Classic Poetry

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. An embittered Roman General returns from war, having captured the Queen of the Goths and her three sons. Sacrificing the eldest in memory of his own sons killed in battle, he provokes the queen's unending hatred. And when she is made empress by...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. The jealous King of Sicily becomes convinced that his wife is carrying the child of his best friend. Imprisoned and put on trial, the Queen collapses when the King refuses to accept the divine confirmation of her innocence. The child is abandoned to...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. A storm rages. Prospero and his daughter watch from their desert island as a ship carrying the royal family is wrecked. Miraculously, all on board survive. Plotting, mistaken identities, bewitching love, and drunkenness follow as the travellers explore the strange place of spirits...

The Road Not Taken and Other Poems presents Robert Frost's most-beloved early poems, selected by award-winning poet David Orr. This collection serves as a companion to the centennial celebration of "The Road Not Taken." This Penguin Classics Deluxe edition includes Frost's early works, thoughtfully selected by David Orr, to mark the centennial of the iconic poem, "The Road Not Taken."...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. In need of money, the fat and foolish Falstaff devises a scheme to seduce two married women and steal their husbands' wealth. By talking to each other, however, the wives soon discover his plan and begin to plot their own revenge. Relentlessly inventive,...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. A noble but impoverished Venetian asks a friend, Antonio, for a loan to impress an heiress. His friend agrees, but is forced to borrow the sum from a cynical Jewish moneylender, Shylock, and signs a chilling contract to honour the debt with a...

A work of tremendous influence that has inspired writers from his ancient Greek contemporaries to modernist writers such as T.S. Eliot, Homer's epic poem The Iliad is translated by Robert Fagles with an introduction and notes by Bernard Knox in Penguin Classics. One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's The Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode...

'The most moving lines literature has achieved' – Jorge Luis Borges. In The Divine Comedy & Paradise, having plunged to the uttermost depths of Hell and climbed the Mount of Purgatory, Dante ascends to Heaven, continuing his soul's search for God, guided by his beloved Beatrice. As he progresses through the spheres of Paradise, he grows in understanding, until he...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. Two sets of identical twins, separated at sea as children, find themselves in the same city for the first time as adults. Soon, their friends mistake the twins for one another and bewilderment abounds, as the wife of one man declares the other...

Guided by the poet Virgil, Dante plunges to the very depths of Hell and embarks on his arduous journey towards God. Together they descend through the twenty-four circles of the underworld and encounter the tormented souls of the damned—from heretics and pagans to gluttons, criminals, and seducers—who tell of their sad fates and predict events still to come in Dante's...

An exquisite picture book based on Robert Frost's poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, illustrated by master artist, P. J. Lynch. The woods are lovely, dark and deep,But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep. Award-winning artist-author P.J. Lynch brings Robert Frost's iconic poem Stopping by Woods on...

William Shakespeare's sonnets are a beautiful expression of a range of human emotions—from love to grief, anger, jealousy, and lust. Including the instantly recognisable Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? as well as a range of other equally moving works, this compilation brings together the complete collection of all 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets.

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. Banishing his cousin, Bolingbroke, King Richard II prevents a dispute from turning bloody. But Richard is an arrogant and despotic ruler, prone to tyranny and vanity, who listens only to his flatterers. As favour turns against him and Bolingbroke returns to reclaim his...

New translation of Dante's masterpiece by acclaimed Robin Kirkpatrick In Purgatorio Dante, having described his journey into Hell, narrates his ascent of Mount Purgatory with Virgil, as he encounters penitents who toil through physical agonies, starvation and flames to assuage their earthly vices. Only by learning from them can he achieve his final enlightened transition to the lost Earthly Paradise...

After Inferno and Purgatorio, here is the last cantica (part) of the Divine Comedy, in a new translation by acclaimed translator Robin Kirkpatrick. Having plunged to the uttermost depths of Hell and climbed the Mount of Purgatory in parts one and two of the Divine Comedy, Dante ascends to Heaven in this third and final part, continuing his soul's search...

STAGED - Timeless tropes, enduring stories - a new Puffin Classics collection. I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest. Love, deception and discord are flourishing in the court of Messina. Sweet, innocent Hero and the famed soldier Claudio are immediately infatuated, while the bickering Beatrice and Benedick can agree on just one...

HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires. One of Shakespeare's darkest and most violent tragedies, Macbeth's struggle between his own ambition and his loyalty to the King is dramatically compelling. As those he kills return to haunt him, Macbeth is plagued by...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. When it seems that Julius Caesar may assume supreme power, a plot to destroy him is hatched by those determined to preserve the threatened republic. But the different motives of the conspirators soon become apparent when high principles clash with malice and political...

"The perfect balance of tightness and colloquialism... likely to be the best modern version of Dante." - Bernard O'Donoghue Describing Dante's descent into Hell midway through his life with Virgil as a guide, Inferno: The Divine Comedy I depicts a cruel underworld in which desperate figures are condemned to eternal damnation for committing one or more of seven deadly sins....

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. Henry IV Part One follows Prince Hal, the son of King Henry IV, as he spends his time in idle pleasure with dissolute friends, among them the roguish Sir John Falstaff. However, when the kingdom is threatened by rebellious forces, Prince Hal must...

Arguably William Shakespeare's most influential play, Hamlet portrays a young Prince's dilemma in choosing between moral integrity and the need for revenge following the murder of his father. Dealing with themes of love, death, and revenge, Hamlet is a rich and complex tragedy that continues to entertain audiences around the world today.

HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. Though this be madness, yet there is method in't. Considered one of Shakespeare’s most rich and enduring plays, the depiction of its hero Hamlet as he vows to avenge the murder of his father by his brother Claudius is both powerful and complex. As Hamlet tries to find...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. The King of Britain, enraged by his daughter's disobedience in marrying against his wishes, banishes his new son-in-law. Having fled to Rome, the exiled husband makes a foolish wager with a villain he encounters there—gambling on the fidelity of his abandoned wife. Combining...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. When Rosalind is banished by her uncle, who has usurped her father's throne, she flees to the forest of Arden where her exiled father holds court. There, dressed as a boy to avoid discovery, she encounters the man she loves – now a...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. A battle-hardened soldier, Antony is one of the three leaders of the Roman world. But he is also a man in the grip of an all-consuming passion for the exotic and tempestuous queen of Egypt. And when their life of pleasure together is...

A Midsummer Night's Dream is part of the new Puffin Classics collection entitled STAGED, which features timeless tropes and enduring stories. 'The course of true love never did run smooth ...' Hermia loves Lysander. But she must marry Demetrius or be condemned to life in a convent. Together, they plan to elope to escape their fate. However, Helena, Hermia's best...

The comprehensive collection of poetry by the world-renowned writer. Explore the transcendent world of unity and ultimate beauty in Edgar Allan Poe's verse in this complete poetry collection. Although best known for his short stories, Edgar Allan Poe was by nature and choice a poet. From his exquisite lyric "To Helen," to his immortal masterpieces, "Annabel Lee," "The Bells," and...

Introducing Little Clothbound Classics — irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas, and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. Arguably America's most influential short story writer, Edgar Allan Poe's tales of suspense never fail to spook and amaze. Gathered in this selection are his very best horror stories, including the gothic tour de force...

'The most original genius that America has produced' – Alfred, Lord Tennyson VINTAGE CLASSICS' AMERICAN GOTHIC SERIES Spine-tingling, mind-altering, and deliciously atmospheric, journey into the dark side of America with nine of its most uncanny classics. Edgar Allan Poe was a writer of uncommon talent; in The Murders in the Rue Morgue he created the genre of detective fiction while...

Poet and translator Steve Ellis completes his new version of Dante's The Divine Comedy, the astonishing epic that has shaped art and culture since the 14th century. Discover this fresh, pacy, modern translation of an enduring literary classic. Halfway through life, you find yourself lost, unsure of the right path. Greed, deception and pride have led you away from the...

Sonnets by William Shakespeare offers the complete collection of the bard's renowned poems in one beautiful edition. Love sonnets are ideal for romantics, starry-eyed lovers, and ardent hearts. Shakespeare's sonnets are arguably the finest ever written. However, they also appeal to cynics, star-crossed lovers, and those familiar with the pain of unrequited love. Some sonnets seem addressed to a young...

Vintage Minis bring you the world's greatest writers on the experiences that make us human – from birth to death and everything in between. Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust? And, live we how we can, yet die we must What is the true meaning of power? Are some simply born to it, or can it...

The best poetic version of The Odyssey to have appeared this century - Hugh Lloyd-Jones Penelope has been waiting for her husband Odysseus to return from Troy for many years. Little does she know that his path back to her has been blocked by astonishing and terrifying trials. Will he overcome the hideous monsters, beautiful witches and treacherous seas that...

