Charles Lamb

Rare edition with unique illustrations and elegant classic cream paper. Tales from Shakespeare is an English children's book written by Charles Lamb and his sister Mary Lamb in 1807. The book is designed to make the stories of Shakespeare's plays familiar to the young. However, as noted in the author's Preface, " Shakespeare's] 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." Mary Lamb was responsible for the comedies, while Charles wrote the tragedies; they wrote the preface between them. The book contains the following tales: The Tempest (Mary Lamb) A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mary Lamb) The Winter's Tale (Mary Lamb) Much Ado About Nothing (Mary Lamb) As You Like It (Mary Lamb) Two Gentlemen of Verona (Mary Lamb) The Merchant of Venice (Mary Lamb) Cymbeline (Mary Lamb) King Lear (Charles Lamb) Macbeth (Charles Lamb) All's Well That Ends Well (Mary Lamb) The Taming of the Shrew (Mary Lamb) The Comedy of Errors (Mary Lamb) Measure for Measure (Mary Lamb) Twelfth Night (Mary Lamb) Timon of Athens (Charles Lamb) Romeo and Juliet (Charles Lamb) Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (Charles Lamb) Othello (Charles Lamb) Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Mary Lamb) Tales from Shakespeare has been republished many times. It was illustrated by Sir John Gilbert in 1866, by Arthur Rackham in 1899 and 1909, by Louis Monzies in 1908, by Walter Paget in 1910, and by D. C. Eyles in 1934. Includes vintage illustration

First published in 1807, "Tales from Shakespeare" is the classic retelling of Shakespeare's plays by brother and sister duo Charles and Mary Lamb. All told twenty of Shakespeare's plays are represented in this work. On what basis the two made their selection of tales is unknown, the English Histories are left unattempted, as well as the Roman Plays. Of the comedies only "Love's Labour's Lost" is omitted. As Alfred Ainger comments in his introduction "perhaps Miss Lamb felt how little would have remained of the original comedy when the poetical element in its language and the brilliant wit of its dialogue had been removed." What is represented of Shakespeare's plays is a magnificent retelling of some of his most popular works, ideal for introducing young readers to the brilliance of the Bard. As the two write in their preface "The following Tales are meant to be submitted to the young reader as an introduction to the study of Shakespeare," so "that the true Plays of Shakespeare may prove to them in older years--enrichers of the fancy, strengtheners of virtue, a withdrawing from all selfish and mercenary thoughts, a lesson of all sweet and honourable thoughts and actions." This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, includes an introduction by Alfred Ainger, and illustrations by Arthur Rackham.

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles & Mary Lamb. 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.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Tales from Shakespeare' was written by Charles and Mary Lamb in the early nineteenth century to introduce children to the greatest plays of William Shakespeare. They adapted twenty of Shakespeare's plays in simple language so that it makes easy reading for the young readers. Conveying all Shakespeare's wit, wisdom and humanity, and never losing the feel of his beautiful language, these tales are classic literature in their own right.