Drama
Embrace the intensity and beauty of life with our Drama collection. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, explore plays that move the heart. Delve into works that examine human emotions, conflicts, and transformations.
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Recommended for those who enjoy classic tragedies with themes of love and conflict. This book is known for its timeless story that still resonates with audiences today, as well as its poetic language, memorable characters, and exploration of the dangers of intense emotion.
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Kenneth Muir, William Shakespeare |
Methuen
&
Co
Ltd
King Lear
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Goodreads rating: 3.91
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Edited by Kenneth Muir
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Sylvan Barnet, William Shakespeare |
Signet
Classic
Hamlet
$4.03
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Goodreads rating: 4.02
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The Signet Classics edition of William Shakespeare’s incomparable tragic play.“To be, or not to be: that is the question”There is arguably no work of fiction quoted as often as William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This haunting tragedy of a troubled Danish prince devoted to avenging his father’s death has captivated audiences for centuries. This revised Signet Classics edition includes unique features such as:• An overview of Shakespeare’s life, world, and theater• A special introduction to the play by the editor, Sylvan Barnet• Sources from which Shakespeare derived Hamlet• Dramatic criticism from Samuel Taylor Coleridge, A. C. Bradley, Maynard Mack, and others• A comprehensive stage and screen history of notable actors, directors, and productions• Text, notes, and commentaries printed in the clearest, most readable text• And more…
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Roma Gill, William Shakespeare |
Oxford
University
Press
Oxford School Shakespeare: Midsummer Night's Dream
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Goodreads rating: 3.95
$4.84
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Shakespeare's intertwined love polygons begin to get complicated from the start--Demetrius and Lysander both want Hermia but she only has eyes for Lysander. Bad news is, Hermia's father wants Demetrius for a son-in-law. On the outside is Helena, whose unreturned love burns hot for Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander plan to flee from the city under cover of darkness but are pursued by an enraged Demetrius (who is himself pursued by an enraptured Helena). In the forest, unbeknownst to the mortals, Oberon and Titania (King and Queen of the faeries) are having a spat over a servant boy. The plot twists up when Oberon's head mischief-maker, Puck, runs loose with a flower which causes people to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking. Throw in a group of labourers preparing a play for the Duke's wedding (one of whom is given a donkey's head and Titania for a lover by Puck) and the complications become fantastically funny.
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Nicholas Grene, Dan H. Laurence, George Bernard Shaw |
Penguin
Books
Pygmalion
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Goodreads rating: 3.89
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Pygmalion both delighted and scandalized its first audiences in 1914. A brilliantly witty reworking of the classical tale of the sculptor Pygmalion, who falls in love with his perfect female statue, it is also a barbed attack on the British class system and a statement of Shaw's feminist views. In Shaw's hands, the phoneticist Henry Higgins is the Pygmalion figure who believes he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl, into a duchess at ease in polite society. The one thing he overlooks is that his 'creation' has a mind of her own. It was adapted into the Oscar-winning musical film My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in 1964.This is the definitive text produced under the editorial supervision of Dan H. Laurence, with an illuminating introduction by Nicholas Grene, discussing the language and politics of the play. Also included in this volume is Shaw's preface, as well as his 'sequel' written for the first publication in 1916, to rebut public demand for a more conventionally romantic ending.
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John Russell Brown, William Shakespeare |
Arden
"The Merchant of Venice"
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Goodreads rating: 3.78
$6.04
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This edition of "The Merchant of Venice" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates Shakespeare's genius. The detailed notes and commentary interspersed with the text will help you delve deeper into the play and gain a richer understanding of its themes and characters. With its thorough introduction and additional sources, this edition is perfect for students, scholars, or anyone seeking to explore the critical and historical context behind this captivating play. Whether you're drawn to the complexities of love or fascinated by issues of social justice, this classic work is sure to leave a lasting impact on you.
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Aphra Behn, Janet Todd |
Penguin
Classics
Oroonoko, the Rover and Other Works
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Goodreads rating: 3.4
$7.33
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'We are bought and sold like apes or monkeys, to be the sport of women, fools, and cowards, and the support of rogues’.When Prince Oroonoko’s passion for the virtuous Imoinda arouses the jealousy of his grandfather, the lovers are cast into slavery and transported from Africa to the colony of Surinam. Oroonoko’s noble bearing soon wins the respect of his English captors, but his struggle for freedom brings about his destruction. Inspired by Aphra Behn’s visit to Surinam, Oroonoko (1688) reflects the author’s romantic view of Native Americans as simple, superior peoples 'in the first state of innocence, before men knew how to sin’. The novel also reveals Behn’s ambiguous attitude to African slavery – while she favoured it as a means to strengthen England’s power, her powerful and moving work conveys its injustice and brutality.This new edition of Oroonoko is based on the first printed edition of 1688, and includes a chronology, bibliography and notes. In her introduction, Janet Todd examines Aphra Behn’s views of slavery, colonization and politics, and her position as a professional woman writer in the Restoration.Prose:The Fair JiltOroonokoLove-Letters to a GentlemanPlays:The RoverThe Widow RanterPoems:Love ArmedEpilogue to Sir Patient FancyThe DisappointmentTo Mr. Creech (under the name of Daphnis) on his excellent translation of LucretiusA letter to Mr. Creech at Oxford, written in the last great frostSong: On her loving two equallyTo the fair Clarinda, who made love to me, imagined more than womanOn Desire: A PindaricA Pindaric poem to the Reverend Doctor Burnet
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Ann Thompson, Edited by Ann Thompson |
C.u.p.
