World of Shakespeare: The Complete Plays and Sonnets of William Shakespeare (38 Volume Library)

Average customer rating:

Almost perfect deal

Super deal! Great investment.

The Value Purchase of the Year

GREAT value.

Glad I Bought These Volumes

World of Shakespeare: The Complete Plays and Sonnets of William Shakespeare (38 Volume Library)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Shakespeare, William | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Hardcover | Shakespeare, William | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0143104802

Book Description

The World of Shakespeare: The Complete Plays and Sonnets of William Shakespeare (38 Volume Library) By William Shakespeare Stephen Orgel and A. R. Braunmiller, General Editors

Amazon.com Exclusive

The Pelican Shakespeare is available in hardcover for the first time in one complete collection only at Amazon.com.

For anyone with an abiding love of the Bard and his to all of Shakepeares singular contributiOn to English literature, this complete library combines enduring beauty with the scholarship and authority demanded by modern readers. Easier to read and enjoy than massive, single-volume editions, these individual volumes feature authori tative text, essays on how the plays would have been performed in Shakespeare's day, and notes valuable for general readers, teachers, students, and theater professionals. Here, in 38 truly stunning heirloom volumes, are William Shakespeare's classic plays and sonnets in the only complete, individually-bound set of Shakespeare's works currently available. The tragedies, comedies, histories, and poetry, so beloved by millions of readers and theater-goers, are reproduced here in luxurious, linen-bound hardcovers, enhanced by silver stamping on the covers and spines, and sewn-in, satin ribbon markers.

The distinguished Pelican Shakespeare editions have sold five million copies. Since the series debuted more than forty years ago, developments in scholarship have revolutionized our understanding of William Shakespeare, his time, and his works. The general editors of the Pelican Shakespeare, Stephen Orgel of Stanford University and A. R. Braunmiller of UCLA, have assembled a team of six eminent scholars who, along with the general editors themselves, have prepared new introductions and note * Authoritative and meticulously researched texts * Illuminating new introductions and notes by distinguished authors * Essays on Shakespeare's life, the theatrical world of his time, and the selection of texts * A handsome new design inside and out * Deluxe packaging, including a full-linen case with silver stamping, ribbon marker, printed endpapers, and acid-free paper * Line numbers marking every tenth line and footnote references * Both glossorial and explanatory notes appearing conveniently at the foot of the page

Included are:

Tragedies

Antony and Cleopatra

Coriolanus

Hamlet

Julius Caesar

King Lear

Macbeth

Othello

Romeo and Juliet

Timon of Athens

Titus Andronicus

Histories

Henry IV, Part I

Henry IV, Part II

Henry V

Henry VI, Part I

Henry VI, Part II

Henry VI, Part III

Henry VIII

King John

Richard II

Richard III

Comedies

All's Well That Ends Well

As You Like It

The Comedy of Errors

Cymbeline

Love's Labor's Lost

Measure for Measure

The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merchant of Venice

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Much Ado About Nothing

Pericles

The Taming of the Shrew

The Tempest

Troilus and Cressida

Twelfth Night

Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Winter's Tale

Poetry

The Sonnets

Customer Reviews:

Almost perfect deal.......2007-10-03

Should I judge this collection by price or quality? I'll try to blend them. At the time of this writing, I ordered it from Amazon for $89.70, which was marked down from $299. Sounds hard to believe, and after owning it, it still is. At this price, this is, without doubt, a major, total, complete deal. However, I give it four stars instead of five because it is 99% of Shakespeare's complete works. Why not include the rest? Why, why, why? It'd take two more volumes, one for his non-sonnet poems and one for THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN, which is now officially part of the Shakespeare canon. It's very easy to get these works, but they wouldn't match your 38-volume set. Still, at anything less than $100, this set is a steal, especially considering that buying all these plays even as used paperbacks would probably cost more, and these are new, 8.5" by 5.5" hardcovers. Call me a nitpicker, but I just don't get why this collection didn't go that extra half-yard. Still, I bought it anyway and am very happy with it.
As for supplements, each book has a basic intro and meanings of archaic words and phrases printed at the bottom of each page.

Super deal! Great investment........2007-09-02

I read the other reviews about this being a great deal for what you're getting. Took a chance....and they were right. After visiting London this summer and realizing I'm literary-deficient, my goal was to read all of Shakespeare's plays once I got home. So I needed a starter set. For $90, I have just that. And much easier to manage that a huge compilation book that I was considering. The book covers are simple, but elegant. Just the right size--easy to carry in my bag to work. I'm very happy with the set--it is a good investment.

The Value Purchase of the Year.......2007-09-01

This is an excellent edition, the volumes are extremely nice to read: larger and clearer than paperbacks; handier, lighter and much easier to handle than one-volume editions. It's the buy of the year. You'll never forgive yourself if you let this slip away. It's a cliche, but true in the case: I would have bought it at twice this price and considered myself lucky.

GREAT value. .......2007-08-08

I bought this as a gift for my partner as a graduation present. It is a REALLY great deal: I can't believe how cheap it is for what you get.

The quality of the books is really high, the paper is lovely stock and the binding is excellent. All in all, this is a really wonderful product and definetely worth forking out the cash for. When you think about it, it's an absolute steal.

Do it!

ps. it arrived REALLY quickly. I am in Australia and it was here within 7 working days (i paid for the mid range postal option, whatever it is called).

