Barbara A. Mowat Book order (chronological)

'Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York' Shakespeare's final drama of the Wars of the Roses cycle begins as the dust settles on England after bloody civil war, and the bitter hunchback Richard, brother of the king, secretly plots to seize the throne. Charming and duplicitous, powerfully eloquent and viciously cruel, he is prepared to go to any lengths to achieve his goal. Richard III shows a man who, in his skilful manipulation of events and people, is a chilling incarnation of the temptations of power in a land shocked by war. Used and Recommended by the National Theatre General Editor Stanley Wells Edited by E. A. J. Honigmann Introduction by Michael Taylor

This updated edition includes: *Newly re-edited play text and revised commentary notes *Scene-by-scene plot summaries *A key to the play's famous lines and phrases *An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language *An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play *Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books *An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading

Padua holds many suitors for the hand of fair Bianca, but Bianca may not be married until her spitfire sister Kate is wed. Could any man be rash enough to take Kate on? The witty adventurer Petruchio undertakes the task and sets about transforming Kate from foul-tempered termagrant to loving wife.

Dramatic and powerful in its scope, 'Othello' explores the perils of suspicion and jealousy and the ensuing breakdown of relationships and disaster that can arise from such emotions. Othello secretly marries Desdemona, but is led to believe that she has been unfaithful to him by his ensign, Iago, leading to tragic events.