Tragedies and Comedies of the Great English Playwrights.

SHAKESPEARE, William; John Dryden; William Congreve; et al.

$5,500.00

Item Number: 137210

London: Various Publishers, c.1730-1760.

Finely bound sammelband collection of comedies and tragedies by early English playwrights including William Shakespeare, John Dryden, and William Congreve. Octavo, 43 volumes bound into 7 in half contemporary calf over marbled boards with burgundy morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, numerous engraved frontispieces, headpieces, tailpieces and illustrations. In very good condition. A very unique collection.

The growing population of London at the turn of the 17th century, the growing wealth of its people, and their fondness for spectacle produced a dramatic literature of remarkable variety, quality, and extent. Although most of the plays written for the Elizabethan stage have been lost, over 600 remain including the works of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson. Tragedies and Comedies were very popular genres, as were history plays such as Shakespeare's and Marlowe's plays about the lives of kings Marlowe's tragedies were exceptionally successful, as were Shakespeare's, his most popular remaining Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth.