Agostino Lombardo Livres

In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," written around the same time as "Romeo and Juliet," four intertwining stories unfold. As Theseus, Duke of Athens, prepares to marry the Amazon Hippolyta after defeating her in battle, the relationships between two pairs of young lovers (Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius) and even those between the fairy monarchs Oberon and Titania are fraught with complications. Set in a forest filled with supernatural beings, the magic of a flower and the meddling of Puck, a mischievous sprite, create and then resolve a night of sensory chaos. Adding to this mix is an irresistible troupe of actors intent on staging comical tales of love, miraculous transformations, and a remarkable variety of poetic expression, resulting in one of Shakespeare's most enchanting comedies. The play has inspired countless theatrical and cinematic adaptations, animated films, music, operas, ballets, paintings, and comics.

In this lively comedy of love and money in sixteenth-century Venice, Bassanio wants to impress the wealthy heiress Portia but lacks the necessary funds. He turns to his merchant friend, Antonio, who is forced to borrow from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. When Antonio's business falters, repayment becomes impossible--and by the terms of the loan agreement, Shylock is able to demand a pound of Antonio's flesh. Portia cleverly intervenes, and all ends well (except of course for Shylock).

While temporarily governing Vienna, Angelo sentences Claudio to death for making his betrothed Julietta pregnant. When Claudio's sister Isabella - a novice nun - begs for his release, the seemingly virtuous Angelo offers to spare his life only if Isabella will consent to be his mistress.

The author offers a reappraisal of Shakespeare's bloodiest tragedy, Titus Andronicus. The text puts forward arguments regarding the date of the play, its sources and its early stage history.