The Comedies Volume One: The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night's Dream

By: William Shakespeare

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Synopsis: Love, enchantment, and misadventure abound in four timeless comedies by the great Bard of Elizabethan England.The Taming of the Shrew: After a battle of wits, the suitor Petruchio marries the headstrong lady Katherina and brings her to his home in Verona, where he sets about &“taming&” his willful bride into an obedient wife.The Merchant of Venice: In the most dramatic of Shakespeare&’s comedies, a wealthy Venetian merchant is unable to repay a loan from the moneylender Shylock—who demands a pound of the borrower&’s flesh.Twelfth Night: In this comedy of unrequited love and mistaken identity, Viola disguises herself as a man in the service of the lovesick Duke Orsino—whom she adores. The duke sends Viola to woo Countess Olivia who, in turn, falls in love with Viola&’s male persona.A Midsummer Night&’s Dream: The mischievous wood sprite Puck wreaks havoc on the romantic pursuits of four young lovers while a hapless actor is transformed into a fairy queen&’s monstrous consort in this beloved comic fantasia.