Finally! Summaries and Commentaries for All of Shakespeare's histories are available in one easy-to-access volume. Henry VI, Part 1 details the hasty settlement of a dispute and a grave error in judgment that start a fledgling king on a downward spiral. Henry VI, Part 2 describes a second weakness--the king's retreat into religion to avoid difficult decisions concerning policy. The result is the initiation of the Wars of the Roses. Henry VI, Part 3 is a bitter harvest of a king's poor political husbandry. Richard III presents a full-length portrait of a self-confessed egotistically ambitious, physically deformed king who vows to outdo Italy's wicked Machiavelli in order to win the crown of England. King John characterizes the disruption that results from a shallow, unethical monarchy. Richard II chronicles the fall from grandeur of the handsomest king of his time, fawned on by greedy, sycophantic courtiers and deposed by one of his noblemen whom he banishes unfairly and whimsically. Henry IV, Part 1 pivots merrily around the heir to Henry IV--his son, the lusty Prince Hal, who prefers the company of his bawdy tavern friends to his stuffy, conservative, politic-playing peers at court. Henry IV, Part 2 continues the saga of Prince Hal, who doffs his irresponsible attitudes, assumes the throne after the death of his father, and thereby sustains the country's measure of majesty. Henry V completes the portrait of Prince Hal, now Henry V, questing after the French crown and delivering one of the crown jewels of Shakespearean soliloquies--the St. Crispin's Day speech to the troops. Henry VIII pays tribute to the Tudor kings, whose might culminates in the linchpin of the dynasty--Henry's daughter: Elizabeth I.

Cliffsnotes Shakespeare's Histories

Children's Books

Campbell, W. John

Lowers, James K.

McLellan, Evelyn

Calandra, Denis M.

Fisher, Jeffery

Education & Reference

Cliff Notes

In this tragic play, Lear, a ruler in pre-Christian Britain, is described as a "very foolish old man, fourscore and upward." Grossly misjudging his daughters, he endures a harrowing experience and emerges as a man "more sinned against than sinning."

Cliffs Notes On Shakespeare's King Lear

Education & Teaching

Studying & Workbooks

Cliffs

Richard of Gloucester crosses and double-crosses friends and foes alike in a no-holds-barred effort to solidify control of the throne once occupied by his brother, Edward IV. His antics prove fruitful until one final battle with Henry, Earl of Richmond, at the end of the War of the Roses.

Shakespeare's Richard III (Cliffs Notes) (CliffsNotes on Literature)

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

CliffsNotes

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.
In CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Sonnets, you explore the significance of William Shakespeare's 154 sonnets -- a sequence of poems that have solidified the Bard's reputation as one of the greatest poets ever. In these sonnets, Shakespeare writes of the trials and triumphs of love, and you meet three of the most mysterious literary characters ever: The Fair Young Man, The Dark Lady, and The Rival Poet.
Critical essays help you understand the history of the sonnet, as well as how the sonnets relate to Shakespeare's plays. Other features that help you study include
<ul>
<li>Analyses of The Fair Young Man, The Dark Lady, and The Rival Poet</li>
<li>Discussions of the sonnets' dominate themes</li>
<li>Criticism of individual sonnets</li>
<li>A section of review questions</li>
<li>A selected bibliography</li>
</ul>
Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

CliffsNotes Shakespeare's Sonnets

Cliffs Notes

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, and historical background — all to help you gain greater insight into great works you're bound to study for school or pleasure.
In CliffsNotes on Shaw's Man and Superman &amp; Caesar and Cleopatra you explore two of George Bernard Shaw's numerous plays. Man and Superman is a satirical comedy of ideas where the law of nature is involved: Money means nourishment, which is man's first concern; marriage means children, which are woman's prime interest. Who will win in Shaw's battle of the sexes?
Caesar and Cleopatra offers an unconventional look at these eponymous characters who are depicted as two very mortal and very flawed human beings. In this play, Shaw examines our notions of heroism, femininity, intelligence, and morality — and then turns them inside out — with style and brilliance.
In this study guide, you'll find Life and Background on the Author, Introduction to Man and Superman, and Critical Commentaries on each act of the plays. You'll also find the following:
<ul>
<li>Character Analyses Man and Superman
</li>
<li>Critical Essay on Man and Superman
</li>
<li>Essay Topics and Review Questions</li>
<li>A Selected Bibliography</li>
</ul>
Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Cliffsnotes on Shakespeare's Caesar and Cleopatra (Cliffs notes)

British & Irish

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