First published in the "First Folio" in 1623 and likely written in the 1590s, "King John" is one of William Shakespeare's best historical plays. It centers on the events of King John's reign of England during the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. King John, son of Henry I of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, inherits the throne after the death of his older brother, King Richard I. John's claim to the throne is challenged by the King of...

Presents the text of "The Merchant of Venice," in which a creditor demands a pound of flesh as payment for a debt, and a lover must choose among three caskets to win the hand of a wealthy lady, and includes introductory and textual notes, character lists and studies, a synopsis, teaching tools and suggestions, historical background, and biographical information about the Shakespeare.

Presents the full text of Shakespeare's tragedy in which Cassius, fearing Julius Caesar's ambition, forms a conspiracy among Roman republicans including Caesar's trusted friend Brutus to assassinate him on the Ides of March.

Likely written around 1607 or 1608 and attributed at least in part to Shakespeare, "Pericles, Prince of Tyre" is an adventure-filled play that follows the extended sailing journeys of a young prince. Pericles, a young prince from Phoenicia, is forced to flee Antioch when he correctly guesses a riddle that reveals the incestuous activity of King Antiochus. Unable to stay at home in Tyre because of Antiochus' vengeance, he sails away and ends up shipwrecked...

Contains the unabridged text of the tragicomedy about a king whose unfounded jealousy has lifelong consequences for his family and friends; includes explanations of words and passages, a plot synopsis, scene summaries, and notes on the main characters; and features questions, activities, and biographical information about Shakespeare.

Presents the text of Shakespeare's comedy of love and redemption in exile, and includes a biographical sketch of the author, a selection of critical commentaries, and other reference materials.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, suggested by "The Knight's Tale" from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, written around 1594 to 1596. It portrays the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with the Duke and Duchess of Athens, Theseus and Hippolyta, and with the fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest. The play is one of Shakespeare's most popular works for...

Contains an introduction to the play, the text of the play, and suggestions for using the book in the classroom.

The King of France gives Helena the hand of any man she wants in marriage, but the one she chooses, Bertram, flees to Tuscany, and she must use her wits to get him back; this text includes background on the play's sources and stage history, as well as a textual analysis.

Presents William Shakespeare's comedy "Measure for Measure" side by side with scene summaries and explanatory notes, and provides background on Shakespeare, the text, and the play's context, and discussion questions, activities, and essay and project suggestions.