format, you need to include the act, scene, and line numbers. For example, if you are quoting a line from Act 2, Scene 3, lines 45-47 of “Romeo and Juliet,” your citation would look like this: (Romeo and Juliet 2.3.45-47).
How do I quote verses from Shakespeare’s poems in MLA format?
When quoting verses from Shakespeare’s poems, such as sonnets, treat them like typical quotes. Use a forward slash (/) to indicate a new line and a double slash (//) to indicate a stanza break. Remember to provide the line numbers. For example: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate” (Sonnet 18, lines 1-2).
How should I format a block quote from Shakespeare’s works in MLA?
If your quote consists of four or more lines, it should be formatted as a block quote. Do not use quotation marks. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin and maintain the original line breaks. For example: