Richard III is one of the finest of Shakespeare’s historical dramas. Although it has a huge cast, Richard himself, gleefully wicked, charismatically Machiavellian, always dominates the play: a role to gratify such leading actors as David Garrick, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Sher, Ian McKellen and Al Pacino. Since, in real life, political Machiavellianism is never out of date, Richard III remains perennially topical. Numerous revivals on stage and screen have demonstrated the enduring cogency of this drama about the lethally corrupting quest for power. Richard III is the twenty-first play in the Wordsworth Classics’ Shakespeare Series. The Times Literary Supplement says: ‘Many students and ordinary readers will be grateful to Watts and his publishers for making such useful editions available at such low cost.’ Furthermore, this series is now used in the workshops of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. He is known for his numerous plays and sonnets, which have had a profound impact on literature and theater. Some of his most notable works include "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Othello." Shakespeare's writing is characterized by his use of intricate language, complex characters, and universal themes such as love, jealousy, power, and ambition. His works have been translated into every major language and are performed around the world to this day. Shakespeare's influence on literature, drama, and the English language is immeasurable, and his legacy continues to endure centuries after his death. His most famous work is arguably "Romeo and Juliet," a tragic love story that has become a timeless classic.