Rediscover Shakespeare -- the working man of the theater, not the universal bard -- and rediscover his plays as scripts to be performed, not works ...
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Jul 23, 2011
Bram
rated it: 
Reflecting on the oeuvre of Shakespeare, I can’t shake a perverse idea: the Bard is underrated. And I think this feeling is tied to the contradictory knowledge that he is enormous, creating the master shadow in which all others dissolve. He’s the Platonic Form that has made possible, via subsequent authorial study and unconscious absorption, so many of the variations of what we consider the best in literature. The introspection and characterization of Woolf. The zaniness in Melville, Pynchon
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51 comments
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(33 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Taka
rated it:
I did it.
38 plays, 2 long poems, and 154 sonnets in 2462 onion-paper pages. I read them all. ALL. I think I deserve a self-congratulation for this. Yes. Good job!
It took me more than two months of intense reading that toughened my wrists and arms from reading it on the train standing, hardened my heart with stony indifference against people's perplexed and peering gazes thrown at me even to the point of leaning in from the side to see what the hell I'm reading, and made More...
38 plays, 2 long poems, and 154 sonnets in 2462 onion-paper pages. I read them all. ALL. I think I deserve a self-congratulation for this. Yes. Good job!
It took me more than two months of intense reading that toughened my wrists and arms from reading it on the train standing, hardened my heart with stony indifference against people's perplexed and peering gazes thrown at me even to the point of leaning in from the side to see what the hell I'm reading, and made More...
2 comments
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(28 people liked it)
Jan 19, 2010
Brad
rated it: 
For Harold Bloom*:
Can 35 Thousand Literary Critics and 3 Million Groundlings Be Wrong? Yes.
Taking arms against Shakespeare, at this moment, is to emulate Harry Potter standing up to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Simply opposing Lord V-- won't end him. The Shakespeare epiphenomenon will go on, doubtless for some time, as J. R. R. Tolkien did, and then wane. Or so one can hope.
The official newspaper of our dominant counter-culture, The New York Times, has been star More...
Can 35 Thousand Literary Critics and 3 Million Groundlings Be Wrong? Yes.
Taking arms against Shakespeare, at this moment, is to emulate Harry Potter standing up to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Simply opposing Lord V-- won't end him. The Shakespeare epiphenomenon will go on, doubtless for some time, as J. R. R. Tolkien did, and then wane. Or so one can hope.
The official newspaper of our dominant counter-culture, The New York Times, has been star More...
16 comments
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(12 people liked it)
Nov 05, 2010
Sammy
rated it:
What an exquisite edition of one of the greatest works in the Western canon. Armed with an authoritative editorial team, Professor Jonathan Bate has reworked all of Shakespeare's plays, as well as his poems. The footnotes are extensive and cover all meanings of words (including the more salacious ones that many school texts leave out), while also providing informative historical and contextual information.
This edition seeks to give us every word attributed to Shakespeare (although, a More...
This edition seeks to give us every word attributed to Shakespeare (although, a More...
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 05, 2012
Robert
rated it:
Edward III
For anyone saying, "Huh?" right now, let me say that EIII is one of the "Apocryphal Plays" that have been credited wholly or in part to Shakespeare at one time or another but that do not have conclusive proof of authorship by Big Bill Rattlepike. In the Second Edition of the Oxford Shakespeare Complete Works, the whole text of all plays the editors are convinced Shakespeare had a hand in is printed. This means that they have made the brave decision to in More...
For anyone saying, "Huh?" right now, let me say that EIII is one of the "Apocryphal Plays" that have been credited wholly or in part to Shakespeare at one time or another but that do not have conclusive proof of authorship by Big Bill Rattlepike. In the Second Edition of the Oxford Shakespeare Complete Works, the whole text of all plays the editors are convinced Shakespeare had a hand in is printed. This means that they have made the brave decision to in More...
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(7 people liked it)
Mar 15, 2008
Stephen
rated it:
A wonderful collection of the complete works of Shakespeare. It differs from most other collections in that it presents his works chronologically (as accurately as possible, but scholars will never be satisfied completely) whilst most others categorise them into histories, tragedies, romances, and comedies.
The poems are presented well, but the plays aren't formatted in the most user-friendly way: the font is tiny, close together, in articles going vertically down the page with severa More...
The poems are presented well, but the plays aren't formatted in the most user-friendly way: the font is tiny, close together, in articles going vertically down the page with severa More...
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(2 people liked it)
Jun 11, 2010
Polly
rated it:
I have not finished this yet, although David gave it to me for Christmas about 15 years ago (clearly not the Kindle edition, but I can't seem to change that). Some of my favorites are Henry V, Hamlet and King Lear. I don't care so much for the comedies. I think everyone should read Shakespeare to know what good writing is, and to get an idea of the impact of human behavior for better and for worse. There are so many wonderful and relevant lines that I wish I could commit more to memory. Duri
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Feb 07, 2012
Martin
rated it: 
02-07-12
A Midsummer Night's Dream
12-20-11
Romeo & Julliet
06-25-11
Richard II
03-20-11
Love's Labour Lost
02-16-11
Two Gentlemen of Verona
05-07-10
The Taming of the Shrew - I love this play. Maybe that makes me a bad person, I don't know. I love the problems of it, I love watching directors and actors try to solve the problems of it, I love the wordplay, the banter, the ela More...
A Midsummer Night's Dream
12-20-11
Romeo & Julliet
06-25-11
Richard II
03-20-11
Love's Labour Lost
02-16-11
Two Gentlemen of Verona
05-07-10
The Taming of the Shrew - I love this play. Maybe that makes me a bad person, I don't know. I love the problems of it, I love watching directors and actors try to solve the problems of it, I love the wordplay, the banter, the ela More...
7 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 03, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
Update: Seven plays into my current spree, I'm going to have to put this on hold due to a lack of time. I've now read 17 total- my most severe weakness is the histories (have only read Richard III and Henry IV). When I come back to this project, I think that I will be reading those in order.
1st: Macbeth (finished-review posted)
2nd: Two Gentlemen of Verona (finished-review posted)
3rd: King Lear (finished-review posted)
4th: Merchant of Venice (finished-review posted) More...
1st: Macbeth (finished-review posted)
2nd: Two Gentlemen of Verona (finished-review posted)
3rd: King Lear (finished-review posted)
4th: Merchant of Venice (finished-review posted) More...
20 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Aug 09, 2007
Miriam
rated it: 
I have a very old (1943) edition of this book, which I use mostly for reference. My edition has very little in the way of footnotes or annotation, although there is a very useful glossary of Elizabethan terms in the back. Additionally, there are indices of characters and of first lines of songs and soliloquys.
This book (at least the 1943 edition) is not for those who have to read just a play or two for class-- go pick up a Folger edition if that is the case-- or for those who are per More...
This book (at least the 1943 edition) is not for those who have to read just a play or two for class-- go pick up a Folger edition if that is the case-- or for those who are per More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 09, 2009
Baff
rated it:
I have a hypothesis about Shakespeare that may be untestable in this life. My hypothesis is that, in order to understand Shakespeare, you must enjoy him. Backward, huh? Yet, it seems that this reality comes out when you speak with people who like to read this stuff. In any case, the Norton is a very good resource/doorstop to have in your library. Although my scholarship is exceeding feeble, I sometimes disagree with the editor's commentary on certain words. His definitions just don't seem
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Jul 02, 2011
Taylewd
rated it:
Greenblatt does a freaking amazing job of putting this together. The intros provide a fantastic historical perspective going into reading each play, especially for the histories. You'll know the families of the play and why they're beefing on each other before you go in. You'll know the real conversation Prince Hal and Bolingbroke had that formed the basis of Bolingbroke's death scene in 2 Henry IV. You'll know what Queen Elizabeth thought of Richard II ("I am Richard, know you not that?"
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Dec 16, 2010
Austin
rated it:
If stranded on a desert isle, is there really any question which one book you should have with you? All I can say is that if it were me, I would want that book to be Survival Guide for the Mariner. However, Shakespeare's complete works, collected all into one volume is about as magnificent as any single art object could be.
