Books by William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts Prince Hamlet and his revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father in order to seize his throne and marry Hamlet's mother.Hamlet is considered among the most powerful and influential works of world literature, with a story capable of "seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others". It was one of Shakespeare's most popular works during his lifetime and still ranks among his most performed, topping the performance list of the Royal Shakespeare Company and its predecessors in Stratford-upon-Avon since 1879. It has inspired many other writers-from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Charles Dickens to James Joyce and Iris Murdoch-and has been described as "the world's most filmed story after Cinderella".The story of Shakespeare's Hamlet was derived from the legend of Amleth, preserved by 13th-century chronicler Saxo Grammaticus in his Gesta Danorum, as subsequently retold by the 16th-century scholar François de Belleforest. Shakespeare may also have drawn on an earlier Elizabethan play known today as the Ur-Hamlet, though some scholars believe Shakespeare wrote the Ur-Hamlet, later revising it to create the version of Hamlet that exists today. He almost certainly wrote his version of the title role for his fellow actor, Richard Burbage, the leading tragedian of Shakespeare's time. In the 400 years since its inception, the role has been performed by numerous highly acclaimed actors in each successive century.

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601-1602 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (who is disguised as Cesario) falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her thinking she is a man.The play expanded on the musical interludes and riotous disorder expected of the occasion,[1] with plot elements drawn from the short story "Of Apollonius and Silla" by Barnabe Rich, based on a story by Matteo Bandello. The first recorded public performance was on 2 February 1602, at Candlemas, the formal end of Christmastide in the year's calendar. The play was not published until its inclusion in the 1623 First Folio.

La Fameuse Histoire de la vie du roi Henri le huitième (The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth) est l'une des dernières pièces écrites par William Shakespeare en collaboration avec John Fletcher, basée sur la vie d'Henri VIII d'Angleterre.Un autre titre All Is True est répertorié dans les documents de l'époque ; le titre Henry VIII n'apparaît que dix ans plus tard, lors de la publication de la pièce dans le Premier Folio en 1623. C'est d'ailleurs sous le titre All Is True que la pièce est publiée dans The Oxford Shakespeare. The Complete Works.Pendant l'une des premières représentations, l'après-midi du 29 juin 1613, la bourre enflammée d'un canon de théâtre, utilisé pour des effets spéciaux, a mis le feu au toit du théâtre du Globe qui était couvert de chaume, provoquant l'incendie de tout le bâtiment. L'accident est relaté dans une lettre du 2 juillet par Sir Henry Wotton, ambassadeur à Venise qui se trouvait alors à Londres. Selon une autre source, le théâtre était noir de monde, qui venait voir une pièce « qui n'avait été jouée que deux ou trois fois auparavant ». Personne ne fut blessé, sauf un homme légèrement brûlé en sauvant un enfant qui aurait péri dans les flammes sans son intervention.

La Vie et la Mort du roi Jean (The Life and Death of King John) est une pièce de théâtre de William Shakespeare évoquant le règne (1199-1216) de Jean d'Angleterre.La première représentation est attestée en 1598. On situe l'écriture de la pièce entre 1593 et 1596. Certains la voient antérieure à 15912. Elle pourrait s'inspirer de The Troublesome Reign of King John, pièce attribuée à Christopher Marlowe ou George Peele, mais l'antériorité de celle-ci est controversée.

Comme il vous plaira (As You Like It) est une comédie de William Shakespeare écrite en 1599, initialement publiée dans le Premier Folio, en 1623. Les circonstances de la première représentation sont incertaines, l'une des possibilités envisagées serait à Wilton House, en 1603. La pièce est notamment connue pour le monologue de Jaques, commençant par All the world's a stage.PrésentationL'héroïne Rosalinde se réfugie dans la forêt des Ardennes, accompagnée de sa cousine Célia, fuyant la cour de son oncle, dans la quête de trouver la sécurité et, éventuellement, l'amour. Elles sont amenées à rencontrer différents personnages, notamment Jacques, voyageur mélancolique présent dans plusieurs pièces de Shakespeare, et dont le discours "All the world's a stage" est très connu.Réception de la pièceLa réception critique de la pièce est diverse : certains critiques trouvent que cette pièce est mineure en comparaison d'autres oeuvres de Shakespeare, mais d'autres lui portent une grande estime. Elle est l'une des pièces favorites du public et est souvent adaptée à la radio, au cinéma et en comédie musicale. Des actrices célèbres ont interprété le rôle de Rosalinde, sur scène et à l'écran, notamment Vanessa Redgrave, Juliet Stevenson, Rebecca Hall, Helen Mirren, et Patti LuPone, tandis qu'Alan Rickman, Stephen Spinella, Kevin Kline et Stephen Dillane tenaient le rôle de Jacques.

This edition of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" reprints the Bevington edition of the play accompanied by four sets of primary documents and illustrations thematically arranged to offer a richly textured understanding of early modern culture and Shakespeare's work within that culture. The texts, including facsimiles of period documents, conduct literature, county records, reports of court entertainments, and Queen Elizabeth's speeches, contextualize the play's treatment of popular and royal festivity, communities of women (including Amazons, gossips, and nuns), marriage expectations, and the supernatural. Editorial features designed to help students read the play in light of the historical documents include an intelligent and engaging general introduction, an introduction to each thematic group of documents, thorough headnotes and glosses for the primary documents (presented in modern spelling), and an extensive bibliography.