Glad I Bought These Volumes.......2007-05-15

The reviews encouraged me to buy this series, and I'm very glad I did. I've read a number of different Shakespeare editions; my favorite had been the Folger. But these books are luxurious, and comparing one to a Folger proves the quality of the paper and the clear, easy-to-read text. At the $89 price - and even higher - these volumes are a rare bargain.

William Shakespeare: The Complete Works, Deluxe Edition

Average customer rating:

Nice for the price
Works of William Shakespeare
Excellent
Excellent Quality for the price
Excelent

William Shakespeare: The Complete Works, Deluxe Edition
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Gramercy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

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ASIN: 0517053616
Release Date: 1990-09-08

Book Description

This complete and unabridged edition contains every word that Shakespeare wrote — all 37 tragedies, comedies, and histories, plus the sonnets. You’ll find such classics as The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and The Taming of the Shrew. This Library of Literary Classics edition is bound in padded leather with luxurious gold-stamping on the front and spine, satin ribbon marker and gilded edges. Other titles in this series include: Charlotte & Emily Bronte: The Complete Novels; Edgar Allan Poe: Selected Works; Mark Twain: Selected Works; Charles Dickens: Four Complete Novels; Lewis Carroll: The Complete, Fully Illustrated Works; and Jane Austen: The Complete Novels.

Customer Reviews:

Nice for the price.......2007-07-29

Let's face it, there are better editions of Shakespeare out there. You get what you pay for. This is not a top of the line leather edition. For the price, though, you can't beat it. It is what it is, a reasonably priced leather edition of his complete works. No household should be without one.

Works of William Shakespeare.......2007-01-21

This was a gift for our son, who appreciated having all of Shakespeare's works in one attractive volume.

Excellent.......2007-01-09

This is a great compilation of Shakespeare's work. This beautifully bound tome has proven to be a great resource for me, a future English major.

Excellent Quality for the price.......2006-08-13

Very nice edition, highly quality finish and binding. The pages are standard re-production for Shakespeare issues - but overall it is excellent value for money and is attractively bound. For those who want 'notes' and 'critiques' - look elsewhere. It is as described - a leather bound edition of the complete works of Shakespeare. I love it! Thank you Amazon USA, you cant get this edition in the UK.

Excelent.......2006-07-10

What can I say? Shakespeare is the man. For any of you who love shakespeare, or just need a good reference for class; this book is amazing... not only that but you will look really intelligent if you have a thick leather bound shakespeare book on your bookshelf haha

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (4th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Bevington's Fifth Edition of Shakespeare is outstanding
Still the best
Shakespeare Complete
Almost the best complete Shakespeare Collection
The Complete Bard

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (4th Edition)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Longman Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0321012542

Book Description

A balanced editorial approach, a highly respected editor, and proven apparatus combine to make Bevington's the most reader-friendly introduction to Shakespeare available. The Fifth Edition of this comprehensive anthology addresses the two key issues confronted by readers approaching Shakespeare today: a lack of knowledge about the historical period and difficulty with the language of Shakespeare's plays. A richly illustrated general introduction offers insight into Shakespeare's England and background on the literary and cultural contexts in which Shakespeare wrote and produced plays. Each play is introduced by a descriptive essay designed to help the reader appreciate the cultural contexts and interpretive issues raised by the play, without dictating their interpretations. Thoroughly revised and updated notes and glosses provide additional support to understanding the language of Shakespeare's time. For those interested in learning about the time of Shakepeare and reading and understanding Shakespeare's plays.

Customer Reviews:

Bevington's Fifth Edition of Shakespeare is outstanding.......2007-03-18

I purchased this book as a birthday present for a graduating high school student who is a big fan of Shakespeare.
This volume has a lot to offer to both students and casual readers. In addition to very readable text of all the plays and sonnets, the fifth edition provides historical and literary context, including drawings and photos, as well as insightful essays on each of the plays. The essays include background, plot summaries and discussion of major themes and would be very useful to anyone seeing a play, especially for the first time. The helpful glossary is extensive, so the reader doesn't have to look up unfamiliar words or feel intimidated by the language. Professor Bevington's fifth edition of the Complete Works is a gem, authoritative and attractive. The birthday girl thinks so, too-- she gives it an A+.

Still the best .......2005-09-13

This was the text for my college Shakespeare classes over 20 years ago (different edition of course) I still have it and still use it. A wonderful book for students and those who want not only the complete works but some well written and authoritative information about Shakespeare and the world in which he lived and wrote.

The texts of the plays are well foot-noted and the type is easy on the eyes. Well worth the investment.

Shakespeare Complete .......2005-02-18

This is truly a great book. Not only does it contain all of Shakespeare's works but it also has an enormous amount of information. There's a little bit on his life and a bit more about the theater during his time. There are also some great drawings in the beginning of the book.

Almost the best complete Shakespeare Collection.......2004-10-22

If you can't afford the Oxford Edition of Shakespeare's complete works than this is the next best edition you can find.

The Complete Bard.......2004-06-22

Bevington's Complete Works of Shakespeare is a priceless source for the writings of history's greatest author. All of the plays, sonnets and poems are contained, plus extensive commentary. An invaluable treasure for actors, producers, students, scholars, writers, and anyone else interested in Shakespeare. The Bard's canon is presented in an easily read format. Highly recommeded.

William Shakespeare Complete Works (Modern Library)

Average customer rating:

Well worth the anticipation
Thin-skinned Bill?
Getting round the paper problem
Extremely interesting edition, but poor readability
Student friendly text

William Shakespeare Complete Works (Modern Library)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Modern Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0679642951
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

FROM THE WORLD FAMOUS ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, THE FIRST AUTHORITATIVE, MODERNIZED, AND CORRECTED EDITION OF SHAKESPEARE’S FIRST FOLIO IN THREE CENTURIES.

Skillfully assembled by Shakespeare’s fellow actors in 1623, the First Folio was the original Complete Works. It is arguably the most important literary work in the English language. But starting with Nicholas Rowe in 1709 and continuing to the present day, Shakespeare editors have mixed Folio and Quarto texts, gradually corrupting the original Complete Works with errors and conflated textual variations.

Now Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen, two of today’s most accomplished Shakespearean scholars, have edited the First Folio as a complete book, resulting in a definitive Complete Works for the twenty-first century.
Combining innovative scholarship with brilliant commentary and textual analysis that emphasizes performance history and values, this landmark edition will be indispensable to students, theater professionals, and general readers alike.

For more information on this Modern Library edition, visit www.therscshakespeare.com

Customer Reviews:

Well worth the anticipation.......2007-10-03

I have had the previlege of learning Shakepeare from one of the editors himself, Dr. Eric Rasmussen. The first class I took with him, we used the Bantam paperback editions of the plays (this book was in press at that time). The second semester, after a long wait, I finally got to compare the Bantam editions with the RSC edition. Though the Bantam Shakepeare, edited by David Bevington and David Kastan, is excellent in its own right as student-friendly version with lots of helpful notes, I found the RSC Shakespeare to be the superior choice. I first agree with the editorial decision to use the First Folio text as the basis. The First Folio was produced by the actors who worked with the Bard himself. The scripts were meant to be a blueprint for what happens on the stage. So those who argue that the Quarto texts with more lines are the authoritative versions need to let go of the notion that more is better. With ample notes and insightful introductions, RSC Shakespeare serves its purpose well by providing the readers a context for Elizabethan theatre life. I would whole-heartedly agree with those who are not satisfied with the paper quality - it sucks. This book is not meant for abusive use - highlighting, underlining, dog-earing, etc. - it is far too expensive for that. For heavy use in classrooms as text, I would recommend to go with Arden or Bantam editions. They are easier on the wallet, and kinder to the faint of heart who cannot dare to put a highlighter to such delicate pages. But if you want some serious scholarship and quality you can count on, do invest in RSC Complete Shakespeare.

Thin-skinned Bill?.......2007-09-21

THE SOUR:
The other reviewer who complained about the thin paper was right! I am literally afraid to turn the pages. Think of the flimsiest, cheap-motel toilet paper you've ever encountered. Slice it in half. It's about that thin. And you can, indeed, read what's on the next page right through the text you're scanning.

These mega-collections of Shakespeare exist for two reasons -- either for those who want it to look swell on their shelves or for those familiar enough with the plays that they don't need the more utilitarian Arden or Folger editions as tutors. For the latter, we want a useful, all-in-one kit for quick reference. In that case, it should be relatively rugged. I don't want a fragile, expensive book that I'm afraid to open. Given the highly competitive nature of these Shakespeare anthologies, this design flaw really overshadows the merits.

THE SWEET:
The book comes with a useful introduction to Shakespeare and an exciting section of photos of RSC productions. The photos are so interesting that I'm disappointed that they don't run throughout the book. (Given how flimsy the pages are, they have the room.) Essays introduce each play, and every show receives a "Key Facts" rundown listing a plot summary, a list of the major parts (with the percentage of their relative line load, number of speeches, and number of scenes), the verse-to-prose ratio, the presumed authorship date, and notes on the sources. The plays themselves have running, footnoted location notes, "translations" of archaic language, and illuminating stage directions.

OVERALL:
An interesting addition, but I'll make sure that I have the proper time to handle it delicately before I take it off the shelf. As my quick reference, it probably won't replace the Oxford, Wells/Taylor-edited collection, controvertial though it is.

Getting round the paper problem.......2007-09-18

Here's an idea for the reviewer who is disappointed by the slight show-through caused by the paper of the Modern Library edition: go to amazon.co.uk and buy the Macmillan edition - it has thicker paper and no show-through, making it the most reader-friendly of all complete editions! But, that said, the problem of show-through and thinness of paper is WAY WORSE in the Norton edition that many students are made to buy.

Extremely interesting edition, but poor readability.......2007-09-10

I'm going to be the naysayer among reviewers of this book. While the edition is interesting, and the concept of only using the First Folio is certainly something to be applauded, the publishers have opted for perhaps the poorest readability of any complete edition. (Ok, there must be worse, among the really cheap ones...)

First, the paper is too thin, meaning that you read one page while seeing the outlines of the text on the other side. The text is printed in a single column, which is good for the parts in verse, but prose sections then have very long lines, which hinders readability. Finally, the footnotes are small and hard to read. Also, while some editions have numbers on lines that have notes, this one doesn't, so you really have to check all the time to see if there are notes. Perhaps real Bardologists don't need the notes that clarify word meanings, but I'm not at that stage yet.

