Arcturus Shakespeare Editions – serie

'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in our philosophy.'Arguably Shakespeare's greatest play and certainly his most performed, Hamlet tells the impassioned story of the grief-stricken Danish prince's revenge against his uncle, Claudius, for murdering his father in order to seize his throne and marry Hamlet's mother. A thought-provoking study of the human psyche and familial relationships, the play has been analysed by audiences, critics and psychologists (including Sigmund Freud) alike ever since its first performance at the beginning of the 17th century.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

'Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee: I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.'Often referred to superstitiously as 'the Scottish play', Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's best-loved works. As a general in the army of the Scottish king, Macbeth meets three witches who prophesy that he will one day take his master's place.A tumultuous tale of how ambition, guilt and paranoia lead to deceit and murder, it is one of the greatest studies of morality and corruption.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

'Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.' Set in Athens, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a sparkling comedy centred on the theme of love and delightfully peopled with some of Shakespeare's best-loved characters such as the unintentionally comical weaver Bottom and the mischievous fairy, Puck.Perfectly combining a fantastical fairyland with the mortal world, this is Shakespeare at his wittiest and most entertaining.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

'But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.'Written between 1591 and 1595, Romeo & Juliet is one of Shakespeare's greatest and most popular plays. Set in Verona, Italy, it has been performed across the world and inspired numerous other artistic works - from music to ballet and film - as well as entertaining countless generations of theatre-goers.Filled with some of Shakespeare's most beautiful and beloved lines, this tragic tale of star-cross'd lovers will resonate with people of all ages.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

King Lear is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters, having cut off the third for speaking her truth. As a result of his poor judgement he becomes destitute and insane yet at the crux of political machinations. King Lear was first performed in 1606 and though it was often revised after the English Restoration for audiences who disliked its dark and depressing tone and sought more cheerful entertainment, since the 19th century Shakespeare's original play has been regarded as one of his supreme achievements.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

Othello was probably written in 1603, some years after the Ottoman-Venetian War (1570-1573) fought for control of Cyprus, a possession of the Venetian Republic since 1489. The story revolves around two characters, Othello and Iago. Othello is a Moorish military commander serving as a general of the Venetian army in defence of Cyprus against invasion by Ottoman Turks. He has recently married Desdemona, a beautiful and wealthy Venetian lady much younger than himself, against the wishes of her father. Iago is Othello's ensign, who stokes his master's jealousy until the usually stoic Moor kills his beloved wife in a fit of blind rage. Due to its enduring themes of passion, jealousy, and race, Othello is still topical and popular and is widely performed, with numerous adaptations.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

As You Like It follows the heroic Rosalind as she flees persecution at her uncle's court with her cousin Celia, to eventually find safety and love in the Forest of Arden. While in disguise, they encounter many memorable characters, especially the melancholy Jaques, who gives many of Shakespeare's most famous speeches, including 'All the world's a stage', 'too much of a good thing' and 'A fool! A fool! I met a fool in the forest'.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers ...In Henry V, the ebullient and youthful Prince Hal of Henry IV Part I has matured into a stern warrior king, leading his outnumbered troops in battle against the French crown at Agincourt. As the battlefield becomes a stage for heroism, betrayal, and sacrifice, Shakespeare masterfully explores themes of honor, loyalty, and the timeless struggle between ambition and conscience.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

As the Roman Republic teeters on the brink of collapse, the charismatic general Julius Caesar's meteoric rise to power sends shockwaves through the city. Yet, his growing influence stirs fear and jealousy among his peers, including the noble Brutus and the cunning Cassius, who conspire to assassinate him in a bid to preserve the ideals of the Republic. A dark tale of absolute power, corruption and betrayal, Julius Caesar was first performed in 1599 and its themes remain hugely resonant today.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

When a group of soldiers descend on the town of Messina, two romantic entanglements ensue. Shakespeare's sparkling comedy trades on the skilful interplay between Beatrice and Benedick and the shades of light and dark that the mix of bright new love and dark deeds provides. This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