Harry Levin writes of the age in which Shakespeare lived: "[T]he most salient characteristic of Jacobean culture was its devotion to the pursuit of knowle More...
Harry Levin writes of the age in which Shakespeare lived: "[T]he most salient characteristic of Jacobean culture was its devotion to the pursuit of knowle More...
Oct 16, 2009
Steven
rated it:
Seeing this when voting on the book list has inspired me to gush: Maybe I should put this under "currently reading" because I'll be reading and re-reading these my whole life. What can I say that hasn't been said already? The funniest comedies, the most passionate love stories, the most heart-wrenching tragedies. And of course, all of it in the most beautiful language ever written in English.
Tragically, so many start reading a play, get frustrated by the language and More...
Tragically, so many start reading a play, get frustrated by the language and More...
Apr 28, 2009
Charles
rated it:
Okay, I admit that I've only read about 40-50% of this, but its a handy way of covering Shakespeare without going all the way through.
Just like any prolific writer, even the great Shakespeare is hit and miss. For every Julius Ceasar, Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing, there are painfully dry and boring plays so dreadful that making students read it violates the Geneva Convention somehow.
Shakespeare's true genius comes in his characters, which I think is exactly what makes his plays More...
Just like any prolific writer, even the great Shakespeare is hit and miss. For every Julius Ceasar, Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing, there are painfully dry and boring plays so dreadful that making students read it violates the Geneva Convention somehow.
Shakespeare's true genius comes in his characters, which I think is exactly what makes his plays More...
Jun 21, 2010
Rowena
rated it:
I read Romeo and Juliet in high school. We had this big book, a compilation of William Shakespeare's works (not sure how my family got hold of it and I don't think this is the exact book because ours is a really old one) which I remember reading until my head hurt. Old English can be difficult for a small brain.
I loved the classic theme: star-crossed lovers from different backgrounds falling in love (well, duh, I was a teenager when I read it). The main plot is still relevant today, More...
I loved the classic theme: star-crossed lovers from different backgrounds falling in love (well, duh, I was a teenager when I read it). The main plot is still relevant today, More...
May 03, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Re "Hamlet:" This is my third reading of the play, and it's finally coming together for me. I'm currently taking a class in the influence of Arthur Golding's translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses on Shakespeare in general and on "Hamlet" in particular. I had never noticed (among other things) the probable and deliberate use of the Phaethon myth as a basis for Hamlet!
But most of all, I've realized that this play is really about change at all levels: the political, pe More...
But most of all, I've realized that this play is really about change at all levels: the political, pe More...
Mar 19, 2010
Tessa
rated it:
Ok, so I haven't read EVERY play, but I'm working on it. Much Ado, Winter's Tale, R & J, and Hamlet all stand out as favorites. If you want to read Shakespeare, Riverside is a great way to do it--most of the discussions of the plays are quite good and you can brush up on the history of his life and theatre in the time period as well.
Feb 22, 2012
Sommer Ann
rated it:
It's Shakespeare, what more need I say? Over my first semester I read, in brilliant British accents with Ashley, the following plays from the anthology:
Hamlet
King Lear
romeo and Juliet
Midsummer Night's Dream
Twelfth Night
Taming of the Shrew
Richard III
Henry IV (part 1 and 2)
Othello
Much Ado About Nothing
Hamlet
King Lear
romeo and Juliet
Midsummer Night's Dream
Twelfth Night
Taming of the Shrew
Richard III
Henry IV (part 1 and 2)
Othello
Much Ado About Nothing
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Jan 28, 2012
One of those books that will never finish because its depths of tenderness are inexhaustible. You can stick it forever on a shelf but its own secret life goes on even without you ever picking it up again after a brief dip into it. It's just there for you whenever you want to read it, that's all.
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Jul 04, 2011
LG
rated it:
OK, this isn’t the edition that I either own or have ever owned. I wish! And no, I haven’t read the complete works – and I really doubt I’ll ever have to … unless I get my hands on this book, of course.
