By Myrtle, Exeter Cathedral Work Experience Student
Synonymous with English literature is William Shakespeare, the playwright known as The Bard. Exeter Cathedral holds the 1632 Second Folio of his plays, of which less than 200 are known to exist today. A First Folio had previously been produced in 1623, bringing together Shakespeare’s plays in one volume for the first time. The Second Folio differs from this – largely through textual changes intended to correct errors and modernise the language of the First Folio. These changes ensured that Shakespeare’s work could be preserved in a more accessible way, enabling readers to learn from it for centuries.
Much can be learned from Shakespeare’s plays, making the preservation of his work in the Folios greatly important. Indeed, through the many tragedies crafted by Shakespeare, audiences are warned against destructive parts of the human condition, shown through the hamartias of the tragic heroes – the fatal flaws which will lead to their fall from greatness. For example, Macbeth declines into tyranny and eventually death due to his ‘vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself’, and Othello kills his wife and himself as a result of ‘the green-eyed monster’ of jealousy.
Similarly, Shakespeare’s histories enable audiences to see English monarchs through his eyes, and bring events and figures from history to life on the stage. King Richard III, depicted by Shakespeare as ruthless, cunning and manipulative in his play Richard III, declares, ‘I am determined to prove a villain’.
Not only do Shakespeare’s plays function to teach, but they also, of course, entertain – particularly his comedies, full of irony and wordplay. But even these are not devoid of pain and evil, and still explore human nature and society. For example, The Taming of the Shrew, whilst a comedy, explores gender dynamics, presenting the subjugation of women and domination of men through content such as ‘thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper’.
All of this value, derived from the work of Shakespeare, is what makes Exeter Cathedral’s Second Folio so significant; without collections of Shakespeare’s plays, his attempts to educate and entertain his audiences could be lost.
If you are interested in learning more about the Second Folio of Shakespeare’s plays held at Exeter Cathedral, consider purchasing a ticket for the ‘In the Library with … Shakespeare’s Second Folio’ group workshop led by Cathedral Librarian, Emma Laws, held at the Exeter Cathedral Library & Archives on Tuesday 9 September 2025.
A note on the writer of this piece:
My name is Myrtle, and as part of my work experience placement at Exeter Cathedral Library & Archives, I had the privilege of seeing the Cathedral’s Second Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, published posthumously in 1632. As someone who appreciates literature greatly, and is fascinated by Shakespeare, I chose to write my newsletter piece on the Cathedral’s Second Folio and its significance.