William Shakespeare Complete Works

By William Shakespeare

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9780345546562

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is the world's greatest ever playwright. Born in 1564, he split his time between Stratford-upon-Avon and London, where he worked as a playwright, poet and actor. In 1582 he married Anne Hathaway. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two, leaving three children—Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. The rest is silence.

Reviews for William Shakespeare Complete Works

[lndlindsey · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Heresy, I know, but I'm just not crazy about the Bard.

[deusxmachina-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful luxury volume I mainly acquired to show off because it looks so amazing in my bookshelf (and because I really wanted a Shakespeare omnibus). Far too precious to actually read it, though ^^

[argente17 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a monstrous tome, with paper thin pages, small writing, and charming, intricate illustrations. It's not good to read in bed, as you can only hold it for about five minutes. That's no surprise, as it contains the complete works of William Shakespeare, together with comments by literary greats such as Samuel Johnson. I love this book, as it makes me feel intellectual and well-read. And, of course, the plays and poetry are full of life, love, laughter, death, tragedy, drama and surprise.

[salmondaze · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Holy fucknuts, you guys. I can't write a straight ahead review of this. I mean for fuck's sake, I've read Shakespeare. This is the man who has a richer body of work than The Bible, okay? And The Bible is by a multitude of authors. Shakespeare is one. What the fuck do you say to this? I've read not only all the plays in this volume (except Edward III which is almost certainly not by the Bard barring some revisions) but the poems as well (barring Passionate Pilgrim and Funeral Elegy because again they're not Shakespeare, just read them and you'll see).Shakespeare wrote like no other writer be they contemporaries of him or otherwise. I mean seriously his style is so indelible, it can only be described as Shakespearean. It was in everything he did, whether it be complex out-of-order line structures, brilliant and original imagery, English-only wordplay, or anything you can think of, even layering of differently phrased same things said (line memes).And the importance of his work is not best exemplified in any single expression so much as an intake of the complete and whole because everything interconnected. Everything built on everything else. Everything was an expansion, not just an extension. There are people who wrote singular works better than probably anything individual by Shakespeare (The Odyssey, The Divine Comedy, Moby Dick, War And Peace, Ulysses) but nothing compares to the richness of his ouvre, and I would even include Joyce in there IN SPITE of Shakespeare's recidivism of sources (particularly Holinshed for his history plays, the history "ghostwriter"). Nobody turned of phrase like Shakespeare, nobody set up a metaphor like Shakespeare, nobody even wrote a GASTON like Shakespeare (Falstaff, people, the ultimate human).Now, I can include Tolstoy's criticism of Shakespeare here. That he didn't relate to those of all walks of life. I think that means Tolstoy lived as a peasant and wrote many things for peasants and the peasant lifestyle. That's probably an unfair potshot because I can easily imagine Shakespeare was held to standards by his often very royal audience. This makes it so his peasants aren't always the most brilliant while the royals are almost always praised as though recognized without clothes (often incognito). Shakespeare could very well have been a heavy royalist and monarchist, but he could as easily be at least a thousand other things. Say what you want but the man hid himself better than anybody this side of Homer. I can't personally strike him for that.

[kaycliff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Contents, in order: Biographical introduction (32 pages); essay on Shakespeare and Bacon (16 pages); the plays, with illustrations; the poems; index to the characters (19 pages); glossary (12 pages).

[dbjones_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simply a genius.

[jshillingford_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazon.com exclusive. This set is well worth every penny! Currently marked down 70% off. Even at full price it's more than reasonable - paperback versions of these plays range from $4.99 to $7.99. These average much less and are durable hard covers. They are beautiful little books, with nice linen covers and easy to read text. My only regret is that narrative poems "The Rape of Lucrece" and "Venus and Adonis" are not included.Collectors, libraries and students will all benefit from having this set. Highly recommended!

[heidilove_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

wonderful. naturally.

[mariannem85-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have a new acquired appreciation for Shakespeare now.

