Holling Hoodhood enjoys The Tempest in The Wednesday Wars primarily because of its exciting plot elements, including storms, magic, and colorful curses. Additionally, he memorizes and frequently uses Caliban's curses. Beyond the surface, Holling learns from the play that defeat is necessary for growth, a lesson he applies as he faces and overcomes various challenges throughout the book.

The purpose of the Macbeth allusion in The Wednesday Wars is to illustrate themes of power and revenge. Holling compares Doug Swieteck's brother to Macbeth, showing how both characters' power-hungry actions lead to their downfall. This parallel helps Holling understand that life is about more than seeking power, a lesson he applies to his own experiences and his father's behavior.

Holling compares the real world to "Hamlet" and Bobby Kennedy to illustrate the unexpected disappointments and sorrows it holds. He notes that like Hamlet, real life involves fear, uncertainty, and anger, reflecting his mother's feelings due to his father's coldness. Similarly, Bobby Kennedy's assassination represents the real world's devastating blows, showing Holling how life is filled with major disappointments like death and betrayal, contrasting with the idealized love in Shakespeare's plays.

The impact of Shakespearean quotes and titles in The Wednesday Wars is significant for both the protagonist, Holling, and the readers. Initially, Holling dreads studying Shakespeare, but he eventually appreciates it, enhancing his vocabulary and empathy. The thematic content of the plays helps Holling understand universal human experiences and grow into maturity. Readers also gain a greater appreciation for Shakespeare's relevance in modern life.

There's more than one theme in The Wednesday Wars. There's conflict between father and son, and other themes involve learning, the Vietnam War, and religious conflict. One quote that connects with themes having to do with the Vietnam War and learning occurs after Holling reads the telegram from Mrs. Baker's husband. He says, "Shakespeare couldn’t write any better than that.”

Holling learns that betrayal in "Romeo and Juliet" is often unintentional and a result of complex human emotions. Initially, he feels betrayed when Meryl Lee's father uses a design Holling shared with her. Holling writes an essay stating that Shakespeare warns to be careful who you trust. However, realizing Meryl Lee did not intend to betray him, he revises his view, understanding betrayal can stem from caring for conflicting loyalties, similar to the play's themes.

The main idea of The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt revolves around the personal growth and coming-of-age experiences of seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood. The title refers to Holling's Wednesday afternoons spent with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while his classmates attend religious instruction. These sessions, initially dreaded, become pivotal for Holling's development, highlighting themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery.