Product Description

Customer Reviews (12)

The First Folio's travels over 400 years
Until I saw this book recommended very recently in paperback by the New York Times, I had never heard either of the book, or its author, Paul Collins. I have read other reviews of the book on Amazon, and I have searched Paul Collins's name. It seems he has published a number of works that have been well-received. Please add this new book to the list. I had no idea that the history of Shakespeare's First Folio and of its various collectors of copies thereof over a 400-year period could be made so interesting. It takes the reader from 1623 London as far as 21st century Tokyo, and Paul intersperses the breadth of his historical knowledge with descriptions of the various places he has obviously visited to assist his discussion of his chosen topic. As someone who has had intimate knowledge of the west end of London, I feel this book gives me an even better insight than I ever had before into some arcane areas of the city of my birth.

Finally, and surprisingly, this book is a real "page-turner". I am easily bored by books that are not well written: I could not put this one down. Buy it! You won't be sorry.

Light, pleasant, and very informative
The most revered author in the world never bothered to publish the works for which he is famous. Today, only ten words are known to exist in his hand: his name, written five times. The only man we can be certain he disliked was the guy who published 36 of his plays about seven years after his death (and he was blind and died a few weeks before the First Folio finally came off the press).

We know more about what happened to that print run of 750 copies than almost any book since, though it is nearly four centuries old. Copies disappeared in the Great London Fire of 1666 and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and another sank to the bottom of the Atlantic in 1854 when the SS Arctic rammed a French steamer off Newfoundland. A copy recently sold at Sotheby's for $5.8 million.

Paul Collins, who teaches at Portland State University, edits an imprint of McSweeney Books, and does commentaries on NPR as Weekend Edition's literary detective, has made a specialty of digging up forgotten books and obscure history.

His first book for general readers, Banvard's Folly, offered entertaining portraits of "people who didn't change the world." Subsequent tomes tracked the purloined remains of Thomas Paine, traced the history and diagnosis of autism, and visited Hay-on-Wye - a Welsh village of 1,500 inhabitants and, count 'em, 40 antiquarian bookstores.

As different as their subjects may appear - Collins once said "there is no way they are reproducible [by potential competitors] because they are so chaotic" - at least one thread connects them all: a love of books, and what they say to and about us.

Shakespeare's First Folio hardly qualifies as "forgotten," yet its 386-year history is perfect for Collins's peripatetic narrative style. The five "Acts" and 18 "scenes" of The Book of William take the reader from St. Paul's Churchyard in the 1580s, where future printer William Jaggard got his start with a bookselling stall, to the windowless, fireproofed, temperature- and humidity-controlled vaults of Meisei University in Japan, which contain a dozen First Folios, worth upwards of $50 million.

Along the way, we learn that paper in Jaggard's time was made from handkerchiefs, blouses, table linens, and undergarments; witness the 1720s literary war between Alexander Pope and Lewis Theobald (yeah, that's right - who? - but Collins dubs him the victor) over how to edit Shakespeare; meet various First Folio hunters, dead and living; and examine kabuki and manga Shakespeare.

Collins is pleasant company on these journeys through musty and scholarly byways; fans of Bill Bryson might find the style similar. Musing on the vagaries of theatrical fashion after the Bard's passing, he writes: "Puck and Titania couldn't get themselves arrested in the 1620s." The spongy green carpet of DC's Folger Library "makes you want to either tackle a Milton scholar or throw a long bomb down the forty yards to the reference desk."

This is great, informative fun.

ABSORBING
The author has such a light, chatty style (and such an obvious enthusiasm for his work) that the arcane minutia about early book publishing practices goes down like sugar plums.

When I ordered the book, I was writing a young adult novel about a young boy's time-travel back to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre during a performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and I thought this would offer some needed background. Wow! It was so much more captivating than I expected it to be.The personalities involved in promoting the First Folio's rise to prominence are fascinating, from Jaggard to Heminge and Condell all the way down to Henry Clay Folger -- just wonderful stories. This book has made me add a visit to the Folger Library in Washington to my Bucket List.

A most enjoyable read. It was so much fun to read that I limited myself to 2 or 3 chapters per day so it would last longer. I am definitely exploring Paul Collins's other titles, as this is the first one I've read, having noticed a review in the New York Times. Bravo!

Good look at a rare book
I think this book is a must read for those of us who love old books and Shakespeare but are not scholars. The author describes what printing was like in early 17th century, and how books were bought, sold, and cataloged. From a book sale at Sothebys to a Japanese university, he tracks the ownership of first folios and gives a sense of that rarified world where people have fortunes to spend on books. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Book of William
The Book of William by Paul Collins is a Shakespearean travel narrative, tracing the unique history of one of the worlds most influential books. From its relatively lackluster beginnings to its current $5 million price tag, the path of Shakespeare's first Folio contains plenty of twists and turns, and Collins likewise pulls his audience from 17th-century London to the bank vault under the Folger Library, and finally to obscure theatres and a large university in Japan. The Book of William is better suited for the enthusiast than the scholar; I believe anyone with a remote interest in the Bard and his published work will find Collins' account entertaining. ... Read more

Product Description
A vital resource for scholars, students and actors, this book contains glosses and quotes for over 14,000 words that could be misunderstood by or are unknown to a modern audience. Displayed panels look at such areas of Shakespeare's language as greetings, swear-words and terms of address. Plot summaries are included for all Shakespeare's plays and on the facing page is a unique diagrammatic representation of the relationships within each play. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

useful
if your about it, this book is really useful. and reference material you can use in your time can be priceless.

very valuable
One of the difficulties in appreciating Shakespeare's plays is that we think we know what the words mean.Most of them are still in use, and aside from an occasional stumble we can read the test pretty easily.In many cases, however, the meaning of the words has changed.You won't know what you are missing unless you get this book.Highly recommended.Note: I have not used the other similar glossaries, so I cannot compare.This one works well for me.

Great Item, Great Condition
I was very pleased with this item. Great condition, shipped quickly and with no problems.Extremely useful in the classroom or for personal reading.

