Books in Shakespeare Library series

The authoritative edition of Coriolanus from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.Set in the earliest days of the Roman Republic, Coriolanus begins with the common people, or plebeians, in armed revolt against the patricians. The people win the right to be represented by tribunes. Meanwhile, there are foreign enemies near the gates of Rome. The play explores one reason that Rome prevailed over such vulnerabilities: its reverence for family bonds. Coriolanus so esteems his mother, Volumnia, that he risks his life to win her approval. Even the value of family, however, is subordinate to loyalty to the Roman state. When the two obligations align, the combination is irresistible. Coriolanus is so devoted to his family and to Rome that he finds the decision to grant the plebians representation intolerable. To him, it elevates plebeians to a status equal with his family and class, to Rome’s great disadvantage. He risks his political career to have the tribunate abolished—and is banished from Rome. Coriolanus then displays an apparently insatiable vengefulness against the state he idolized, opening a tragic divide within himself, pitting him against his mother and family, and threatening Rome’s very existence. This edition includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -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 annotated guide to further reading Essay by Heather James The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

Each edition includes: - Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play- Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play- Scene-by-scene plot summaries- A key to famous lines and phrases- An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language- An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play- Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare booksEssay by Susan SnyderThe Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.

The authoritative edition Henry VI, Part 1 from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.Henry VI, Part 1 is an uncompromising celebration of early English nationalism that contrasts the English with the French, portrayed here as effeminate and scheming. A boy king, Henry VI, is on the English throne, and the indomitable Talbot leads the English cause in France. Joan La Pucelle (Joan of Arc), who becomes captain of the French, claims to be chosen by the Virgin Mary to liberate France. The English, however, consider her a sensual witch. Many of the English nobility remain, quarreling, at home. Once in France, some seek permission to fight each other there. Talbot and his son cannot prevail; the English defeat themselves by preying on each other. This edition includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -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 annotated guide to further reading Essay by Phyllis Rackin The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

Folger Shakespeare LibraryThe world's leading center for Shakespeare studiesEach edition includes: - Freshly edited text based on the best earlyprinted version of the play- Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play- Scene-by-scene plot summaries- A key to famous lines and phrases- An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language- An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play- Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare booksEssay by Coppelia KahnThe Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs.

The play that scholars see as a forerunner of the less comedies that followed, The Two Gentlemen of Verona remains one of the early Shakespeare finest achievements. A romp between two Veronese friends of this title, this classic romantic parody leaps to life. In Antony and Cleopatra, a grand drama of love and war, Shakespeare presents one of his greatest female characters -- the beautiful and cunning Egyptian queen Cleopatra.The New Folger Library editions feature introductions to Shakespeare's language, illustrations from the Folger collection, scene-by-scene plot summaries, and explanatory notes. Exhibiting a profound concern for stimulating a popular interest in the Elizabethan period, the esteemed and accessible Folger Library Shakespeare editions are favored by teachers, students, and scholars alike.

To understand Shakespeare's plays, you need to know about the theaters and the audiences they were written for. Find out about how the plays were performed, and the actors who played in them. Discover what audiences were like when Shakespeare's plays were first performed and if theaters in Tudor England were comfortable places to visit. You will also find out which actors played the female characters in Shakespeare's theater.

This series offers an insight into Shakespeare theatre as we enjoy it today, and as it was intended when first performed. The books include background information on popular plays and details of Shakespeare's life. Each book includes: examples of recent stage production; extensive primary source material; and, cast of characters and plot of the play.

Macbeth is a play that mixes ambition, mystery, murder and revenge. Find out about what happens in the play, meet the characters and the actors who have played them. Discover if Macbeth is a true story and learn about the themes of the play. Get acquainted with Lady Macbeth and find out what her character is like. Learn about William Shakespeare's life and this play that has been performed for more than 400 years.