## **Shakespeare's Plays** Before the publication of the First Folio in 1623, nineteen of the thirty-seven plays in Shakespeare's canon had appeared in quarto format. With the exception of Othello (1622), all of the quartos were published prior to the date of Shakespeare's retirement from the theatre in about 1611. It is unlikely that Shakespeare was involved directly with the printing of any of his plays, although it should be noted that two of his poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece were almost certainly printed under his direct supervision. Here you will find the complete text of seventeen Shakespeare's plays, based primarily on the First Folio, and a variety of helpful resources, including extensive explanatory notes, character analysis, source information, and articles and book excerpts on a wide range of topics unique to each drama. **Tragedies** Antony and Cleopatra (1607-1608) The story of Mark Antony, Roman military leader and triumvir, who is madly in love with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Coriolanus (1607-1608) The last of Shakespeare's great political tragedies, chronicling the life of the mighty warrior Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Hamlet (1600-1601) Since its first recorded production, Hamlet has engrossed playgoers, thrilled readers, and challenged actors more so than any other play in the Western canon. No other single work of fiction has produced more commonly used expressions. Earliest known text: Quarto (1603). Julius Caesar (1599-1600) Although there were earlier Elizabethan plays on the subject of Julius Caesar and his turbulent rule, Shakespeare's penetrating study of political life in ancient Rome is the only version to recount the demise of Brutus and the other conspirators. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). King Lear (1605-1606) The story of King Lear, an aging monarch who decides to divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters, according to which one recites the best declaration of love. Earliest known text: Quarto (1608). Macbeth (1605-1606) Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most stimulating and popular dramas. Renaissance records of Shakespeare's plays in performance are scarce, but a detailed account of an original production of Macbeth has survived, thanks to Dr. Simon Forman. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Othello (1604-1605) Othello, a valiant Moorish general in the service of Venice, falls prey to the devious schemes of his false friend, Iago. Earliest known text: Quarto (1622). Romeo and Juliet (1594-1595) Celebrated for the radiance of its lyric poetry, Romeo and Juliet was tremendously popular from its first performance. The sweet whispers shared by young Tudor lovers throughout the realm were often referred to as "naught but pure Romeo and Juliet." Earliest known text: Quarto (1597). Timon of Athens (1607-1608) Written late in Shakespeare's career, Timon of Athens is criticized as an underdeveloped tragedy, likely co-written by George Wilkins or Cyril Tourneur. Read the play and see if you agree. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Titus Andronicus (1593-1594) A sordid tale of revenge and political turmoil, overflowing with bloodshed and unthinkable brutality. The play was not printed with Shakespeare credited as author during his lifetime, and critics are divided between whether it is the product of another dramatist or simply Shakespeare's first attempt at the genre. Earliest known text: Quarto (1594). **Histories** Henry IV, Part I (1597-1598) One of Shakespeare's most popular plays, featuring the opportunistic miscreant, Sir John Falstaff. Earliest known text: Quarto (1598). Henry IV, Part II (1597-1598) This is the third play in the second tetralogy of history plays, along with Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, and Henry V. Earliest known text: Quarto (1600). Henry V (1598-1599) Henry V is the last in the second tetralogy sequence. King Henry is considered Shakespeare's ideal monarch. Earliest known text: Quarto (1600). Henry VI, Part I (1591-1592) The first in Shakespeare's trilogy about the War of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Henry VI, Part II (1590-1591) Part two of Shakespeare's chronicle play. Based on Hall's work, the play contains some historical inaccuracies. Earliest known text: Quarto (1594). Henry VI, Part III (1590-1591) Part three begins in medias res, with the duke of Suffolk dead and the duke of York being named Henry VI's heir. Earliest known text: Quarto (1595). Henry VIII (1612-1613) Many believe Henry VIII to be Shakespeare's last play, but others firmly believe that he had little, if anything, to do with its creation. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). King John (1596-1597) In the shadow of Shakespeare's second tetralogy of history plays lies the neglected masterpiece, King John. Although seldom read or performed today, King John was once one of Shakespeare's most popular histories, praised for its poetic brilliance. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Richard II (1595-1596) More so than Shakespeare's earlier history plays, Richard II is notable for its well-rounded characters. Earliest known text: Quarto (1597). Richard III (1592-1593) The devious machinations of the deformed villain, Richard, duke of Gloucester, made this play an Elizabethan favorite. Earliest known text: Quarto (1597). Comedies All's Well That Ends Well (1602-1603) In 1767, a scholar named Richard Farmer concluded that this play is really the revision of Shakespeare's missing Love's Labour's Won, which was likely written around 1592. It is considered a problem play, due primarily to the character Helena and her ambiguous nature. Is she a virtuous lady or a crafty temptress? Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). As You Like It (1599-1600) As You Like It is considered by many to be one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies, and the heroine, Rosalind, is praised as one of his most inspiring characters. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). The Comedy of Errors (1592-1593) This is Shakespeare's shortest play, which he based on Menaechmi by Plautus. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Cymbeline (1609-1610) This play, modeled after Boccaccio's Decameron, is often classified as a romance. It features the beautiful Imogen, considered by many to be Shakespeare's most admirable female character. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). Love's Labour's Lost (1594-1595) Love's Labour's Lost is a play of witty banter and little plot, written during the early part of Shakespeare's literary career, when his focus was on fancy conceits and the playful nature of love. Earliest known text: Quarto (1598). Measure for Measure (1604-1605) Considered a "dark" comedy, Measure for Measure was inspired by Cinthio's Epitia and Whetstone's Promos and Cassandra. Earliest known text: First Folio (1623). The Merchant of Venice (1596-1597) The character of Shylock has raised a debate over whether the play should be condemned as anti-Semitic, and this controversy has overshadowed many other aspects of the play. Earliest known text: Quarto (1600). The Merry Wives of Windsor (1600-1601) The Merry Wives is unique amongst Shakespeare's plays because it is set in Shakespeare's England. It features the Bard's beloved character, Falstaff. Earliest known text: Quarto (1602). A Midsummer Night's Dream (1595-1596) A magical exploration of the mysteries of love, and one of Shakespeare's best-known comedies. Earliest known text: Quarto (1600). Much Ado About Nothing (1598-1599) The story of two very different sets of lovers, Beatrice and Benedick and Claudio and Hero. The witty banter between Beatrice and Benedick is the highlight of the play. Earliest known text: Quarto (1600). Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1608-1609) Portions of Pericles are ripe with imagery and symbolism but the first three acts and scenes v and vi (the notorious brothel scenes) of Act IV are considered inadequate and likely the work of two other dramatists. The play was not included in the First Folio of 1623. In Shakespeare's sou