First performed in around 1607, Antony and Cleopatra was printed as part of the First Folio in 1623, titled as The Tragedie of Anthonie, and Cleopatra.Set in the republic of Rome and the Egypt of the Ptolemies, the play tells of the passion of the Roman general Mark Antony for Cleopatra, Egypt's extraordinary queen and one of Shakespeare's most complex female characters. As politics enters the life they have created together, both are forced to reflect on whether love or duty is more important. The consequences are shattering.As well as the play itself, this edition contains:• An extended introduction that looks at the play's history, its structure, and characters• A glossary of words and terms• Notes on the text • A timeline of William Shakespeare's life and workABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

First published in 1609, Shakespeare's Sonnets are considered some of the most beautiful poems in the English language. They include famous lines which evoke joy and tenderness, such as 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day' or 'To me, fair friend, you can never be old', while other lines express deep passion and desire. Whether addressed to the Fair Youth, the Rival Poet, or the Dark Lady, these sonnets' universal themes of love, death, and the passage of time hold a meaning for everyone, and it is unsurprising that they have been translated into every major written language.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes an extensive introduction by Chris McNab that examines the origins of the work, the plot and the characters as well as notes on the text, a glossary and a timeline of Shakespeare's life and work.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays and poetry, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

Written in the early 1590s, Shakespeare's version of the story of Richard III, more properly known as The Tragedy of Richard the Third, depicts events that happened more than a century before. The story is based on the unfinished History of Richard III by Sir Thomas More, writing as the Tudor dynasty was seeking to consolidate its position. Shakespeare portrays his usurping, hunchbacked Richard as truly villainous, with few redeeming features. Yet as he strives to consolidate power, he is a compelling and charismatic character, delivering some of Shakespeare's most memorable lines. As well as the play itself, this edition contains: • An extended introduction that looks at the play's history, its structure, and characters• A glossary of words and terms• Notes on the text • A timeline of William Shakespeare's life and work

One of the most romantic of Shakespeare's plays, Twelfth Night, or What You Will is thought to have been written around 1601-1602 as an entertainment for the end of the Christmas season.In a classic tale of mistaken identities, twins Viola and Sebastian are separated after their ship founders on the coast of Ilyria. Disguising herself as a boy, Viola falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who loves the Countess Olivia. When she meets Viola, Countess Olivia falls for her, believing her to be Cesario. It contains some of Shakespeare's most beautiful poetry including Orsino's speech that begins, 'If music be the food of love play on'.As well as the play itself, this edition contains:• An extended introduction that looks at the play's history, its structure, and characters• · A glossary of words and terms• · Notes on the text • A timeline of William Shakespeare's life and workABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays and poetry, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

One of the earliest of Shakespeare's plays, The Comedy of Errors is a brief and genuinely farcical comedy, filled with knockabout humour, and the havoc wrought by mistaken identity.The play tells the story of two sets of identical twins, accidentally separated at birth. Antipholus and his servant, Dromio, both of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, where they encounter their twin brothers, Antipholus and his servant, Dromio, of Ephesus. When the Syracusan strangers meet the friends and families of their twins, they are subject to unjust beatings, a near-seduction, and arrest, as well as accusations of infidelity, theft, madness, and possession by demons.As well as the play itself, this edition contains:• An extended introduction that looks at the play's history, its structure, and characters • A glossary of words and terms• Notes on the text • A timeline of William Shakespeare's life and workABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays and poetry, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.

An ailing King Henry IV still faces rebellion and turmoil in England and remains concerned that his son, Prince Hal, is not fit for kingship. At the same time, Hal becomes more distant from his former life and his long-term mentor, John Falstaff, and begins to prepare for his role as the future Henry V.While continuing the themes of Part I and still with comic interludes, Part II is more elegiac in tone, reflecting on the passage of responsibility and kingship from the old to the young.This edition is based on the First Folio and includes:• An extended introduction that looks at the play's history, its structure, and characters• A glossary of words and terms• Notes on the text, and• A timeline of William Shakespeare's life and workABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Shakespeare Editions series brings together many of Shakespeare's celebrated plays, presented with striking contemporary cover designs. Each edition is based on the First Folio and includes an informative introduction, glossary and timeline.