Pocket Books. 08/01/1992. Reissue. 223 pgs. Shakespeare's dark portrait of ambition begins when three prophesying witches conspire to meet with Macbeth. Obliging his fate, he indeed encounters these "Weird Sisters," who mysteriously refer to him by the title Thane of Cawdor, and moreover, as the future king. Macbeth's companion Banquo is told that his descendants will inherit the throne. Macbeth and Banquo are dumbstruck when two noblemen of Scotland arrive announcing Macbeth's new title; with confirmation of the prophesy, the seeds of ambition are planted. When Lady Macbeth learns about the prophesy of her husband's rule in a letter from him, she begins plotting the murder of Duncan, King of Scotland. The murder of the King sets in motion a series of dark deeds that torment Macbeth and Lady Macbeth with guilt, especially when the ghost of Banquo, who is among the couple's slain, appears at a banquet. The guilt manifests pointedly when Lady Macbeth, in a somnolent state, attempts to wash the blood from her hands, famously uttering "Out, damn'd spot! out I say!" MACBETH was Probably written between 1603 and 1606, the last of his major tragedies. A concise drama, MACBETH may be brief as the result of Shakespeare's having learned of King James's penchant for shorter works. The plot was inspired by the Chronicles of Holinshed's narrative of the reigns of Duncan and Macbeth. Richard Burbage, one of the most prominent actors of the Elizabethan stage, is said to have originated the title role. The earliest extant evidence of performance refers to a staging in 1611, but indirect evidence, such as the work's influence on other plays of the period, suggests an earlier debut. Originally published at $3.99 You save 52% off the cover price!

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Harpercollins. 05/01/1999. 111 pgs. Confusions of the heart reign in Athens, where everyone is pining away for the wrong person except Theseus, the Duke and his fiancée, Hippolyta, whose wedding day is fast approaching. Hermia, the Duke's daughter, is intent on marrying Lysander, although her father disapproves and threatens to make her a nun if she refuses to marry his choice for her, Demetrius. However, Helena loves Demetrius, who courted her once, and Lysander and Hermia plan to elope despite the Duke's orders. Hoping that Demetrius will fall for her instead, Helena plans to alert Demetrius that Hermia will shortly be spoken for. Meanwhile, in a subplot, the artisans Quince, Snug, Flute, Snout, Starveling, and Bottom, are rehearsing the play PYRAMUS AND THISBE to be performed at the Duke's wedding. As Hermia and Lysander head into woods to elope, with Helena and Demetrius following, the amateur acting troupe likewise takes cover in the woods to rehearse in privacy. This leads all the players into the realm of fairy magic, where fairies Oberon and Titania are arguing over a changeling. When Oberon decides to play a trick on Titania with the aid of a magic flower that causes people to fall in love with the first person (or beast) they set eyes on, the real trouble starts. The flower is used liberally on both the humans and the fairies by the trouble-making sprite Puck, inspiring many amorous entanglements. There is no known source for Shakespeare's fantastic plot, though the structure is classical, as the events begin in the court, relocate to an uncivilized environment, and return to the court with renewed order, and aspects of the imagery are drawn from classic works, such as Apuleius's THE GOLDEN ASS and Ovid's METAMORPHOSES. Evidence in the play, like Titania's remark about three unusually unpleasant summers in a row--documented elsewhere in England's records--suggest a composition date of 1595 or 1596. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM was listed in a 1598 catalogue of Shakespeare's works, and was published in 1600. Scholarship suggests that it was first performed in honor of a court wedding, though precisely whose remains unsubstantiated. Originally published at $18.95 You save 95% off the cover price!

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Oxford Univ Pr. 05/01/1998. Reprint. 247 pgs. Separated twins, practical jokers, pining lovers, and a comic villain populate the city of Illyria, where the drama of TWELFTH NIGHT unfolds. When the fraternal twins Viola and Sebastian independently wash ashore in the city from a shipwreck , unbeknownst to one another, each assumes the other is dead. With Viola disguised as a man, the Duke Orsino, the gentlewoman Olivia, and the kind Antonio intermittently confuse the identity of the twins. Meanwhile, the victim of a practical joke, the priggish Malvolio acts so peculiarly that he is confined to a mental institution. Much confusion needs ironing out before the weddings in the last scene. TWELFTH NIGHT is based on a late 16th-century play by Barnable Rich, which itself drew inspiration from many French and Italian sources. The earliest recorded performance was in 1602, and it was probably penned between 1599 and 1601. Early in 1601 an Italian visitor named Orsino visited the court of Queen Elizabeth, perhaps inspiring Shakespeare's use of his name for the Duke here. Originally published at $10.95 You save 86% off the cover price!

