How to Quote and Cite a Play in an Essay Using MLA Format

To include a quote from a play in your essay and cite it properly in MLA format, a few specific steps and guidelines need to be followed. These steps not only ensure accurate citation but also assist your readers in locating the original text effortlessly.

Direct Quotes from a Play

When quoting directly from a play, it is crucial to provide the author's last name, and if needed, a shortened title of the play, followed by the act, scene, and line numbers separated by periods. For instance, a direct quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet, act 3, scene 1, lines 55-57 should be cited as:

Shakespeare Hamlet 3.1.55-57.

Paraphrasing from a Play

If you paraphrase a portion of the play, it is important to still include the author's last name and a shortened title if needed, followed by the act and scene numbers. For example, the citation would look like this:

Shakespeare Hamlet 3.1.

Works Cited Entry for a Play

In your Works Cited section, include the author's last name, their first name, the title of the play, any editors, the publisher, and the publication date. Here's how it should be formatted:

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2019.

Formatting the Quotation

If your quote is more than three lines long, it should be formatted as a block quote. Follow these steps:

Start on a new line and indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout the quote. Do not use quotation marks around the block quote. Follow the block quote with a parenthetical citation at the end.

For example:

Hamlet:

So friends, rustic, scholars, guys, inhabitants,

Let's not do breaches in this fair time. Let's

ceremonies of especial state. And for that

name of Ophelia. O heavens! Is it not

honest and wise to Endeavor Peace in a

Times like these? I will speake, sir, with this

girl, and see how she will take it.

(Shakespeare 55-57)

Citing the Play in Your Works Cited Page

The Works Cited page is where you provide full details about the play. The format can vary slightly depending on whether the play is a standalone work or part of an anthology. Here's the general structure for both scenarios:

Standalone Play

Playwright Last Name First Name. Title of Play. Publisher. Year of Publication.

Play within an Anthology or Collection

Playwright Last Name First Name. Title of Play. Edited by Editor's Name, Publisher, Year of Publication.

Note that the title of the play should be italicized.

Putting it All Together

Consistent adherence to MLA guidelines ensures proper citation and enhances your essay's credibility. Thorough attention to detail in quoting and citing plays allows both you and your readers to follow the references seamlessly. This precision is vital for academic and scholarly work.

By following these steps, you not only provide a clear path for your readers to trace back to the original source but also maintain the integrity of the play's text. Incorporating MLA format for quoting and citing plays in your essays is a simple yet effective way to elevate your academic writing.