William Shakespeare Books

In this version of Classical Comic's HENRY V, adapted by John McDonald, you're dealing with the Original Text. By that I mean that you get the entire play, just as William Shakespeare wrote it. Classical Comics has also published two other versions: Plain Text, which takes the original script and converts it into modern English, and Quick Text, which reduces the dialogue into as few words as possible (as many graphic novels do).

Thanks to the wonderful artwork of many talented illustrators (Neill Cameron for pencils, Bambos for Inks, Jason Cardy & Kat Nicholson for Coloring, and Nigel Dobbyn for Lettering), the result is a colorful, heavy-duty, true-to-the-script version of one of Shakespeare's most recognized plays.

This is the perfect book to introduce reluctant teen readers to Shakespeare. Whether they read it for fun or for a class, they're getting the original play, act by act, and they get it in a convenient, reader-friendly way. In this day of graphic novels, it's important to remember the classics, and HENRY V doesn't disappoint.

The additional information at the end of the story, including a short biography of William Shakespeare and one of Henry V, a detailed description of the Battle of Agincourt, and even a guide to the creation of the graphic novel's pages, only add to the value.

If you're looking for a well-made and instructional graphic novel based on HENRY V, look no further than this edition.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

This review is not so much about the play (in which Prince Hal reaches glorious and majestic maturity) as about the presentation of the material..."No Fear Shakespeare" continues to be one of the best ways for the casual reader to read and study the Bard...Original text on the lefthand page, updated modern language on the righthand page...the best of both worlds...Twice as much for the price, two for one, the old and the new side-by-side.

One comment about Shakespeare's work in this play..use of the opening prologue to each scene makes this easy to understand and to visualize...nice touch, by the world's greatest writer and observer of the human condition.

I've taught with this series in small classes of teens and find it useful. First, the page layout is good: ample margins, notes in a separate column alongside the text so they are easy to refer to, and a font that is not too small.

Second, the helps are good:
clear side notes,
illustrations,
photos from various productions,
front material includes good synopsis, character descriptions,
and in the back of the book are Plutarch excerpts, good exam and discussion questions, and background notes.

A lot of people knock this play because Shakespeare presents Joan of Arc as a villain. Well, the truth of the matter is that she was in fact burned as a witch. She was to be cannonized and become a saint, BUT NOT UNTIL 1920! (OVER 300 YEARS AFTER WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIED!) In a sense, it is flat out laughable to criticize the play based on the fact that a saint is made to be a villain. Well, to the play itself. King Henry V (who conquered France) lies dead. His son Henry VI is but a child, and for now it is King Henry V's surviving brothers Glouceter and Bedford who are in charge. Joan of Arc comes into play and tells Charles of France that with her help, France can still come out on top. This is followed by the comical dispute between Glouceter and his uncle (who is Bishop of Winchester). Throughout the story, Winchester is somewhat of a comical villain. He does no real damage, and his disputes with the virtuous Glouceter offer some badly needed comical moments. We then meet the heroic, but just a little too brave Talbot. He is England's champion here, and he finds he can not defeat Joan. Towards the end of Act 2, there is a dramatic and well drawn scene that foreshadows the War of the Roses. We also meet Richard Plantagenet (the eventual Duke of York). Act 2 concludes with him offering what comfort he can to his imprisoned and dying uncle. In Part 2, York will be more of a villain, but in Part 1, he seems to serve the king with loyalty. In 3.1, we finally meet the young King Henry VI. He makes Richard Duke of York. (Side note. Richard's father was executed for treason against King Henry V.) Soon afterwards, Bedford despite his failing health manages to support the English as they defeat Joan of Arc in one battle. (Very unlike his back stabbing move in "2 Henry IV," he displays courage, honor, and dignity here.) And we are permitted sympathy as he dies with grace and dignity. But Joan of Arc is far from finished. She wins over Burgundy to France's side and makes it clear that the game is not over. Well, onto Act 4. King Henry VI is crowned. While many people fail to see any strength In King Henry VI, he does show some strong points here. His actions against Fastolf and Burgundy show that he does not tolerate treason or neglect of duty. He is often rebuked for having rivals Somerset and York work together, but more than once, people have launched enemies against a foreign foe. And a reasonable person would have at least considered it. Well, sadly this is one case where it did not work, and civil dissension between York and Somerset turns the tide in France's favor, and even worse causes the death of Talbot and his son. (The death of Talbot and his son is one of Shakespeare's greatest scenes of tragic beauty.) One more thing I should point out is that, internal complications are one of the best things you can use to prevent a war scenario from becoming trite and boring. Good job Shakespeare! The death of Talbot breaks England's spirit, and peace is contemplated. But there is one more battle to be fought. York is able to do what Talbot could not do. He defeats Joan of Arc and prevents (at least for now) England's total loss. (Perhaps Shakespeare was preparing York to have more power than we might want him to have in Part 2. It's not unheard of. At first, someone displays unusual strength, and we are happy until that strength turns against us.) Despite the heavy losses, England still controls Calais, Normandy, Maine, Anjou, and some areas around Bordeaux. We also meet Margaret (who will have a major role in "2 Henry VI" and "3 Henry VI.") She will have a smaller, but still significant part in "Richard III." Well, peace is discussed. But Suffolk hints that there is more to come. He intends to use Margaret to control the king, but that's the next story. This may be one of Shakespeare's earliest plays, but it certainly reflects the greatness that was to come.

