I love Halloween! It’s one of the few days of the year when I am not only allowed, but practically required, to wear an insane and awesome costume in public.
If you’re struggling to come up with a theme for your upcoming party, why not go for a Shakespeare themed Halloween? His plays have their fair share of ghosts, murderers, witches and unholy spirits. Here are a few spooky and not-so-spooky costume ideas.
Hamlet
Gustaf Skarsgård as Hamlet
This one is fairly easy. You can, of course, go for a classical look with a decided Renascence-y feel to it, but you can just wear something black and walk around with a skull. Quoting “to be or not to be” is highly encouraged.
Lady Macbeth
Brenda Harris as Lady Macbeth. Photo by Tim Fuller
If you don’t own anything Medieval/Renaissance-y/Scottish, don’t worry. Just go for the sleepwalking scene. Think long night gown, messy hair and obsessive rubbing of one’s hands. Don’t forget to keep repeating, “Out damned spot! out, I say!”
Rome and Juliet
YA novel by Claudia Gabel
If you’re a couple and have a twisted sense of humor, why not go as zombie/ghost/vampire Romeo and Juliet. Make sure that your Romeo looks like he died of poison – some foam around the mouth or an unnatural shade of green, and have your Juliet wear a bloody dagger wound with pride.
Viola/Cesario or Rosalind/Ganymede
Steampunk Viola/Cesario, Maddox Theater
If you’re a girl, it’s always fun to dress like a boy. If you’re a boy, dressing up as a girl dressed up as a boy is even more fun. Put on some breaches and flirt shamelessly with party-goers of both sexes.
Titania, Oberon or Puck
Oberon, Puck, Titania, Source: Kaoime E. Malloy
Fairies are fun and easy to do. Glitter, painted faces, a fanciful dress, some gossamer wings and, voilà, your costume is ready.
Ariel and Caliban
Steampunk Caliban & Ariel, Source: Widgetambolia
Tempest is yet another of Shakespeare’s plays that is perfect source material for a Halloween costume. I would recommend this for a couple. And think outside the box – let the guy dress as Ariel and the girl go as Caliban.
The great bard himself
A 9-year-old boy as the immortal bard, Source: Boing Boing
If you happen to suffer from megalomania or want to be obnoxiously meta, why not go as the man himself ? A ruffled collar, a doublet and breaches, a bald spot, a quill and some parchment and the character is complete.
The Theater Geek 