Twelfth Night William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3008 urn:isbn:0199536090 en 1601 Plays Twelfth Night, Or What You Will is a comedy by William Shakespeare, based on the short story "Of Apolonius and Silla" by Barnabe Rich. It is named after the Twelfth Night holiday of the Christmas season. It was written around 1601 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The main title is believed to be an afterthought, created after John Marston premiered a play titled What You Will during the course of the writing. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3008.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3008.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3008.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3008.mobi Troilus and Cressida William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3007 urn:isbn:0199536538 en 1602 Plays Troilus and Cressida is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1602. The play (also described as one of Shakespeare's problem plays) is not a conventional tragedy, since its protagonist (Troilus) does not die. The play ends instead on a very bleak note with the death of the noble Trojan Hector and destruction of the love between Troilus and Cressida. Throughout the play, the tone lurches wildly between bawdy comedy and tragic gloom, and readers and theatre-goers have frequently found it difficult to understand how one is meant to respond to the characters. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3007.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3007.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3007.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3007.mobi Titus Andronicus William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2952 urn:isbn:0192836102 en 1590 Plays Titus Andronicus may be Shakespeare's earliest tragedy; it is believed to have been written sometime between 1584 and the early 1590s. It depicts a Roman general who is engaged in a cycle of revenge with his enemy Tamora, the Queen of the Goths. The play is by far Shakespeare's bloodiest work. It lost popularity during the Victorian era because of its gore, and has only recently begun to revive its fortunes. (From Wikipedia) http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2952.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2952.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2952.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2952.mobi Timon of Athens William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2951 urn:isbn:0192814974 en 1623 Plays The Life of Timon of Athens is a play by William Shakespeare about the legendary Athenian misanthrope Timon (and probably influenced by the eponymous philosopher, as well), generally regarded as one of his most obscure and difficult works. Originally grouped with the tragedies, it is generally considered such, but some scholars group it with the problem comedies. (From Wikipedia) http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2951.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2951.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2951.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2951.mobi The Winter's Tale William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3010 urn:isbn:0199535914 en 1611 Romance Plays The Winter's Tale is a play by William Shakespeare, first published in the First Folio in 1623. Although it was listed as a comedy when it first appeared, some modern editors have relabeled the play a romance. Some critics, among them W. W. Lawrence (Lawrence, 9-13), consider it to be one of Shakespeare's "problem plays", because the first three acts are filled with intense psychological drama, while the last two acts are comedic and supply a happy ending. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3010.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3010.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3010.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3010.mobi The Two Gentlemen of Verona William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3009 urn:isbn:1903436958 en 1598 Plays The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a comedy by William Shakespeare from early in his career. It has the smallest cast of any of Shakespeare's plays, and is the first of his plays in which a heroine dresses as a boy. It deals with the themes of friendship and infidelity. The highlight of the play is considered by some to be Launce, the clownish servant of Proteus, and his dog Crab, to whom "the most scene-stealing non-speaking role in the canon" has been attributed. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3009.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3009.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3009.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3009.mobi The Tempest William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3000 urn:isbn:0521618789 en 1611 Plays The Tempest is a comedy written by William Shakespeare. It is generally dated to 1610-11 and accepted as the last play written solely by him, although some scholars have argued for an earlier dating. While listed as a comedy in its initial publication in the First Folio of 1623, many modern editors have relabelled the play a romance. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3000.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3000.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3000.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3000.mobi The Taming of the Shrew William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2999 urn:isbn:0451526791 en 1594 Plays The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare. It was one of his earlier plays, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1594. The play begins with a framing device in which a drunkard is deceived into thinking he is a nobleman who then watches the "play" itself, which depicts a nobleman, Petruchio, who marries an outspoken, intelligent, and bad-tempered shrew named Katherina. Petruchio manipulates and "tames" her until she is obedient to his will. The main subplot features the courting of Katherina's more conventional sister Bianca by numerous suitors. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2999.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2999.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2999.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2999.mobi The Merry Wives of Windsor William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2988 urn:isbn:0199536821 en 1602 Plays The Merry Wives of Windsor is a comedy by William Shakespeare, first published in 1602, though believed to have been written prior to 1597. It features the fat knight Sir John Falstaff, and is Shakespeare's only play to deal exclusively with contemporary Elizabethan era English middle class life. It has been adapted for the opera on occasions. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2988.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2988.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2988.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2988.mobi The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2989 urn:isbn:0521618754 en 1598 Plays The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Although classified as a comedy in the First Folio, and while it shares certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps more remembered for its dramatic scenes, and is best known for the character of Shylock. The title character is the merchant Antonio, not the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who is the play's most prominent and more famous villain. Though Shylock is a tormented character, he is also a tormentor, so whether he is to be viewed with disdain or sympathy is up to the audience (as influenced by the interpretation of the play's director and lead actors). As a result, The Merchant of Venice is often classified as one of Shakespeare's problem plays. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2989.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2989.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2989.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2989.mobi The Comedy of Errors William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2973 urn:isbn:0486424618 en 1594 Plays The Comedy of Errors tells the story of two sets of identical twins. Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, which turns out to be the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus. When the Syracusans encounter the friends and families of their twins, a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities lead to wrongful beatings, a near-incestuous seduction, the arrest of Antipholus of Ephesus, and accusations of infidelity, theft, madness, and demonic possession. (From Wikipedia) http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2973.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2973.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2973.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2973.mobi Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2936 urn:isbn:0486275574 en 1597 Romance Plays Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play written early in the career of William Shakespeare about two teenage "star-cross'd lovers" whose untimely deaths ultimately unite their feuding households. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal "young lovers". (From Wikipedia) http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2936.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2936.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2936.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2936.mobi Richard III William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3045 urn:isbn:190427109X en 1591 History Plays Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591. The play is an unflattering depiction of the short reign of Richard III of England. While generally classified as a history, as grouped in the First Folio, the play is sometimes called a tragedy (as in the first quarto). It picks up the story from Henry VI, Part 3 and concludes the historical series that stretches back to Richard II. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3045.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3045.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3045.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3045.mobi Richard II William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3024 urn:isbn:0198320043 en 1595 History Plays King Richard the Second is a history play by William Shakespeare believed to be written in approximately 1595. It is based on the life of King Richard II of England and is the first part of a tetralogy, referred to by scholars as the Henriad, followed by three plays concerning Richard's successors: Henry IV, part 1, Henry IV, part 2, and Henry V. It may not have been written as a stand-alone work. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3024.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3024.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3024.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3024.mobi Pericles, Prince of Tyre William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2998 urn:isbn:019953683X en 1609 Plays Pericles, Prince of Tyre is a play written (at least in part) by William Shakespeare and included in modern editions of his collected works despite some questions over its authorship, as it was not included in the First Folio. Many modern editors believe that Shakespeare is responsible for the main portion of the play after scene 9 that follows the story of Pericles and Marina, and that the first two acts, detailing the many voyages of Pericles, were written by a relatively untalented reviser or collaborator, possibly George Wilkins. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2998.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2998.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2998.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2998.mobi Othello William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2941 urn:isbn:0521618762 en 1603 Plays Othello, The Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare based on the short story "Moor of Venice" by Cinthio, believed to have been written in approximately 1603. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, his wife Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio, and his trusted advisor Iago. Attesting to its enduring popularity, the play appeared in 7 editions between 1622 and 1705. Because of its varied themes — racism, love, jealousy and betrayal — it remains relevant to the present day and is often performed in professional and community theatres alike. The play has also been the basis for numerous operatic, film and literary adaptations. (From Wikipedia) http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2941.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2941.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2941.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2941.mobi Much Ado About Nothing William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2991 urn:isbn:1903436834 en 1600 Romance Plays Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare. First published in 1600, it is likely to have been first performed in the autumn or winter of 1598-1599, and it remains one of Shakespeare's most enduring and exhilarating plays on stage. Stylistically, it shares numerous characteristics with modern romantic comedies including the two pairs of lovers, in this case the romantic leads, Claudio and Hero, and their comic counterparts, Benedick and Beatrice. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2991.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2991.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2991.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2991.mobi Measure for Measure William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2987 urn:isbn:0198320094 en 1604 Plays Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604. It was originally classified as a comedy, but is now also classified as one of Shakespeare's problem plays. The play deals with the issues of mercy, justice, truth and their relationship to pride and humility: "Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall" http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2987.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2987.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2987.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2987.mobi Macbeth William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2935 urn:isbn:0521606861 en 1606 Plays Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare's plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606. It is frequently performed at both amateur and professional levels, and has been adapted for opera, film, books, stage and screen. Often regarded as archetypal, the play tells of the dangers of the lust for power and the betrayal of friends. For the plot Shakespeare drew loosely on the historical account of King Macbeth of Scotland by Raphael Holinshed and that by the Scottish philosopher Hector Boece. There are many superstitions centred on the belief the play is somehow "cursed", and many actors will not mention the name of the play aloud, referring to it instead as "The Scottish play". (From Wikipedia) http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2935.