You want to read the works of William Shakespeare, because he's one of the greatest writers of all time. But, where do you start? These collections are the perfect way to be introduced to a Shakespeare's works, as you read critical material, background history, and biographical information about the master himself. Read these collections of Shakespeare's works!
1. Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works
by William Shakespeare. Here's the complete collection of Shakespeare's plays and poems--from Oxford University Press. This edition also features introductions to each works, along with a re-examination of the texts--based on modern scholarship. The OUP has also modernized spelling and punctuation to make the text easier to read and understand, without alterning the original language or meter.
2. The Riverside Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare. "The Riverside Shakespeare" is now in its second edition. This boxed, two-volume set features all of Shakespeares works, with 50 illustrations and 40 pages of color and black-and-white plates. Of course, the book also features detailed notes on the texts, critical prefaces to Shakespeare's works, new essays on stage history and criticism, appendixes, chronologies, and bibliographies. This edition also includes "Edward III" and "A Funeral Elegy."3. The Complete Arkangel Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare. This audio collection is the perfect companion to your reading of William Shakespeare. Read the plays, then listen to the lines--read by 400 great actors--with this definitive, unabridged collection of the plays of William Shakespeare.4. The Arden Shakespeare Complete Works
by William Shakespeare. Thomson Learning. This collector's edition features the complete plays, poems and sonnets of William Shakespeare, even including "The Two Noble Kinsmen," which is believed to be partly written by the Bard. The book also features introductions and background material on each work, along with an introduction to the life, sources, and theatrical performance of William Shakespeare. Discover why Shakespeare is such an influential cultural icon!5. The Portable Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare. Stephen Orgel offers introductions and contextual details to the works of William Shakespeare, but you'll also find the glossary of 1,500 words useful!6. The Norton Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare. W.W. Norton. From the publisher: "Opening the volume is Stephen Greenblatt's General Introduction, a richly textured portrait of Shakespeare's work and world. The introduction, marginal glosses, and annotation that accompany each text greatly aid understanding of the plays and poems, and an elegant, single-column page makes reading them a pleasure."7. Complete Works of William Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare. This edition--from HarperCollins--includes the complete works of William Shakespeare, with introductions for each play and poem, a textual introduction by Alec Yearling, a biography of Shakespeare by Germaine Greer and an introduction to Shakespeare's theatre by Anthony Burgess.