I don't understand why more people don't read Shakespeare's history plays because they are some of his best work, especially the Henry VI trilogy. Shakespeare's interpretation and manipulation of history drive this trilogy forward and create unique opportunities to judge his skill against the "facts." I loved this trilogy! Not only is it an expert study in human nature (which is Shakespeare's trademark), it is action-packed with never a boring moment. Read it!

Tom Pendleton's collection of essays on Shakespeare's "Henry VI" plays provides interesting and helpful commentary on texts unfamiliar to most readers and audiences. Pendleton's introduction offers perceptive discussion of the plays, their place in Shakespeare's canon, their significance in the Elizabethan period, and their critical fortunes over the centuries. The essays that follow examine the plays from a variety of perspectives, perhaps most interestingly in terms of performance, including Pendleton's own interview with a contemporary actor who performed recently in productions of these plays at the New York Shakespeare Festival. But there is also interesting coverage of filmed versions of the plays and of various critical issues surrounding these earliest of Shakespeare's works.

Ever read something in Shakespeare and think, "Now what does THAT mean?" She's got the answer. Those little in-jokes are finally explained. "You are a fishmonger." If you think the glover's son from the boondocks wrote the Plays, you'd be in the dark forever as to what Hamlet meant. If you think that the Plays were written by the Earl of Oxford, the answer is plain as day. And so on. A play-by-play exegesis of unexplainable passages; it's as if the Earl himself is explaining "what he meant."

I bought this book from the publisher, via the Shakespeare-Oxford Society. I don't think I paid as much; seek them out.

This book should be in every library in creation. And your personal one.

We all know about Shakespeare, so a review of his writing is not required. However, I would like to say that the Everyman's Library series are worth getting. Unlike omnibus editions (such as the Riverside Shakespeare), these are actually portable so you don't need a table to hold them up while you are reading. The Everyman's Library series have good hardbindings, are conveniently sized to carry around, and have illuminating and extensive introductions. The typeface used is old, but the letters are large and easily readable (something that is a concern with some other editions).

Histories, Volume 1 contains: Henry VI, Part One; Henry VI, Part Two; Henry VI, Part Three; Richard III; King John

Histories, Volume 2 contains: Richard II; Henry IV, Part One; Henry IV, Part Two; Henry V; Henry VII

If it's a basic, easy primer to enjoying Shakespeare which is needed, try out Robert Thomas Fallon's How To Enjoy Shakespeare: it comes from a celebrated author whose Shakespeare theatre guides have been celebrated for their ease of access without 'dumbing down' information, and it is directed to newcomers often puzzled about the settings and language of Shakespeare. With such an introduction in hand, access is eased: five chapters address the language, embedded themes within lines, play staging, and plots and characterization. Accessible prose without the 'insider' assumptions of many similar-sounding guides.

i have not read this book in english, but in russian - super! it's very interesting book. i can say when you read it - you read it like detective with natural persons! after this book i believe that Uil§iame Shekspire was not!