Hamlet foi provavelmente escrita entre 1599 e 1602, mas não há até hoje uma data comprovada da gênese deste clássico da dramaturgia. Tendo como cenário a Dinamarca, mais precisamente o castelo de Elsinor, esta peça traz sua versão do destino do príncipe Hamlet, obrigado a empreender um drástico ato de revanche contra seu tio, para vingar a morte do pai. Adaptada pelo escritor Júlio Emílio Braz, o texto considerado a joia da coroa de uma carreira teatral triunfante, é daqueles para ser lido e relido inúmeras vezes.

Uma divertida comedia em que Shakespeare une amor e dinheiro na Veneza do século XVI. Para ajudar o amigo Bassânio, o comerciante Antônio faz um empréstimo com Shylock, um conhecido agiota. No contrato celebrado entre eles, ficou pactuado que Shylock reduziria os juros que era acostumado a cobrar, mas a sanção estabelecida seria um bom pedaço de carne do próprio devedor, caso ele não devolvesse o dinheiro na data estipulada. Antônio assinou o contrato sem nenhuma preocupação, afinal, possuía bens para dispor caso algo acontecesse

Chiltern Publishing creates the most beautiful editions of the World's finest literature.Your favorite classics in a way you have never seen them before; the tactile layers, fine details and beautiful colors of these remarkable covers make these books feel extra special and will look striking on any shelf.The tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, is one of the most famous plays written by the English author, William Shakespeare. It is a story about two young people who fall in love, despite the animosity between their families that are consumed by hatred and rivalry. Their love seems impossible at first, but they get married secretly. During various conflicts occurring between the two families, Romeo murders Juliet's cousin and thus has to leave the country. However, he remains in hiding, not to leave Juliet behind.

Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's best dramatist. His plays have been translated into every major language, and are the most performed ever. His work contains stunningly modern insight, witty jokes and soaring passion; it is an endless source of amazement and inspiration. Romeo and Juliet is perhaps his most famous and beloved; this heartbreaking tale of impossible love has marked every generation since its publication, and it is an essential part of Western culture. This lively adaptation is a convenient summary meant to bring to you Shakespeare's magic in an actual, clear and precise way; recorded by the greatest storytellers, it will bring to you the fundamentals of English culture in a most enjoyable format.

Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's best dramatist. His plays have been translated into every major language, and are the most performed ever. His work contains stunningly modern insight, witty jokes and soaring passion; it is an endless source of amazement and inspiration. We have selected for you the best quotes ever written by one of the greatest literary figures to have ever walked on earth, from Hamlet to Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet to the Tempest, and from every other play in existence: Othello, King Lear, and the historical dramas, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Julius Caesar, Henry VIII, King Lear. Enjoy the force and passion of this fondation of literature and culture; get to know the Bard more intimely as you gain food for thought and enjoyable references.

Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's best dramatist. His plays have been translated into every major language, and are the most performed ever. His work contains stunningly modern insight, witty jokes and soaring passion; it is an endless source of amazement and inspiration. The Tempest is now considered to be one of Shakespeare's greatest works. It has been adapted numerous times in a variety of styles and formats; it is a tale of magic, romance, and illusion. The sorcerer Prospero, rightful Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place; he conjures up a tempest to lure his usurping brother Antonio to the island, before using various machinations to reveal the usurper's true nature. This lively adaptation is a convenient summary meant to bring to you Shakespeare's magic in an actual, clear and precise way; recorded by the greatest storytellers, it will bring to you the fundamentals of English culture in a most enjoyable format.

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599. It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques who speaks many of Shakespeare's most famous speeches (such as "All the world's a stage", "too much of a good thing" and "A fool! A fool! I met a fool in the forest"). Jaques provides a sharp contrast to the other characters in the play, always observing and disputing the hardships of life in the country. The play remains a favourite among audiences and has been adapted for radio, film, and musical theatre. Here is a high-quality summary of the play, in a clear and practical format, as a help for study and an accessible way to discover Shakespeare's work.

King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, depicting the gradual descent into madness of the title character, after he disposes of his kingdom giving bequests to two of his three daughters based on their flattery of him, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is derived from the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king; after the English Restoration, it was often revised with a happy ending for audiences who disliked its dark and depressing tone, but since the 19th century Shakespeare's original version has been regarded as one of his supreme achievements. The tragedy is particularly noted for its probing observations on the nature of human suffering and kinship. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "No man will ever write a better tragedy than Lear." This is a detailed summary of the play, re-told in todays language.

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare. Set mainly in Scotland, the play illustrates the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. It was most likely written during the reign of James I, who had been James VI of Scotland before he succeeded to the English throne in 1603. James was a patron of Shakespeare's acting company, and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote during James's reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright's relationship with the sovereign. Macbeth is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, and tells the story of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia, and he soon becomes a tyrannical ruler as he is forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion. The bloodbath and consequent civil war swiftly take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of arrogance, madness, and death. This is a detailed summary of the play, re-told in todays language.

The Merchant of Venice is a 16th-century play by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice must default on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender. It has been listed among Shakespeare's greatest comedies, although its tone is often dramatic. This is a detailed summary of the play, written in today's language, for all willing to acquire a greater understanding of Shakespeare's work and widen their culture.