Coriolanus
By: William Shakespeare
Format/Source: eBook; my copy

A peerless general is offered the consulship of Rome after his triumph over the city of Corioles. Too proud to respect the will of the people, however, he soon finds himself despised by the mob, and speaks out passionately against popular rule. Driven from the city as a traitor, he allies himself with his old enemies and begins to plot a merciless revenge.

Indeed, this is one of Shakespeare’s lesser know plays. The reason it came to my attention was because I saw the trailer from last year’s Coriolanus, which stars, and was directed by, Ralph Fiennes. It looked brilliant and Ralph Fiennes looks like the perfect actor cast in the role; the intensity of the title character immediately piqued my interest in the play itself.

This book is part of the William Shakespeare Reading Challenge 2014 that I am participating in.

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By: William Shakespeare
Format/Source: eBook; my copy

A young woman flees Athens with her lover, only to be pursued by her would-be husband and by her best friend. Unwittingly, all four find themselves in an enchanted forest where fairies and sprites soon take an interest in human affairs, dispensing magical love potions and casting mischievous spells. In this dazzling comedy, confusion ends in harmony, as love is transformed, misplaced, and – ultimately – restored.

It’s June and the start of summer so I figured now was a good time to read this play…The title is just perfect with the season 🙂

This book is part of the William Shakespeare Reading Challenge 2014 that I am participating in.

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Henry V
By: William Shakespeare
Format/Source: eBook; my copy

“Henry V” is based on the life of King Henry V of England, and focuses on events immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years’ War. The play is the final part of a tetralogy, preceded by “Richard II”, “Henry IV”, part 1 and “Henry IV”, part 2. The plot follows the young prince (a reckless and undisciplined character in “Henry IV”) as he matures into a man and embarks on an attempted conquest of France.

And here we are, at the final play of Shakespeare’s tetralogy. Technically this isn’t the last for me per se as I still have to go back and finish reading “Richard II”, but it was nice to read this before I got around to watching the final episode of The Hollow Crown (*tear*) But anyway, here I am reviewing this play 🙂

This book is part of the William Shakespeare Reading Challenge 2014 that I am participating in.

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Henry IV (Part 2)
By: William Shakespeare
Format/Source: eBook; my copy

After defeat at the Battle of Shrewsbury the rebels regroup. But Prince Hal’s reluctance to inherit the crown threatens to destroy the ailing Henry IV’s dream of a lasting dynasty. Shakespeare’s portrait of the prodigal son’s journey from youth to maturity embraces the full panorama of society.

Continuing along with Henry IV and the events of the first half of the play (review), here I am at the second half, which I read right after.

This book is part of the William Shakespeare Reading Challenge 2014 that I am participating in.

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