Useful guide for "Shakespeare's words"
This book is a very helpful guide for everyone, who wants to study Shakespeare. I am not a native englishspeaker and it was perfect for understanding the necessary terminology. I suppose that the content of the book is also precious for native english speakers. The book contains:
1) A very important chapter which contains the most frequently used words, and proves to be valuable for quick reference.
2) Words which still exist in the english language but with a different meaning.
3) Words which vanished through the years.
4) Several chapters describing the structure of several shakespeare's works.
In all cases the meanings of the words are simply stated and well clarified providing a perfect guide for every intermediate reader.

Great Choice for Fans of Bill
I must have spent two hours reading reviews of Shakespeare lexicons and dictionaries before settling on this one.I am so pleased with my choice.It is simple to use and so far all the words I have needed have been listed, miraculously along with the verses I am reading! Please note that the price of this one is so affordable!The best thing was, when I opened the Amazon Box, the first thing I saw was Kenneth Branagh's name.He did not create the book, but he recommends it in writing on the front cover.

As an added bonus in the back of the book there are detailed maps of all the story plot lines, indicating the relationships between the characters.All in all, very helpful. ... Read more

Product Description
The Tempest is one of Shakespeare's later plays and can be classified as a romance. While it is an enjoyable fairy tale of sorts, complete with good and bad, uncomplicated love and miraculous incidents, the play also incorporates many of the playwright's common themes, such as the reconciliation of families that endure hardship.

The CliffsComplete The Tempest is a revised and expanded study edition. It contains Shakespeare's original play, a glossary, and expert commentary in a unique, 2-column format. To enhance your learning, notes and definitions appear directly opposite the line in which they occur, and a review section follows the play. This edition also introduces you to the life, works, and times of William Shakespeare. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

It's the author I hate, not the seller
Book arrived on time in perfect condition. Very cheap price. However, I don't want to comment about the book itself since I don't like Shakespeare's works much.

The great Globe itself
"The Tempest" is Shakespeare's last great play, and in an oddly appropriate way it is very different from much of his earlier efforts. Unlike most of Shakespeare's work, "The Tempest" seems to have come mostly from the Bard's own mind, and does not have source materials from which Shakespeare lifted the plot. This may explain the weakness of the plot of the play, regardless it does not matter in the big scheme of things.
The play takes the form of following three separate groups on an enchanted isle. A group of foul noblemen, who gained power through the usurpation of the rightful ruler, a comic trio who stumble about in drunkenness and plot evil deeds (the play's comic relief) and the "lord" of the island (Prospero) and his faithful spirit world servants. When the three plots converge in the final act of the text Shakespeare gives the reader a satisfying conclusion, but one that still has a hint of sadness and darkness to it. The famous epilogue of the play spoken by Prospero (Now my charms are all o'erthrown...) leaves the reader with a plethora of questions and emotions. This epilogue is one of the most beautiful pieces in the entire canon.
It has become fashionable to make "The Tempest" a valedictory play for Shakespeare, and there are many moments in the text that can be read as Prospero speaking for him. At the play's conclusion Prospero frees his trusty servant Ariel (some say his muse), acknowledges the half human Caliban as "mine own" (some say his own dark nature) and gives up his magic powers (his talent). This is an appropriate reading, and a satisfying one for lovers of Shakespeare. Just be careful not to limit the text to just that interpretation.
I think the greater strength in the piece is its portrayal of the absolute humanity of forgiveness, and how lucky we as humans are to be able to practice it. The most poignant scene in Shakespeare begins at the beginning of Act V when Ariel tells Prospero that he would be moved to pity for the people that Prospero has entrapped on the island (with the plan of taking revenge) "were I human". This stunning declaration causes Prospero to recant his vengeful purposes, "the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance." A grown up Shakespeare has lived a life and seen the capacity for good that humanity can engender. It is hard to imagine the man who wrote "The Tempest" as the same man who wrote the revenge blood fest "Titus Andronicus" so many years earlier. A mature work, from a mature playwright!
As for the Pelican Shakespeare series, they are my favorite editions as the scholarly research is usually top notch and the editions themselves look good as an aesthetic unit. It looks and feel like a play and this compliments the text's contents admirably. The Pelican series was recently reedited and has the latest scholarship on Shakespeare and his time period. Well priced and well worth it.

Rather like a dream than an assurance
Many consider "The Tempest" to be the final play that Shakespeare wrote solo, which gives a certain bittersweet flavor to its story -- especially since the main character is a sorcerer who manipulates others to get the ending he desires. Shakespeare juggled a trio of main stories before tying them off in rare style, but it's Prospero and his final speech that are truly intriguing.

For many years, the exiled Duke of Milan Prospero has lived on a remote island with his young daughter Miranda. But when he discovers that his treacherous brother Antonio and his similarly treacherous friends are nearby on a sailing ship, he summons a storm that causes the ship to crash on the island.

And like a puppet-master, Prospero arranges this as he wants -- he sends his servant Ariel to haunt the men who betrayed him, he thwarts the machinations of his evil servant Caliban, and he pretends to treat Alonso's son Ferdinand badly while secretly matchmaking him with Miranda. In the end, everything will be as he desired.

"The Tempest" is a play with two different dimensions. On one hand, we have a simple story about a mage whose power allows him to manipulate everything in his little domain. And on the other, we have the story of a brilliant storyteller who arranges his own little worlds as he sees fit, and bids farewell to his role ("Now my charms are all o'erthrown/And what strength I have's mine own...")

And appreciated on its own, "The Tempest" is a brilliant play -- Shakespeare juggled the three main plotlines nicely, and brought a solid sense of resolution to the story. His rich dialogue is stunning ("But doth suffer a sea-change/Into something rich and strange/Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell..."), especially during Ariel's songs and Prospero's speeches. Even the insults are brilliant -- just try yelling "A pox o' your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!" at someone you don't like.

Prospero is a rather unique character -- he rules over his little island with magical powers, sort of like a local demigod. Everything that happens on the island is because he wants it to be so, but he's a sad, benevolent figure rather than a tyrannical one. And Shakespeare sketches up an intriguing cast of characters, both mortal and immortal -- the ethereal, puckish Ariel and grotesque Caliban, the naive Miranda, and the contemptible trio of onetime conspirators.

