It's such a powerful rendition of Shakespeare's plays in a very accessible format, interesting and easy to read for adults and children alike. Modern readers may find the Lambs' retellings somewhat old-fashioned and didactic. Tales from Shakespeare, however, remains an excellent introduction to Shakespeare. Absolute Shakespeare - the essential resource for William Shakespeare's plays, sonnets, poems, quotes, biography and the legendary Globe Theatre. Described as the most significant collection of Shakespeare’s stories since The Lambs’ Tales from Shakespeare, it sees the nation’s favourite storyteller translate the following ten iconic plays into thrilling prose:

Tales From Shakespeare - RSC Michael Morpurgo introduces his Tales From Shakespeare - RSC

Williams, Marcia (15 October 2013). Miller, Naomi (ed.). Reimagining Shakespeare for Children and Young Adults. Routledge.

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb was written to be an 'introduction to the study of Shakespeare', but are much more entertaining than that. All of Shakespeare's best-loved plays, comic and tragic, are retold in a clear and robust style, and their literary quality has made them popular and sought-after ever since their first publication in 1807. Shakespeare’s poetry was published before his plays, with two poems appearing in 1593 and 1594, dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton. Most of Shakespeare’s sonnets were probably written at this time as well. Shakespeare seems quite typical of his time but maybe he was radical in his time. There's some deus ex machina going on there too, it's like people have no natures, they just change according to the circumstances. It is interesting to consider the target audience of this book though – written in 1809 it would have mainly been for the children of the middle and upper classes, who no doubt would have been able to read. However it is suggested in Charles Lamb's introduction that it was more for the girls than the boys, as the boys would have had access to the father's library (another indication that it would have been for the upper classes) at a much younger age than the girls. It is also an indication that at the time children's literature would have been literally non-existent, namely because it was expected that when a child learnt to read, they would have been thrown straight into the deep end (though I suspect that the Bible would have been a major part of a child's introduction to literature). Mercy drops as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath; it is a double blessing, it blesses him that gives, and him that receives it; it is a finer ornament for a king than his crown itself, because it is a quality of God Himself; and earthly power comes nearest to God's when justice is mixed with mercy; remember that we all pray for mercy, that same prayer should teach us to show mercy.”

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb

Now was Timon as much avoided in his poverty as he had been courted and resorted to in his riches. Now the same tongues which had been loudest in his praises, extolling him as bountiful, liberal, and open handed, were not ashamed to censure that very bounty as folly, that liberality as profuseness, though it had shown itself folly in nothing so truly as in the selection of such unworthy creatures as themselves for its objects. Now was Timon's princely mansion forsaken, and become a shunned and hated place, a place for men to pass by, not a place, as formerly, where every passenger must stop and taste of his wine and good cheer; now, instead of being thronged with feasting and tumultuous guests, it was beset with impatient and clamorous creditors, usurers, extortioners, fierce and intolerable in their demands, pleading bonds, interest, mortgages; iron-hearted men that would take no denial nor putting off, that Timon's house was now his jail, which he could not pass, nor go in nor out for them; one demanding his due of fifty talents, another bringing in a bill of five thousands crowns, which if he would tell out his blood by drops, and pay them so, he had not enough in his body to discharge, drop by drop." Acquired as part of a multi-book deal brokered by Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher at HarperCollins Children's Books, and Veronique Baxter at David Higham Associates, Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare will be a landmark event in a decade-long publishing partnership between HarperCollins Children’s Books and Michael Morpurgo. Then my father would play a game with us. He knew quite a few Shakespeare plays by heart and we'd get to test him. Well, being the oldest and best at reading, I got the supporting role. I'd read a line from the play and he'd say who said it and when. He was always right, I'd be reduced to trying things like 'Halt' and we'd wait with breath bated while he decided if that was guard one or guard two. It was exciting! This rotation is for students in Years 4-12. In Years 1-3, retellings of specific Shakespeare plays are scheduled in each year to develop familiarity with the stories and themes. Right, I may be in the minority here but this book was a mangled mess in my eyes missing the comedy particularly of the original plays. Whilst I could give the treatment of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Othello" 4 stars, the (mis)treatment of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was shameful, missing all the fun and froth of the original play.

