William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's preeminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "The Bard"). His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who bore him three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. He appears to have retired to Stratford around 1613, where he died three years later.

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Featured Books, with extracts by William Shakespeare

Julius Caesar - retold by Michael Ford
William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy of Ancient Rome – the assassination and the turmoil that followed - is vividly and faithfully retold in graphic novel format.  It is part of a series of illustrated literary classics retold for young readers, which is...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/05/2009
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Romeo and Juliet (Classics Illustrated)
William Shakespeare
The most famous of Shakespeare's plays is brought to life in glorious technicolour through comic strips.  Brilliant for younger and older readers.   A message from the publisher: Classics Illustrated - A wonderful History - We're delighted to re-introduce these marvellous...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | 9+ readers | Audio Books
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/02/2009
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Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
This exciting new edition of "Romeo and Juliet" includes a new 32-page section of activities focusing on the four key areas of assessment for the KS3 Shakespeare Test.This Heinemann Shakespeare edition of "Romeo and Juliet" includes: stimulating scene-by-scene activities structured around Character, Theme, Language,...
Featured in: 14+ readers | Ebooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 01/08/2008
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Macbeth, Original Text
William Shakespeare
This graphic novel uses the original Shakespearean text. Fate? Destiny? Or one man's obsession with power? Macbeth is probably the most dramatic of Shakespeare's tragedies. Set against the backdrop of 11th century Scotland with all the drama you'd...
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Format: Paperback - Released: 25/02/2008
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Macbeth, Plain Text
William Shakespeare
This graphic novel uses 'plain text', a modern language version of the Shakespearean text. Fate? Destiny? Or one man's obsession with power? Macbeth is probably the most dramatic of Shakespeare's tragedies. Set against the backdrop of 11th century...
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Format: Paperback - Released: 25/02/2008
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Macbeth, Quick Text
William Shakespeare
This graphic novel uses 'quick text' communicating the meaning of the story with as few words as possible. Fate? Destiny? Or one man's obsession with power? Macbeth is probably the most dramatic of Shakespeare's tragedies. Set against the...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 25/02/2008
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Henry V, Original Text
William Shakespeare
This graphic novel uses the original Shakespearean text. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead!" This historic tale of war and peace between England and France in...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/11/2007
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Henry V, Plain Text
William Shakespeare
This graphic novel uses 'plain text', a modern language version of the Shakespearean text. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead!" This historic tale of...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/11/2007
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Henry V, Quick Text
William Shakespeare
This graphic novel uses 'quick text' communicating the meaning with a few words as possible. Be sure to check out the Plain and Original Texts too.  "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;...
Featured in: 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/11/2007
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Much Ado About Nothing
William Shakespeare
This series presents hardback editions of Shakespeare's plays for use in schools. The text is supported by detailed notes and is suitable for GCSE and A level.
Featured in: 14+ readers | Ebooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 24/09/1979
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