The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Synopsis

The Complete Works of Shakespeare contains the recognized canon of the bard's plays, and his sonnets and poems. The texts were edited by the late Professor Peter Alexander, making it one of the most authoritative editions, recognized the world over for its clarity and scholarship.

Described in the Guardian on its first publication in 1951 as 'a symbol in the history of our national culture', the Collins edition of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, edited by the late Professor Peter Alexander, has long been established as one of the most authoritative editions of Shakespeare's works, and was chosen by the BBC as the basis for its televised cycle of the plays.

The book starts with two specially written articles - a biography of Shakespeare by Germaine Greer and a wide-ranging introduction to Shakespeare theatre by the late Anthony Burgess. Each play is also introduced by academics from Glasgow University, where Professor Alexander undertook his editing.

New to this edition is an internet resources section, providing details of the most useful Shakespeare websites. In addition, the invaluable glossary of over 2,500 entries explaining the meaning of obsolete words and phrases (complete with line references) has been expanded and redesigned to make it much easier to use.

Summary

Prologue

* Setting: A theater
* Characters: Chorus
* Synopsis: The Chorus introduces the play as a history of Henry V's reign and his victory at Agincourt.

Chapter 1: Act 1, Scenes 1-2

* Setting: Westminster Hall
* Characters: King Henry V, Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of Ely, Exeter, Westmoreland, Salisbury
* Synopsis: Henry V ascends to the throne and immediately faces a conspiracy against him. He accuses the conspirators and banishes them.

Chapter 2: Act 2, Scene 1

* Setting: Eastcheap tavern
* Characters: Falstaff, Bardolph, Pistol, Nym
* Synopsis: Falstaff and his companions plan to rob the travelers on the road to Gad's Hill.

Chapter 3: Act 2, Scene 2

* Setting: Henry's camp at Southampton
* Characters: King Henry V, Bedford, Gloucester, Exeter, Westmoreland, Bardolph, Pistol, Nym
* Synopsis: Henry and his army prepare to sail to France. He dismisses Falstaff from the campaign.

Chapter 4: Act 3, Scene 1

* Setting: France, outside Harfleur
* Characters: Henry V, Exeter, Westmoreland, Bedford
* Synopsis: Henry's army besieges the French town of Harfleur.

Chapter 5: Act 4, Scene 3

* Setting: France, on the march to Agincourt
* Characters: King Henry V, Chorus
* Synopsis: Henry gives a rousing speech to his troops before the Battle of Agincourt.

Chapter 6: Act 4, Scene 7

* Setting: French camp
* Characters: Constable of France, Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon
* Synopsis: The French commanders discuss their strategy for the battle.

Chapter 7: Act 5, Scene 2

* Setting: Battlefield at Agincourt
* Characters: King Henry V, Duke of Gloucester, Pistol, Bardolph
* Synopsis: Henry's army defeats the French in a remarkable victory.

Chapter 8: Act 5, Scene 4

* Setting: France, outside Troyes
* Characters: King Henry V, King Charles VI of France, Princess Katharine
* Synopsis: Henry negotiates a peace treaty with France, including his marriage to Katharine.

Chapter 9: Epilogue

* Setting: A theater
* Characters: Chorus
* Synopsis: The Chorus summarizes the play and calls on the audience to applaud the king.

Real Example

Chapter 4: Act 3, Scene 1

* Setting: A room in the palace at Westminster
* Characters: King Richard II, Queen Isabel, John of Gaunt
* Synopsis: Richard is dying and bequeaths his kingdom to Henry Bolingbroke. Bolingbroke ascends to the throne as Henry IV.

Example:

"Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried."

This famous speech by Richard foreshadows the rise of Henry IV and the end of his own reign. It uses vivid imagery to convey the transformation from despair to hope.