"O brave new world, That has such people in't!" cries Miranda at the end of "The Tempest," and while not every character in it deserves a "brave new world," the play itself feels like a weekend trip into a magical world.

Shakespeare's play of the early 1600s gains immensely from contemporary readers' post-colonial lens
Shakespeare's play THE TEMPEST is, much like THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, a play where one is not quite sure whether to ascribe characterization to the ethnic stereotypes of the time or laud the playwright for looking beyond the prejudices of society to the universal equality of human beings. The plot of THE TEMPEST is generally aboutexiled duke and magician Prospero luring his enemies to his island to wreak vengence is entertaining enough, what remains with me after every reading is the interaction between Prospero and the indigenous islander Caliban. How, as Shakespeare has the reader ask, can Prospero blast his fellows for overthrowing him if the magician has done the same to Caliban?THE MERCHANT OF VENICE had Shylock giving a moving defence of his humanity before the jeers of Elizabethan society, but then he went back to being the Jewish villian that contemporary audiences would love to hate. Caliban gets that too, for although a European character muses on the possibility that primitive societies are superior to his own, Caliban is mostly exploited for a sort of comedy: watch as Prospero harasses and torments the foreigner!

Over the years I've seen certain conservative writers blast the tendency of contemporary readers to focus on the Prospero-Caliban relationship, seeing it as a manifestation of political correctness. Still, that's what makes THE TEMPEST intriguing and saves the play from being a fairly goofy account of conspirators getting their comeuppance through an elemental spirit playing tricks on them, and then two young people falling in love but being commanded not to get frisky.

I read the Bantam Classic edition of this work, which features some fine supplementary materials. The chapter on The Tempest in performance tracks the play's remarkable staging history, for Shakespeare's original work was usually extended operetta-style with music and dancing until the 20th century. Bantam also includes extracts from the 16th century works which served as an inspiration for Shakespeare's setting: Sylvester Jourdain's "A Discovery of the Bermudas", William Strachey's account of the same incident, and Baron Montaigne's essay on cannibals.

The Tempest:Ambiguous
Title:The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Pages: 187 (including commentary and notes).

Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 2-3 years.

Days spent reading it: 1 evening.

Why I read it: I was reading some sci-fi books (Illium and Olympos by Dan Simmons) that used characters and plot points from the Tempest as a major element of the book. I figured it was about time that I read a classic Shakespeare and figure out why these characters were used and why someone might use them again in a sci-fi story.

Brief review: What an odd play. The Tempest is about a storm that causes a ship to basically wreck on an abandoned island. As we get into the play, we are introduced to the main character Prospero. Prospero has apparently caused this storm to happen and has plans for the people whom he has shipwrecked.

It's difficult to say if I liked this play or not. It was very difficult to read. I find Shakespeare brutally difficult to understand, and this play was no exception. His sentences and syntax are so difficult to read its hard to follow what exactly a character is talking about.

A major part of this play is Prospero's plans. We are never told explicitly what Prospero's actual plans are. He apparently changes them at some points in the play. He has no advisors and no confidants. The critical introduction to my version of the play says that is what makes this play unique amongst Shakespeare's plays. Prospero is an enigma. He's ambiguous. He's hard to pin down. And what are we to make of his "monster" Caliban, who serves Prospero but also wants to overthrow him? He repents, but are we to believe his repentance? What are we to understand about love as represented by Miranda and Ferdinand? Can love be setup? Can we recognize our true loves in a matter of minutes? Or seconds? Shakespeare has some unique insights into the nature of humanity, but some of his ideas ultimately seem forced or unnatural to me.

I realized once again, I'm not a big fan of Shakespeare. I'm sorry. I just do not think the effort of understanding is worth the payoff. I know, blasphemous, but that's my take on the Bard. I'll stick with my greek tragedies please.

Favorite quote:
Caliban: "Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,/ Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not./ Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments/ Will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices/ That, if then had waked after long sleep,/ Will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming,/ The clouds mehtought would open, and show riches/ Ready to drop upon me, that when I waked/ I cried to dream again."

Stars: 2.5 out of 5

Final Word: Ambiguous. ... Read more

Product Description
"The Sonnets" of William Shakespeare are a collection of 154 loosely connected 14 line poems. Considered by many to be among some of the greatest love poetry ever written much debate surrounds the context of the poetry. It has been suggested that the work may be semi-autobiographical but no real evidence firmly supports this notion. Regardless of their context, "The Sonnets" can be appreciated individually or as a whole as examples of William Shakespeare's true literary genius. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

RHYTHM AND LANGUAGE
I have taken my share of ribbing for loving poetry, but a great poem is essentially a nuanced gem pared down to it's most fundamental level, and though it may shine brilliantly, all of the exterior fluff, and tangential angles have been stripped away to reveal the core of a thought that either lives, or dies on the balance of a few lines. I am a fan of many idioms, but the sheer love, and appreciation of cadence, andphrasing in Shakespeare's sonnets make them as savory as any Rembrandt, Matisse, or Picasso to me. There is an inherent musicality to them that is not really fully appreciated unless read aloud. Yeats, Elliot, Thomas, Cummings all had this ability to write a volume in a phrase, but few, if any, have touched Shakespeare's eloquence in the nearly four hundred years since his death.

A Reading Of Sonnet XXVII
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3V1Z3H6SJ1PNB I think I expend a fairly sufficient time within the video itself in explication of why this particular sonnet so appeals to me.But, to expatiate a bit more:It seems so very modern in comparison with most of the others!It has a Gothic quality that reminds one of Poe et al. and, moreover, a very modern take of how the dream life invades one's world when one is in love.

A must have classic
If you're a romantic, Shakespeare's Sonnets is something you'd definitely want to have in your personal library!

Great poetry from the Bard of Avon
One of my Amazon friends recently reviewed a compilation of "Shakespeare's Sonnets," edited by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine. I regret to say that I have not attended to the Bard's sonnets in many a year.Recently, I read Bryson's sprightly biography of Shakespeare, and this--combined with my friend's review--sparked me to purchase this volume.

