Four plays by the revered Elizabethan dramatist tell of men driven to evil by ambition and jealousy—and of one who escapes the dangers of bad influence.

Othello: A powerful general in the Venetian army, Othello the Moor is despised by his scheming ensign, Iago, who devises a plan to destroy him. Newly married to Desdemona, Othello is led to believe she has been unfaithful—and his jealous rage leads to tragic consequences.

Macbeth: When three witches foretell that Macbeth will be king of Scotland, he does not wait for destiny to run its course. Instead, he and his wife plot to kill the presiding king, an act that will realize their ambitions—and bring them to ruin.

Henry IV Part One: This historical play chronicles the rebellions faced by the medieval king of England Henry IV, as well as the maturation of his son, Prince Hal. The prince indulges in a carefree life with the comical rogue Falstaff but must eventually cast aside his recklessness and live up to his royal destiny.

Henry IV Part Two: As Henry IV’s health grows weaker, Prince Hal’s ability to assume the crown remains in doubt. The prince’s friendship with the drunk and thieving Falstaff threatens to be his undoing. Now he faces a choice that will determine not only his own future, but also that of England.