46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 'It's coming - the postponeless Creature'

The Little Black Classics series introduces 46 new books to celebrate the first-ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Love That Moves the Sun and Other Stars by Dante Alighieri evokes happiness beyond all words, portraying a life filled with peace and love, entire and whole.

46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946 And when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars.

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. A vivacious woman and a high-spirited man both claim that they are determined never to marry. But when their friends trick them into believing that each harbours secret feelings for the other, they begin to question whether their witty banter and sharp-tongued repartee...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. Promised a golden future as ruler of Scotland by three sinister witches, Macbeth murders the king to ensure his ambitions come true. But he soon learns the meaning of terror – killing once, he must kill again and again, and the dead return...

A smouldering collection of 100 love poems by master poet Rumi that will set fire to even the iciest of hearts. Accompanied by illuminating commentary throughout, The Flame of Love explores the depths of passion, longing, and loss through Rumi's timeless verses. The Flame of Love is an alluring collection of 100 love poems by world-renowned poet Rumi, never before...

The story centres on the critical events in four days of the 10th and final year of the war between the Greeks and Trojans. It describes how the quarrel of Agamemnon and Achilleus sets in motion a tragic sequence of events, which leads to Achilleus' killing of Hektor and determines the ultimate fate of Troy. But Homer's theme is not...

Describing Dante's descent into Hell midway through his life with Virgil as a guide, Inferno depicts a cruel underworld in which desperate figures are condemned to eternal damnation for committing one or more of the seven deadly sins. As he descends through nine concentric circles of increasingly agonising torture, Dante encounters doomed souls including the pagan Aeneas, the liar Odysseus,...

Part of the authoritative and acclaimed Penguin Shakespeare series, now rejacketed in the celebrated Penguin Classics livery. A young man and woman meet by chance and fall instantly in love. But their families are bitter enemies, and in order to be together, the two lovers must be prepared to risk everything. Set in a city torn apart by feuds and...

Embark on a literary odyssey through ancient Greece with Homer's timeless epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey. In The Iliad, witness the ravages of the Trojan War as gods and mortals clash in a tale of honour, heroism, and the consequences of unchecked pride. Then, journey alongside Odysseus in The Odyssey as he battles mythical creatures, evades vengeful gods, and...

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Deluxe Hardbound Edition) Immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare with this deluxe hardbound edition, featuring all of his plays, sonnets, and poems. Crafted elegantly, this collector’s item offers beautifully bound pages, making it a perfect addition to any bookshelf or library. What the Book Explores Core themes developed through structured progression Concepts presented...

Delve into the timeless epics of ancient Greece with The Best of Homer, featuring The Iliad and The Odyssey. Homer's masterpieces, renowned for their epic storytelling and exploration of the human condition, come to life in this meticulously curated collection. Immerse yourself in the heroic tales of Achilles, Hector, Odysseus, and the gods, as these narratives transcend time, offering readers...

Featuring beautiful hand-painted cover art from artist Laci Fowler, this deluxe edition of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet and Other Verse celebrates the beauty and the agony of love. William Shakespeare, one of history's most influential English writers, crafted works that endure because of their profound insight into human emotions. Throughout his canon, he masterfully explores every facet of love,...

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This iconic tragedy tells the story of two star-crossed lovers whose forbidden love ignites a chain of events that leads to heartbreak, passion, and ultimately, tragedy. A timeless tale of love and tragedy! William Shakespeare's renowned play of love, fate, and feuding families Memorable characters, including the...

Beams were dancing on the waters of the Skirfare; the moonlight falling on the hills formed them into fantastic shapes… With a slight indescribable kind of fear I bent my steps homewards. Along with its great swathes of natural moorland beauty and cities steeped in folklore and history, Yorkshire has a rich literary heritage, populated by innumerable phantoms, faeries and...

Murder and mayhem abound in three suspenseful stories by Edgar Allan Poe, whose writing left a lasting impact on the gothic and horror genres. On board a ship, a man watches on as his old friend appears increasingly disturbed. What luggage could be so precious that Cornelius Wyatt would leave it in a locked cabin? The Oblong Box is a...

Shakespeare’s popular pastoral romance, As You Like It, features disguised lovers, exiled brothers, multiple marriage plots, a wrestling bout, and the famous Forest of Arden. Friendships are formed and lovers are reunited in a play that explores the intersection of love, ‘play’, and deception. Rosalind’s unique performance of gender, both as herself and in disguise as Ganymede, provides the pivot...