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New Amer Library Classics. 09/01/1988. Revised. Originally published at $5.95 You save 83% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 02/01/2000. New. 101 pgs. Originally published at $7.00 You save 86% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 03/01/2002. 104 pgs. Originally published at $5.95 You save 83% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 09/01/1999. 225 pgs. Originally published at $4.95 You save 60% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 12/01/2000. 140 pgs. Originally published at $7.00 You save 86% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 02/01/2000. Illustrated. 144 pgs. Originally published at $7.00 You save 86% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 01/01/2000. New. 106 pgs. The spirit of revenge that permeates TITUS ANDRONICUS, Shakespeare's first tragedy, is ignited when Lucius, the son of the celebrated general, Titus, calls for a human sacrifice after waging a successful campaign against the Goths. The son of Tamora, the captive Queen of the Goths, is chosen for the role. As a patriot and high ranking general, it falls to Titus to name the successor of the throne. When Titus names Saturninus, the eldest of the Emperors two rival sons, Saturninus pledges to marry Titus's daughter, Lavinia. However, it had previously been arranged that Bassianus, the Emperor's younger son was to marry her, and when Titus's own sons defend this union, Titus kills one in the scuffle that follows. Although Titus was defending the authority of Saturninus, Saturninus fears Titus's popularity, and uses the chaotic environment to undermine Titus by marrying Tamora, who swears to avenge Titus for the sacrifice of her son. Bassianus thus marries Lavinia after all, but the honeymoon is short-lived, for Tamara's sons kill Bassianus and rape and mutilate Lavinia, severing both hands and her tongue. Lavinia is presented to Titus just as he is overcome with the grief of the impending execution of two of his sons. A messenger of Tamora promises that they will be spared in exchange for Titus's own hand. However, after sacrificing his hand, it is returned to him on a platter beside the heads of his sons. Titus, dressed as a chef, executes a particularly gruesome revenge for this, which he serves to Tamora with relish. In depicting revenge with gusto, Shakespeare was participating in the growing popularity of the Elizabethan revenge play, of which Hamlet is a graceful example. TITUS ANDRONICUS was first published in 1594, but its composition may have been as early as 1588. Frequent publication suggests popularity in Shakespeare's day. Originally published at $5.95 You save 83% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 11/01/2001. Illustrated. 148 pgs. Originally published at $5.00 You save 62% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 02/01/2000. New. 127 pgs. Originally published at $5.95 You save 79% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 05/01/2001. Illustrated. 145 pgs. This newly revised Signet classic includes an extensive overview of Shakespeare's life, a unique introduction to the play, a comprehensive stage history of notable actors, and historical and contemporary dramatic criticism. Originally published at $5.00 You save 67% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 12/01/2000. 123 pgs. The historic King Henry VI lived from 1421 to 1471, however, the three plays which bear his name as titles do not concern him as much as those around him, such as Talbot, of HENRY VI, PART I, who is killed as a result of warring British factions while Henry VI is yet a child-king. The play is set during the final stages of the Hundred Years War against France, after the death of Henry V, who had conquered a significant amount French territory during his triumphant reign--most of which is lost during the course of the present drama. The three Henry VI plays, together with Richard III, form a tetralogy that thematically chronicles the disintegration of British dominance, the infighting that ensues, resulting in civil war (The War of the Roses). The tension between chaos and order is paramount. According to most scholarship, Shakespeare wrote the first of the three parts between 1589 and 1590. It was performed first on March 3, 1592 at the Rose Theater. Diaries indicate that it was performed 14 more times before the theaters were closed that season because of an outbreak of plague. Early Shakespeareans were hesitant to attribute HENRY VI, PART 1 to Shakespeare, particularly because of the crude portrayal of Joan of Arc, although it was included in the FIRST FOLIO, 1623; thus there is much speculation regarding this topic. The action begins at the funeral of Henry V, where the Duke of Gloucester and the Bishop of Winchester engage in a disruptive argument about the control of the young King Henry VI. Two messengers, one bringing word of English military losses in France, and a second reporting a French rebellion subsequently interfere with the funeral ceremony. In violation of a previous treaty, Charles Dauphin has been crowned King of France, and motivated the Bastard of Orleance and the Duke of Alanson behind him. A third messenger tells of the capture of the hero Talbot due to the coward Falstaff. Reinforcements are sent to assist the Earl of Salisbury, who leads the English army. Talbot is freed, but Salisbury is killed shortly thereafter. Moreover, Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc), armed with sorcery, has pledged allegiance to the French cause. During the power struggle between the French and English abroad, the celebrated Temple Garden Scene takes place back in England in which Richard Plantagenet and Somerset argue about rights to the crown. Plucking a white rose from a tree, Richard calls