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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#257: Shakespeare

He's the writer who requires no introduction. Probably the world's most famous playwright and poet, Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, and sonnets have been studied and performed for the last 400 years. You'll be hard pressed to find someone who wasn't forced to read 'Sonnet 18' in English class, or to appear in a regrettable high school production of Romeo and Juliet. But he's a mainstay of our literary education for a reason. His writing is ubiquitous and seminal, and there's really no overstating the influence Shakespeare has had on art, literature, and even our day-to-day speech.

It's almost unbelievable that, in the hundreds of short story contests we've hosted, we've never dedicated one to the Bard himself — and so, this week is the week...

This week's prompts

Write a story named after, and inspired by, one of Shakespeare's plays. Think modern retellings, metanarratives, subversions, etc.

Narrative – 72 stories

Write your story in the form of a script, complete with stage directions.

Narrative – 33 stories

Write a story in which a case of mistaken identity plays a pivotal role.

Funny – 24 stories

Write a story about a tragic hero.

Dramatic – 57 stories

Set your story during rehearsals for a production of a Shakespeare play.

High School – 29 stories

Stories

“Macbeth” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #257

The reflection of a haggard, old man stared back at Arthur from the bleary mirror in the lift. It seemed that he had aged twenty years since he ascended in it that morning, a spring in his step and a gleam in his eye, though he could not pinpoint exactly what was different. His suit was still debonair, and his white shirt was still crisp, but something had changed. The door swished open, and he stepped out into the lobby. It was already deserted except for Esperanza, the housekeeper. Her grey dreadlocks, held back in a colorful print scarf, ...

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“The Unwritten Verse of Romy & Julian ” by Michelle Mercure

Submitted to Contest #257

Scene 1: The Rooftop“Where are you going?”“None of your business, Romy.”“Julian, you made it my business by coming here. So, just, don’t leave like this, please. Sit down. Let’s talk.”“Ok, ok.”Julian somberly saunters over to his usual spot on the roof right by Romy’s side, shoving some of the fallen maple leaves out of his way. It is fall in New England and there is a chill in the air tonight. When he sits, the crunch from the leaves makes them both giggle a little. The two young lovebirds meet here after hours almost every night to sit on ...

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“Rosaline” by Fredrich TheFrogdrick

Submitted to Contest #257

THE PROLOGUEEnter chorusCHORUSWe all know Shakespeare and his famous playsLike Romeo and Juliet, dead setTwo tragic lovers infamous endwaysDon’t yet fret, for this holds a new mindsetYet here a love of new kinds gets re-toldFor she who rejected Romeo firstIntelligent Rosaline, she told himNo way, because she divorced from such thirstFor dear sweet Rosaline was someone whoKnew not that kind of love for she was bothAn ace and arrow, yes that’s right, it’s true The Rosaline do loath men tis her oathHer heart never was touched, for no roman...

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“The Art Gallery” by Mary Manning

Submitted to Contest #257

The Art GalleryMary ManningLeonard: An icon. An artist. A poet. Searching for lost art.Chapman: An icon. An artist. A poet. Searching for lost art.Setting: An art galleryThe Time: AlwaysThree white walls. Track lighting on all sides. Leonard sits in the middle of the stage in black. The walls are bare. He sits cross-legged, with his hands resting on his chin. Skinny, with sleek white skin, and leather pants. LEONARDSomebody has stolen my art.(He stares at the audience and sighs.) LEONARDIt’s an odd thing reall...

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“death is” by Bianca Walker

Submitted to Contest #257

FADE IN: INT. FUNERAL HOME - DAY WIDE SHOT of the outside of a funeral home, slowly tracking through a window into the main room, a small and square room, off-white walls with charcoal carpets. CLOSE UP of an open coffin, sleek mahogany. A picture of a woman with the words 1971—. Glass tables, draped in white cloth. Several bouquets, all with plum colored ribbons with golden letters that read: DEMETER FLORALS. The funny thing about death that people tend to forget is that it happens all the time. Small deaths occur every single day, everywhe...

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“From the Top” by Levi Jennings

Submitted to Contest #257

(There is a table center stage and a door up stage right. WOMAN 1, WOMAN 2, AND MAN 1 are seated at this table, frozen like statues. There is the sound of someone struggling with the door handle before THE NARRATOR enters.) THE NARRATORSorry for coming late, hope I didn’t keep you waiting. (There is no response from any of the people at the table. THE NARRATOR turns towards the audience.) Right, uhm. I guess I should introduce myself, I am The Narrator. If you are reading this you already know that, if you are an audience member you di...

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“Society Snakes” by Carson Lupton

Submitted to Contest #257

Society Snakes: A DramaThe cast of CharactersNarrator: The Narrator. Super smart, intelligent, and a genius. Georges: Just another kid who caves into all social norms and is a part of society. Secretly loves potato knishes. Mr. Society (“Steve”): A 73-year-old man who is infiltrating the school to make sure that the #wearing_a_ponytail_and_bullying_anyone_who_doesn’t_challange trend he created is working, which he uses to mind control society and take over the world.Zoey: A girl who is uncomfortable with her friend's nagging t...