Shakespeare’s popular pastoral romance, As You Like It, features disguised lovers, exiled brothers, multiple marriage plots, a wrestling bout and the famous Forest of Arden. Friendships are formed, and lovers are reunited in a play that explores the intersection of love, 'play' and deception. Rosalind’s unique performance of gender, both as herself and in disguise as Ganymede, provides the pivot...

The Tempest: Timeless tropes, enduring stories - a Shakespeare collection for YA readers "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows." Rediscover Shakespeare's tale of exile and forgiveness. What goes around, comes around. Prospero, the usurped Duke of Milan, was doomed to live out his life on a small island with his daughter, Miranda, and his magical servants Ariel and Caliban....

STAGED: Timeless tropes, enduring stories - a Shakespeare collection for YA readers 'They told me I was everything: 'tis a lie' Rediscover Shakespeare's tale of power and treachery. The price for power is paid in blood. The ageing King Lear must divide his kingdom between his daughters; but who to choose? Goneril and Regan, who love him loudly and flatter...

The Merchant of Venice: Timeless tropes, enduring stories - a Shakespeare collection for YA readers. All that glisters is not gold. Rediscover Shakespeare's tale of bitterness and retribution. Bitterness begets blood. Bassiano is in love with the gorgeous heiress Portia! Alas, he's too poor to pass the suitors' test set by her father. Fortunately, Bassiano's best friend, Antonio, steps up...

Staged: Timeless tropes, enduring stories - a Shakespeare collection for YA readers O time, thou must untangle this, not I. Rediscover Shakespeare's tale of crossed loves and mistaken identities. Love gets complicated. After a catastrophic shipwreck, identical twins Viola and Sebastian are separated, each believing that the other is dead. To get her life back on track, Viola begins dressing...

STAGED: Timeless tropes, enduring stories - a Shakespeare collection for YA readers Farewell the tranquil mind; farewell content. Rediscover Shakespeare's tale of jealousy and miscommunication. Jealousy is a hell of a drug. After being passed over for promotion, the envious flag-bearer Iago begins a vicious campaign of whispers against his leader, the famed Black Venetian General, Othello. As Iago's manipulation...

STAGED: Timeless tropes, enduring stories - a Shakespeare collection for YA readers 'There is a tide in the affairs of men.' Rediscover Shakespeare's tale of power and betrayal. It's lonely at the top. As the triumphant General Julius Caesar's power continues to grow, so too does a plot to undo him. Contrived by enemies, joined by friends, it is the...

A collection to be read, experienced, and treasured. Whether capturing a cold New England winter's evening, or the beauty of an old, abandoned house, four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost left an indelible mark on our consciousness. This stunning celebration of his best-loved work includes 35 poems specially chosen for children ages 8 to 14 by author and historian Jay...

Comedy and tragedy intertwine when two very different couples fall in and out of love. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features illustrations by renowned artist Sir John Gilbert and a new...

Macbeth: Shakespeare's Greatest Stories (Abridged and Illustrated) with Review Questions and an Introduction to the Themes in the Story is an exemplification of dark ambitions overriding loyalty. Macbeth is the story of a Scottish General who is overtaken by desires awakened by evil magic, leading to an unredeemable tragedy. Shakespeare's writing inspires young minds to contemplate life, represented by the...

La Vita Nuova (The New Life) is Dante's first major work. Set in thirteenth century Florence, Dante describes his love for Beatrice through poems, sonnets, and prose. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This...

A gripping tale of power, betrayal, and consequence. Step into the political intrigue of ancient Rome with Julius Caesar, an abridged and beautifully illustrated retelling of William Shakespeare's iconic play. This adaptation brings to life the gripping story of conspiracy, ambition, and betrayal in a way that is accessible and engaging for young readers. As senators plot to murder the...

Dark tales. Disturbed minds. Deathless prose. Enter the spellbinding world of Edgar Allan Poe, the master of Gothic fiction and psychological horror. This essential collection features some of his most unforgettable works; each a glimpse into the shadows of the human soul. From the chilling descent into guilt in The Tell-Tale Heart, to the melancholic beauty of The Raven, and...

