A. Square, a resident of Flatland--a place limited to two dimensions and peopled by a hierarchy of geometrical forms--stirs up trouble when he is visited by a sphere and begins to speak openly about worlds with three and four dimensions.

Thomas Hardy's deterministic art achieves fanatic intensity and raw perfection in the characterization of Jude Fawley, an impoverished stone mason who aspires to the ministry. Throughout his agonized existence, the cloistered halls and facades of Christminister--where Jude wishes to study--tempt and mock him to rid himself of ignorance. His failure to fulfill the expectations of either of the two women he loves, and the violent deaths of his children...

Biographical information and critical essays accompany Shakespeare's two plays concerning misguided actions and ingratitude.