Sometimes it seems impossible to escape Shakespeare; his references are everywhere, from movies and television to the very language we speak. When one considers the great gift Shakespeare gave to the English language, however – demonstrating that it could be beautiful, and used for art – it seems he does deserve the recognition. If only his plays were readable by people other than crazy English majors, right?

Well, thanks to interesting plots, creative characters, and a whole slew of adaptations; Shakespeare really isn't as daunting as you might think. I'm an English major, but I still know which plays I thoroughly enjoyed and which ones are more difficult to tackle. Therefore, I've compiled a list of my picks for the five most approachable Shakespeare plays, in no particular order. Maybe you'll realize in your “heart of hearts” (Hamlet) that you could read Shakespeare all the “live long day” (Julius Caesar).

Much Ado About Nothing

The reason this piece makes the list is because it's comedy gold. My high school did a rendition of it, and I purposely went to see it three times. That has not happened in the history of Shakespeare (probably). The play is about two sassy enemies, Beatrice and Benedick (what a hilarious name!), who confess their love for each other. They also try to save the marriage of their friends Hero and Claudio when a nefarious plot makes Claudio think Hero has been unfaithful. When it's well acted, the ridiculous situations are laugh out loud funny, and even the tense moments have great comic relief. The title itself is an indicator of the kind of shenanigans that the characters get into.

There are several notable versions out there, including a 1993 film adaptation directed by Kenneth Branagh (the actor who played Gilderoy Lockhart), and a 2012 version directed by Joss Whedon (responsible for a lot of your recent favorite series and movies, I'm sure). Seeing the play live will also give you the chance to see just how hilariously the concept of eavesdropping has to be staged in theater.

Macbeth

This play is so ominous that the name shouldn't even be spoken in a theater because it's bad luck – that's how you know something is terrifyingly good. The story is focused around a Scottish general named Macbeth, who hears a prophecy that he will be the king of Scotland, and, egged on by his wife, murders the king and starts going crazy with guilt and paranoia. If the murder and the madness don't intrigue you, perhaps the ghosts and witches in the play will. This piece is also so accessible because, due to its worldwide appeal, it has been adapted to fit a variety of cultures, time periods, and theatrical methods. For example, Punchdrunk theater company in New York City adapted the play into a fully interactive walk-through experience in a hotel (that's about as approachable as you can get). And the whole piece is maddeningly quotable.

Though I haven't personally seen it, there was a 2015 film version starring Michael Fassbender, which scored an 80% approval rating with critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, there's nothing quite like seeing the witches live on stage. If you can find a production of it running near you, it's a very fitting sight for the creepiness of fall.

Measure for Measure

Although this comedy tends to come up more in college ethics courses than in pop culture, the play is still a winner. It's about a Duke who leaves town and puts a man named Angelo in charge. Angelo is strict and sentences a boy, Claudio, to death for premarital sex. Angelo turns out to be a huge hypocrite, however, when he offers Claudio his freedom if Claudio's sister, a nun-to-be, has sex with Angelo. And the whole time the Duke is in disguise! Basically, this has everything that makes a classic Shakespeare piece. And the ending will have you wondering if justice was really served.

Although there are some film adaptations out there, this is one play that I suggest just diving into. If the language throws you off, grab an annotated copy or a version designed for students. You definitely want to know how Claudio gets out of this one.

Henry IV, Part 1

This play is classified as one of the Histories, and it follows the reign of Henry IV and the heir to the throne, Prince Harry. This is a heart-wrenching piece that takes place in war time, but it has amazingly deep characters in Hal (Prince Harry) and Falstaff, his merry and somewhat dependent friend. Of course, this play is not really meant to stand alone, and it's actually part of a four-play set called the Henriad, but this is my favorite of the group.

While the four plays together are extremely popular amongst the literary crowd, I admit that they don't immediately pique the interest of many other people. Thankfully, the Henriad is made a lot more accessible by its television adaptation, “The Hollow Crown” (2012), which stars Tom Hiddleston as Hal. It's powerfully acted and really helps to put the language and the setting in context, which makes the play a lot more enjoyable.

Romeo and Juliet

It would be impossible to leave the quintessential Shakespeare play off the list. Indeed, this piece is indisputably the most popular Shakespeare work ever put to paper. Most schools have it as required reading, but even if you skipped out on the homework, you probably know most of the story already. It's been reimagined in scores of versions, which is one reason it's so accessible for the average audience member. No matter what your taste, you can find a take on the famous tragedy that is entertaining for you.

Of course, this is a tiny list, but here are some recommendations:

“Romeo and Juliet” (1968) – This is a very famous version starring the Zac Efron look-alike Leonard Whiting, and an almost-accurately-young Olivia Hussey. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

“Romeo + Juliet” (1996) – Starring baby-faced Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, this is a modern version with a lot of provocative imagery and urban violence.

“Shakespeare in Love” (1998) – This is a historically inaccurate yet amazingly fun film that will make you almost wish you lived in the disease-ridden London of the 1500s. It stars Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow, and while the film itself doesn't follow the plot of “Romeo and Juliet,” it alludes heavily to the text of the play.

And there you have it. Of course, this is just my opinion, so should you realize that you love the drama of “Othello” and prefer “Hamlet” to “Macbeth,” then that's fantastic. Shakespeare's works are a huge part of modern culture, and each piece plays an important role in how we've come to see theater and language. Besides, these plays are meant to be entertaining, and I'm sure that once you fall in love with Shakespeare, you'll be “as merry as the day is long” (Much Ado About Nothing).