In the Editors' Preface, they note (Page ix): "This edition. . . reflects these current ways of thinking about Shakespeare."Their Introduction on "Shakespeare's Sonnets"provides nicely constructed context for the poems themselves.Editors notes that (Page xiii): "Few collections of poems--indeed, few literary works in general--intrigue, challenge, tantalize, and reward as do Shakespeare's Sonnets."The years in which the author produced these sonnets are described as (Page xxxii) ". . .among the most exciting in English history. . . "

But it is the poems themselves that are the heart of this.The Editors do a wonderful job of providing context, but--in the end--each reader must make of these works what they will.

Given my age, I do find this poignant (Sonnet 22):

"My glass shall not persuade me I am old
So long as youth and thou are of one date,
But when in thee Time's furrows I behold,
Then look I death my days should expiate."

One of my favorites (Sonnet 29):

"When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state. . . .
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising. . . ."

And (Sonnet 87):

"Farewell, thou art too dear for my possessing,
And like enough thou know'st thy estimate.
The charter of my worth gives thee releasing;
My bonds in thee are all determinate."

And so many others. . . . Shakespeare is not, of course, to everyone's taste. However, for those who enjoy the Bard's art, this is a wonderful version of his sonnets.Highly recommended!

Ode to Love...and Love's Tragedy
Shakespeare's Sonnets come from the Bard's deepest thoughts, his passions, suffering and the expression of the ultimate Joy of Beauty, Poetry and Love. Here are the words of a suffering soul, in love with "someone" much younger than himself, thus his references to age being no barrier to true Love in many of the verses.

All or most scholars agree, the Sonnets were written about and to a single person. The argument, of course, is who this person was...Oscar Wilde speculated the object of the Master's heart was a young male actor, due to the law, had to play all the female parts as acting in the 16th century was purly a man's job.

Shakespeare himself has become a mystery as to his true identity for many years. Interestingly, Sigmund Freud's "free time", was devoted to revealing the Bard's true identity.

For me, when reading the Sonnets, Who wrote them or Who they were written For makes no difference. Because the Sonnets are the most beautiful Ode to Poetry, the Muse and Real Love and its Tragedy, that all too often, is true Love's end result.

This particular edition claims to be the best study of the Sonnets and the Bard himself. This is perhaps true, but the verses have not changed in 500 years.


Over the last three nights, reading or more acurately 're-reading' these wonderful verses, my admiration for the English language, its beauty and cadence, its ability for subtle irony and truth is astounding.

One of my favourites: LXXV.

"So are you to my thoughts, as food for life,
Or as sweet-season'd showers are to the ground:
And for the peace of you I hold such strife
As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found:
Now proud as an enjoyer, and anon
Doubting the flinching age will steal his treasure;
Now counting best to be with you alone,
Then better'd that the world see my pleasure:
Sometime all full with feasting on your sight,
And by-and-by clean starved for a look;
Possessing or pursuing no delight,
Save what is had or must from you be took.
Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day;
Or gluttoning on all, or all the away."

"Feasting on your sight", just to see (her) brings on so much joy.

No delight... but saving her image in his mind like a glutton, a wanting, a Love deep and experienced from afar...

Merely to remind yourself of the beauty of the English language read the Bard's Sonnets and Poems.

A gift.











... Read more

Product Description
In a society dominated by religion and bound by ties of strict family loyalty, two teenagers are trapped by their secret love. As a dangerous vendetta spills onto the streets, the young lovers are forced to risk all to be together in Shakespeare’s fast-paced tragedy of thwarted love.

Under the editorial supervision of Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen, two of today’s most accomplished Shakespearean scholars, this Modern Library series incorporates definitive texts and authoritative notes from William Shakespeare: Complete Works. Each play includes an Introduction as well as an overview of Shakespeare’s theatrical career; commentary on past and current productions based on interviews with leading directors, actors, and designers; scene-by-scene analysis; key facts about the work; a chronology of Shakespeare’s life and times; and black-and-white illustrations.

Ideal for students, theater professionals, and general readers, these modern and accessible editions from the Royal Shakespeare Company set a new standard in Shakespearean literature for the twenty-first century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life
Two teenagers from rival families fall in love, marry secretly, and take their own lives rather than live without each other. Despite the teenage melodrama, "Romeo and Juliet" remains one of Shakespeare's most enduring and popular plays, even if it wasn't his best -- lots of death, teen lovers and enchanting dialogue.

In the city of Verona, the Montagues and Capulets are locked in a deadly feud. Then a Montague teen named Romeo, infatuated with a Capulet girl named Rosaline, sneaks into a party to see her.... but instead encounters another Capulet girl named Juliet, and the two immediately fall in love. Since their families hate each other, their love must be expressed in secret.

Hoping to unite the two families, the kindly priest Friar Lawrence assists the two in marrying in secret. But then Juliet's cousin Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel, leading to the death of two men -- and Romeo's exile from Verona. Even worse, the Capulets have decided to marry Juliet to Count Paris -- leading to a desperate plan that goes horribly awry.

"Romeo and Juliet" is a play that is hard to pin down -- some see it as the poetry-laden embodiment of romantic love, while others view it as Shakespeare's witty jabs at fickle teenage infatuation and how melodramatic the kids are (Juliet is only thirteen!). But whatever you think it is, it's undeniable that it's a beautifully written, often-wrenching story.

Despite the simplicity of the story, Shakespeare spins it in a silken web of lush poetry ("O swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon/That monthly changes in her circled orb") and the famous speeches where Romeo and Juliet speak at night on a balcony. The mostly romantic play takes a dark turn towards the end, when only a few minutes might have changed the fates of "Juliet and her Romeo."

And Shakespeare seems rather fond of his characters here, depicting Romeo as a passionate young boy and Juliet as rather sweetly insecure young girl; there's also a fairly good cast of young men whose spirits are more elevated than their brains, and the kindly friar who rather naively hopes to use the kids to create peace.

But Shakespeare was also clearly aware that passionate teenage love is not necessarily the truest love ("Young men's love then lies/Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes"), and leaves you wondering what might have happened if Romeo and Juliet had lived.

