Name: Tales From Shakespeare
SKU: LAMB
Availability: InStock

Tales From Shakespeare

£45.00

First published in 1807 by siblings Charles and Mary Lamb, Tales from Shakespeare (originally spelled ‘Shakspeare’) was their attempt to bring the works of William Shakespeare to schoolchildren. While Charles tackled the tragedies, including Hamlet, King Lear and Macbeth, Mary took on the comedies, including The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The plays were retold in prose considered more accessible for young children, though by today’s standards they are just as suitable for adults. Shakespeare’s own words were kept ‘whenever possible’ but the stories simplified so that, for example, the opening lines of The Tempest read “There was a certain island in the sea, the only inhabitants of which were an old man, whose name was Prospero, and his daughter Miranda, a very beautiful young lady.” This charming leatherbound edition, measuring 14x9cm with 355 pages, dates from 1865 and, while showing signs of its age, is in fair condition.

1 in stock

Description

First published in 1807 by siblings Charles and Mary Lamb, Tales from Shakespeare (originally spelled ‘Shakspeare’) was their attempt to bring the works of William Shakespeare to schoolchildren. While Charles tackled the tragedies, including Hamlet, King Lear and Macbeth, Mary took on the comedies, including The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The plays were retold in prose considered more accessible for young children, though by today’s standards they are just as suitable for adults. Shakespeare’s own words were kept ‘whenever possible’ but the stories simplified so that, for example, the opening lines of The Tempest read “There was a certain island in the sea, the only inhabitants of which were an old man, whose name was Prospero, and his daughter Miranda, a very beautiful young lady.” This charming leatherbound edition, measuring 14x9cm with 355 pages, dates from 1865 and, while showing signs of its age, is in fair condition.