Edited, Introduced and Annotated by Cedric Watts, M.A., Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of English, University of Sussex. The Wordsworth Classics' Shakespeare Series presents a newly-edited sequence of William Shakespeare's works. The Textual editing takes account of recent scholarship while giving the material a careful reappraisal. Hamlet is not only one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, but also the most fascinatingly problematical tragedy in world literature. First performed around 1600, this a gripping and exuberant drama of revenge, rich in contrasts and conflicts. Its violence alternates with introspection, its melancholy with humour, and its subtlety with spectacle. The Prince, Hamlet himself, is depicted as a complex, divided, introspective character. His reflections on death, morality and the very status of human beings make him 'the first modern man'. Countless stage productions and numerous adaptations for the cinema and television have demonstrated the continuing cultural relevance of this vivid, enigmatic, profound and engrossing drama.

Has any other love story become so enmeshed in our culture as the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet? In fair Verona the families of Montague and Capulet are locked in a long-standing, bitter blood feud when young Romeo Montague slips into a masquerade party at the Capulet's. During the dance he glimpses Juliet, the daughter of the house, and is struck by love at first sight. She returns his passion and they promise each other everlasting love notwithstanding the rift between their families. Despite their extraordinary circumstances, the story of Romeo and Juliet has become the archetypal tale of young love. Reflecting the seemingly insurmountable hurdles young lovers perceive and the conviction that even death is preferable to separation. Perhaps the fascination also lies in Shakespeare's exquisite language that so perfectly expresses the depths of feeling that manifests what all lovers would say if they found the words.

The Merchant of Venice is best known for its complex and ambiguous portrait of the Jewish moneylender Shylock - and of European anti-Semitism. Fascinating in its engagement with prejudice, the play is also a comedy of cross-dressing and disguise and a dramatic exploration of justice, mercy and vengeance. This volume contains the full text of the play with explanatory footnotes and marginal glosses for contemporary readers. A well-rounded selection of background materials not only illuminates anti-Semitism in early modern England but also provides context for other facets of the play, including its comic plot of love and marriage, its examination of usury and international trade and its themes of revenge and the law.

Arden Early Modern Drama Guides offer students and academics practical and accessible introductions to the critical and performance contexts of key Elizabethan and Jacobean plays. Contributions from leading international scholars give invaluable insight into the text by presenting a range of critical perspectives, making these books ideal companions for study and research. Key features include: Essays on the play's critical and performance histories A keynote chapter reviewing current research and recent criticism of the play A selection of new essays by leading scholars A survey of learning and teaching resources for both instructors and students This volume offers a thought-provoking guide to Shakespeare's Richard II, surveying its critical heritage and the ways in which scholars, critics, and historians have approached the play, from the 17th to the 21st century. It provides a detailed, up-to-date account of the play's rich performance history on stage and screen, looking closely at some major British productions, as well as a guide to learning and teaching resources and how these might be integrated into effective pedagogic strategies in the classroom. Presenting four new critical essays, this collection opens up fresh perspectives on this much-studied drama, including explorations of: the play's profound preoccupation with earth, ground and land; Shakespeare's engagement with early modern sermon culture, 'mockery' and religion; a complex network of intertextual and cultural references activated by Richard's famous address to the looking-glass; and the long-overlooked importance to this profoundly philosophical drama of that most material of things: money.

Rome was a recurring theme throughout Shakespeare's career, from the celebrated Julius Caesar, to the more obscure Cymbeline. In this book, Paul Innes assesses themes of politics and national identity in these plays through the common theme of Rome. He especially examines Shakespeare's interpretation of Rome and how he presented it to his contemporary audiences. Shakespeare's depiction of Rome changed over his lifetime, and this is discussed in conjunction with the emergence of discourses on the British Empire. Each chapter focuses on a play, which is thoroughly analysed, with regard to both performance and critical reception. Shakespeare's plays are related to the theatrical culture of their time and are considered in light of how they might have been performed to his contemporaries. Innes engages strongly with both the plays the most current scholarship in the field.

Kein Stein bleibt auf dem anderen, seit Alik Sokolov als Kredithai in Deutschland das Zepter schwingt. Was Wunder aber auch bei den Wucherzinsen fur Start-ups wie Mobit, ein Unternehmen, das drauf und dran ist, mit der klassischen Teleportation in die Annalen einzugehen. Und selbst wenn die Autohersteller demnach wenigstens noch uber den Personenverkehr gebieten, haben die so schon durch den chinesischen Vorstoss von Middle Kingdom genug Probleme am Hals. Der Grund jedenfalls fur Kleinanleger wie Andrey Zosimoff, die Mittel aus heimischen Traditionsunternehmen abzuziehen und sie stattdessen Zockern wie Alik Sokolov und sohin Mobit anzuvertrauen. Paradoxerweise investiert Mobit allerdings die erhaltenen Gelder in Middle Kingdom. Und erst scheint die Rechnung auch aufzugehen, ist der Borsengang der Chinesen ein Mordserfolg und vermag Mobit mit dem Verkauf einzelner Papiere den Zahlungsaufforderungen Alik Sokolovs spielend nachzukommen. Wie sich freilich der MK Mini als Reinfall entpuppt und sich die institutionellen Investoren nach und nach von ihren Papieren trennen, ist die Kacke am Dampfen, ruhrt selbst eine Mutti, die Frau Bundeskanzlerin, vergeblich die Trommel ... Unter der Rose ist eine Politsatire, kurzweilig, spritzig, pfiffig, phasenweise spannend auch wie ein Thriller. Von Prostitution uber Mord bis hin zum schmahlichen Vertrauensmissbrauch und Ende einer Freundschaft bietet sie alles, um den Leser auf seiner Reise zur versohnlichen Losung bei Laune zu halten

Murder, Mayhem, and Madness-- Collected here are five of William Shakespeare's greatest tragedies Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear. These are the plays that made Shakespeare's reputation. Murder, deceit, treachery, and madness play out on the grand stage. Stories for the ages Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is widely considered Shakespeare's greatest play. Hamlet is confronted by the ghost of his father, who tells him that Hamlet's uncle and mother conspired to poison him. Knowing that his uncle, who now sits upon the throne, and his mother, who has married his uncle and is now his queen, have murdered his father, Hamlet sets out to avenge his father's death and set things to right. But his plan could destroy the entire realm. To be, or not to be-that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die-to sleep- No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks

A bitter feud between the Montagues and the Capulets keeps the city of Verona, Italy, in a state of constant unrest. Despite the enmity, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall passionately in love. Enlisting the help of Friar Laurence, the young lovers wed in secret, hoping that their marriage will finally unite the two families. But things go terribly, tragically wrong. One of Shakespeare's most widely performed plays, "Romeo and Juliet" has been adapted for every conceivable format. Yet no adaptation -- film, television, radio, or opera -- can match the richness of the original. This inspired graphic novel version depicts every scene of the play in full-color illustrations, accompanied by every word of the original text. Authentic yet easy to follow, this exciting adaptation is ideal for purists, students, and readers who appreciate Shakespeare's matchless verse. Also available are the Original Text, with the Bard's original, unabridged work, and a Quick Text version, with less dialogue for a fast-paced read.