All of us want to read Shakespeare. But today, who has the time? Now, with this book, discover how easily you can become a connoisseur of all Shakespeare’s greatest plays (and many of the sonnets) in less time than it takes to read one play conventionally.
These skillful summaries offer up the highlights of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpieces, to quickly and painlessly acquaint readers with Shakespeare, his world, his words, and his most noteworthy works.
A ‘Shakespeare at a Glance’ chapter includes a brief biography, excerpts from some of his greatest poems, and samplings of his rapier wit and level-headed wisdom. And a witty section, entitled ‘Shakespearean Insults’, unlocks a door into the playwright’s psyche by letting you unleash your own playfully biting barbs.
A coffee break is more than enough time to assimilate a play’s plots and characters, and give you a flavour of the language. In addition, the insightful commentary will help you form your own opinions about its relevance. In a short time, you will have mastered the essence of Shakespearean thought. If, as Shakespeare claims, ‘all the world’s a stage’, this volume is your cue to join in on the act.
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CONTENTS of Shakespear Summaries
Introduction
1 SHAKESPEARE AT A GLANCE
A Brief Biography
A Taste of Shakespeare’s Poetry
Wit and Wisdom in Shakespeare
Shakespearean Insults
2 PLAY OVERVIEWS
COMEDIES
The Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
As You Like It
The Merchant of Venice
Much Ado About Nothing
All’s Well That Ends Well
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Comedy of Errors
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
The Winter’s Tale
TRAGEDIES
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
King Lear
Romeo and Juliet
Macbeth (read the summary of Mackbeth)
Othello
Julius Caesar
HISTORIES
Antony and Cleopatra
Troilus and Cressida
The Life of King Henry V
Henry VIII
Richard II
Richard III
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Some are born great,
some achieve greatness,
and some have greatness
thrust upon them.
Twelfth Night
My words fly up; my
thoughts remain below.
Words without thoughts
never to heaven go.
Hamlet
There’s small choice
in rotten apples.
… if the while I think
on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored,
and sorrows end.
In time we hate that
which we often fear.
Antony and Cleopatra
… They praise me, and make
an ass of me; now my foes tell me
plainly I am an ass;
so that by my foes, sir, I profit
in the knowledge of myself, and
by my friends I am abused.
Twelfth Night
“Thou marble-hearted insolent noise-maker!”