Lamb, William

Tales from Shakespeare: Children's Classics
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Sweet short stories
  • A great work of literature in it's own right
  • Great intro for kids
  • A Treasure Book
  • Read it as a child and now use it as a professor
Tales from Shakespeare: Children's Classics
Charles Lamb , and Mary Lamb
Manufacturer: Children's Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0517205742
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Book Description

In the twenty tales told in this book, Charles & Mary Lamb succeeded in paraphrasing the language of truly adult literature in children’s terms. Let us not underestimate young readers: they love a complex story with many and varied characters, twists of plot, and turns of fate as much as anyone — but they draw the line at reading in unfamiliar language. The Lambs provide a real feast of plain fare, and flavor it with as many tasty tidbits of Shakespearean language as they felt the young reader could easily digest. This deluxe Children’s Classic edition is produced with high-quality, leatherlike binding with gold stamping, full-color covers, colored endpapers with a book nameplate. Some of the other titles in this series include: Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, King Arthur and His Knights, Little Women, and Treasure Island.

Download Description

Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales retell Shakespeare's 37 plays in prose.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Sweet short stories.......2007-03-02

Obviously, if you're an older reader well accustomed to the world of Shakespeare, this is NOT the book for you. These are "children" versions of Shakespeare plays. They're short, sweet, and a little simple, obviously. While they still have the same mature content as the plays, it feels more toned down.

You've got it all, really. Whatever Shakespeare play you love, you'll find it here, from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to "Macbeth" and through "Hamlet". The stories are obviously the same, but the style is different. They feel a little like fairy tales, which is kind of the point. Children's stories, but of some of the greatest classics of all time.

These stories are fun to read, but don't think they're superb literature. They are a good way to spend an afternoon, but for older readers, the plays are still the way to go. This is better for older children and preteens who aren't quite ready to read Shakespeare himself, but can understand the stories themselves. I recommend it, but don't expect something incredible.

5 out of 5 stars A great work of literature in it's own right.......2006-11-15

In this volume Charles and Mary Lamb turned 20 of Shakespeare's best loved plays into narratives for children , and it is a work of art in itself.
Written in 1807 , the stories are still easily readable and enjoyable 200 years later.
It is the ideal companion for one who finds Shakespeare hard to follow in the cold print of the play scripts but would like an easy and gentle introduction to his plays.
These stories are today read not only because they are an introduction to Shakespeare but they are the works of Charles Lamb and his sister.
The easy flow of Tales , the unity of style throughout , narrative sliding naturally into dialogue and dialogue into narrative , shows what talented authors the Lambs where.
Sub-plots and subsidiary inicidents and characters which give richness and variety to the plays on stage can confuse and mar the narratvies.

Thus they are often left out in the narratvies , leading a Shakespeare afficionado to perhaps be alarmed that the antics of Malvolio and the wit and pranks of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek are left out of the Lamb narrative of Twelfth Night.
But if they where included they would have confused an already complicated story , one of mistaken indentity and familiar absurdity.

Charles Lamb gives his own ideas as to the sanity or lack thereof of Hamlet and often at the end of the comedies Mary Lamb writes of the characters living happily ever after , giving a longer time frame to the narratives than exisited in the plays.
This fresh infusion of the Lamb's own ideas and wisdom , made this a greater work than had they been mere critiques or precis of the plays themselves.

5 out of 5 stars Great intro for kids.......2005-06-21

When I first began homeschooling my children I came across this book. Since we were to soon see a high school production of Midsummer's Night Dream I read the Lamb version aloud to them before seeing the performance. The results were amazing. My children had no previous exposure to Shakespeare. The Lamb's ability to retain some of Shakespeare's original language greatly enhanced their comprehension. They loved the story and we able to follow the play with ease, laughing and clearly enjoying themselves much to the frustration of some nearby adults who were completely lost. This book helped begin their love affair with Sir William. I am of the opinion reading a well summarized version of his plays and then watching a well done performance will make any child appreciate the genius that is Shakespeare's work.

5 out of 5 stars A Treasure Book.......2005-05-21

If you want to learn as a novice the tales of Shakespeare, then this is the book to read. A children's novel of his famous plays. Now to the English Shakespearean scholar this would seem like Shakespeare for dummies, but I would only partially agree. This is a great book to be introduced and gives a general framework before reading him. Even after reading this, its not an easy task trying to read Elizabethan English, which even the experts argue on some of the terms and expressions used. And so, this book lets you understand and I find its written rather well in Charles and Mary Lambs authorship.

After reading this book, which also make good for second, third and fourth readings, I found it much easier to absorb a recent bio on Shakespeare which was very enlightening, Will of the World by Stephen Greenblatt and also other books which attempt explanatory meanings of Elizabethan English to his plays and sonnets. Now you know what the plays are about and go from there. This is a great book, I treasure it.