[lisamaria_c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Shakespeare does have some detractors--I suppose someone so highly lauded makes a big target--but he is a genuine favorite of mine. If your introduction to him in school put you off, I'd recommend you try renting one of the many fine films made of his famous plays. The text of a play is after all just a scaffolding--it's really not meant to be read, but seen. Here are a few suggestions, chosen not because they are necessarily Shakespeare's best plays, but among the most watchable film adaptations I've seen:King Lear - there's a version with Lawrence Olivier that's superb. Hamlet - I love the Kenneth Branagh version, but it clocks in at 4 hours. Shakespeare novices with less stamina might want to choose the ones with Gibson or Olivier in the title role instead.Macbeth - Orson Welles and Roman Polanski both did versions I found very watchable.Romeo and Juliet - I love the Zeffirelli version. He cast actors that were actually the right ages, and this film made me a fan of Shakespeare in my teens.Henry V - I love both the Branagh and Olivier versions--though they're very different reads. Olivier's, done in the midst of World War II, heroic and patriotic, Branagh more cynical and dark.Julius Caesar - try the one with a young Marlon Brando as Mark Anthony.Much Ado About Nothing - Branagh again--but also his (then) wife Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington and Kate Breckinsale all bringing their A-game. Taming of the Shrew - with wife/husband team of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Taylor chews the scenery--great actress she isn't--but I admit I find the film fun. There's also a Othello with Lawrence Fishburne and a Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino I've heard great things about, but haven't gotten around to seeing myself.Although the more you're familiar with Elizabethan language, the better you can comprehend and appreciate the plays, and there's something to be said for reading the plays quietly on your own, one after another. Eventually you get oriented to his world and language, and it comes easier. Precisely because the language and some of the literary and historical allusions are unfamiliar though, reading an annotated edition of the plays is a must. About the only play I don't like is the ridiculous Titus Andronicus. Even if Camille Paglia defends it, I think the best that could be said of it is that it's comforting to know even Shakespeare can flub it. As for Shakespeare's poetry, I do love the sonnets madly. But Shakespeare's longer poems, such as Rape of Lucrece and Venus and Adonis? Not so much.

[tommi180744 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Bought for 18 Shillings & 6 pence (18s.6d)> Times have considerably changed I'm thinking, but not the immaculate, unrivalled literary genius of Mr William Shakespeare!

[amwsmith-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Favorites: Titus Andronicus, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, Twelfth Night.

[briandewey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just finished Twelfth Night. As far as editions of Complete Shakespeare were concerned, this was exactly what I wanted. It's compact enough that I can easily hold it and read it. (Compare to Riverside and you'll see what I mean.) The glosses were just enough to get me back into the swing of Elizabethan English. I first tried to read Twelfth Night in the Compact Oxford, which has no footnotes at all -- it was impossible, which is why I bought this edition.As for Twelfth Night itself... I'm not the hugest fan of Shakespeare's comedies (except Midsummer Night's Dream). They all blur in my head. Disguise, mistaken identity, everyone married at the end. What struck me the most about this one is how cruelly Malvolio is treated. It made me uncomfortable to read about (and watch -- I saw this play recently). And then I was also confused about the homoerotic Antonio / Sebastian relationship. What was I supposed to read into this? All in all, it's no Othello.

[mgreenla · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Can't say much more than, it's Shakespeare... The 38 volume set is readable, and well annotated. The text is large enough to read, unlike some other collections of Shakespeare's works which seem to trade off type size for space.

[k9binkley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classics that you can keep going back to but if you want to finish you need to keep reading on - and on- still haven't gotten through all.

[ankhet_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This edition of the Complete Works of Shakespeare is excellent. I bought it as a textbook, but if I were looking for a complete works right now, I would buy it simply for its excellence.Not only does it contain all of Shakespeare's works, but it has extensive notes on the text as well.

[belleyang_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Too often we associate Shakespeare with gloss. It is a pleasure to read the Bard as he was read in the original, sans line numbering and explanation. You'll surprise yourself to find that can ride this vehicle without the training wheels!

[abi78_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whether for reference or reading (or in my case, both) no bookshelf is complete without it.

