Histories, comedies, tragedies...you'll find Shakespeare's finest in our new editions of his classic plays, poetry, and prose from Oxford World’s Classics.

Each new volume uses the text from the landmark The New Oxford Shakespeare: Modern Critical Edition and combines fresh, new scholarship from leading researchers with authoritative texts and comprehensive notes to offer you the ultimate guide to Shakespeare’s work, whether you’re a longtime reader or are new to the Bard.

With more to publish soon explore the first titles in our collection of new editions.

'How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world

That has such people in't!'

Performed variously as escapist fantasy, celebratory fiction, and political allegory, The Tempest is one of the plays in which Shakespeare's genius as a poetic dramatist found its fullest expression. This new edition sheds light on the text's connections to colonialism and colonial resistance, whilst exploring its Jacobean context and examining how subsequent interpretations have explored gender, resistance, and illusion in new ways. 

Measure for Measure

Emma Whipday introduces how this play explores ‘ungovernable’ women and their position in masculine spaces.

Romeo and Juliet

Hannah August explains how Shakespeare blurred gender identities in this tale of star-crossed lovers.

As You Like It

Hear from Todd Borlik on the natural setting of the play and its relationship with human civilisation.

The Merry Wives of Windsor 

Hear from Callan Davies on how this play differs from the 'typical' Shakespearean comedy.

Macbeth

Emma Smith illustrates the physical experience Shakespeare’s most theatrical tragedy offers audiences.

The Tempest

Lauren Working details the enchantment and illusion of Shakespeare’s play.

To mark the launch of the first batch of our brand-new Oxford World’s Classics editions of the works of Shakespeare, watch our fantastic editors in this fascinating discussion on some of Shakespeare’s greatest works.

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