5 out of 5 stars Read it as a child and now use it as a professor.......2005-01-13

I remember my father giving me this book when I was young. He was a junior high school english teacher and used this book in class. Together we read the stories and I loved them. Now I am a college professor and use the book in class myself. While some of the summaries are "dated," they are still useful in communicating the basic action of the play to students and the very fact that they are "dated" allows the book to serve as an illustration of how interpretations of Shakespeare's plays have changed since the Lambs' time.

I recommend this book heartily.
Romeo and Juliet (Cliffs Complete)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Full text + helpful information
Romeo and Juliet (Cliffs Complete)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764585746

Book Description

In the CliffsComplete guides, the novel's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.

CliffsComplete Romeo & Juliet offers insight and information into a work that's rich both dramatically and thematically. Every generation since Shakespeare's time has been able to identify with some romantic or thematic aspect of the play.

Discover what happens to these famous, star-crossed lovers and what causes the family feud between the Montagues and Capulets — and save valuable studying time — all at once. Enhance your reading of Romeo & Juliet with these additional features: <ul>

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    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Full text + helpful information.......2005-10-11

    I have to say that the information given in this book was definitely helpful. I liked how they summarized the following scene at the beginning of the scene and had commentary on the scene at the end. The commentary is definitly helpful, although it could be a little bit more in depth in places. It is particularly helpful how they define terms in the margins that may be unfamiliar to readers.

    Most of the information in the introduction/bio of Shakespere/etc. wasn't new to me and it seems pretty similar to the introduction in their other books, but it is still helpful for review and to readers who are unfamiliar with this information.

    Definitly recommended. Excellent study tool.
    Macbeth (Cliffs Complete)
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Cliffscomplete Macbeth is great for school reports
    • This is good but the DVD is better
    • its great
    Macbeth (Cliffs Complete)
    William Shakespeare
    Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 076458572X

    Book Description

    In the CliffsComplete guides, the novel's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.

    CliffsComplete Othello makes you familiar with one of the most staged of all of Shakespeare's plays. Othello is a tale of love and betrayal, secrets, passion, and intrigue. Psychology and wit pit strength and virtue against jealousy and evil agendas. The results leave no winners, only tragedy in the lives of the jealous Moor, Othello, and his wife, Desdemona.

    Enhance your reading of Othello and save valuable studying time — all at once — with CliffsComplete Othello. Additional features include: <ul>

  • A summary and insightful commentary for each scene
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    Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Cliffscomplete Macbeth is great for school reports.......2002-10-14

    I read the play with this book and was able to understand it because of the commentaries. It was very helpful for writing a great thesis paper. It identifies reoccuring themes throughout the book to assist in writing reports of thesis papers. I would recommend this to anybody who is doing a report or just want to read the play and understand it all.

    3 out of 5 stars This is good but the DVD is better.......2002-04-05

    There is an even better DVD for this play that has all the same sort of stuff that this has and a performance. Check it out. It's easy to understand the play because they explain it in modern english and there's this thing that lets you look up words while you're watching the DVD. You can get it here at Amazon. It's the one directed by J. Bretton Truett and EJ Kerwin. I bought it and these Cliff's Notes and the DVD had way better stuff and it was easier to use when I was studying for a test for this play.

    5 out of 5 stars its great.......2000-07-22

    Cool! I wanted to be first!
    The Secrets of Your Rising Sign: The Astrological Key to Getting What You Want
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Spot on!
    • Secrets of Your Rising Sign
    • Book Compliments other Astrology Books
    • Excellent Reading - 2 Thunbs Up
    • Excellent Book
    The Secrets of Your Rising Sign: The Astrological Key to Getting What You Want
    William Lamb
    Manufacturer: Fair Winds Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 159233038X

    Book Description

    While most astrology books focus on sun signs only, the most obvious things about us -- our personality and physical type -- are mostly determined by the zodiac sign on the eastern horizon at the precise moment of birth. This sign is referred to as our "rising sign". Whereas the sun sign represents the ego expression, the rising sign signifies physical type and personality, which are the tools we use to get what we want. This book guides readers toward an accurate assessment of their rising signs, and then shows how, in conjunction with one's sun sign, understanding the meaning of the rising sign will enable you to get what you want out of life.

    It's an astrology book with a promise, and it has a unique focus.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Spot on!.......2007-02-11

    I was amazed at the accuracy of the integration of both my sun sign and rising sign reading provided in this book. At last, certain things now make sense to me! I just wished that he could have provided greater detail in the integration chapter. Kudos to the author.

