The Shakespeare Made Easy series aims to take the fear out of Shakespeare. By having Shakespearean and Modern English facing each other, pupils will find it easier to comprehend the text. Through discussion of the life, work and theatre of Shakespeare pupils can gain a more rounded understanding of these classic works.
An edition of Shakespeare's tragedy, including discussion of its plot, themes, characters, language, production, and author.
The Arden Shakespeare is the established edition of Shakespeare's work. Justly celebrated for its authoritative scholarship and invaluable commentary, Arden guides you a richer understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's plays.This edition of Macbeth provides, a clear and authoritative text, detailed notes and commentary on the same page as the text, a full introduction discussing the critical and historical background to the play and appendices presenting sources and relevant extracts.
Henry V is the most famous and influential of Shakespeare's history plays. Its powerful patriotic rhetoric has resounded down the ages.
"Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?" This poignant plea from Shylock encapsulates a dramatic moment in the play. In the aftermath of the Holocaust, interpretations have emerged, with some arguing that the work represents Shakespeare's condemnation of ignorance and anti-Semitism, advocating for tolerance and multiculturalism. Conversely, others view it as a comedy that ridicules a 16th-century Jew. The plot reveals a greater complexity: Bassanio, a carefree Venetian, seeks financial help from his wealthy friend Antonio to pursue the beautiful Portia in Belmont. Antonio, unwilling to deny his friend, borrows from the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who humorously demands a pound of flesh if the debt is unpaid. When disaster strikes and Antonio's ships sink, Shylock insists on his bond, transforming the initial camaraderie into a looming tragedy. The climactic courtroom scene, featuring a disguised Portia and a menacing Shylock, highlights the intense debate on "the quality of mercy." The play's controversial themes continue to evoke strong reactions, ensuring its enduring fascination and divisive nature among audiences.
The Oxford School Shakespeare is a well-established series which helps the reader to understand and enjoy Shakespeare's plays. Each play in the series contains the complete text with an extensive range of notes, background information on Shakespeare's England, suggestions for further reading, a brief biograohy of Shakespeare, and a complete list of his plays.
New Shakespeare, long since out-of-print, is now reissued. Each work contains a lengthy and lively introduction, main text, and substantial notes and glossary.
The arrival of shipwrecked twins in the land of Illyria creates havoc in this comical story of love in disguise.