[arctic1stranger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The only reason I dare write anything that even pretends to be a review is that IF I rank something four or higher, I feel it deserves an explanation on my part. All I can say is, This is Shakespeare. Ignore it at your own risk.

[mewilbur · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Harold Bloom said that Shakespeare is the center of the Western Canon because of his preternatural ability to create fully formed characters whom we observe changing themselves by hearing themselves. He also said that "Shakespeare is the canon." I must agree because Shakespeare's characters encompass all of us. If you read nothing else, read this book. And, if you have the opportunity to see a well-performed play, grab it. You won't regret it. In fact, you might even be inspired to read the play, if you haven't already.

[vermillion_duchess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I suggest, to everyone who wants to read Shakespeare, also read books on the Reformation, the history of the kings and queens of England, the four humors, and astrology in Elizabethan times. To have any idea of what is going on in a Shakepeare play or poem, you must know what the rational, sensitive, and vegetative souls are. And also note: Shakespeare was trying to make money! You can't really take Titus Andronicus seriously. Last thing: Read Hamlet as if Hamlet is the bad guy and Claudius is a good king.

[jenngauthier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have to give this one five stars simply because, for English lit students, it is the bible. It is the most comprehensive and detailed copy of Shakespeare's works you can buy, with enough footnotes to keep you busy for a lifetime. For the general population, however, I wouldn't recommend it. The print is miniscule, the book weighs more than most compact cars, and I've always found the cover to be a bit frightening, in a nice sort of way. For those of us that need to know every possible detail about any given play, the Riverside Shakespeare is indispensable.

[orthros_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Shakespeare. All of it. Amazing. Spellbinding. Regretably ribald at times. Overall, the best volume of non-religious work by a single English author in the history of the world. 3 stars because I rate my books on the spiritual value of the works, and Shakespeare is decidely mixed in my opinion. If you disagree, heck, give 'im 5 stars.But you knew that already, didn't you? :)

[wanderlust_lost · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent collection. Colour illustrations, gilt edged pages, and very sturdy.

[joye_22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book I have is not the Riverside--it's an old, library-smelling, thick, green, hardcover book that I got at Powell's bookstore. I love it: I've used it so many times, and it holds a revered place on my bookshelf.

[telute · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favourite shakespeare comedies. The plot is simple, a group of men agree to go without love to further their learning and are then visited by a group of women who decide to thwart them. Staggering amounts of wordplay make notes almost essential for a first read and this edition has by far the best set of annotations I've seen. A very funny play with a twist at the end.

[daizylee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My Mother's old Shakespeare textbook from college, it's the best one I've ever found. Wonderful introductions and notes. The binding isn't in great shape, but I love it passionately anyway.

[johnthefireman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It seems almost blasphemous to review Shakespeare. This edition is a useful size and easy to use.

[datrappert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Obviously, Shakespeare should get 5 stars, but what you really want is nice, manageable single-work volumes, such as those from the Folger Library. This is a massive book, very well done, but not especially usable as a primary reading source.

[wildbill_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

MacbethAs much as people say that William Shakespeare was a great writer he really was a great writer. He has stayed in print for 500 years and is available in about every language. I very rarely read any of his plays but I will make an effort to read more.I think a good subtitle for this play would be "Evil Royal Murders". It is a juicy nasty tragedy where people do evil things and then get there just deserts.The editor of the edition I read said that the witches were not in the original play. If that is true it was not as good a play. I really liked the witches, chanting over their cauldrons. They were a great device for bringing in the puzzles about man not born of woman and the Birnam Forest coming to Dunsiname. Then in the ending Shakespeare finds very easy ways to fill in the answers.Lady Macbeth is a classic evil woman. She becomes consumed by her evil. Sleepwalking and washing her hands saying "out damn spot". Then she dies and there is that speech of fourteen great lines that begins," She should have died hereafter" which sums up the lack of meaning in life in exquisite language that can be repeated over and over.Then Macbeth solves the witches riddles, much to his regret.Macduff and Malcolm wrap up the ending in two pages and we all leave the theater.I found that by just reading the lines straight through I didn't have as much trouble with the language as I have in the past. I feel like I have opened another door to great reading.