The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]

"The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]" by Shakespeare is a collection of early modern English plays, specifically focusing on the historical dramas written in the late 16th to early 17th century. This volume includes "The First Part of King Henry VI," "The Second Part of King Henry VI," and "King Richard III," exploring the themes of power, ambition, and the conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York during the Wars of the Roses. The beginning of this volume sets the stage with a funeral for King Henry V, showing a divided English nobility grappling with his death and the looming threat from France. It introduces key characters, including the Duke of Gloucester, who becomes a central figure in the power struggles that ensue. Through a series of dialogues, we witness tensions rise between factions, setting the foundation for impending conflicts that would define the narrative of these historical plays. The opening acts highlight the disarray and ambition that characterized this turbulent period, immediately immersing readers in Shakespeare's intricate political drama. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.