William Shakespeare

King John

Richard II

Henry IV, Part I

Henry IV, Part 2

Henry V

Troilus and Cressida

A ship carrying a group of nobles and sailors, including Alonso, Ferdinand, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Stephano, and Trinculo, encounters a violent storm at sea, and those on board fear for their lives as lightning strikes the ship. Safely observing from the shore of a nearby island are Miranda and her father Prospero. She implores him to use his abilities to save the crew, to which he assures her everyone is safe. He then shares with her a long-held secret; he has magical abilities and was once the Duke of Milan until his brother Antonio and Alonso, King of Naples, overthrew him. Left to perish on a raft at sea, Prospero and Miranda survived thanks to supplies left by Gonzalo, including Prospero's books. These books were the source of his magic that brought them to the island, where they have lived for twelve years. The shipwreck was Prospero's doing, a plan to correct past wrongs.

Prospero magically sends Miranda to sleep and summons his spirit servant Ariel, who is revealed to have caused the storm and ensured the ship's passengers safely reached the island, albeit in scattered groups. Ariel mentions Prospero's earlier promise of freedom in exchange for his service, which Prospero retorts by reminding him of his rescue from a witch's curse. Upon Miranda's awakening, they encounter Caliban, the son of the witch who had enslaved Ariel, and Prospero's servant. Ferdinand, who was guided by the still invisible Ariel, meets and falls in love with Miranda, and Prospero, happy about this development, manipulates events to ensure their bond develops at his pace. Meanwhile, Alonso and others are concerned about Ferdinand's fate and begin to squabble, while Ariel instigates a failed plot to kill Alonso.

Caliban, forced to fetch firewood, encounters Stephano and Trinculo, whom he believes are Prospero's spirits sent to torment him. All three end up drunk, and under Ariel's invisible influence, they plan to murder Prospero. Alonso and his companions, meanwhile, are tormented by Ariel with illusions and accusations of their treachery against Prospero, leaving them distressed. Prospero manipulates events such that Miranda and Ferdinand agree to marry, and Ariel leads Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo into a trap where they're attacked by spirits in the form of dogs. Lastly, Ariel brings all the ship's passengers before Prospero, who confronts them about their past actions but forgives them. He reveals Miranda and Ferdinand's engagement to their delight, and orders Ariel to ensure a smooth sailing for their journey back to Italy. Prospero prepares to return to his former life, releasing Ariel and appealing to the audience for their pardon and applause.

The Tempest

Coriolanus

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Measure for Measure

The Comedy of Errors

Titus Andronicus

Much Ado About Nothing

Love's Labour's Lost

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Romeo and Juliet

The Merchant of Venice

Henry VI, Part 1

Timon of Athens

The narrative starts with Henry introducing his new wife Margaret, brought from France by Suffolk, along with a peace treaty. The deal involves the French maintaining the territories of Anjou and Maine, upsetting Gloucester who foresees the impending loss of France. Power struggles emerge amongst the nobles, with Beaufort opposing Gloucester, and Salisbury and Warwick joining forces with York to counter Suffolk and Beaufort's influence. Meanwhile, Gloucester's wife, the Duchess, harbors ambitions of power and engages in witchcraft to predict Henry's future reign. 

Gloucester relinquishes his staff and office after the Duchess is banished for dabbling in the occult. Meanwhile, a dispute over York's right to the throne leads to a duel, where Peter defeats and kills his master Horner. Gloucester, who is later arrested for treason, proclaims his innocence but is unable to defend himself against the lords' accusations. Simultaneously, York is given an army to quell rebellions in Ireland. York, convinced of his legitimate claim to the throne, hires Jack Cade to stir unrest in England and test the public's reaction to a potential York monarchy. 

In a dramatic twist, Gloucester is murdered, sparking outrage amongst commoners who suspect foul play and demand Suffolk's banishment. The dying Beaufort, Suffolk's grim fate and the ensuing chaos under Cade's rebellion further add to the turmoil. York, returning from Ireland, challenges Henry's reign, leading to a bloody battle in which Richard, York's son, kills Somerset and Clifford. Despite York's triumphant declaration of victory, the battle is not over as Margaret convinces Henry to retreat to London, where he has support. The story concludes with York and his allies preparing to lay siege to London.

Henry VI, Part 2

In the aftermath of a significant battle, Duke of York, with his sons and followers enters the palace, questioning the whereabouts of King Henry. Despite King Henry's sudden entrance, York declares his right to the throne, a claim disputed by Henry. York eventually agrees to allow Henry to reign for the duration of his life, agreeing to ascend to the throne upon Henry's death. However, the nobility, particularly Queen Margaret, are horrified by this arrangement, with Margaret accusing Henry of disowning his son. 

In the town of York, York's sons Edward and Richard, along with their ally Montague, persuade York to seize the throne without waiting for Henry's death. The ensuing fight results in York's capture and subsequent death at the hands of Margaret and Clifford. Following their father's death, Edward and Richard, along with Warwick and Montague, prepare to fight Margaret's forces once again. The battles are brutal, with Clifford dying and King Henry disappearing. After their victory, Edward, Richard, and George head to London to crown Edward as the new king. Meanwhile, the wandering Henry is captured by two men who are loyal to Edward. 

