William Shakespeare
Список книг автора William ShakespeareHenry VI, Part I
The beginning of Shakespeare's 'First Tetralogy,' which includes two other plays about King Henry VI and one on Richard III, it is so named because it was written in 1588, among some of the Bard's earliest works. This first history play in the cycle commences just after the death of Henry V, when England is at war with France. Across the Channel, Sir John Talbot battles Joan of Arc, or 'La Pucelle,' while the dissention that leads to the War of the Roses begins in England. Full of political and military machinations, «Henry VI, Part I» provides a solid introduction to this king's reign, as well as a segue to the remainder of his rule as depicted by Shakespeare's sequential plays.
Henry IV, Part I
William Shakespeare's «King Henry IV, Part I» is one the playwright's classic historical English dramas. The narrative revolves around the rebellion against King Henry IV led by the Welshman Glendower and the Percies. «King Henry IV, Part I» is a play with excellent courtly drama and battlefield action, with a riotous comedic subplot.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
"A Midsummer Night's Dream", one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies is a spectacular tale of fantasy. The story revolves around two couples (Hermia and Lysander and Helena and Demetrius) who escape to a fairyland forest ruled by Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of the Fairies. «A Midsummer Night's Dream», is light-hearted fare that exhibits some of Shakespeare's greatest comedic and lyrical work.
Coriolanus
Based largely on the accounts of Plutarch and Livy, «Coriolanus» is a tragedy concerning the legendary Roman leader Caius Martius, later given the honorary name Coriolanus. From the first act with riots over grain to later pitched battles with the Volscian army, Coriolanus proves himself to be a brilliant general with remarkable bravery. In his bid for a position in the Roman Senate, he discovers the power of both his allies and his enemies, revealing his militaristic pride and a disdain for plebeians, as well as and his unwillingness to slander for personal gain and opaque heroism. Arguably one of the best political plays ever written, Shakespeare provides a protagonist that faces a fascinating struggle of personality and politics which has rather tragic consequences.
The Winter's Tale
William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale was one of the last plays that the playwright would write. A classic romance with elements of tragedy, The Winter's Tale is an audience favorite and is often performed. The story revolves around Leontes, the King of Sicilia, who mistakenly comes to believe that his wife has committed adultery. In the end the truth is discovered and the two reconcile against the backdrop of a happy wedding celebration.
King Lear
"King Lear" is, in its picture of the tragic effect of human weakness and human cruelty, the most overpowering of the works of Shakespeare. It was written about 1605, in the middle of that period of his activity when he was interested, for whatever reason, in portraying the suffering and disaster that are entailed by defects of character, and the terrible cost at which such defects are purged away; and not even «Hamlet» displays these things so irresistibly. The germ of the story is found in the folk-lore of many ages and countries. Attached to the name of Lear, the legend assumed pseudo-historical form with Geoffrey of Monmouth in the twelfth century, was handed down through the long line of Latin and English chroniclers, appeared in collections of tales, found a place in Spenser’s «Faerie Queene,» and was dramatized by an anonymous playwright about ten years before the date of Shakespeare’s drama. To Shakespeare himself is due the tragic catastrophe which takes the place of the traditional fortunate ending, according to which the French forces were victorious, and Lear was restored to his kingdom. He first makes Lear go mad; invents the banishment of Kent and his subsequent disguise; creates the Fool; and, finally, connects with Lear the whole story of Gloucester and his sons.
Henry VIII
One of the last plays written by Shakespeare, «Henry VIII» is one of his finest historical dramas. Focusing on the life and times of Henry VIII, one of England's most dynamic rulers, the play examines and dramatizes monarchical life of 16th century England. The plot surrounds the events of King Henry VIII's annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon and engagement to Ann Boleyn. The play portrays the suppression of the protestant reformation and the split of the Anglican and Catholic churches with great valor. In Shakespeare's «Henry VIII», religious power and political desire merge, resulting in a splendid historical tale.
King Richard III (King Richard the Third)
William Shakespeare's «King Richard III» is one of the playwright's classic English historical dramas. It the story of Richard's murderous and deceitful plans to ascend to the thrown. A classic and popular play for performance, «King Richard III» is one of Shakespeare's great historical dramas.
Othello
"Othello" is one of Shakespeare's finest dramas and one of the greatest tragedies ever written. It is the story of its title character, Othello, a Moor general who draws the ire of Iago, his ensign, when he passes him over for a promotion. Othello also makes an enemy of Roderigo, a wealthy gentleman, when he marries his love interest, Desdemona. Iago conspires against Othello by making him believe that his wife has been unfaithful. This deception results in tragedy for all of those involved. «Othello», a tragedy of epic proportions, is one of Shakespeare's best.
As You Like It
"As You Like It", is one of William Shakespeare's most loved and often performed romantic comedies. «As You Like It» is the story of a Duke, who when unjustly deposed by his younger brother, Frederick, flees to the forest of Arden. The Duke's daughter, Rosalind, remains at the court until it is discovered that she has fallen in love with Orlando, the son of the Duke's friend. Rosalind flees with her cousin Celia in the guise of two young men to the forest of Arden so that she may pursue Orlando. There she meets a host of interesting characters and when her true identity is revealed love and happiness is finally achieved.