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2935.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2935.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2935.mobi Love's Labours Lost William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2986 urn:isbn:0192838806 en 1598 Plays Love's Labour's Lost is one of William Shakespeare's early comedies, believed to have been written in the mid-1590s, and first published in 1598. The play opens with the King of Navarre and three noble companions, Berowne, Dumaine, and Longaville, taking an oath to devote themselves to three years of study, promising not to give in to the company of women — Berowne somewhat more hesitantly than the others. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2986.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2986.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2986.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2986.mobi King Lear William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2940 urn:isbn:1903436591 en 1606 Plays King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606, and is considered one of his greatest works. The play is based on the legend of King Leir of Britain. It has been widely adapted for stage and screen, with the part of Lear being played by many of the world's most accomplished actors. (From Wikipedia) http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2940.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2940.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2940.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2940.mobi King John William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3038 urn:isbn:0199537143 en 1595 History Plays The Life and Death of King John, a history play by William Shakespeare, dramatizes the reign of King John of England (ruled 1199–1216), son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and father of Henry III of England. It is believed to have been written in the mid-1590s but was not published until it appeared in the First Folio in 1623. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3038.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3038.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3038.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3038.mobi Julius Caesar William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2942 urn:isbn:0174435908 en 1599 Plays Julius Caesar is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1599. It portrays the conspiracy against the Roman dictator of the same name, his assassination and its aftermath. It is one of several Roman plays that he wrote, based on true events from Roman history, which also include Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra. Although the title of the play is Julius Caesar, Caesar is not the central character in its action; he appears in only three scenes, and is killed at the beginning of the third act. The protagonist of the play is Marcus Brutus, and the central psychological drama is his struggle between the conflicting demands of honour, patriotism, and friendship. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2942.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2942.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2942.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/2942.mobi Henry VI, Part 3 William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3035 urn:isbn:0199537119 en 1591 History Plays Henry the Sixth, Part 3, is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed written in approximately 1590, and set during the lifetime of King Henry VI of England. It prepares the ground for one of his best-known and most controversial plays: the tragedy of King Richard III (Richard III of England). It continues the action from Henry VI, Part 1 and Henry VI, Part 2, though they may not have been written in that order. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3035.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3035.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3035.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3035.mobi Henry VIII William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3040 urn:isbn:0199537437 en 1603 History Plays The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth is a history play by William Shakespeare, based on the life of Henry VIII of England. An alternative title, All is True, is recorded in contemporary documents, the title Henry VIII not appearing until the play's publication in the First Folio of 1623. Stylistic evidence indicates that the play was written by Shakespeare in collaboration with, or revised by, his successor, John Fletcher. It is also somewhat characteristic of the late romances in its structure. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3040.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3040.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3040.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3040.mobi Henry VI, Part 2 William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3034 urn:isbn:0192804146 en 1591 History Plays The Second Part of King Henry the Sixth, or Henry VI, Part 2, is a history play by William Shakespeare believed written in approximately 1590-91. It is the second part of the trilogy on Henry VI, and often grouped together with Richard III as a tetralogy on The Wars of the Roses—the success of which established Shakespeare's reputation as a playwright. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3034.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3034.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3034.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3034.mobi Henry VI, Part 1 William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3033 urn:isbn:0192804715 en 1590 History Plays The First Part of King Henry the Sixth is history play by William Shakespeare, believed written in approximately 1588–1590. It is the first in the cycle of four plays often referred to as "The First Tetralogy". http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3033.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3033.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3033.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3033.mobi Henry V William Shakespeare http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3029 urn:isbn:0199536511 en 1599 History Plays Henry V is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to be written in 1599. It is based on the life of King Henry V of England, and focuses on events immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War. The play is the final part of a tetralogy, preceded by Richard II, Henry IV, part 1 and Henry IV, part 2. The original audiences would thus have already been familiar with the title character, who was depicted in the Henry IV plays as a wild, undisciplined lad known as "Prince Hal." In Henry V, the young prince has become a mature man and embarks on an attempted conquest of France. http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3029.png http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3029.pdf http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3029.epub http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3029.mobi