Whether a gentle mockery of young love or a passionate, idealized romance, "Romeo and Juliet" is a timeless and lovely little play. Not the best of the Bard, but still quite good. ... Read more

Product Description
Here are the books that help teach Shakespeare plays without the teacher constantly needing to explain and define Elizabethan terms, slang, and other ways of expression that are different from our own. Each play is presented with Shakespeare's original lines on each left-hand page, and a modern, easy-to-understand "translation" on the facing right-hand page. All dramas are complete, with every original Shakespearian line, and a full-length modern rendition of the text. These invaluable teaching-study guides also include:

1. Helpful background information that puts each play in its historical perspective.

2. Discussion questions that teachers can use to spark student class participation, and which students can use as springboards for their own themes and term papers.

3. Fact quizzes, sample examinations, and other features that improve student comprehension of what each play is about. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

Fabulous!
This is a great book, I love Shakespeare so much! I wish I could interview him and speak with him for he could give me some ideas! That would be a dream!
If you love the awesome Mr.Shay, then you really need to get this!

Good learning tool
My 14-year old is studying Shakespeare in his English class and his teacher recommended this book. My son enjoys it because each page has both the original Shakesperean text and the modern-day English. He has related to me some interesting parallels between the two.

Perfect for students
As a high school teacher of many years, I absolutely love using the Shakespeare Made Easy version of "Romeo and Juliet" to enhance the young reader's experience of this play.With the more modern side-by-side translation, readers can independently enjoy the poetry of Shakespeare without the frustration of decoding every word or phrase.It is perfect for classroom use and even better for those who want to re-read Shakespeare as adults!This Barron's version keeps true to the orignial text and is unlike others which give quick summaries at the beginning of each scene or Act.Shakespeare Made Easy translates, modernizes or interprets every line without losing the original meaning. This version certainly makes teaching the classics a whole lot easier!

Helper for Understanding
I bought this book for my high school Shakespeare class and found it to be the most helpful thing.With this book, you get a feel for what Shakespeare was saying in a language that you can understand.With my other Shakespeare books, I had to wait for my teacher to explain to us just what had happened in the lines we had just read.When I used this book, I understood the material before it was explained to me.I recommend this to anyone taking an Intro to Shakespeare class.

kids romeo and juliet
These book is great.It came in very handy for my daughter while they were reading this in school ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

great tool
The "No Fear Shakespeare" books are so much help.I am terrible with understanding old-english and this book makes it an easy-read with helpful hints when the author attempts so allude to something most audiences don't know. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful introduction to theatre and Shakespeare
My 4 1/2 year old son is riveted by this book and I enjoy every moment of reading it to him. The pictures are wonderful. The story is simple while also interesting. And unlike so many children's books about *nothing*, this also introduced a whole world he didn't know much about, which lead to a fabulous conversation about plays, acting, costumes, customs of olden days, and Shakespeare himself. We have both Mary Pope Osborne's Stage Fright on a Summer Night (Magic Tree House #25) -- which we listen to on CD -- and this was a perfect compliment. I only wish this were part of a series about Shakespeare, children of different periods, or both.

great
This book is just what I was looking for.A way to share the feeling of Shakespeare's life with children from the view of a child. ... Read more

Product Description
The greatest works of tragedy from the Bard, this book features "Hamlet, Othello, King Lear" and "Macbeth". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Love This Version
I ordered this book for my AP English class, and I love that it has all four of my favorite Shakespeares together. I like the typeface, the footnotes, everything. It's small enough to carry around in your purse. I recommend it for the pleasure-reader, student, or teacher. It's a great value, too.

Excellent!Thank you!
My son needed this book for school.It was new as described.Thanks!

C'mon its Shakespeare...
What else could you expect!

There isn't much to say...its exactly what you should expect when ordering Shakespeare...seriously.

The Best of Shakespeare in One Book
Having a love of literature, and being an English Lit. major has given me the oportunity to read most of Shakespeare's works. Shakespeare's talent and genius has surely endured and his beautiful writings are essential to mankind not only in the classroom but throughout our lives. His tragedies speak the loudest to me, as they are charged with drama, emotion and memorable quotations. Having to choose a favorite book of all time I would say, "Othello." Yet Hamlet is my second favorite drama of Shakespeare's, and Macbeth also holds strong. I do not care for King Lear but having Shakespeare's 4 greatest and most popular tragedies in one book is a collection worth having.

best
4 of his best i strongly recomend this group of storys. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful introduction to theatre and Shakespeare
My 4 1/2 year old son is riveted by this book and I enjoy every moment of reading it to him. The pictures are wonderful. The story is simple while also interesting. And unlike so many children's books about *nothing*, this also introduced a whole world he didn't know much about, which lead to a fabulous conversation about plays, acting, costumes, customs of olden days, and Shakespeare himself. We have both Mary Pope Osborne's Stage Fright on a Summer Night (Magic Tree House #25) -- which we listen to on CD -- and this was a perfect compliment. I only wish this were part of a series about Shakespeare, children of different periods, or both.

great
This book is just what I was looking for.A way to share the feeling of Shakespeare's life with children from the view of a child. ... Read more

Product Description
The greatest works of tragedy from the Bard, this book features "Hamlet, Othello, King Lear" and "Macbeth". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Love This Version
I ordered this book for my AP English class, and I love that it has all four of my favorite Shakespeares together. I like the typeface, the footnotes, everything. It's small enough to carry around in your purse. I recommend it for the pleasure-reader, student, or teacher. It's a great value, too.

Excellent!Thank you!
My son needed this book for school.It was new as described.Thanks!

C'mon its Shakespeare...
What else could you expect!

There isn't much to say...its exactly what you should expect when ordering Shakespeare...seriously.

The Best of Shakespeare in One Book
Having a love of literature, and being an English Lit. major has given me the oportunity to read most of Shakespeare's works. Shakespeare's talent and genius has surely endured and his beautiful writings are essential to mankind not only in the classroom but throughout our lives. His tragedies speak the loudest to me, as they are charged with drama, emotion and memorable quotations. Having to choose a favorite book of all time I would say, "Othello." Yet Hamlet is my second favorite drama of Shakespeare's, and Macbeth also holds strong. I do not care for King Lear but having Shakespeare's 4 greatest and most popular tragedies in one book is a collection worth having.

best
4 of his best i strongly recomend this group of storys. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

My favoritte Shakespeare
I was off to see Othello and had bought the tickets.The No Fear Shakespeare books are the only ones i will read now.They make the story line so much easier to follow.

