Antony and Cleopatra is a brilliant drama of love and war by William Shakespeare. Hailed as one of the master playwright s greatest tragedies, the play is set in ancient Rome and Egypt, and portrays actual events from Roman history. It revolves around its two main characters, Antony, a Roman General, and Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt. Antony falls in love with Cleopatra, and throughout the play…
King Lear is one of the greatest tragedies of the master playwright, William Shakespeare. The play is focused around Lear, the aging King of Britain, and his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. When Lear wants to step down from the throne, he decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters and asks each daughter how much she loves him. Goneril and Regan, greedy for their s…
The Merchant of Venice is one of the most outstanding romantic comedies of William Shakespeare. The play revolves around the legendary characters of Antonio, a rich Italian merchant, Shylock, a rich Jew, and Portia, a rich heiress. When Antonio asks to borrow money from Shylock to help his friend Bassanio, Shylock agrees on the condition that if he is unable to repay it by the date specified,…
The Winter s Tale is one of Shakespeare s most popular comedies. The play was first published in 1623, and has since been performed worldwide with great success. It is set in Sicily, and revolves around the main character, King Leontes, who is consumed by doubts about his wife s loyalty. Jealousy drives him to plot his best friend s murder, imprison his wife and disown their unborn child. The p…
Cymbeline, King of Britain is one of the best-known works of William Shakespeare. It is a romantic play interwoven with war and tragedy. It revolves around Cymbeline and his daughter, Imogen. Imogen does not abide by her father’s wishes, and marries a lowborn gentleman, Posthumous. After their marriage, Posthumous is banished from Britain and Imogen is held as a prisoner in the palace. As th…
The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a popular romantic comedy by the master playwright, William Shakespeare. It is believed to be his first comedy and probably his first play. It is about two inseparable friends, Valentine and Proteus, and how their friendship is affected when they fall in love. This short narrative version of the play has been suitably adapted to help introduce the play to young re…