The First Folio, officially titled Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, is a compilation of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623. It was put together by John Heminge and Henry Condell, Shakespeare’s close friends and fellow actors, seven years after Shakespeare’s death. The First Folio is essential to preserving Shakespeare’s work, as it contains many plays that had not been printed before, including Macbeth, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, and Julius Caesar. Without the First Folio, some of these works might have been lost forever.

Key Features:

• Published: 1623, by Heminge and Condell.
• Contents: 36 plays divided into three categories – Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies.
• Importance: It is one of the most significant literary publications in history, preserving some of Shakespeare's most important works that were not available in print before.
• Plays Missing: The First Folio does not include Pericles, Prince of Tyre and The Two Noble Kinsmen, which were later attributed to Shakespeare.

Significance:

• Preservation: The First Folio is considered a critical cultural and literary artifact because it ensured the survival of Shakespeare's works for future generations.
• Printing History: Only about 750 copies were originally printed, and fewer than 240 are known to survive today. It remains one of the most sought-after books in the world, with copies fetching millions of dollars at auction.

Many scholars and literary historians consider the First Folio essential for studying Shakespeare’s work, as it contains the most authentic versions of his plays.