Among the most enduring poetry of all time, William Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets address such eternal themes as love, beauty, honesty, and the passage of time. Written primarily in four-line stanzas and iambic pentameter, Shakespeare’s sonnets are now recognized as marking the beginning of modern love poetry. The sonnets have been translated into all major written languages and are frequently used at romantic celebrations. Known as “The Bard of Avon,” William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest English-language writer known. Enormously popular during his life, Shakespeare’s works continue to resonate more than three centuries after his death, as has his influence on theatre and literature. Shakespeare’s innovative use of character, language, and experimentation with romance as tragedy served as a foundation for later playwrights and dramatists, and some of his most famous lines of dialogue have become part of everyday speech. HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

Henry IV, Part Two as a sequel to or continuation of Henry IV, Part One is disappointing. The resolution of the uprising is anticlimactic, and the Falstaff scenes are not comparable to those of Part One. The bawdy is substantially increased with, unfortunately, a lessening of the actual comedy. Falstaff lovers probably are not disappointed, but those of us with higher expectations may experience a letdown. Perhaps this points us toward The Merry Wives of Windsor, itself less than totally satisfying.

As England is in the middle of a civil war, King Henry IV becomes gravely ill. While the king’s enemies attempt to overthrow him, his son and heir Hal continues to raise hell in local taverns with his lowlife friends. With a looming rebellion Hal must get his life in order. Knowing that he will be responsible for taking the reins once his father dies Hal vows to change. With his bad reputation, legal troubles, questionable companions and his father’s low option to overcome, Hal must suppress the uprising. "Henry IV, Part 2" is the third historical play (the others being Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, and Henry V) known collectively as the "second tetralogy."These plays focus on major events of English history in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. Considered the greatest dramatist of all time, he is widely regarded as the most influential English language writer. Shakespeare’s plays focus on the range of human emotion and conflict, and have been translated into more than 100 languages. Many including "Hamlet" "Macbeth" and "Romeo and Juliet" have been adapted for stage and screen.

Shakespeare’s play depicting the waning years of both a king and a thief—and a young heir’s changing relationship with each of them. Prince Hal has proven his worth on the battlefield, but even as the elder Henry’s condition grows weaker, Hal’s ability to follow in his father’s footsteps may be in doubt. His longtime friendship with the drunken, thieving, yet thoroughly alluring Falstaff, and the influence of their rowdy tavern companions, are tempting his return to his old ways. As the reign of the aging Henry IV nears its end, the man in line for the throne faces a choice that will determine not only his own future, but that of England.