In the midst of the political upheaval, Edward falls in love with Lady Gray and decides to marry her. However, his decision is not well received by his brothers. Richard, unhappily reflects on his physical deformities and speculates about his possible path to the throne. In France, Warwick switches alliances and joins Margaret after being sent on a futile mission to ask for the hand of the king of France's sister for Edward. Upon learning this, Edward's brother George is so upset that he decides to leave Edward's side and join Warwick. However, Edward is eventually able to escape the ensuing capture and imprisonment, and with the help of his loyal men, he manages to secure the crown again.

Henry VI, Part 3

Richard III

Henry VIII

Edward III

As You Like It

The Taming of the Shrew

In Rome, Flavius and Murellus, two tribunes, witness a public gathering celebrating Julius Caesar's recent triumph over Pompey's sons. Despite a Soothsayer's warning, Caesar continues to celebrate his victory. Among his entourage are Brutus, Cassius, and Antony, key military and political figures. Brutus and Cassius, both close to Caesar, engage in a deep conversation expressing their concerns over Caesar's rising power and popularity among the citizens. Cassius further manipulates Brutus's fears of Caesar becoming a king, hampering the republic's spirit, by citing instances of Caesar's physical weakness and their own complacency that facilitated his rise to power.

Meanwhile, Rome is besieged by violent weather and ominous signs. Brutus returns home, contemplating Cassius's warning about Caesar's unfit rule. Cassius then devises a scheme to convince Brutus to conspire against Caesar. He forges letters from worried Roman citizens about Caesar's growing dominance and plants them in Brutus's house. Brutus, believing the letters to be an expression of the public's will, joins Cassius and his co-conspirators, despite his wife Portia's concerns. On the other hand, Caesar's wife Calpurnia begs him not to attend the Senate due to her disturbing nightmares. However, Decius, one of the conspirators, convinces Caesar to ignore the omens and he departs for the Senate, oblivious of the impending conspiracy.

The conspiracy against Caesar culminates in his assassination by Brutus and his co-conspirators at the Senate. Antony, Caesar's ally, pledges allegiance to Brutus while secretly vowing vengeance for Caesar's death. Brutus and Cassius address the public at the Forum, justifying their actions. They momentarily pacify the crowd until Antony manipulates public sentiment against them through his cunning speech, turning the citizens into an enraged mob. The story concludes with Octavius, Caesar's adopted son and successor, allying with Antony and Lepidus to fight against Brutus and Cassius. Brutus, driven by guilt and grief over the suicide of his wife Portia, eventually impales himself on his own sword. Antony hails Brutus as the most honorable Roman, acknowledging that unlike the others, Brutus was driven by his love for Rome, not personal ambition.

Julius Caesar

Macbeth

Hamlet

All's Well That Ends Well

Twelfth Night

The Winter's Tale

King Lear

The story unfolds in Venice, with a heated exchange between a wealthy man named Roderigo and Iago, whom Roderigo has been compensating to win over Desdemona. However, Roderigo finds out that Desdemona has married Othello, a general that Iago serves unwillingly. Iago confesses his hatred for Othello, who recently bypassed him for a promotion, in favor of a less experienced soldier, Michael Cassio. Without revealing his disdain for Othello, Iago and Roderigo inform Desdemona's father, Brabantio, that his daughter has eloped with Othello. Brabantio, realizing his daughter's absence, gathers officers to find Othello. Meanwhile, Cassio arrives at Othello’s home with an urgent message about an impending Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Brabantio, Roderigo, and others confront Othello, accusing him of bewitching Desdemona. When Brabantio learns that Othello is meeting the duke, he decides to accuse Othello publicly.

However, Brabantio's accusations backfire as the duke and the senate are sympathetic towards Othello. Othello clarifies that he won Desdemona's heart with his tales of adventure and war, not through witchcraft. Desdemona supports her husband's claims, causing Brabantio to reluctantly accept their marriage. The duke orders Othello to Cyprus to defend against the Turks, and Desdemona insists on accompanying him. In Cyprus, they learn about the Turkish fleet's destruction in a storm. Cassio arrives first, followed by Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, and Iago’s wife, Emilia. Iago cunningly manipulates Roderigo's frustrations, ensuring him that once Desdemona tires of Othello, she will seek pleasure elsewhere, likely with Cassio. Iago suggests that Roderigo should disgrace Cassio to ruin Othello's marriage.

Iago's cunning plan involves making Othello believe that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. He plants Desdemona's handkerchief, a gift from Othello, in Cassio’s room as “proof” of their affair. When Othello demands tangible evidence of Desdemona's infidelity, Iago reveals that he saw Cassio wiping his beard with the handkerchief. Othello then vows to get revenge on Cassio and his wife. In his fury, Othello misinterprets an innocent conversation between Cassio and Bianca, a prostitute, about the handkerchief, further fueling his jealousy. Iago continues to manipulate the situation, driving Othello to the edge. Othello becomes so overwhelmed with jealousy that he falls into a trance.

In the climactic scene, Othello accuses Desdemona of infidelity and smothers her, despite her pleas of innocence. When Emilia discovers what has transpired, she realizes Iago's treachery. Othello insists on Desdemona's infidelity, citing the handkerchief as proof. But once Emilia explains how she found the handkerchief and handed it to Iago, a devastated Othello attempts to kill Iago, only to be disarmed. Iago kills Emilia and is captured. A wounded Othello is disarmed again and taken back to Venice for trial. Othello ends his life after expressing how he wishes to be remembered. The story concludes with a speech by Lodovico, who gives Othello’s possessions to Graziano and orders Iago’s execution.


William Shakespeare Books in Order (39 Book Series)