The Taming of the Shrew
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Goodreads rating: 3.75
$4.78
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The Taming of the Shrew is a classic Shakespearean play that is popular worldwide. This revised edition by Ann Thompson provides line-by-line commentaries and textual notes, making it an ideal choice for students and enthusiasts wanting to understand the deeper meaning and controversy surrounding the play. The editor's emphasis on the problematic nature of debates about the play and its reception in the twenty-first century is a particularly unique feature that makes this edition highly recommended.
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William Shakespeare, Janis Lull |
Cambridge
University
Press
King Richard III
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Goodreads rating: 3.91
$6.16
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The New Cambridge Shakespeare appeals to students worldwide for its up-to-date scholarship and emphasis on performance. The series features line-by-line commentaries and textual notes on the plays and poems. Introductions are regularly refreshed with accounts of new critical, stage and screen interpretations. For this second edition of King Richard III, Janis Lull has added a new section to her introduction, in which she focuses on contemporary productions of the play as well as recent scholarly criticism. Lull emphasises the importance of women's roles in this popular drama but shows how the text has frequently been cut, rewritten and reshaped by directors and actors to enhance the role of Richard, often at the expense of female characters. The special relationship between King Richard III and Macbeth is also explored while the notes detail the play's language in terms that are easily accessible to contemporary readers.
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Stephen Orgel, William Shakespeare |
Oxford
University
Press
The Oxford Shakespeare: The Winter's Tale
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Goodreads rating: 3.71
$6.38
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62% off est. retail
This complex play examines family relationships and friendships, with both tragic and comedic elements. Shakespeare's mastery of language is on full display in The Winter's Tale, and the reconciliation scene at the end is particularly moving. Stephen Orgel's edition provides excellent context for understanding the play's themes and conflicts, and includes a reprint of Shakespeare's source, Pandosto, by Robert Greene. For fans of Shakespeare or those interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships, The Winter's Tale is a must-read.
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Emily Brontë, John S. Whitley |
Wordsworth
Editions
Wuthering Heights
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Goodreads rating: 3.89
$6.34
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Recommendation: Hey there! If you're a fan of intense, passionate love stories set against a backdrop of haunting moors, then "Wuthering Heights" is just the book for you. This classic novel beautifully captures the cruel and ecstatic love between Heathcliff and Catherine, as they navigate through conflicts of class and an all-consuming passion. Get ready to be swept away by the stormy emotions and unforgettable characters of this timeless tale.
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Nicholas Sparks
|
Time
Warner
Paperbac
The Notebook
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Goodreads rating: 4.15
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If you're drawn to tales that capture the resilience of love through time, "The Notebook" is a treasure waiting for you. It's not just another romance—it resonates with the kind of love that withstands life's trials and transformations. Nicholas Sparks crafts characters and a love story so vivid and enduring, you’ll carry their journey with you long after the last page.
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William Shakespeare, Roma Gill |
Oxford
University
Press
The Merchant of Venice
$1.64
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Goodreads rating: 3.78
$1.64
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Critical commentary accompanies the story of Antonio, who risks his life to borrow money from his enemy, Shylock, and is saved by Portia, an heiress posing as a lawyer.
Dive into the World of Drama
At Thryft, our Drama collection showcases literature that unravels the complexities of human nature. We offer a curated selection of dramatic works from celebrated playwrights around the globe. Whether you're a seasoned dramatist or a curious newcomer, there's something here to ignite your passion for theatre. Discover the power of stories that reflect on the human condition and fuel the dialogue on society and self.
Consider starting with works like "Hamlet" by Shakespeare or "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen. These timeless dramas provide deep insights into human nature and society.
Certainly! Explore our collection of Contemporary Fiction for modern plays that resonate with today's audiences.
Yes, we are proud to support local talent. Look out for plays by Singaporean playwrights which often reflect the unique cultural mix of the region.
While both delve into human experiences, Drama is typically structured as a play meant for performance. You can explore differences through our Literary Fiction section.
Absolutely, many drama books weave in philosophical questions about existence and morality. For more contemplative reading, check out our Philosophy collection.