On the plus side, each play has a useful, though brief, introduction, with a "key facts" box, containing a plot summary, roles, dates, and more.

I find it surprising that publishers have to skimp on paper to force these editions into single volumes. Better paper would mean two volumes, and perhaps a higher price point, but they would be so much more readable (not only for the paper, but for each volume having fewer pages). In fact, why not three volumes: comedies, histories and tragedies?

I find that the Pelican edition is far more readable. Naturally, most purchasers of this edition are interested in the comparison between First Folio texts and other texts, so they'll probably buy this anyway. If this does become prescribed in courses, I feel bad for the students who will find this paper shoddy and prone to tears. The book deserves 5 stars for content, but much less for its bookness.

Student friendly text.......2007-06-12

I am delighted with this Complete Works. As a teacher of Advanced Shakespeare, I am constantly searching for materials that support my classes. This text has excellent footnotes, and the introductory essays and materials are very helpful to my students. I am so glad to have this in my classroom.

Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary: A Complete Dictionary of All the English Words, Phrases, and Constructions in the Works of the Poet (Volume I)

Average customer rating:

Great help!!
If Shakespeare is your thing...
Half Full or Half Empty?
defective edition
Unequalled

Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary: A Complete Dictionary of All the English Words, Phrases, and Constructions in the Works of the Poet (Volume I)
Alexander Schmidt
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 048622726X

Book Description

Volume 1 of massive work by a leading Shakespeare scholar and lexicographer, a standard in the field, provides full definitions, locations, and shades of meaning in every word in Shakespeare's plays and poems. The 2 volumes contain more than 50,000 exact quotations, each precisely located. There is no other word dictionary comparable to this work.

Customer Reviews:

Great help!!.......2007-10-01

My daughter looked at several sights before checking Amazon. Once again, you all came through. We are very happy with our experience.

If Shakespeare is your thing..........2007-08-25

We used this book at a recent Shakespeare Theater class taken at SUU in Cedar City and it was extremely informative. Even small words are referenced and cross referenced in this lexicon. The book not only gives definitions, but references any play or poem in which a given words is found. I recommend it (and its companion) highly, even for Shakespeare "experts"!

Half Full or Half Empty?.......2007-05-09

Offered as a companion to the Crystals' Shakespeare's Words: A Glossary & Language Companion, The Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary (with the subtitled advertisement "Every word defined and located, more than 50,000 quotations identified") proves useful up to a point, that is, the letter M. My expecting the whole alphabet was naive, I guess, in this era of computer generated offers. RW

defective edition.......2007-02-01

Do not order this book. There is a defect in the run of this edition. I ordered, discovered the defect, returned for a replacement, and the replacement had the same defect. It skips at least half of the "b's", jumping about 60 pages, then continues for about 30-40 pages, and repeats the same 30-40 pages again before continuing with the rest of the book.

Unequalled.......2006-11-20

Showing definitions of every single word used in the works fo Shakespeare, it also shows where they are used throughout the works. A glossary and concordance in one! A must-have for any student, actor, director, or anyone else needing guidance.

The Arden Shakespeare Complete Works (Arden Shakespeare)

Average customer rating:

The ORIGINAL Text Of Shakespeare's Works-First Folio, Published In 1623. A MUST For Any Educated Person.
Masterwork edition!
Reading from ' the complete works' is more difficult
Gorgeous Collection, for the Bookshelf
Outstanding Classic Updated With Great Introductions

The Arden Shakespeare Complete Works (Arden Shakespeare)
Richard Proudfoot , Ann Thompson , and David Scott Kastan
Manufacturer: Arden
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1903436397

Book Description

The Complete Arden Shakespeare Collector's Edition contains the texts of all Shakespeare's plays, including The Two Noble Kinsmen, which has only recently been widely accepted as partly written by Shakespeare, and also the Poems and Sonnets. The play and verse texts are edited by leading academics, in the light of current scholarship on the different versions of the text available. Brief introductions to each play, written specially for this volume by the three Arden Shakespeare General Editors, discuss the date and contemporary context of the play, its position within Shakespeare's oeuvre, and its subsequent performance history. An extensive glossary explains vocabulary which may be unfamiliar to twentieth-century readers. A general introduction, also by the Arden General Editors, gives the reader an overall view of how and why Shakespeare has become such an influential cultural icon, and how perceptions of his work have changed in the intervening four centuries. The introduction summarises the known facts about the dramatist's life, his reading and use of sources, and the nature of theatrical performance during his lifetime. The Complete Arden Shakespeare Collector's Edition offers the sound, reliable, classic edition of Shakespeare's work in an exquisitely presented volume that will appeal to book collectors and Shakespeare lovers throughout the world.

