Other editions of book Tales from Shakespeare

From the preface: "The following Tales are meant to be submitted to the young reader as an introduction to the study of Shakespeare, for which purpose his words are used whenever it seemed possible to bring them in; and in whatever has been added to give them the regular form of a connected story, diligent care has been taken to select such words as might least interrupt the effect of the beautiful English tongue in which he wrote: therefore, words introduced into our language since his time have been as far as possible avoided. In those Tales which have been taken from the Tragedies, the young readers will perceive, when they come to see the source from which these stories are derived, that Shakespeare's own words, with little alteration, recur very frequently in the narrative as well as in the dialogue; but in those made from the Comedies the writers found themselves scarcely ever able to turn his words into the narrative form: therefore it is feared that, in them, dialogue has been made use of too frequently for young people not accustomed to the dramatic form of writing. But this fault, if it be a fault, has been caused by an earnest wish to give as much of Shakespeare's own words as possible: and if the "He said" and "She said," the question and the reply, should sometimes seem tedious to their young ears, they must pardon it, because it was the only way in which could be given to them a few hints and little foretastes of the great pleasure which awaits them in their elder years, when they come to the rich treasures from which these small and valueless coins are extracted; pretending to no other merit than as faint and imperfect stamps of Shakespeare's matchless image. Faint and imperfect images they must be called, because the beauty of his language is too frequently destroyed by the necessity of changing many of his excellent words into words far less expressive of his true sense, to make it read something like prose; and even in some few places, where his blank verse is given unaltered, as hoping from its simple plainness to cheat the young readers into the belief that they are reading prose, yet still his language being transplanted from its own natural soil and wild poetic garden, it must want much of its native beauty."

Originally published in 1807 “Tales of Shakespeare” is almost as classic as the plays by the bard himself. Charles Lamb (1775-1834) and his sister Mary Lamb (1764-1874) have taken twenty of Shakespeare’s best plays and retold them in a more modern style―in digestible prose―aimed at sophisticated teenagers. All character dialogue, however, comes straight from the plays. A great way to become familiar with these masterpieces of literature before tackling the original versions. Highly recommended for everyone who wants a better understanding of Shakespeare’s great works in a readable modern format. * * * * If you aren’t familiar enough with Shakespearean old English to follow along without getting lost, or if you’re taking your kids to see one of his plays, this book is invaluable. A very great way to introduce kids to Shakespeare, and to a love for classic literature. * * * * Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) was one of the most famous illustrators of his day and this book showcases twelve full-page, full color paintings, two full-page black-and-white illustrations, and seventeen smaller chapter-head and chapter-ending drawings that demonstrate his clear and gorgeous style. * * * * Includes the plays: The Tempest (Comedy); A Midsummer's Night Dream (Comedy); The Winter's Tale (Comedy); Much Ado About Nothing (Comedy); As You Like It (Comedy); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Comedy); The Merchant of Venice (Comedy); Cymbeline (Comedic Tragedy); King Lear (Tragedy); Macbeth (Tragedy); All's Well That Ends Well (Comedy); The Taming of the Shrew (Comedy); The Comedy of Errors (Comedy); Measure for Measure (Comedy); Twelfth Night, or What You Will (Comedy); Timon of Athens; (Tragedy) Romeo and Juliet (Tragedy); Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (Tragedy); Othello (Comedic Tragedy); and Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Comedy). * * * * Check our other Children’s, Juvenile, and Adult books at www.FlyingChipmunkPublishing.com, or Like us on Facebook for our latest releases.

This retelling in prose of twenty of Shakespeare's thirty-seven plays was originally published just for children. Keeping Shakespeare's own words whenever possible but making the plots and language easily understandable, this very listenable collection has entertained and informed generations of adults as well. With such classic stories as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Hamlet, and more, Shakespeare's most memorable characters come to life anew as magicians and fairies, fools and kings weave their magic, mischief, and madness. The list of 20 plays includes: The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Winter's Tale, Much Ado about Nothing, As You Like It, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice, Cymbeline, King Lear, Macbeth, All's Well That End Well, The Taming of the Shrew, The Comedy of Errors, Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night (or-What You Will), Timon of Athens, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet (Prince of Denmark), Othello, Pericles (Prince of Tyre.)

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Charles Lamb (1775-1834) who loved the tales of his childhood spoke his mind about hte didactic, lifeless books for childrenthat were current at the time. Prompted by his publishers he began to lend his own talents to the field. Whit his sister mayr (1764-1874), he was the first to make an attempt at retelling classics for children.

