Antony and Cleopatra (1606-7)
Introduction “Antony and Cleopatra”, like “Romeo and Juliet” and “Troilus and Cressida”, is a love story. Like “Romeo and Juliet”, it follows the fortunes of two lovers united in emotion but divided by culture and background. Like “Troilus and Cressida”, it is a story of love in a time of war, and it ends in […]
Julius Caesar (1599)
Introduction A striking feature of Shakespeare’s plays is the way they often focus on a transfer of power of one kind or another. At times this may be achieved peacefully – as happens, for example, when Duke Senior is exiled from power to the forest in “As You Like It”; at others it may be […]
The Rape of Lucrece
Introduction Shakespeare wrote “The Rape of Lucrece” in the plague year of 1594. Approaching thirty years of age, he was little-known as a playwright, but famous as a poet, the celebrated author of “Venus and Adonis”, written the year before, one of the best-loved poems of the age. But whereas “Venus and Adonis” is light-hearted […]
Romeo and Juliet (1595-6)
Introduction “Romeo and Juliet” has over 3,000 lines. But from line 6, we know how it will end. A pair of unlucky lovers will “take their life”. So the audience knows from the start of the play that whatever attempts are made to reach a happy ending – by parents, perhaps, or by priests – […]