Customer Reviews:

The ORIGINAL Text Of Shakespeare's Works-First Folio, Published In 1623. A MUST For Any Educated Person........2006-11-10

William Shakespeare-the greatest dramatist the world has ever known. With a very impressive output (37 plays, 4 poems and 154 sonnets, all of them beautifully written), he has rightly been called "Not of an age, but for all time." This, coming from a rival poet (Ben Jonson) is high praise indeed. The plays, poems and sonnets are very difficult to review individually, as they are well written. Shakespeare brilliantly captured the essence of human behaviour in his works. Of course, Shakespeare is not for everyone. Regarding film versions of his plays, I strongly recommend Sir Laurence Olivier's three self-directed Shakespeare films ("Henry V," "Hamlet," "Richard III"), Kenneth Branagh's growing output of Shakespeare ("Henry V," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Hamlet," "Love's Labour's Lost") and faithful stage versions of Shakespeare (The Merchant Of Venice [an out-of-print film starring Laurence Olivier and directed by Jonathan Miller], "King Lear" [starring Laurence Olivier and filmed as a movie in 1984], "Othello" [starring Laurence Olivier and filmed as a movie in 1965]). I also recommend Oliver Parker's 1995 version of
"Othello," starring Kenneth Branagh as the villainous Iago and Franco Zefferelli's 1968 version of "Romeo & Juliet," as well as West Side Story," a classic musical featuring music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (in his debut; he would eventually write "Sweeny Todd") and masterful choreography by Jerome Robbins (he choreographed the dance sequences in "The King & I," "Fiddler On The Roof") which uses the tragic storyline of the play in a modern setting without the dialogue (unlike that idiot Luhrman, who had the c----es to COMPLETELY MODERNIZE the play; "West Side Story" and "Love's Labour's Lost" is as far as you can get to modernizing Shakespeare, the God of playwrights).

His plays, poems and sonnets are rated PG for some violence ("Titus Andronicus," "Macbeth," "Hamlet") and mild vulgarity (sexual references gracefully obscured in Elizabethan English; "Much Ado About Nothing," "Othello," "King Lear," "Venus & Adonis," "The Rape Of Lucrece," etc; though the language of his time was bawdy, Shakespeare DID NOT condone sexual licence). Profanity was also non-existent at the time. He used the words ("Damn," "Hell," "A--," and "B----" [once; in "King Lear"]) in their original definitions. Hell, as a place of torment, damn as in eternal banishment from God, a-- as in the animal also called a donkey and b---- as a female dog. Used improperly, these words immediately become insults of the most vulgar kind.

Masterwork edition!.......2006-02-24

The egregious and omnipresent figure of this unequaled dramaturge reached a peak of colossal dimensions. Although the elapsed time, his influence and absolute domain of the drama, his delirious visions about the greed, ambition, and power 's thirst seem to revive the glorious splendor of the unbeatable Greek tragedy.

There has not been any other writer who had retaken with such vigor, intensity and unrestrained realism the core of the tragic spirit. As the great visionaries, he introduces in his works and obligates us to be part of it. You cannot avoid it. Passion, luxury, betrayal, murder are fundamental factors that support the most diverse complexities of the human soul.

The extended range of aroused emotions we experience show us the mastery of his genius. Humor ( The merchant of Venice, Merry wives of Windsor, The comedy of errors) the eloquent passion exhibited in Gerona 's lovers, the sublime exquisiteness of A midsummer night `s dream, the egregious domain of the feminine psychology (The taming of the shrew) and his portentous vision of the last consequences of the power (Richard III, Macbeth, Hamlet, King Lear) reveal such penetrating knowledge of the human being that may be considered a continuous and always renovated source of analysis and febrile investigation for all those who had decided to get inside this kaleidoscopic universe.

His radiant brightness endures and increases through the times. Reading him we understand and even anticipate a good part of the past story of the last Century. That is why Albert Camus defined the XX Century as the Fear 's Century, he was thinking and talking in Shakespearean terms.

Perhaps the most distinguished and remarkable aspect to underline resides in the fact his characters are so emblematic by themselves; that frequently defies any logic or defined ideology. They are models in which his kindness, perversity or evilness concern.

Don' t let your life passes over without having been a silent witness of the astonishing, delirious, chilling, fascinating and sublime world of this Giant ` s Literature.

Reading from ' the complete works' is more difficult .......2005-10-26

In one sense I think almost every person feels a special pleasure in having a complete edition of the world's greatest writer. The special experience of knowing that one can turn whenever one wants to such great works of literature, and explore them again is a very real one.
However my long experience with reading has taught me that reading the plays in smaller single - volume more heavily annotated works gives more.
I notice for instance that my own ' complete edition' goes largely unread, and that when I need to read Shakespeare I always go to the single- volume works.

Gorgeous Collection, for the Bookshelf.......2004-07-20

The Arden's Complete Shakespeare is quite gorgeous and very well-presented. The text is easy to read in two-column format, printed on nice paper and equipped with a ribbon book mark. It contains 38 plays and all of the sonnets, which makes the collection more complete than that of Pelican and many others.

However, it is not quite as satisfying as it could be. In particular, there are no footnotes. In the the Pelican Complete Shakespeare, for example, there are ample footnotes explaining obscure references and defining less-common vocabulary. The footnotes and explanations included in the individual versions of Arden's Shakespeare are second to none. The collected works, therefore, is quite unsatisfying. However, I am not too disappointed; I use these footnotes much less than when I began reading Shakespeare.

The net result is that the Arden collection is a really beautiful and easy to read printing of all of Shakespeare's plays but it lacks a lot of input that one would have if the individual plays were collected. I'm happy with the book, but am also thankful I own Pelican.

