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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare


Synopsis


Hamlet. Romeo and Juliet. Henry V. Macbeth. A Midsummer Night's Dream. King Lear. Lovers of literature will immediately recognize these as signature works of William Shakespeare, whose plays still rank as the greatest dramas ever produced in the English language, four centuries after they were written. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare collects all 37 of the immortal Bard's comedies, tragedies, and historical plays in a collectible edition. This volume also features Shakespeare's complete poetry, including the sonnets. With this beautiful edition, you can enjoy Shakespeare's enduring literary legacy again and again.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare is one of Barnes & Noble's Collectible Editions classics. Each volume features authoritative texts by the world's greatest authors in an exquisitely designed bonded-leather binding, with distinctive gilt edging and a ribbon bookmark. Decorative, durable, and collectible, these books offer hours of pleasure to readers young and old and are an indispensable cornerstone for every home library.

William Shakespeare, A. H. Bullen

Summary

Chapter 1: Comedies

This chapter showcases Shakespeare's witty and humorous plays. Examples include:

* A Midsummer Night's Dream: A whimsical tale of love, magic, and mistaken identities in an enchanted forest.
* The Merchant of Venice: A complex story that explores themes of money, love, and prejudice, featuring the iconic character of Shylock.
* Twelfth Night: A lighthearted comedy of mistaken identities, revolving around a cross-dressing woman and her love triangle.

Chapter 2: Histories

This chapter focuses on Shakespeare's plays that dramatize English history. Examples include:

* Henry V: An epic play about the heroic English king who led his army to victory at Agincourt.
* Richard III: A dark and powerful tragedy that depicts the rise and fall of an ambitious and ruthless king.
* Julius Caesar: A political thriller that explores the consequences of assassination and ambition in ancient Rome.

Chapter 3: Tragedies

This chapter collects Shakespeare's most renowned and emotionally charged tragedies. Examples include:

* Hamlet: A philosophical masterpiece that explores themes of revenge, madness, and human nature.
* Romeo and Juliet: A timeless love story that depicts the tragic consequences of a forbidden romance.
* King Lear: A complex tragedy that explores the themes of madness, ambition, and the fragility of human relationships.

Chapter 4: Romances

This chapter features Shakespeare's plays that combine elements of comedy, tragedy, and fantasy. Examples include:

* The Tempest: A magical play about a deposed duke who uses his powers to seek revenge and gain redemption.
* Cymbeline: A late play that blends a tragic backstory with a happy ending, featuring themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.
* The Winter's Tale: A deeply romantic play that portrays the enduring power of love and the healing effects of time.

Chapter 5: Poems

This chapter collects Shakespeare's non-dramatic works, including:

* Sonnets: A collection of 154 sonnets that explore themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality.
* Venus and Adonis: A narrative poem that tells the tragic tale of a beautiful goddess and her love for a mortal hunter.
* The Rape of Lucrece: A tragic poem that depicts the aftermath of a violent assault and the consequences of revenge.