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If I am conquered, well, I was never happy; if I am killed, well I am willing to die. I shall do my friends no wrong, for I have none to weep for me. I shall do the world no harm for in it I have nothing. For I only take up a place in the world which may be better filled when I have made it empty.” Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare by Michael Morpurgo is a stunningretelling of ten of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. I just finished the book. I didn't much particularly like it. I don't think that I will have my student's read it after all. On that one particular problem of "lover", it's sometimes just a question of Shakespeare's vocabulary: "lovers" can often mean sweethearts, unless it's stated otherwise.

Shakespeare - AmblesideOnline - Charlotte Mason Curriculum Shakespeare - AmblesideOnline - Charlotte Mason Curriculum

Shakespearian characters change suddenly, not all of them have strong natures, marriages easily happen or break, love at first sight is quite the everyday routine, and they become repentant in the end, however evil they might be. That's a pretty good sample of this text. It's considered a children's book, remember, and I found the sentences to be lengthy and the vocabulary a bit daunting for modern children. Charles & Mary Lamb's condensed versions of Shakespeare are a good introduction for younger readers and those who want a brief, prose-based summary of the plots. Initially, Charles was listed as the sole author. Later editions such as this added Mary Lamb as co-author. Lamb, Charles; Lamb, Mary; Morris, Harrison S (1893). Tales from Shakespeare including those by Charles and Mary Lamb with a continuation by Harrison S. Morris. J.B. Lippincott Company (Philadelphia). Othello is a melodrama that is exalted into tragedy through the brilliance of its characterization and the magnificence of its poetry." (Marchette Chute) Note: Parents should read ahead for references to an affair. If you use SparkNotes No Fear Shakespeare, be aware that they translate some vague references to unfaithfulness more explicitly than Shakespeare's text does. You will not want to hand your child this guide to read unsupervised! Advice on Shakespeare from the AO Advisory Question: What is the purpose for using Shakespeare? What are the educational benefits? What about some of the questionable situations in his plays?The Lambs wrote Tales from Shakespeare to introduce "young people not accustomed to the dramatic form of writing" to the famous plays by William Shakespeare. Selecting twenty popular comedies and tragedies which they considered appropriate for children, they simplified the plots and retold them in narrative form. They omitted any parts deemed inappropriate for young readers but preserved Shakespeare's original wording whenever possible. Hamlet is perhaps the most famous of all Shakespeare's tragedies, for it is known all over the world and has exerted a compelling fascination wherever it goes. The hero is so real and his dilemma is so basic to human living that the people of every country recognize him . . . " (Marchette Chute)

Tales from Shakespeare to launch as an exclusive Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare to launch as an exclusive

But aside from that technical complaint, it is an enjoyable collection and well-written. Charles and Mary Lamb do an excellent job capturing the essence of each of the plays, the language of the Bard, humor/pathos, and overall storyline. It is a commendable way to introduce young people (of all ages) to Shakespeare. McCrum, Robert (26 June 2017). "Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb (1807)". Books. The Guardian . Retrieved 29 October 2020. Much Ado About Nothing: Early teens (girls in particular?) may like this adaptation, and may even identify with it. It's full of fix-ups and broken hearts, reconciliations, and gossip... Loaded with teen angst. Kids under 11 or 12 would probably be bored with this one, and kids past 14 would probably think it's as silly as I do. Not one of my favorite Shakespeare stories, can you tell? Selections from Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, King Lear, with extracts from the plays

It would be as possible for me to say I love nothing in the world so well as you; but do not believe me, and yet I do not lie. I confess nothing and I deny nothing.” Brightest Heaven of Invention by Peter J. Leithart (a Christian study of six Shakespeare plays, aimed at high schoolers) includes Henry V, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing. These plays, which are among Shakespeare's more popular, repeat in AO's rotation every five or six years: Lamb, Charles; Lamb, Mary (2007). "Introduction by Marina Warner". Tales from Shakespeare. Great Britain: Penguin Classics. pp.xvi. ISBN 978-0-141-44162-7. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Magic is in the air. Magical forest, invisible fairies bring lovers together, undetected. Love is created by magic when it isn't there. Everyone lives happily ever after.