This work gives a perfect introduction to Shakespeare's greatest plays. Charles and Mary Lamb bring vividly alive all the power of "Hamlet" and "Othello", the fun of "As You Like It", and the drama of "Pericles". Conveying all of Shakespeare's wit, wisdom and humanity, and never losing the feel of his beautiful language, these tales are classic literature in their own right.

Tales from ShakespeareFULLY ILLUSTRATEDCharles & Mary LambIllustrated by Arthur RackhamThe following Tales are meant to be submitted to the young reader as an introduction to the study of Shakespeare, for which purpose his words are used whenever it seemed possible to bring them in; and in whatever has been added to give them the regular form of a connected story, diligent care has been taken to select such words as might least interrupt the effect of the beautiful English tongue in which he wrote: therefore, words introduced into our language since his time have been as far as possible avoided.In those tales which have been taken from the Tragedies, the young readers will perceive, when they come to see the source from which these stories are derived, that Shakespeare’s own words, with little alteration, recur very frequently in the narrative as well as in the dialogue; but in those made from the Comedies the writers found themselves scarcely ever able to turn his words into the narrative form: therefore it is feared that, in them, dialogue has been made use of too frequently for young people not accustomed to the dramatic form of writing. But this fault, if it be a fault, has been caused by an earnest wish to give as much of Shakespeare’s own words as possible: and if the “He said,” and ”She said,” the question and the reply, should sometimes seem tedious to their young ears, they must pardon it, because it was the only way in which could be given to them a few hints and little foretastes of the great pleasure which awaits them in their elder years, when they come to the rich treasures from which these small and valueless coins are extracted; pretending to no other merit than as faint and imperfect stamps of Shakespeare’s matchless image. Includes: 1. The Tempest2. A Midsummer Night's Dream3. The Winter's Tale4. Much Ado About Nothing5. As You Like it6. The Two Gentlemen of Verona7. The Merchant of Venice8. Cymbeline9. King Lear10. Macbeth11. All's Well that Ends Well12. The Taming of the Shrew13. The Comedy of Errors14. Measure for Measure15. Twelfth Night or what You Will16. Timon of Athens17. Romeo and Juliet18. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark19. Othello20. Pericles, Prince of Tyre

Tales from ShakespeareCharles & Mary LambIllustrated by Arthur RackhamThe following Tales are meant to be submitted to the young reader as an introduction to the study of Shakespeare, for which purpose his words are used whenever it seemed possible to bring them in; and in whatever has been added to give them the regular form of a connected story, diligent care has been taken to select such words as might least interrupt the effect of the beautiful English tongue in which he wrote: therefore, words introduced into our language since his time have been as far as possible avoided.In those tales which have been taken from the Tragedies, the young readers will perceive, when they come to see the source from which these stories are derived, that Shakespeare’s own words, with little alteration, recur very frequently in the narrative as well as in the dialogue; but in those made from the Comedies the writers found themselves scarcely ever able to turn his words into the narrative form: therefore it is feared that, in them, dialogue has been made use of too frequently for young people not accustomed to the dramatic form of writing. But this fault, if it be a fault, has been caused by an earnest wish to give as much of Shakespeare’s own words as possible: and if the “He said,” and ”She said,” the question and the reply, should sometimes seem tedious to their young ears, they must pardon it, because it was the only way in which could be given to them a few hints and little foretastes of the great pleasure which awaits them in their elder years, when they come to the rich treasures from which these small and valueless coins are extracted; pretending to no other merit than as faint and imperfect stamps of Shakespeare’s matchless image. Table of ContentsPrefaceThe TempestA Midsummer Night's DreamThe Winter's TaleMuch Ado About NothingAs You Like itThe Two Gentlemen of VeronaThe Merchant of VeniceCymbelineKing LearMacbethAll's Well that Ends WellThe Taming of the ShrewThe Comedy of ErrorsMeasure for MeasureTwelfth Night or what You WillTimon of AthensRomeo and JulietHamlet, Prince of DenmarkOthelloPericles, Prince of Tyre

This retelling in prose of twenty of Shakespeare's thirty-seven plays was originally published just for children. Keeping Shakespeare's own words whenever possible but making the plots and language easily understandable, this very listenable collection has entertained and informed generations of adults as well. With such classic stories as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Hamlet, and more, Shakespeare's most memorable characters come to life anew as magicians and fairies, fools and kings weave their magic, mischief, and madness. The list of 20 plays includes: The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Winter's Tale, Much Ado about Nothing, As You Like It, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice, Cymbeline, King Lear, Macbeth, All's Well That End Well, The Taming of the Shrew, The Comedy of Errors, Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night (or-What You Will), Timon of Athens, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet (Prince of Denmark), Othello, Pericles (Prince of Tyre.)