William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Shakespeare's comedy of mismatched lovers, meddling fairies, and a play-within-a-play in an enchanted wood.

Antony and Cleopatra

Shakespeare's tragedy of Mark Antony's fatal love affair with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra.

Hamlet

Shakespeare's tragedy of revenge and doubt — the final play read in Challenge III's Exposition strand.

Henry V

Shakespeare's history of the warrior king at Agincourt — read in Challenge III's Exposition strand.

Julius Caesar

Shakespeare's Roman tragedy of conspiracy and rhetoric — read in Challenge III's Exposition strand.

Julius Caesar (Oxford Shakespeare)

Shakespeare's tragedy of Caesar's assassination and its bloody political aftermath.

Macbeth

Shakespeare's tragedy of ambition and guilt — read in Challenge III's Exposition strand.

Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare's comedy of wit and courtship — the first play read in Challenge III's Exposition strand.

Othello

Shakespeare's tragedy of jealousy and manipulation destroying the Moorish general Othello.

Richard III

Shakespeare's history play on the ruthless rise and fall of Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's tragedy of two young lovers destroyed by their feuding families.

The Taming of the Shrew

Shakespeare's comedy, given a close reading in the drama half of Challenge I's Rhetoric strand.

Troilus and Cressida

Shakespeare's cynical retelling of a doomed romance set during the Trojan War.