for his supporters to do the same; Somerset and his supports pick red roses--and thus the War of the Roses ignites. To quell some of the debate that ensues among the parties, Henry VI restores Richard as Duke of York. Attempting to restore peace among the factions, he later attempts, fatally, to evenly divide the English military, assigning the house of York control of the infantry, leaving the cavalry to Somerset, which only results in more strife among the factions. Both Talbot and his young son are killed in battle, but Joan is burned at the stake. Meanwhile, Gloucester arranges a peace treaty between Henry VI and Charles, based on Henry marrying the daughter of a French noble. Henry agrees. However, Suffolk has plans of his own for the King. Because Suffolk is in love with Margaret, daughter of the French noble Reignier, he establishes her as Queen, encouraging Henry VI to break his prior engagement. With Margaret installed as Queen, Suffolk, is poised to control the throne: "Margaret shall now be Queen, and rule the King; / But I will rule both her, the King, and Realm." Originally published at $7.00 You save 86% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 12/01/2000. 140 pgs. The historic King Henry VI lived from 1421 to 1471, however, the three plays which bear his name as titles do not concern him as much as those around him, such as Talbot, of HENRY VI, PART I, who is killed as a result of warring British factions while Henry VI is yet a child-king. The play is set during the final stages of the Hundred Years War against France, after the death of Henry V, who had conquered a significant amount French territory during his triumphant reign--most of which is lost during the course of the present drama. The three Henry VI plays, together with Richard III, form a tetralogy that thematically chronicles the disintegration of British dominance, the infighting that ensues, resulting in civil war (The War of the Roses). The tension between chaos and order is paramount. According to most scholarship, Shakespeare wrote the first of the three parts between 1589 and 1590. It was performed first on March 3, 1592 at the Rose Theater. Diaries indicate that it was performed 14 more times before the theaters were closed that season because of an outbreak of plague. Early Shakespeareans were hesitant to attribute HENRY VI, PART 1 to Shakespeare, particularly because of the crude portrayal of Joan of Arc, although it was included in the FIRST FOLIO, 1623; thus there is much speculation regarding this topic. The action begins at the funeral of Henry V, where the Duke of Gloucester and the Bishop of Winchester engage in a disruptive argument about the control of the young King Henry VI. Two messengers, one bringing word of English military losses in France, and a second reporting a French rebellion subsequently interfere with the funeral ceremony. In violation of a previous treaty, Charles Dauphin has been crowned King of France, and motivated the Bastard of Orleance and the Duke of Alanson behind him. A third messenger tells of the capture of the hero Talbot due to the coward Falstaff. Reinforcements are sent to assist the Earl of Salisbury, who leads the English army. Talbot is freed, but Salisbury is killed shortly thereafter. Moreover, Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc), armed with sorcery, has pledged allegiance to the French cause. During the power struggle between the French and English abroad, the celebrated Temple Garden Scene takes place back in England in which Richard Plantagenet and Somerset argue about rights to the crown. Plucking a white rose from a tree, Richard calls for his supporters to do the same; Somerset and his supports pick red roses--and thus the War of the Roses ignites. To quell some of the debate that ensues among the parties, Henry VI restores Richard as Duke of York. Attempting to restore peace among the factions, he later attempts, fatally, to evenly divide the English military, assigning the house of York control of the infantry, leaving the cavalry to Somerset, which only results in more strife among the factions. Both Talbot and his young son are killed in battle, but Joan is burned at the stake. Meanwhile, Gloucester arranges a peace treaty between Henry VI and Charles, based on Henry marrying the daughter of a French noble. Henry agrees. However, Suffolk has plans of his own for the King. Because Suffolk is in love with Margaret, daughter of the French noble Reignier, he establishes her as Queen, encouraging Henry VI to break his prior engagement. With Margaret installed as Queen, Suffolk, is poised to control the throne: "Margaret shall now be Queen, and rule the King; / But I will rule both her, the King, and Realm." Originally published at $7.00 You save 79% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 12/01/2000. 132 pgs. The historic King Henry VI lived from 1421 to 1471, however, the three plays which bear his name as titles do not concern him as much as those around him, such as Talbot, of HENRY VI, PART I, who is killed as a result of warring British factions while Henry VI is yet a child-king. The play is set during the final stages of the Hundred Years War against France, after the death of Henry V, who had conquered a significant amount French territory during his triumphant reign--most of which is lost during the course of the present drama. The three Henry VI plays, together with Richard III, form a tetralogy that thematically chronicles the disintegration of British dominance, the infighting that ensues, resulting in civil war (The War of the Roses). The tension between chaos and order is paramount. According to most scholarship, Shakespeare wrote the first of the three parts between 1589 and 1590. It was performed first on March 3, 1592 at the Rose Theater. Diaries indicate that it