John Crowther
1) Othello
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Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, with marginal notes and explanations and full descriptions of each character.
2) The tempest
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Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero?s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero?s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero?s spirit-servant Ariel. The King?s young son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero?s daughter Miranda. Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals...
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In order to win the wealthy Portia's hand in marriage, Bassanio thinks he needs money to impress her. He goes to his friend Antonio for help, but Antonio's money is tied up in ships. Antonio brings him to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Shylock despises Antonio but agrees to lend Bassanio 3,000 ducats without interest ... on one condition: that Antonio surrender a pound of flesh if Bassanio can't repay the loan. Set in Venice, this play addresses the...
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Among the most popular of all Shakespeare's comedies, this play humorously celebrates the vagaries of love. With its several pairs of lovers, on-again, off-again romances, magic spells, fairies, and a bumbling troupe of would-be actors, the play continues to enchant audiences. Unabridged reprint of an authoritative British edition, complete with explanatory footnotes.
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Unjustly deposed by his younger brother, the rightful duke retreats to the Forest of Arden and forms a utopia with his loyal followers while his daughter remains at court as a companion to her cousin. When forbidden romance enters their lives, the girls assume disguises and flee to the forest, where they encounter a magical world of friendly outlaws and wise fools. Both a lighthearted comedy and a deeper exploration of social and literary issues,...
8) King Lear
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King Lear divides his kingdom among the two daughters who flatter him and banishes the third one who loves him. His eldest daughters both then reject him at their homes, so Lear goes mad and wanders through a storm. His banished daughter returns with an army, but they lose the battle and Lear, all his daughters and more, die.
9) Macbeth
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Three witches tell the Scottish general Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland. Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more people out of paranoia. Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth, resulting in more death.