Even the Bard would love this!
Shakespeare meant for the general public to enjoy his plays -- not dread them or struggle to understand them.The way English speakers sounded well over 400 years ago is certainly not the way we sound now and I feel certain if "Will" could be in the audience these days, he'd be applauding "No Fear Shakespeare"!
A 60-years-young English teacher

Awesome
I had an English Lit test on Othello and was having a bunch of trouble understanding the original writing. I ordered this book and found myself actually enjoyin the play. I recommend this to anyone having trouble understanding the story. It was in everyday English and made a bunch of sense. I plan on checking out the other No Fear products for my other reading assignments in college.

The fastest way to understand Othello
I purchased this book knowing from the past that I had difficulty comprehending Shakespeare.This book is about 300 pages long, and on the right side page there is standard english, and on the left the older english (still considered modern, but confusing).I was able to read through the book and actually enjoy what I was reading by simply reading the new englishside of the book.Then when I go back for excerpts or pages assigned by a teacher I can look at the English translation along with the original text. It is a little bit of a bad way to learn it, but starting with the original text has put me no where, i simply don't comprehend what I am reading.

Spark Notes No Fear Shakespeare Othello
As my first introduction to Shakespeare working in a senior high school collaborative English class, this book helped me enormously with its Modern Day English interpretation on one side of the book and the Shakespearean writing on the other which follows the regular novels.This proved to be a lifesaver! ... Read more

Product Description
"This day is call'd the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd. And rouse him at the name of Crispian". Revised and repackaged, this new edition of "Henry V" includes a new Overview by Sylvan Barnet, an updated bibliography, suggested references, stage and film history, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Band Of Brothers
Shakespeare's rendering of Henry V's invasion of France culminating in the battle of Agincourt is a patriotic ode intended to rouse feelings of loyalty to the crown. His Henry is the consummate leader who inspires his vastly outnumbered army to one of the greatest military triumphs in English history. The play makes effective use of a chorus to open each scene and Shakespeare through that device directly addresses the audience to set up the action and to very pointedly ask for their suspension of disbelief to envision such vast numbers of participants and the grandeur of the battle setting enclosed within the stage area.

The French are portrayed as overconfident in their own military strength as well as being guilty of underestimating the resolve of Henry and his army.There are many poignant scenes but I am always particularly taken with the how Shakespeare has Henry moving anonymously among his troops on the eve of battle.

While the play may be propagandistic it is one of my favorite of the History plays and is an enjoyable read every time I pick it up.

Signet's Newly Revised "Henry V"
I ordered "Henry V" right off this page:I'm certain of that because it says "Instant order update . . . your ordered this item on . . ", etc.

But I was trying to complete my collection of the "newly revised" Signets.Although the picture of the book that appears on this page has that golden circle on the cover that says, "Newly Revised Edition," the book that showed up (new), does not have the star on the front, suggesting it is not the newly revised edition.

But the matter is in doubt, because the back of the book says "THE NEWLY REVISED SIGNET CLASSIC SHAKESPEARE SERIES," but without referring to "Henry V" specifically, suggesting they have revised the others but not this one.

But in that case, where'd that picture come from?

Valuable edition, easy to hold, fun to read
Once you get past the strange layout (described in other sections), this is a great edition of Henry V.It is easy and fun to read and offers valuable insights (not just for students either).Well worth a flutter.

I've always loved this play with its wonderful battle scenes
This play more than any others in the histories glorifies Englishmen and England.His characters in this one are larger than life, but each has their own limitations and flaws.The play covers the time of the Battle of Agincourt when the French King Charles was so sure of victory that he sent a messenger to Henry to ask him to give up and to pay a ransom before the battle.On the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, the English were outnumbered five to one, Henry's troops were on foreign soil and riddled with disease.The scenes where Henry dons a disguise and goes out amongst his troops to bolster their confidence are great.The English managed to triumph in this battle where all was stacked against them mostly because of Henry's leadership. This is such a sweeping story that it is hard to condense in a few words, the plot of the play, but it is a wonderful example of Shakespeare's skills as a writer.

Every soldier should carry a copy.
'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.' What more need I say? Henry V is an imortal classic of western literature. And this edition is complete and accurate. See the film if you want, but be sure to read the words at least once. They are inspiring. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (44)

Hamlet
This book is part of my son's English studies. Although it arrived a little later than anticipated, it was still delivered within the time frame. Thank you.

Deaths!
It was very scary to read this book because of its reputation and the old English and so forth.I spent about 6 weeks to read and study slowly and I am very happy with the experience.My appreciation and understanding of this masterpiece probably is very limited, to say the least, and I will have to read it again many times, (and I intend to do so), but I am mostly impressed by the depth of the anguished soul of Hamlet, his philosophic mind as well as perpetual ambivalance about deaths (suicide, murder, human decay, etc). The story is surprisingly easy to follow even in the old English, and although understanding the poetry was more challenging, it was so grand and beautiful, I didn't mind reading several times first, then guess, and then read them again in modern English version.

Great timeless literature
I haven't read much Shakespeare, but this story is a great introduction.The characters are for the most part interesting and dynamic, and Shakespeare uses a good amount of humor to lighten the mood of the story at parts.His command of the English language is so advanced that it can be hard to discern what certain phrases mean, so footnotes are helpful.Spend a couple weeks reading this story slowly and thoroughly to fully appreciate it, it's worth the effort!

It harrows me with fear and wonder
"Hamlet" doesn't need any introduction -- the tortured Dane, the ghost, meditations on suicide and a climax full of death. But as well-known as the storyline is, the play itself is what deserves the attention, both for Shakespeare's shadowy plot filled with uncertainty and treachery -- and for his brilliant, immortal writing, which takes on a new dimension when read on the page.

Prince Hamlet of Denmark is understandably upset when, only a short time after his father's death, his mother Gertrude marries his uncle Claudius, who is now the new king. Who wouldn't be unhappy? But when Hamlet encounters the tormented ghost of his father ("I am thy father's spirit/Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night"), he learns that his dad was murdered by his uncle -- but he's plagued by indecision, since he's unsure if the spirit was truly his dad.

