Tales from Shakspeare - Volume 2

by Charles Lamb

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1885. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Katherine, the Shrew, was the eldest daughter of Baptista, a rich gentleman of Padua. She was a lady of such an ungovernable spirit and fiery temper, such a loud-tongued scold, that she was known in Padua by no other name than Katherine the Shrew. It seemed very unlikely, indeed impossible, that any gentleman would ever be found who would venture to marry this lady, and therefore Baptista was much blamed for deferring his consent to many excellent offers that were made to her gentle sister Bianca, putting off all Bianca's suitors with this excuse, that when the eldest sister was fairly off his hands, they should have free leave to address young Bianca. It happened however that a gentleman, named Petrachio, came to Padua, purposely to look out for a wife, who, nothing discouraged by these reports of Katherine's temper, and hearing she was rich and handsome, resolved upon marrying this famous termagant, and taming her into a meek and manageable wife. And truly none was so fit to set about this herculean labor as Petruchio, whose spirit was as high as Katherine's, and he was a witty and most happy-tempered humorist, and withal so wise, and of such a true judgment, that he well knew how to feign a passionate and furious deportment, when his spirits were so calm that himself could have laughed merrily at his own angry feigning, for his natural temper was careless and easy; the boisterous airs he assumed when he became the husband of Katherine being but in sport, or, more properly speaking, affected by his excellent discernment, as the only means to overcome in her own way the passionate ways of the furious Katherine. A courting then Petruchio went to Katherine the Shrew; and first of all he applied to Baptista, her father, for leave ...

Genres: Classics, Fiction, School, Novels, English Literature, Shakespeare, Plays

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Charles Lamb was an English essayist with Welsh heritage, best known for his "Essays of Elia" and for the children's book "Tales from Shakespeare", which he produced along with his sister, Mary Lamb (1764–1847).

Reviews

[Ottavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because my English teacher gave it to me. I actually pretty liked it, and found this reading a very interesting one.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these tales repeatedly as a child, from about the age of 8. I fell in love with the stories, especially The Tempest (naturally, I was Miranda). By the time I saw my first Shakespearean production at the age of 9 (Central Park's Shakespeare in the Park was just starting), I already knew all the stories by heart. Even seeing the title made me feel all nostalgic and happy.

[Purley College · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadia Khochay

It's not the first time I am reading Shakespeare's tales, therefore without a doubt, I can say that the plot of each of Shakespeare's plays I have read is wonderfully entertaining and easy to understand. In addition, it always captivates your curiosity and you can't stop asking yourself "What's next?" or " Will good win over evil?"
This would be an ideal book for people who are passionate about classical fiction and specifically Shakespeare.

[Andre Piucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

"(...) with a deal of such professing stuff, which is easy to counterfeit where there is no real love, only a few fine words delivered with confidence being wanted in that case."

[Moh. Nasiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories based on Shekspear's great plays: The winter's tale , King lear , Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello and Taming of The Shrew simlified in 80 pages good for new English learners.

[Lavie_estbizarre · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[M Reza Moharreri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main purpose of the Lamb family to writing this book is simplifying Shakespeare's complicated tale-form stories into plain text so that children and students can understand. But it seemed to me that they have cut some crucial parts of stories without which the story doesn't have a heart. This problem mostly occurred at the last part or the last paragraphs of the story.

[Marwa Ahmad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that King Lear & Othello will be the most memorable stories because they end up with such a tragic events. I have concerns regarding "The Taming of Shrew".

[So Na · Rating 3 out of 5]

British English (1day) 5 Upper intermediate (2300words) /Classics/

[Norhan Gamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

[Anya Tiann Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well...... I need thus book for I'm going into my first year of High School

[Salma Alya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a simpler way to read Shakespeare's amazing plays. This book tell some popular plays such like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Othello

[Wasi Rizvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the huge number of modern adaptations, I see a tonne of ideas for new modern stories in this book of concise ideas by the bard. No idea if I will ever execute my ideas though.

[Ibrahim Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good to know a brief about Shakespeare stories but it was kind of short that all the plays felt the same; revolving around love, treason and kings' lives!

[Ashutosh Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤

[Ahmed Elsayed]

s

[Ritamia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it . I always wanted to read more about Shakespeare novels like Helmet and king Lear and ect... So i really enjoyed it so much. can't wait to read more about his novels.

[Gabriela Escalera · Rating 3 out of 5]

My English teacher gave me like a homework, I really didn't understand, I think that like a A2 it's hard English

[Yasmeen Abdelghany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a single happy ending but somehow I still like these stories.

[Hala SAFFORI · Rating 5 out of 5]

this collection includes stories based on same of shakespeare graetest plays
actaully i Especially meet some of this most famous characters in book like Romeo and juliet
and i was enjoying in every second and in evering time that i was reading this books
and i hope everybody to read it

[Huda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to improve your english language, so easy so clear.

[Ahmed Tharwat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I studied some of this series at the preparatory school.

[Enas Ahmed]

I studied it in preparatory school

[Omar El-Shamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

هذا الكتاب درسته في اعدادى كمستوى رفيع وهو ماحببنى في الروايات بشكل كبير

[Yousra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Studied at School

[Mahmoud · Rating 2 out of 5]

الترجمة سيئة جدا

[Mostafa Khalifa · Rating 4 out of 5]

كفاك ان تقول انك تقرأ لشكسبير
برنس

[Antariksa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This served for me as a good introduction to Shakespeare's plays. I can now watch the plays with more understanding.

[Yasmine Ra'fat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

[Ghadah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absulotly amazing ..
I really enjoyed it and I don't feel like I'm in the stage of judging it but this book simplifies Shakespeare works perfectly especially for English beginners .