Outstanding Classic Updated With Great Introductions.......2004-04-12

What is so great about this book is that the complete works of William Shakespeare are not only written, but also given extraordinary introductions to each play that are brilliantly written by Stanley Wells. The plays are presented in chronological order, and the introductions give newcomers to Shakespeare's work an understanding of what each play is all about, as well as the history behind it. "King Lear" is included both as it was originally written, as well as Shakespeare's revision of it years later.
There is an in-depth glossary at the back of the book that will help the new reader of this work understand many of the words that were written in the plays at that point of time. Another wonderful addition is an index to the first line of sonnets, and the page that sonnet can be found on.
This revised book will bring readers of Shakespeare's work closer to their original meaning thanks to the painstaking updating, while keeping the original titles in tact. I highly recommend this book for its wisdom, revisions, and the new understanding you will gain from the brilliance of centuries long gone, that have stood the test of time.
Barbara Rose, author of, `Individual Power' and `If God Was Like Man'

The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition

Average customer rating:

As Advertised
Oxford Shakespeare
First Edition was of poor quality
Good edition of Shakespeare's works
All the World's a Stage.

The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0199267170

Book Description

Hailed by The Washington Post as "a definitive synthesis of the best editions" and by The Times of London as "a monument to Shakespearean scholarship," The Oxford Shakespeare is the ultimate anthology of the Bard's work: the most authoritative edition of the plays and poems ever published.
Now, almost two decades after the original volume, Oxford is proud to announce a thoroughly updated second edition, including for the first time the texts of The Reign of Edward III and Sir Thomas More, recognizing these two plays officially as authentic works by Shakespeare. This beautiful
collection is the product of years of full-time research by a team of British and American scholars and represents the most thorough examination ever undertaken of the nature and authority of Shakespeare's work. The editors reconsidered every detail of the text in the light of modern scholarship and
they thoroughly re-examined the earliest printed versions of the plays, firmly establishing the canon and chronological order of composition. All stage directions have been reconsidered in light of original staging, and many new directions for essential action have been added. This superb volume
also features a brief introduction to each work as well as an illuminating General Introduction. Finally, the editors have added a wealth of secondary material, including an essay on language, a list of contemporary allusions to Shakespeare, an index of Shakespearean characters, a glossary, a
consolidated bibliography, and an index of first lines of the Sonnets.
Compiled by the world's leading authorities, packed with information, and attractively designed, The Oxford Shakespeare is the gold standard of Shakespearean anthologies.

Customer Reviews:

As Advertised.......2007-09-30

It is what it says it is. A complete Shakespeare without any notes. If you are looking to save a buck, and don't mind the lack of foot notes it can't be beat.

Oxford Shakespeare.......2007-08-05

A solid classic version we will use for years and intro our kids to Shakespeare with.

First Edition was of poor quality.......2007-02-17

I have the earlier edition and unless they have greatly improved the printing and binding, I cannot recommend the second edition.

In the first edition, the text is tiny. My guess would be that it's 7 or 8 pt type and my weak, middle-aged eyes have a hard time reading it. Also, many times the printing is not complete and some of the words are impossible to read. The text is formatted in two columns and they push it so close to the gutter between pages that you have to grip the book tightly and pull it apart to see the text closest to the gutter. It can be quite tiring.

The book is also just too darn thick to read comfortably.

So far I've read only the three parts of Henry VI, which I enjoyed. I think I'll not read any more from this book. I've decided to buy each play individually instead.

Good edition of Shakespeare's works.......2006-11-27

There are many editions of The Bard on the market, some very expensive and others fairly cheap. Students of Shakespeare at the high school or early university level would be better getting the individual play or plays being studied, rather than the entire corpus of Shakespeare, which is very long (about 1500+ pages including the Sonnets), though for serious lovers of literature and English majors, a compilation such as this is pretty much essential.

The Oxford Shakespeare includes all of the main works, the sonnets, and also notes and introductions. If you need to study an individual play, I would recommend getting the Arden Shakespeare or the Oxford Shakespeare series, which have each individual play accompanied with excellent scholarly notes and decent introductions, but this edition is more useful for reading for pleasure (which is easy to do with Shakespeare) or for private study.

This version is fairly accessible and affordable, and worth adding to your collection if you are a fan of Shakespeare.

All the World's a Stage........2006-08-31

The 1598 loss of their theater's lease should have been a major blow to the Lord Chamberlain's Men, one of Elizabethan England's premier acting troupes, who had gained even more popularity by teaming up with one Will Shakespeare, a Warwickshire glover's son come to London some six years earlier in pursuit of his Muse, leaving behind a wife and three children; daughter Susanna, born but seven months into his marriage, and twins Hamnet and Judith, who'd followed two years later. Yet, what to another company might have spelled "present death" only brought greater fame and fortune to the one boasting, in addition to Master Shakespeare's talents, those of Richard Burbage: not only a superb tragedian but also his troupe's financier and, together with brother Cuthbert, happily able to afford the construction of a new theater in Bankside, on the opposite side of the River Thames. Prophetically, the company named their new home "The Globe" and endowed it with a motto which, in approximate translation, audiences of one of the first plays produced there -- "As You Like It" -- would soon also hear pronounced from the stage, and which sums up the essence of the Bard's plays better than anything else: "Totus mundus agit histrionem" -- "All the world's a stage."

