Why Shakespeare, though? Or better yet, why not Shakespeare? Here you have what are regarded as the best literary works in the English language. A must-have if you’re planning to invite anyone over to your place sometime. Yes, he was a white dude who died like a gazillion years ago, but his plays are still being read and performed because… Well, because he’s damn good.
His plays are so brilliant and timeless, that they have been putting readers and spectators under a spell for the last 400 years. But now, there’s a new edition that finally does justice to the magic of the Bard’s plays: Sterling Publisher’s Signature Shakespeare.
Hamlet
@biblio.babble
Shakespeare being Shakespeare. The play starts with the ghost of King Hamlet, who asks his son to avenge his death. The King claims he was killed by his brother Claudius, the new King. Hamlet then goes on a CSI investigation to find out whether the ghost, HIS FATHER, is telling the truth. There are a lot of subplots and characters, but this is a play that will really make you think about madness, family, betrayal, and even putting on plays to find out whether your uncle is a murderer or not.
@readingtoforget
Romeo and Juliet
@kstarnes
This play may just as well be called Juliet. She’s truly the most compelling character in the story. She’s the one who calls out Romeo’s clichéd love and the one who calls the shots about completely defying her parents’ and society’s expectations and marrying the guy she chooses. “Screw you, Verona. Peace.” Mic drop.
@thebookaroundthecorner
Much Ado About Nothing
@biblio.babble
This is one of history’s greatest rom-coms. A bunch of people drop in at Messina to hang out, including Beatrice and Benedick, who love to hate each other and even hold a battle of sass. But they have one thing in common: neither of them wants to get married ever, and they both feel love is for losers because being single is the bomb! Meanwhile, Leonato confesses to his friend that he’s into Hero, but other characters overhear and misinterpret the conversation, and then the gossip just gets around. Then, people get bored and hatch a plan to trick Benedick and Beatrice into admitting their love for each other. Ugh, so much drama. So much juicy and entertaining drama!
@punkass_bookjockey
Macbeth
This play is as if Shakespeare had watched a bunch of horror films for Halloween and then sat down to write. It starts with three witches, aka the Weird Sisters, who get together to be spooky as hell and plan to meet with Macbeth, the hero of the play. Macbeth is the most badass soldier in the Kingdom of Scotland. In fact, he’s so badass that when MacDonwald, his archnemesis, confronts him man-to-man in battle, Macbeth gets his swords and slashes his enemy in half, from his navel to his jawbone. And that’s just the first scene.
@bluestockingbookshelf
Soon, he and Banquo, his BFF, meet the witches, who predict Macbeth will eventually become king. Then, all hell breaks loose. Macbeth tells his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the witches and their prophecy, and then they both plot to kill the king. He ends up getting cold feet, but then, she’s like “be a man!” and then all hell breaks even more loose: there’s a murder, and the rightful heir is like “fuck it, I’m out.” Macbeth becomes a tyrant, there may or may not be ghosts in a castle, the witches tell him not to worry, then there’s the whole coup, and finally, heads get chopped off. Anyway, read it.
@inadarkwood
Shakespeare isn’t just a playwright from England: he belongs to the world. So, if you want to give a cool present this Christmas, definitely look for this edition. Do you know another edition you think is prettier? Let us know!
Cover picture @biblio.babble
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