Shakespeare's First Folio

"Shakespeare's First Folio" by William Shakespeare is a collection of his plays and published work from the early 17th century. It includes renowned literary pieces that span comedy, tragedy, and history, showcasing the depth of Shakespeare's storytelling and poetic genius. The collection aims to preserve Shakespeare's legacy, preserving his original text as accurately as possible despite the printing challenges of that era, such as letter shortages and typographical errors. The opening of "Shakespeare's First Folio" presents an introduction from the Project Gutenberg team, outlining the various printing challenges faced during the creation of the Folio and the significance of the work. It discusses the eccentric spellings and typographical errors found in the text, which reflect the practices and limitations of 17th-century printing. The text begins with a few lines from "Hamlet" and includes dedications and poetic tributes to Shakespeare, highlighting the cultural and literary impact he had during and after his lifetime. As the collection progresses, it lists the numerous plays included within, establishing a framework for this monumental body of work, which includes iconic titles such as "The Tempest," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth." (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.