The new playhouse's name and motto were apposite not only because the era did indeed consider a stage a model of the world (the area above was referred to as heaven, the area below as hell, and characters would often appear accordingly: as such, Hamlet's father is heard crying "below [stage]" after his encounter with the Prince), but first and foremost because Shakespeare's plays themselves, individually as well as collectively, represent a microcosm of human relationships and behavior virtually unparalleled to this day: Laced with murderous schemes, revenge, and the search for justice, love, and peace of mind, but also comedy, all-too-human fallibility and great nobility of spirit, they delve into the human mind's darkest recesses and soar to its greatest heights; exploring greed, envy, ambition, guilt, remorse and pure evil, next to compassion, generosity, humility, innocence, fidelity, cleverness, boundless cheers and optimism; all interwoven in timeless plots unmatched in wit, variety, construction, and richness of characters.

Yet, for all this, the biggest difficulty remaining to modern editors and readers alike is that while Shakespeare himself didn't seek the publication of his plays, in the absence of anything approximating modern copyright laws, he was unable to prevent their publication by others, in so-called "quarto" editions, often based on unreliable transcripts made during or after a performance. Only after his death, in 1623, his former fellow-actors John Hemmings and Henry Condell published 37 of his plays "cured and perfect of their limbs" -- i.e., restored to their author's true intentions -- in a volume since referred to as the "First Folio."

Alas, authoritative weight though it has, even the latter doesn't conclusively answer what the Bard intended as the final version of these 37 plays. For one thing, research shows that even some of the Folio texts were edited by others; most prominently so "Macbeth," where Thomas Middleton inserted, inter alia, the witch queen Hecate as an additional character. Secondly, quarto editions of several plays published prior to the "First Folio" (especially of "Henry IV Part 2," "Hamlet," "Troilus and Cressida," "Othello," and "King Lear") are widely believed to represent earlier (or rival) drafts written by Shakespeare himself, and thus accorded considerable authoritative weight of their own. Often, these plays are therefore presented (both in print and on stage) by "conflating" both versions' texts. In the interest of purity, the editors of this particular volume have eschewed that approach, choosing instead to reproduce the Folio text throughout (with gently modernized spelling), because this was probably the text originally used on stage, and appending the passages most frequently added from the rivaling quartos at the end of the respective plays. Thus, this edition's reader will find Hamlet musing in "To be, or not to be" about "enterprises of great pith and moment" whose currents "turn awry and lose the name of action" (not "of great pitch and moment," as in the 1604 "Second Quarto"); he will, however, have to consult the appendix to find the Prince's reflections on that "stamp of one defect" so prominently featuring in Sir Laurence Olivier's movie, or his vows of "bloody thoughts" after encountering Fortinbras. Only in the case of "Lear," the editors chose to fully include both rivaling versions -- that of the First Folio and that of the 1608 quarto -- because here, the omission of entire scenes and reassignment of numerous pieces of dialogue essentially transforms the Folio text into a new play vis-a-vis the 1608 quarto.

Painstakingly researched and an obvious labor of love, this volume moreover restores the plays' original titles ("All Is True" instead of "Henry VIII," etc.), and also contains Shakespeare's long poems and sonnets, brief accounts on the lost plays ("Cardenio," "Love's Labour's Won"), and -- with appropriate caveats -- the texts of works of only partial/uncertain attribution, such as "The Two Noble Kinsmen," sundry poetry, and (for the first time) "Edward III," as well as the editorially and topically so problematic "Sir Thomas More." Background and supplemental materials include introductions to Shakespeare's life, career and language and on the Elizabethan theater, a user's guide, a list of contemporary references to the Bard, commendatory poems and prefaces of his works (including those of the "First Folio"), a glossary, an ample reading list, as well as a short introduction to each work. At well over 1000 pages a virtual brick, this isn't the place to turn for a complete scholarly review of any given play -- for that, the reader is well-advised to consult this volume's "Textual Companion" or one of the many excellent editions of the individual plays -- but a marvelously-presented one-volume resource on the legacy of the playwright whose works, as already friendly rival Ben Jonson rightly prophesied, would last "for all time."

Average customer rating:

Full text + helpful information

Romeo and Juliet (Cliffs Complete)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764585746

Book Description

In the CliffsComplete guides, the novel's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.

CliffsComplete Romeo & Juliet offers insight and information into a work that's rich both dramatically and thematically. Every generation since Shakespeare's time has been able to identify with some romantic or thematic aspect of the play.

Discover what happens to these famous, star-crossed lovers and what causes the family feud between the Montagues and Capulets — and save valuable studying time — all at once. Enhance your reading of Romeo & Juliet with these additional features:

A summary and insightful commentary for each act
Bibliography and historical background on the author, William Shakespeare
A look at Early Modern English intellect, religion, politics, and society
Coverage of Shakespeare's source and the play's performance history
A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
Review questions, a quiz, discussion guide, and activity ideas
A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Web sites

Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!

Customer Reviews:

Full text + helpful information.......2005-10-11

I have to say that the information given in this book was definitely helpful. I liked how they summarized the following scene at the beginning of the scene and had commentary on the scene at the end. The commentary is definitly helpful, although it could be a little bit more in depth in places. It is particularly helpful how they define terms in the margins that may be unfamiliar to readers.

Most of the information in the introduction/bio of Shakespere/etc. wasn't new to me and it seems pretty similar to the introduction in their other books, but it is still helpful for review and to readers who are unfamiliar with this information.

Definitly recommended. Excellent study tool.