Delve into the magical and whimsical world of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in this beautifully designed edition. This comedy follows the adventures of four young lovers and a group of mischievous fairies in a forest. With a stunning cover design and insightful commentary, this edition is perfect for fans of classic literature and Shakespearean plays. A whimsical tale...

Volume 1 of the new Everyman Shakespeare, published in 1992, included the four major tragedies: Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth. Volume 2 completes the survey of Shakespeare's tragic output with Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Troilus and Cressida, and Titus Andronicus. The edited texts of the plays are supplemented with bibliographies, a chronology of Shakespeare's...

Iliad VI makes ideal reading for a student approaching the epic for the first time. Amongst other episodes, it includes the meeting of Diomedes and Glaukos in battle, which throws light on the ethics of epic warfare; and the touching scene of Hektor's final parting from his wife Andromache and baby son Astyanax. This illustrated edition includes text with notes...

The Odyssey is one of the earliest works of European literature, second only to the Iliad. These two great epic poems, the astonishing first fruits of Greek civilisation, have together determined much of the course of Western literary culture and imagination. The poem tells of the long and painful return of Odysseus from the Trojan War to his homeland of...

This beautifully curated boxed set brings together ten of William Shakespeare's most iconic plays--Hamlet, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and As You Like It. These masterpieces showcase the Bard's incredible range--from tragedy and romance to wit and political drama. Ideal for students, collectors, and...

These easy-to-read editions incorporate over thirty years of Shakespeare scholarship undertaken since the original series, edited by Alfred Harbage, appeared between 1956 and 1967. With these electrifying new covers, dependable texts, and illuminating essays, the Pelican Shakespeare will remain a valued resource for students, teachers, and theatre professionals for many years to come. This edition of Titus Andronicus is edited...

This edition contains the Greek text, and is supplemented by an introduction giving the necessary background and setting Book III in the context of the Iliad as a whole, explanatory notes and a vocabulary.

This edition of Iliad I provides an admirable introduction to a first reading of Homer. The book deals with the origin of Achilles’ wrath, which gives rise to the poem’s main plot. It introduces principal characters such as Odysseus and Nestor and adumbrates the role the gods are to play in the story. This edition provides text with notes on...

The greatest tragic plays of William Shakespeare—including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. What is tragedy? The Elizabethans defined it as a "lofty" play showing "personages of great state" caught up in a "lamentable" action that "beginneth prosperously and endeth unfortunately." Whether judged by this or any other standard, the plays selected for this collection are considered to be the...

The acclaimed Pelican Shakespeare series, now repackaged in award-winning modern covers, aims to inspire Shakespearians of all ages. The acclaimed Pelican Shakespeare series is edited by A. R. Braunmuller and Stephen Orgel. This legendary series features authoritative and meticulously researched texts paired with scholarship by renowned Shakespeareans. Each book includes an essay on the theatrical world of Shakespeare's time, an...

Macbeth, a Scottish general, is enslaved by his passion when a trio of witches prophesy that he would one day become the King of Scotland. Blinded by the lust for power, he succumbs to the evil wishes of Lady Macbeth, stabs King Duncan in his sleep, and seizes the throne. But soon enough, Macbeth is tormented by guilt and terror....

"Made up of poems that are so original in their style and so startlingly accomplished in their confessional voice that they helped change the direction of contemporary poetry, Ariel is a masterpiece." -- New York Observer Sylvia Plath's famous collection, as she intended it. When Sylvia Plath died, she not only left behind a prolific life but also her unpublished...

Volume 1 of the Everyman Shakespeare, published in 1992, includes the four major tragedies: Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth. The authoritatively edited texts of the plays are supplemented with extensive bibliographies, a chronology of Shakespeare's life and times, and a substantial introduction in which Professor Tony Tanner examines Shakespeare's evolution as a tragedian while also providing detailed discussions of...

Now a major movie. HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics. All my days are consumed in longing – to travel home and see the day of my arrival dawn. If a god must shatter me upon the wine-dark sea, so be it. One of the most enduring tales ever told, The Odyssey is the original...

A tale of unbridled greed and an insatiable thirst for power set in eleventh-century Scotland, Macbeth has long been recognised as Shakespeare’s fastest-moving tragedy. It combines relentless narrative momentum with a profound examination of how psychological coercion mixed with personal ambition can lead to murder – and how individual impulses can shape both a man’s own destiny and the course...

This penultimate volume contains Shakespeare's later comedies, including The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night and Measure for Measure. The book provides a detailed chronology of Shakespeare's life and times.