In response to this vision, Hamlet's behavior becomes more bizarre and erratic -- he dumps his girlfriend Ophelia, arranges a play that mimics real life a little too closely, and generally acts like a loon. But when an argument with his mother ends in tragedy -- and the death of one of Ophelia's loved ones -- Hamlet's fate is sealed as Claudius begins plotting to get rid of him too.

Small warning: like all Shakespeare's plays, it's best to read "Hamlet" after you've seen a good performance, because the entire thing was intended to be acted out. Otherwise, it's like reading a movie script to a movie you haven't seen -- easy to get lost, and the dramatic effects aren't easy to connect to.

But if you HAVE seen a good performance of "Hamlet," then the play will just jump off the page. The plot is a relatively simple one, but it's tangled up in all sorts of moral dilemmas, personal doubts, deteriorating personal relationships, and a creeping undercurrent of darkness. The best part is that Shakespeare leaves you with all sorts of questions that are left up in the air -- is Hamlet crazy or just faking it? Is the ghost really his dad?

And, of course, it contains some of the most intense, powerful examples of Shakespeare's work here -- vivid, nasty imagery ("In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed/Stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love/Over the nasty sty"), some bleak humor ("you're a fishmonger"), and Hamlet's immortal soliloquies. It's also one of Shakespeare's most quotable plays -- obviously you've got bits like "Alas, poor Yorick," "to be or not to be" and "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," but there are countless other familiar phrases littered through the text.

On the page, Hamlet is basically an embittered young man who is torn between his doubts and convictions, but is still determined to fix things ("O cursed spite,/That ever I was born to set it right!"). A lot of the supporting cast are hard to follow, but there are some brilliant and enduring roles here -- the incestuous queen Gertrude, the subtle menace of Claudius, the windbag Laertes, and Ophelia, whose uncertainties spiral into madness after her ex-boyfriend kills her dad.

It's best to get a grip on this classic tragedy by watching an actual performance, but reading "Hamlet's" text is a vivid experience on its own. Brilliant, complex and intense.

An Unmatched Masterpiece!
*Hamlet* is truly one of the finest masterpieces that human civilization has ever produced. This Shakespearean drama explores every facet of the human condition in a remarkable way and leaves you astonished at Shakespeare's genius. ... Read more

Product Description

Each edition includes:

• Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play

• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play

• Scene-by-scene plot summaries

• A key to famous lines and phrases

• An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language

• An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play

• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

Essay by Susan Snyder

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

As he liked it
Out of all the great Shakespeare's plays, "As You Like It" is undoubtedly... the fluffiest. This is cotton candy. Fortunately, cotton candy isn't too bad as long as you don't eat too much of it. And while the ending is excessively tidy, "As You Like It" is a charming little play with the full array of Shakespearean tropes -- transvestitism, love triangles, and mass confusion.

Backstory: The cruel Duke has deposed his far nicer brother, and the ex-Duke has run off into the Forest of Arden. At the same time, a young man named Orlando has been cast out by his cruel brother Oliver.

Then the Duke decides to exile his niece Rosalind, despite the pleas of his daughter Celia. So Rosalind (disguised as a boy), Celia and the jester Touchstone run away into the Forest of Arden the following night, and soon encounter the exiled Duke and his followers. So does Orlando and his faithful servant Adam.

Because of a previous meeting, Rosalind and Orlando are already in love. But not only does he not recognize her, but because she's disguised as a boy she's attracted the amorous intentions of a local shepherdess. And to make matters even more complex, Touchstone is in a love triangle of his own, and Oliver has stumbled into Arden as well. Is everything going to end well?

The biggest problem with "As You Like It" is the fact that the ending is just a little too tidy -- while it's plausible that the romantic tangles would be smoothed out, there's an conveniently-timed twist that stretches believability to the point of snapping. Fortunately, the rest of it is a pleasantly fluffy little story filled with Shakespeare's sparkliest, sunniest storytelling.

Shakespeare's plot floats along in a heady cloud of sunlit forests, poems pinned to trees and languid outlaws who hang around singing all day. His lines are filled with clever, sometimes bawdy jokes ("praised be the gods for thy foulness! sluttishness may come hereafter") and some nicely evocative imagery ("Between the pale complexion of true love/And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain").

The funniest parts involve the love quadrangle between Rosalind, Phebe, Orlando and Silvius, as well as Orlando's wretched poetry and Touchstone's mockery of them ("Winter garments must be lined,/So must slender Rosalind").

And it has a likable cast of characters, most of whom are amiable and likable (although I'm still not sure why Orlando and the ex-Duke don't recognize Rosalind!). Celia and Rosalind are fun and sprightly heroines, Orlando is an endearing underdog (if a rotten poet), and there's also the sharp-tongued Touchstone, dour Jacques, and the rather beyotchy Phebe.

"As You Like It" is a puffy little wisp of a play, compared to Shakespeare's other works -- but it's still a nice little romantic diversion. Think of it as an Elizabethan romantic comedy.

This Kindle edition includes only the play
Unless it is hidden somewhere that I am unable to read, this edition is missing the following items listed in the Editorial Reviews - Product Description page:

* Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play

* Scene-by-scene plot summaries

* A key to famous lines and phrases

* An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language

* An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play

* Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

A good value
I teach British Literature and find the price is right for my students, the book size is a bit too small, and the intoductory and closing notes and essay are very good.

Book Review
This book came very quickly, and was in mint condition. Very pleased with this order.

As You Like It
I really enjoyed this play by Shakespeare. It contains a lot of witty conversation. I am going to see this play performed sometime in the near future and I am really looking forward to it. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

the bard rocks!
This is another one of Shakespeare's great tragedies read true to text. Not much more to say, this is a great, very sad story.

It's Shakespeare
Really, if you enjoy Shakespeare's plays, then you'll enjoy Othello.The actual read-ability of this digital version is excellent, so I'd recommend it above other digital versions. ... Read more

Product Description
This is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare All 43 Works & 154 Sonnets.

This eBook has an Active Table of Contents & is easily Searchable.

