Wild jealousy. Unfounded accusations. Death and rebirth. And, of course, Exeunt, chased by a bear - one of Shakespeare's most famous stage directions. Leontes, King of Sicily, suddenly becomes insane with jealousy, believing his pregnant wife has been unfaithful to him. Acting upon his rage, he sets a tragedy in motion that will cost him, his family, and his friends dearly.

One of William Shakespeare's most farcical comedies, "The Comedy of Errors" is notable for its use of mistaken identity to achieve a slapstick comedic effect. Ripe with the bard's characteristic word play, the comedy concerns the lives of two sets of identical twins that were accidentally separated shortly after their birth. The play begins by the elderly Syracusian trader Egeon relating the back-story of his family. When Egeon was young, he married...

Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, with marginal notes and explantions and full desciptions of each character.

The tragic drama of an old king's foolishness is accompanied by a scene-by-scene analysis, commentary on past and current productions, and an overview of Shakespeare's theatrical career.

Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, discusses the author and the theater of his time, and provides quizzes and other study activities.

Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, discusses the author and the theater of his time, and provides quizzes and other study activities.

Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, uses his skill at controlling natural forces to cause the shipwreck of his old opponents, forcing them to seek refuge on the island where he and his daughter Miranda have been living in exile, and setting the stage for Miranda to fall in love with Ferdinand, the prince of Naples. Includes explanatory notes, plot summaries, critical essay, and illustrations.