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“The Year Christmas Died” by Reba Ruth Knight

Submitted to Contest #257

The Year Christmas Died Scene One (Lights up) (As scene opens, Ron is sitting at his desk, tie undone, collar open, coat thrown across the back of his chair. He is working busily at his computer, and it is apparent he is very frustrated with his progress, or rather, lack thereof. There are stacks of manuals & reports on the desk, along with the refuse of a fast-food meal and a coffee mug. He sits back and groans in angry frustration, and reaches to hit intercom button on the phone.) Ron: Sharon, please come here. Sharon: (offst...

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“Party Girl - Inspired by Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night"” by Rin Bromagen

Submitted to Contest #257

CHARACTER NOTE: When Violet/Vincent speak, they are voicing Vi’s inner thoughts. Vi should be the only one reacting to anything they say. Scene 1 (Spotlight up: Vi, alone down center, holding a backpack and facing forward as if looking in a mirror)Vi: …Violet: (offstage) Damn. I’ve certainly looked better. No makeup, no earrings… What are they going to think of me if I show up like this? (Vi turns to the side and makes a muscle, slightly smiling)Vincent: (offstage) You gotta admit the T is working wonders, though. These biceps almost ma...

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“No Vacancy” by Livia Owens

Submitted to Contest #257

No VacancyCharacter List:IRIS GILCHRIST: A thin, middle-aged woman with wavy brown hair and a habit of gesturing with her hands when she speaks.THE NURSETHE MANFADE IN:A small motel room is dimly illuminated by a full moon visible outside the window. A woman in her 40s is sitting on the side of the bed, talking on her cell phone and nervously tapping her fingers on the bed table. IRIS(glancing nervously at the wall farthest from her)This is Iris Gilchrist in Room 4B. I can hear loud knocking noises through the wall and it’s keeping me awake....

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“The End in One Act” by Chuck Thompson

Submitted to Contest #257

Act One One lane cobblestone street running north and south, this night about 2:00 A.M. A sidewalk and store fronts on one side of the street providing dim light onto the street, two-story red brick wall without windows and with locked windowless doors to access the rear of shops on the other side of the street. MAKEDA, late teens to early twenties female, wearing chucks, a grayish hoody and blue jeans, is sprawled supine on the road feet toward the sidewalk, unconscious. &n...

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“The Tragedy of Alcyone and Ceyx ” by Faythe Morris

Submitted to Contest #257

(Act 1)(scene 1)Alcyone at loom in chamber in ThessalyEnter CeyxCeyxAlcyone! AlcyoneHere, my lord.CeyxMy love, I have come to bid thee farewell, for on the morrow I shall depart upon a quest to seek absolution of the burdens which plague me so. AlcyonePrithee tell what form this absolution takes.Ceyx Tis the oracle across the sea to whom I must journey. For there I shall vouchsafe the resolution to my tribulations. ...

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“A Midsummer Night's Delusion ” by KA James

Submitted to Contest #257

Gretchen, student, understudy for Hermia, no second job other than to look pretty, – known to friends as ‘The Fair’ GretchenHeath, student, understudy for Random Cast Member, plays Bottom the weaver but only when he has the ass’s head, stagehand – secretly in love with Gretchen, even though everybody knows itWolfgang, a wanderlust actor from Munich, understudy for Lysander, swordplay choreographerAisha, student, understudy for Helena, special assistant to set designer - bitchHal, student, understudy for Oberon, stagehandBrittany, local waitr...

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“The Siren's Rose” by Ben Murphy

Submitted to Contest #257

ACT IFADE IN:EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - SHIPS DECK - DAYESTABLISHING SHOTSEAMUS (Captain) early 30s, steers the ship from the helm. The ships crew douses the sheets as they come up on the wind. SEAMUSAll hands on deck. SHIPS CREWAye Sir! SEAMUSOliver, pass the watch to Winston and meet me in my cabin.WINSTON early 20s, relieves OLIVER 26, of the watch.Oliver walks to the Captains Cabin. INT. CAPTAINS CABIN - DAYOliver walks in and Seamus motions for him to sit. SEAMUSWe need to find a safe port to refit the ship and give our crew a day...

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“Two Sisters Born in Defiance Only to Die in Acceptance” by Lillyin Love

Submitted to Contest #257

Two Sisters Born in Defiance Only to Die in Acceptance Harken those that judgement pluck and plume to thame the illustrious cry of modern golden-aged folios river staged. Humble words risen inspired by a tiny blue globe eloquently swirling inked in lives lost but counted as gained. Come! Listen to the mighty roar of the amphitheater we call life. Please heed and pay homage to a Magical Tale told by a fool fouled by jesters in common occurrences of our imagined contemporary world of convenience. Forget your seat, push your way front and ...

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$250

Prize money

215

Contest entries

79

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 05, 2024 EST

Won by Keba Ghardt 🏆

Title: Your Animal Side

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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