Uncertain of their standing in court and fearing for their lives, Rosalind and Orlando are forced into exile in the Forest of Arden, only to become entangled in a beguiling game of love, lust, and mistaken identity. One of Shakespeare’s great comedies, As You Like It subverts the traditional rules of romance, confusing gender roles, nature, and politics and is a play about two enduring human illusions--the dream of the simple life, and the ideal...

The original play by Shakespeare's drama telling how Demetrius and Lysander love Hermia, Hermia loves Lysander but is betrothed to Demetrius, much to her dismay. And no one loves Helena, though her heart belongs to Demetrius. When Hermia and Lysander escape through the forest to elope, Demetrius chases them, and Helena chases Demetrius. With the magic of the forest bewitching the hand of fate, perhaps their dream of love will come true.

"This generously annotated updated edition of Coriolanus provides a thorough reconsideration of Shakespeare's remarkable, and probably his last, tragedy. A substantial introduction situates the play within its contemporary social and political contexts - dearth, riots, the struggle over authority between James I and his first parliament, the travails of Essex and Ralegh - and pays particular attention to Shakespeare's shaping of his primary source...

Contains the text of the play, information about Shakespeare and his theatre, bibliography, key to famous lines, and explanatory notes.

Raised to the heights of power in recognition of his bravery against the Volscian army, Caius Marcius Coriolanus finds himself betrayed by Brutus and Sicinius. Exiled from Rome and seeking vengeance, Coriolanus allies himself with Aufidius, a general in the Volscian army. But, as Coriolanus discovers with tragic consequences, treachery begets treachery. Coriolanus is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, written between 1605 and 1608. The play is based...

Another case of mistaken identity from the king of the plot twist, Twelfth Night tells the tale of the beautiful young Viola who is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, when their ship is lost at sea. Believing Sebastian to be dead Viol poses as a man and enters service with the Duke Orisino. When Olivia, the woman that Orisino loves, falls for his messenger "boy" Viola and she in turn falls for the Duke the stage is set for a classic

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Amid a backdrop of war, conspiracy, and murder, this historical play depicts the troubled reign of King John, who ruled England from 1199 to 1216. Shakespeare's most enigmatic king struggles with the shifting loyalties of his nobles as well as threats from his covetous heirs and the burdens of his own conscience. The play, which abounds in battles and betrayals, explores issues of politics, inheritance, and legitimacy. John's problems are threefold:...

Brutus, best friend of the Roman ruler Caesar, reluctantly joins a successful plot to murder Caesar and subsequently destroys himself. Includes notes and an introduction.

This dark comedy, set in Vienna, explores virtue and sin. Claudio has been arrested for getting his mistress pregnant and Angelo, the strict, morality-spouting judge, has sentenced him to death. When Claudio's sister Isabella, a novice nun, begs Angelo to show mercy, he is instantly smitten, and offers Isabella a choice: her virginity for her brother's life.