    5 out of 5 stars Secrets of Your Rising Sign.......2005-07-25

    The author is very knowledgable in his field of study. The book is extremely insightful and a good read. I strongly recommend The Secrets of Your Rising Sign: The Astrological Key to Getting What You Want.

    3 out of 5 stars Book Compliments other Astrology Books.......2005-01-26

    This book is a good compliment to any Astrology library, but don't waste your time or money on this author's personalized "readings". He provided very little, if any, insight and then this author blamed the caller for the author's vague personalized consultation.

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent Reading - 2 Thunbs Up.......2004-07-10

    Very easy to understand with amazing accuracy.Makes a very nice conversation piece, I've amazed my friends.

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent Book.......2004-05-10

    I too, ordered this book after hearing William Lamb on the radio.And after seeing his website, I called him for a personal reading.I could not belive what i was hearing! He told me about everything that was going on in my life.What a help and inspiration it was.I have told all my friends and family about this man.He is GOD-LIKE!
    King Lear (Cliffs Complete)
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Very good
    King Lear (Cliffs Complete)
    William Shakespeare
    Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
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    ASIN: 0764585711

    Book Description

    In the CliffsComplete guides, the play's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.

    In this tragic play, Lear, a ruler in pre-Christian Britain, is described as a "very foolish old man." Grossly misjudging his daughters, he endures a harrowing experience and emerges as a man "more sinned against than sinning." This most tragic of Shakespearean plays speaks to us repeatedly about fate and chance, destiny and the gods. But we also are reminded that humanity has free will — and King Lear's choices lead to madness.

    Enhance your reading of King Lear and save valuable studying time — all at once — with CliffsComplete King Lear. Studying is easier with features that include <ul>

  • Shakespeare's original play
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    Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Very good.......2004-01-27

    I really think this version is clear and useful to students discovering Lear for the first time. For advanced Lear information, one would be wise to look elsewhere.
    King Henry IV, Part 1 (Cliffs Complete)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Awesome study tool!
    King Henry IV, Part 1 (Cliffs Complete)
    William Shakespeare
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    ASIN: 0764585703

    Book Description

    In the CliffsComplete guides, the novel's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.

    CliffsComplete King Henry IV, Part 1 follows the play's alternating comic and serious scenes as a young prince rebels against his father, who happens to be king, until he must go to the king's aid to stamp out the rebellion of nobles.  

    Discover a story of self-sacrifice and meet one of the theatre's most enduring comic characters, Falstaff — and save valuable studying time — all at once. Enhance your reading of King Henry IV with these additional features: <ul>

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    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Awesome study tool!.......2004-08-04

    For my International Baccalaureate high school degree, I had to read King Henry IV for my English class. At first, I couldn't make head or tail of what was happening, but after buying this book all the meanings and symbolism came to me. I began to enjoy King Henry IV, and enjoyed it so much that I even went on to read The Merchant of Venice!

    This book provides the play script in Shakespearean english, but provides a running dictionary beside the text in order to provide the meanings of all those old words and phrases. At the end of each scene, a summary of the plot, its importance, and a general commentary is provided. The easy to read text is a bonus.
    Othello (Cliffs Complete)
    Average customer rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    • CliffsComplete Othello
    Othello (Cliffs Complete)
    William Shakespeare
    Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
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    ASIN: 0764585738

    Book Description

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    Enhance your reading of Othello and save valuable studying time — all at once — with CliffsComplete Othello. Additional features include:

    <ul type="disc">

  • A summary and insightful commentary for each scene
  • Bibliography and historical background on the playwright, William Shakespeare
  • A look at the historical context and structure of the play
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    Customer Reviews:

    1 out of 5 stars CliffsComplete Othello.......2004-07-20

    Save your money. This study edition of Shakespeare's Othello is attractively laid out, with footnotes in the margins and helpful-looking commentary, but closer inspection reveals sloppy writing with many typos, misplaced modifiers, and (most importantly) serious misinterpretations of the play. Author Kate Maurer clearly needed a good editor, and did not get one. I wanted to throw my copy across the room!

    Shakespeare deserves better and so do you. Skip this shoddy piece of work and find a better study edition for your Othello studies.
    Tales from Shakespeare By Charles and Mary Lamb
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Tales from Shakespeare By Charles and Mary Lamb
      WIlliam, Lamb, Charles and Mary, Rolfe, William J. (Editor) Shakespeare
      Manufacturer: American Book Company
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000GWHPXM
      The Merchant of Venice (Cliffs Complete)
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • The unplayable play
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      The Merchant of Venice (Cliffs Complete)
      William Shakespeare
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      ASIN: 0764585754

      Book Description

      In the CliffsComplete guides, the novel's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.

