• Books and Reading in Shakespeare's England

    On our Shakespeare Unlimited podcast, we talk with Stuart Kells and Jason Scott-Warren about how people read, acquired, and collected books in Shakespeare’s time.

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  • Read Shakespeare's Plays

    Visit The Folger Shakespeare to read the full, searchable text of Shakespeare's plays, along with scene summaries, essays, and textual notes.

    The Folger Shakespeare

  • Shakespeare's Theater

    Learn more about the playhouses of Shakespeare’s time, including the Globe, and what it would have been like to see a performance there.

    About Shakespeare's Theater Stage Effects

  • Photo: Elman Studio

    The First Folio

    The First Folio is the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s works, published in 1623. Without it, 18 of his plays might have been lost forever. Learn more about this remarkable book—and the Folger's collection of First Folios, the largest in the world.

    About the First Folio About the Folger Collection

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    Building Renovation

    Our historic building is undergoing a major renovation beginning in early 2020 to expand public space, improve accessibility, and enhance the experience for all who come here. The project is supported by the $50 million Wonder of Will campaign.

    About the Renovation The Wonder of Will

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INSIDE THE PLAYS

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Bad behavior and small-town life. That’s the world of The Merry Wives of Windsor, and it’s the only one of its kind in Shakespeare’s canon. Folger Director Michael Witmore shares insights on this comedy.

Read the Blog Post About the Play

EARLY MODERN LIFE

Hedgehogs: Cute or Troublesome?

What did people in Shakespeare's time think about hedgehogs? See where his plays reference them, and check out a 17th-century recipe for hedgehog pudding.

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BEFORE FARM TO TABLE

Posset: The Renaissance Eggnog

Posset, mentioned at key moments in Macbeth and Hamlet, was made by pouring heated and spiced cream over a warm mixture of eggs, sugar, and alcohol. Explore recipes from manuscript books in the Folger collection.

Read the Blog Post

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Shakespeare is our middle name. We are stewards of a precious resource of world heritage and culture—a living tradition that offers something truly elevating.
Michael Witmore
Folger Shakespeare Library Director
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  • Folger Poetry: Motherhood Redux

    A poetic conversation about motherhood with three poets—Tina Chang, Beth Ann Fennelly, and Camille Dungy—who have examined the topic in verse and prose. This event takes place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Wednesday, March 11 at 7pm.

    Tickets & Information

  • Folger Consort: Monteverdi in Venice

    Folger Consort's final concerts of the 2019/20 season highlights works composed by Monteverdi from the Renaissance to the Baroque. Heard here are Monteverdi's madrigals, arias from his operas, and other selections. April 26-26 at St. Mark's on Capitol Hill.

    Tickets & Information

  • Folger Theatre's 2020/21 Season

    Folger Theatre goes "On The Road" next season at venues across the DC region, with the season opener, A Midsummer Night's Dream, at the National Building Museum on stage this summer. Subscribe today to be the first to know about events and shows, and to enjoy all the benefits that come with being a Folger Theatre subscriber.

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Upcoming at the Folger

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Folger Education

Classroom Resources for Teaching Shakespeare

Folger Education works alongside teachers to develop engaging, effective tools for helping students have successful classroom encounters with Shakespeare and other complex texts.

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