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Here are some links you may find helpful for this project. Although these have been prescreened, the reading levels might not be appropriate for all students, so teachers should check the sites out first.
Remember to pay attention to sources as you take notes. You should always cite sources using MLA format. Even if you don't quote the source directly, the source should be referenced somewhere.
Remember, not all sources are equal. Some web sites publish opinions as if they were facts. Students should learn to use discretion when doing research on the Internet.
A Good Place to Start:
Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet: This is a very full site that links to almost every other site you could possibly need. It is a little less organized than the Britannica site, but is valuable due to the sheer volume of information. Topics include Shakespeare's works, life & times, theater, criticism, the Renaissance, sources, educational information, and best sites. You could spend hours here.
All Shakespeare: If the first two sites don't have it, this one does. There are guides to each of the plays, essays and criticism, questions and answers, and biographies and pictures, among others.
Absolute Shakespeare: The essential resource for plays, sonnets, poems, quotes, biography, and the Globe Theatre.
Web Gateways
Surfing with the Bard: The Teacher and Student areas are particularly good. (I did find this site slow to load up, so you have to be patient.)
The Folger Shakespeare Library: A lot of information on all types of topics, including student and teacher areas, lots of pictures, and links to many more sites.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust: This site is maintained by the historic society that maintains five houses connected with Shakespeare's life. It provides incredibly detailed resources on everything from that historic period. The section on Shakespeare's life is very detailed.
The Globe Theater
Shakespeare's Globe Theater: The official website of the globe theater, now in production. Not a lot of useful information, but some nice pictures here.
Shakespeare and the Arts
Shakespeare Illustrated: Are you looking for pictures? This site has a ton. It explores nineteenth-century paintings, criticism and productions of Shakespeare's plays.
Shakespeare and the Players: This site has lots more pictures, this time of the many actors who have played Shakespearean characters over the years.
History
Life in Elizabethan England: A compendium of knowledge on many topics - Games, Food, Money, Religion, Language, Weddings, Masters & Servants, Occupations, The Peers, London, Fashion, Children, Pastimes, Names, Education, Heraldry, Maps, etc.
The History of Legends: Although this website primarily focuses on The Legend of King Arthur there is a section devoted to Shakespeare, and plenty of general information useful. I really enjoyed the section on swordplay.
Sixteenth Century Renaissance English Literature: Information about Shakespeare's literary contemporaries. Each page plays music from the period as well. Make sure you click the Renaissance Resources link.
Elizabethan Europe: Elizabethan England portrayed in the context of Europe.
The Life and Times of Elizabeth I: A history and chronology of England during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The Play's the Thing
Shakespeare Magazine: This magazine for teachers publishes three times a year. The online site includes teacher resources and archives of past issues. (Some of the links in the archive are outdated, but there is still some good info. Plus you can order archives of past issues.)
Shakespeare Navigators: A hypertext guide to Shakespearean plays. For full access you have to pay, but there is plenty available in the free demo section.
Shakespeare Authorship: Did you know that some people think William Shakespeare didn't even write the many plays attributed to him? This web site argues that Shakespeare did, in fact write the plays, and back's up its argument with extensive research. (Fairly difficult reading level)
Shakespeare Oxford Society: More on the authorship debate, this time showing both sides of this issue.
Shakespeare: The Internet Editions: This site is a little more advanced, but it has a lot of information. Make sure to check out the "links" page.
A Note on Shakespeare's Grammar: Help understanding a few now-obsolete grammatical features of English.
Renaissance Faire Homepage: Information on acting, costumes, and the language of Shakespeare.
Romeo & Juliet Only
Romeo & Juliet: The website from the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Definitely look at the Author section.
Zefferelli's Romeo & Juliet: This website focuses on the 1968 movie version of the play.
Study Guide for Romeo and Juliet: For use with an edition of Romeo and Juliet read together with the book for West Side Story and in conjunction with a showing of Franco Zeffirelli's film version of the play.
Romeo and Juliet Web Guide: Includes some good activities aligned with (California's) Performance Standards.
Hamlet Only
Enjoying "Hamlet": Answer's the question "Why bothering even reading this play?"
Hamlet Anthology: A complete guide to the play including criticism, theater and film reviews, information about the playwright, and the complete text of the play.
Introduction to Hamlet: An introduction to the basic themes of Hamlet for the first time reader.
Special Topics
Flowers for an Elizabethan Garden: A horticulture site with information on the historical significance of plants and their uses.
Sixteenth Century Ballads: Music of the Sixteenth Century.
The Dancing Master: Or, plain and easy rules for learning sixteenth century dancing.
Medieval and Renaissance Instruments: A guide to more than 30 different instruments.
Medieval / Renaissance Food Home Page: Links to primary and secondary sources about food and cooking. (Careful. Not all are in English).
Hairstyles of the Elizabethan Period: Hairstyle was an important part of Elizabethan culture, for both men and women.
Eras of Elegance: This site has information about fashion, travel, entertaining, and hosting special events in various historical periods of England, including the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras.
Shakespeare on Video
How To Watch a Shakespearean Film: General advice about watching Shakespearean movies. The list prompts you to look for how setting, editing, and direction affects the mood and tone of the finished film.
The Modern Shakespeare: An article about movies derived from Shakespearean plays.
MoVia's Monthly Movie Cyberzine: An article about "Shakespearing on your VCR, where the Play Button's the Thing!"
20 Must-Sees: Reviews of Shakespearean movies.
Plot Summaries
Shakespeare Study Guides With Plot Summaries: Includes links to plot summaries from all the plays with settings, sources, themes, analysis, and criticism. Each summary includes additional links.
Shakespeare's Works: These are the summaries by Charles and Mary Lamb, written in 1806. Originally written for children.
Shakespearean Insults
Shakespearean Insulter: Click the "Insult Me Again" button to see a new insult pop-up.
Shakespearean Insult Kit: Make up your own insults, using this menu of vocabulary words.
CliffsNotes Shakespeare Glossary: Not sure you've been insulted? Use the dictionary to look up the words.
Shakespeare Glossary: Another good glossary of Shakespearean terms.
What other schools are doing
Let's Throw a Wedding for Romeo and Juliet: Not only does this webquest for an eighth class model a great interactive, cooperative learning project, but it is filled with all the resources student's need to complete the assignment.
Springfield Schools present Elizabethan England: This site was developed by several high school English classes (begun in 1996 and added to in later years). There is a great wealth of information and some really great ideas for both teachers and students.
Some Fun Sites
Green Eggs and Hamlet: Hamlet's famous "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy--with a Dr. Seuss twist. There are also a few interesting links, but most are already on this page.
Sonnet Central: A website devoted to this genre of poetry, includes not only a whole page of Shakespearean sonnets but so much more.
The Shakespeare Interrogatories: A less than authentic interview with the famous playwright. Well, it could happen.
Shakespeare Magnet Poetry: Roll the dice to get a random selection of words. Move them around like magnets on a refrigerator to create your own quotes or poems.
Shakespeare eCards: Every one of Shakespeare's sonnets, complete with pictures and music. Send one to someone you care about.
Scooby Doo and Hamlet Too: An alternate ending to Hamlet where the mystery of the ghost is uncovered.
The Shakespeare art Museum: Featuring the Writings & Visual Works on Shakespearean Themes of Hannah Tompkins