was performed 14 more times before the theaters were closed that season because of an outbreak of plague. Early Shakespeareans were hesitant to attribute HENRY VI, PART 1 to Shakespeare, particularly because of the crude portrayal of Joan of Arc, although it was included in the FIRST FOLIO, 1623; thus there is much speculation regarding this topic. The action begins at the funeral of Henry V, where the Duke of Gloucester and the Bishop of Winchester engage in a disruptive argument about the control of the young King Henry VI. Two messengers, one bringing word of English military losses in France, and a second reporting a French rebellion subsequently interfere with the funeral ceremony. In violation of a previous treaty, Charles Dauphin has been crowned King of France, and motivated the Bastard of Orleance and the Duke of Alanson behind him. A third messenger tells of the capture of the hero Talbot due to the coward Falstaff. Reinforcements are sent to assist the Earl of Salisbury, who leads the English army. Talbot is freed, but Salisbury is killed shortly thereafter. Moreover, Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc), armed with sorcery, has pledged allegiance to the French cause. During the power struggle between the French and English abroad, the celebrated Temple Garden Scene takes place back in England in which Richard Plantagenet and Somerset argue about rights to the crown. Plucking a white rose from a tree, Richard calls for his supporters to do the same; Somerset and his supports pick red roses--and thus the War of the Roses ignites. To quell some of the debate that ensues among the parties, Henry VI restores Richard as Duke of York. Attempting to restore peace among the factions, he later attempts, fatally, to evenly divide the English military, assigning the house of York control of the infantry, leaving the cavalry to Somerset, which only results in more strife among the factions. Both Talbot and his young son are killed in battle, but Joan is burned at the stake. Meanwhile, Gloucester arranges a peace treaty between Henry VI and Charles, based on Henry marrying the daughter of a French noble. Henry agrees. However, Suffolk has plans of his own for the King. Because Suffolk is in love with Margaret, daughter of the French noble Reignier, he establishes her as Queen, encouraging Henry VI to break his prior engagement. With Margaret installed as Queen, Suffolk, is poised to control the throne: "Margaret shall now be Queen, and rule the King; / But I will rule both her, the King, and Realm." Originally published at $5.95 You save 83% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 12/01/2000. New. 113 pgs. Originally published at $6.00 You save 67% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 08/01/2000. Preceded by HENRY VI: Parts I, II, and III, RICHARD III concludes Shakespeare's four-part dramatic series chronicling the end of the Plantagenet family as rulers of England. Upon the defeat of Richard, the hunchbacked Duke of Gloucester, at the battle of Bosworth field in 1485, the Plantagenets are replaced by the Tudors, marking the end of a long period of civil war in England. RICHARD III is an early play in Shakespeare's oeuvre, probably written in 1591 when the century-old events it portrays were still part of the collective memory of the audiences at the Globe Theatre. The ruthless and self-destructive Richard, who rises to power solely by means of a succession of horrific murders, is portrayed as a particularly evil and bloodthirsty villain, Shakespeare's worst--a characterization that subsequent scholarship has seen as possibly unfair. In the play, written in a period when a physical deformity was often considered an emblem of a moral defect, Richard's vileness is seen as arising from his hunchback, his revenge against Nature for making him too ugly to be loved. Shakespeare took some liberties with history and geography--Richard, for example, takes part in a battle that occurred when he was two years old--and RICHARD III (like much of Shakespeare) is rife with anachronisms. The play also shows the influence of medieval morality plays, in which good and evil stood in stark contrast as a way of showing how human nature could be corrupted by temptation and sin. Whatever the sources and inaccuracies of the play, what interested Shakespeare was the study of character, and the events of RICHARD III as he saw them afforded him an opportunity to explore evil and its consequences in one of his most fascinating works. Originally published at $6.00 You save 77% off the cover price!

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Penguin USA. 04/01/2003. 144 pgs. Originally published at $10.00 You save 90% off the cover price!

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Oxford Univ Pr. 01/01/2006. Reissue. 234 pgs. Originally published at $16.95 You save 94% off the cover price!

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Oxford Univ Pr. 03/01/2003. Originally published at $10.95 You save 82% off the cover price!

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Oxford Univ Pr. 11/01/1998. 400 pgs. Originally published at $10.95 You save 82% off the cover price!

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Oxford Univ Pr on Demand. 04/01/2000. An overview (not always with approval) of the treatment of Shakespeare's plays by the movie industry over the years. Originally published at $40.00 You save 95% off the cover price!

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Oxford Univ Pr. 10/01/1992. Reissue. 144 pgs. Originally published at $7.95 You save 87% off the cover price!

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Oxford Univ Pr. 08/01/1995. 169 pgs. Originally published at $24.95 You save 94% off the cover price!

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