William Shakespeare

';To be or not to be? That is the question.' Thus begins what may be the most famous dramatic soliloquy in the English language, the centerpiece of Shakespeare's most ambitious and famous play. It has been called the greatest single piece of English literature, and for good reason. From its vivid, complex characters to its nuanced...

As the play opens, the devious Iago wants revenge on Othello, his general, for a perceived slight, and so sets in motion a plot to turn him against his new bride, Desdemona. It is a classic example of Shakespearean tragedy, with the hero suffering at the hands of his own faults.While less famous than some of Shakespeare's other plays, its...

We open on a dark, stormy hillside, as three witches plan a meeting that will drive men to madness, and to death.It is the story of Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland, who, driven by ambition, a witch's prophecy, and a determined, ruthless wife, kills his king to take his place. Guilt and fear begin to drive the pair mad, while those who suspect him...

Bassanio seeks to woo the young Portia, but lacks the means, so his friend Antonio agrees to put up the collateral on a loan from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. When Antonio finds himself unable to cover the bond, Shylock is determined to extract compensation in the form of a pound of Antonio's flesh. It blurs the lines between hero and...

This tale of star-crossed lovers and the families determined to keep them apart of one of Shakespeare's most well-known and beloved plays. One part romance, one part tragedy, it features some of Shakespeare's most inventive language and delightful characters. Romeo + Juliet has proven one of the most enduring and important romances ever...

The Complete Arden Shakespeare , published for the first time in hardback in 1998, is now available in an updated paperback edition. The Complete Arden Shakespeare contains the texts of all Shakespeare’s plays, edited by leading Shakespeare scholars for the renowned Arden Shakespeare series. A general introduction by the three General Editors...