Average customer rating:

For the price...
A bargain!
Very good, but inconvenient
Fine as a reference

The Arden Shakespeare Complete Works
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Arden
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1903436613

Book Description

The Complete Arden Shakespeare , published for the first time in hardback in 1998, is now available in an updated paperback edition. The Complete Arden Shakespeare contains the texts of all Shakespeare's plays, edited by leading Shakespeare scholars for the renowned Arden Shakespeare series. The paperback edition includes eight newly revised playtexts as published in the Arden Third Series since 1998. A general introduction by the three General Editors of the ongoing Arden Shakespeare series gives the reader an overall view of how and why Shakespeare has become such an influential cultural icon, and how perceptions of his work have changed in the intervening four centuries. The introduction summarises the known facts about the dramatist's life, his reading and use of sources, and the nature of theatrical performance during his lifetime. Brief introductions to each play, written specially for this volume by the Arden General Editors, discuss the date and contemporary context of the play, its position within Shakespeare's oeuvre, and its subsequent performance history. An extensive glossary explains vocabulary which may be unfamiliar to modern readers. ¨ The sound, reliable, critical edition of Shakespeare's work available for the first time in paperback. ¨ Updated and revised to include akk if the ediitions currently available in the Arden Third Series. ¨ Includes The Two Noble Kinsmen, the Poems, and the Sonnets ¨ General introduction by the arden General Editors ¨ Brief contextual introductions to each play ¨ Glossary with about 400 entries

Customer Reviews:

For the price..........2007-07-12

Well, if you're looking for an affordable collection of Shakespeare's works (plays and sonnets) to read, then this is definitely the book for you! If you're looking to intensely study Shakespeare and get as many footnotes and literary interpretations as possible, this is NOT the one for you. However, this collection's paper quality is all right, the words are actually readable, and you will find some introductory essays as well as a glossary of terms at the back. The glorified cardstock cover is prone to easy damage (even in the mail getting to me, as I discovered), though it is nicely colored.

A bargain!.......2006-08-07

Quite a bargain for $20, and lightweight compared to other Complete Works that are out there. It doesn't contain the detailed footnotes and endnotes of the individual Arden editions, but is extremely useful as a reference or a way of reading through all of Shakespeare's works.

Very good, but inconvenient.......2005-11-16

After discovering to my horror that my carefully boxed volumes of the Temple Shakespeare had gone to mold and stain, I sat around for a year or more with nothing but one of these "club" books printed on onion skin paper, with teeny-tiny print and nothing but "some" (?) editorial version of the plays. I needed to get my hands on something to use, something convenient, not expensive and all inclusive. The Arden Trade paperback edition was my first choice due to the respect generated by this edition and editors. Also, as it was not a hardcover, I envisioned myself happily schlepping it about with me on the subway, on the plane or train.... This was not to be.

1) The volume is HUGE and heavy and too unwieldy - trying to make notes or highlight this while moving about in public transportation is impossible.

2) As noted elsewhere, if an unfamiliar or forgotten archaic word pops up, you need to put your finger in your place, flop over to the back of the book (somewhere) to the glossary and hope the definition is there. There are NO footnotes; therefore, no on-the-go interpretation or editorial explanation of the line/word.

3) The essays and editorial intros are okay, but not as valuable or lengthy/specific as I've found in the Pelican/Penguin individually published volumes - one play, one volume.

If you're intending to use this for purposes I've described and are not such a Shakespearean scholar that you still need help from time to time with an explanatory note or definition, then stay away from this one and get the singles. I now have 4 collections of Complete Works, still searching for the "perfect" one. Riverside is closest to perfect, I love my very old Signet edited by Barnet and keep it at work for lunch hour browsing/reading. I have the Bevington 4th edition on order (I buy most stuff used at the Amazon marketplace and their competitors or I'd be broke) based on word of mouth.

But still-- day to day, I use the Pelican single play copies and mark the heck out of them without worrying about reducing their worth by this practice. Your call.

Fine as a reference.......2003-04-12

Arden's edition of Shakespeare's works is an essential item in everyone's shelter. It's a great buy (for a carefully sought edition), but it lacks the critical discussion of the single-play edition.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Cliffs Complete)

Average customer rating:

Shakespeare for the timid!!!

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Cliffs Complete)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764587250

Book Description

CliffsComplete A Midsummer Night’s Dream has long been one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Its magical atmosphere, farcical plot, hilarious play-within-a-play, and general air of celebration have been enjoyed by nearly every generation since it was written.

Everything is not what it seems in this play. Stay on top of what’s really going on — and save valuable studying time — all at once. Enhance your reading of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with these additional features:

A summary and insightful commentary for each act
Bibliography and historical background on the author, William Shakespeare
A look at the historical context and structure of the play
Discussions on the play’s symbols and themes
A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
Review questions, a quiz, discussion topics (essay questions), activity ideas
A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites

Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!

Download Description

Shakespeare wrote this romantic comedy to show that "love hath no law but his own." The story of young lovers being toyed with by forest sprites is purely an entertaining fantasy, neither realistic nor tragic, and a popular drama the world over.

Customer Reviews:

Shakespeare for the timid!!!.......2004-07-09

I have tried to read the traditional versions of the play and only got confussed. The print of this is easy to read and it features definitions for words that maybe confussing. This is a complete version of the play with infomation added along. You WILL understand the play when you are done with this book!!!!

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