All's Well That Ends Well
Antony and Cleopatra
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
The Tragedy of Coriolanus
Cymbeline
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
The First part of King Henry the Fourth
The Second part of King Henry the Fourth
The Life of King Henry the Fifth
The First part of King Henry the Sixth
The Second part of King Henry the Sixth
The Third part of King Henry the Sixth
The Life of King Henry the Eighth
The Life and Death of Julies Caesar
The Life and Death of King John
King Lear
Loves Labours Lost
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Measure for Measure
The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Merchant of Venice
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello, the Moore of Venice
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
The Life and Death of Richard the Second
The Life and Death of Richard the Third
Romeo and Juliet
The Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Timon of Athens
Titus Andronicus
Troilus and Cressida
Twelfth Night
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Winter's Tale
A Lover's Complaint
The Passionate Pilgrim
The Phoenix & The Turtle
The Rape of Lucrece
The Argument
The Sonnets (154)
Venus & Adonis

Please, Enjoy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Make it work on the Kindle, please
On the one hand, it's great to have all of Shakespeare's plays at my fingertips. But, please, could we please edit this with things like Table of Contents, a useful navigation and generally clean editing?

As it often the case with the Kindle files, not nicely set up for the Kindle. But how can you balk at Shakespeare?

No cast of characters for the plays.Misspelled words.Avoid this.
Navigation is extremely tedious but the real problem is stuff like not having cast of characters for the plays.Or how about the play "The Life and Death of Julies Caesar" in the table of contents?

good deal
I thought this was agreat deal. There are some problems with the table of contents, but wha do you expect for less then a dollar?
My one problem was with the sonnets. I was looking for a paticular one (can I compare thee to a summers day) and it took forever. To find one, you basically have to look through all of them. But again, what do you expect for less then a buck?

Badly formatted
There are line breaks all over the text, which has not been properly formatted to be readable on the Kindle...

Help, please
In the reviews I've read, there are no comments as to the edition used for this book. Shakespeare without notes can be difficult for the novice. Are there notes which define the Elizabethan words no longer in usage (standard for all modern editons)? Is this the First Folio edition? The Signet or the Folger edition? Why is there no "Look inside" option, so that you can review the text yourself? The same questions apply to the other Kindle editions. Whose translation of Tolstoy is used? Dostoyevski? Etc. ... Read more

Product Description
MOUNCHENSEY. I tell thee, Clare, his blood is good and clear As the best drop that panteth in thy veins: But for this maid, thy fair and vertuous child, She is no more disparaged by thy baseness Then the most orient and the pretious jewell, Which still retains his lustre and his beauty, Although a slave were owner of the same. ... Read more

Product Description
This tragedy of doomed lovers from warring families has inspired poetic expression from young lovers the world over. The 300-year-old drama is perhaps Shakespeare's best-known work.

The CliffsComplete Romeo and Juliet is a revised and expanded study edition. It contains Shakespeare's original play, a glossary, and expert commentary in a unique, 2-column format. To enhance your learning, notes and definitions appear directly opposite the line in which they occur, and a review section follows the play. This edition also introduces you to the life, works, and times of William Shakespeare. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great Educational Tool
I work as a high school English teacher and I love the Cliffs Complete texts. I purchased Romeo and Juliet last year because it was my first time teaching the play and I wasn't too informed. There is a very valuable summary and analysis section after each scene which I found invaluable. Instead of having to peruse pages of literary criticisms and reviews, I just read this to get an understanding of the text. I imagine that college students (whether taking an intro course or advanced level lit class) will also benefit from using this text as supplemental to primary texts and sources.

Romeo and Juliet Cliff notes
This is a good book to have for background information on Shakespeare and it will get you through most things you need.However, I recommend No Fear Shakespeare over this product if you want to be able to read and understand the play in plain modern English.If you just want a book to help clarify your understanding but do not want to read the entire play in plain English then this is the book for you!

The Best Romeo and Juliet I've found for teaching
I've been teaching Romeo and Juliet to ninth graders for eight years, and this is by far the best edition I've used to teach.The commentary is helpful, and pointed out important topics for discussion.There is plenty of room to write notes in the margin -- in fact, I've got two copies, both with notes, so that I have an emergency backup!One of the most useful things I found in this edition is the character map in the beginning of the book, which I've modified into a handout that I give my students to help keep all the characters straight!I can't wait until Cliffs Complete has released versions of all of Shakespeare's plays!

Full text + helpful information
I have to say that the information given in this book was definitely helpful. I liked how they summarized the following scene at the beginning of the scene and had commentary on the scene at the end. The commentary is definitly helpful, although it could be a little bit more in depth in places. It is particularly helpful how they define terms in the margins that may be unfamiliar to readers.

Most of the information in the introduction/bio of Shakespere/etc. wasn't new to me and it seems pretty similar to the introduction in their other books, but it is still helpful for review and to readers who are unfamiliar with this information.

Definitly recommended. Excellent study tool. ... Read more

Product Description
Bound in real cloth, top edge gilt, head and tailbands, ribbon marker, embossed jacket, black & white frontispiece, three-column setting for ease of reading. It is illustrated throughout with 500 of Sir John Gilbert?s (1817-97) superb woodcuts engraved by Thomas Dalziel (1823-1906) and Edward Dalziel (1817-1905). With his prolific historical paintings, John Gilbert was often referred to as "The Scott of Painting," although he was equally active as a book illustrator, producing cuts for editions of Shakespeare, Cervantes, Sir Walter Scott, and other writers venerated during the Victorian era, as well as such contemporary and popular writers as Dickens. ?It is in virtue of his achievements in black and white that he takes his place among the few masters, not of his age and country only, but of all time.? The Magazine of Art This newly re-set edition of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, contains all the plays and poems; the plays are arranged in the chronological order of their composition, not gathered into comedies, histories and tragedies - the traditional method dating from the first folio, and contains synopses of each play and poem.The text is taken from the Shakespeare Head Press, The Stratford Town Shakespeare edited by Arthur Henry Bullen, and this new edition contains John Aubrey?s Brief Life of Shakespeare, a bibliography, biography of Sir John Gilbert, an account of The Shakespeare Head Press edition and listing of Shakespeare?s major characters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Buy!
This a great book at a great price. I love Shakespeare and just wanted to own the complete works. I found this great book at a bargain. ... Read more