I’ve read barely a handful of Will’s sonnets, although the sonnet itself (Italian and English) is my favorite poetic form for its demanding meter and exacting rhyme schemes. As for the plays, the best thing to do if you’re not a literature major or an English teacher is to watch live
Jul 16, 2011
AnEyeSpy
rated it:
***** Works and Sonnets of Will Shakespeare was one of the few hardcovers I ever bought, after expert Stratford actors broke the barrier of archaic language with vivid gestures and expression to bawdy popular mass entertainment of unwilling teens. When I was a toddler, I accompanied my day with made-up song. At my current age, I prefer pithy excerpts quoted in action escapist fiction, but the bard waits ready for when I am. If you find your poetry in catchy ad jingles, or nursery verse, take it
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Sep 16, 2010
Hana
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 17, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
Need a comprehensive volume of all of Shakespeare's works? This book is for you.
How about a security system? I guarantee any burglar you bash over the head with this book is going to have at least a concussion, if not brain damage.
What about a doorstop? do you live in a drafty house with doors slamming all the time? You need one of these then, any door parked behind this tome is going nowhere.
Got kids? Are they too big for a high chair but still a little too short More...
How about a security system? I guarantee any burglar you bash over the head with this book is going to have at least a concussion, if not brain damage.
What about a doorstop? do you live in a drafty house with doors slamming all the time? You need one of these then, any door parked behind this tome is going nowhere.
Got kids? Are they too big for a high chair but still a little too short More...
Dec 01, 2010
Keeko
rated it:
Finished off with The life of King Henry the Eighth. I read it side by side with the Yale edition published in 1925 and edited by John M. Berdan and Tucker Brooke because I like how the Yale edition plays are published in individual 4" x 6" blue cloth-covered volumes that you can hold easily in your hands. People get all caught up in studying Shakespeare, and I think that sometimes that gets in the way of remembering that the reason he's lasted this long is because he's a wonderful sto
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Jan 19, 2010
Henry VI, Part I[return]Henry VI, Part II[return]Henry VI, Part III[return]Richard III[return]Comedy of Errors[return]Titus Andronicus[return]Taming of the Shrew[return]Two Gentlemen of Verona[return]Love's Labour's Lost[return]Romeo and Juliet[return]Richard II[return]A Midsummer Night's Dream[return]King John[return]The Merchant of Venice[return]Henry IV, Part I[return]Henry IV, Part II[return]Henry V[return]Julius Caesar[return]Much Ado About Nothing[return]As You Like It[return]Merry Wives o
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Aug 22, 2011
Nicholas
rated it:
What can I say? This is Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers in the English language ever. His plays and poems are still required reading in British schools (although in my opinion they don't pick the best plays for the curriculum), and his work continues to be performed by theatre companies great and small all over the world. Not many other playwrights can say that nearly 5 centuries on from their deaths. This is just one of many editions to contain the full body of his work, but despite th
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Aug 14, 2011
Mel
rated it:
This isn't exactly the edition I have but it's about the nearest I'm going to get. In-short, working your way through the entirety of Shakespeare's works is no mean feat but the challenge proves well-worth it in the end. I think everyone in the English-speaking world has had to sit through endless hours in a classroom listening to their teacher drone on about the main themes of Romeo & Juliet or Hamlet but to actually just sit and read the plays for the sheer enjoyment of it is something magical
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Jan 24, 2010
Holly
rated it:
I read approximately 25 plays around Oct. '09. Rankings: The Comedy of Errors, 3.5. Love's Labor's Lost, 4-4.5. 1Henry VI, 3.5. Richard III, 3.5. The Taming of the Shrew, 3. The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 3.5-4. Romeo and Juliet, 4. Richard II, 4. The Merchant of Venice, 3.5-4. 1Henry IV, 4. Henry V, 3.5-4. Much Ado About Nothing, 3. Julius Caesar 3.5-4. Troilus and Cressida, unfinished. All's Well That Ends Well, 3. Othello, only made if half way through then zzzzz. Measure For Measure, 3.5. Kin
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