      CliffsComplete The Merchant of Venice offers insight and information into a work that's rich both dramatically and thematically. Every generation since Shakespeare's time has been able to identify with some thematic aspect of the play.

      Discover what happens to a young merchant who cannot repay a debt to a vindictive money lender; meet the menacing Shylock, one of the most vivid and memorable characters in Shakespeare's works — and save valuable studying time — all at once. Enhance your reading of The Merchant of Venice with these additional features: <ul>

    • A summary and insightful commentary for each act
    • Bibliography and historical background on the author, William Shakespeare
    • A look at Early Modern English intellect, religion, politics, and society
    • Coverage of Shakespeare's source and the play's performance history
    • A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
    • Review questions, a quiz, discussion guide, and activity ideas
    • A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Web sites </ul>

      Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars The unplayable play.......2007-01-21

      As Harold Bloom says, this has become an unplayable play after the Holocaust. This is only an additional reason why one should read it. The play is fantastic and gives us one of Shakespeare's most memorable characters: Shylock. Whether you see him as villain or victim, Shylock is unforgettable. As is his speech defending the Jewish.

      5 out of 5 stars Shakespeare's Comedy/Tragedy of Marriage and its Interrelationships.......2006-03-22

      The New Folger Library of Shakespeare's Tragedies and Comedies are among the best pocket editions available for the student and the journeyman lover of the Bard.

      Before the actual text of the play which is wisely presented on the right hand page with explanatory notes (metaphors, allusions, similes, etc.) facing on the left hand page (words and phrases are defined by scholars based on their usage during Shakespeare's time; if scholars are inconclusive as to meaning, the word `uncertain' is used to connote this disagreement), the usual `Reading Shakespeare's Language', `Shakespeare's Life', `Shakespeare's Theatre', `Publication of Shakespeare's Plays' and `Introduction to the Text' introduce the reader to the Shakespearean world. Following the text, an essay by Alexander Leggatt follows illuminating `The Merchant of Venice' for the modern reader. In addition, an eleven page `Further Reading' list pinpoints books and essays on topics like the play itself, Shakespeare, the time in which he lived and the Globe Theatre. Rounding out the vital information is a three page "Key to Famous Lines and Phrases" complete with speaker and verse notation.

      As far as the play itself, I will keep my remarks limited, saying only that for the modern audience, Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" borders on the provocative. All with politically correct upbringing or today's cultural sensitivity training cannot help but focus on the reigning prejudice of the early Medieval and Renaissance time period, namely the exclusion of Jews from all forms of normal life since mainstream thought withheld that this race was primarily responsible for Christ's crucifixion.

      Indeed, today's reader will pose the question as to whether or not this play should be deemed more tragedy than comedy and must remember that as a comedy, "The Merchant of Venice" focuses on marriage, couples (Bassanio/Portia, Lorenzo/Jessica, Gratiano/Nerissa) and their emotional and financial interrelationships and uses sly humor and innuendo to poke fun at Venice's societal `outsiders'(Shylock, Morocco, Aragorn and in a lesser sense Antonio) who do not form a Shakespearean couple per se. Looked at from this perspective, the character of Shylock becomes simply the play's foremost societal outcast, in spite of the famous speech where he asks seemingly so poignantly, "If you prick us, do we not bleed?"

      Bottom line: Shakespeare is Shakespeare. If your modern sensibilities are offended by Shakespeare's treatment of Shylock the Jew, the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Aragorn and question the unhappy and solitary Antonio's intense feelings for Bassanio, simply keep in mind that the world at that time looked at such things differently. Within the definition of comedy, this play with its multitude of lovely speeches and images works well indeed. The New Folger Library edition simply makes the play more easily accessible and understood on the various levels of language and scholarship. I recommend this series wholeheartedly.

      Diana F. Von Behren
      "reneofc"

      5 out of 5 stars Context is the king of this comedy!.......2006-03-15

      THE MERCHANT OF VENICE can be described as a tragedy only if one follows the modern definition of "tragedy" and not the Greek. The genre of tragedy in which Shakespeare wrote required that all of the players, or at least all of the main players, die at the end, à la ROMEO AND JULIET, JULIUS CAESAR, MACBETH, and HAMLET. In fact, MERCHANT OF VENICE can only be described as a tragedy if Shylock is seen as the main character and not Antonio. (Note, in the list of players at the beginning of the play, only Antonio is called a "merchant of Venice".) In sum, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE can only be described as a tragedy if it is completely removed from its historical context.

      Shakespeare intended that the actions taken by Antonio, by Shylock, by Bassanio, and even by Portia be seen as comically extreme. Antonio goes to the lengths of seeking help from a man he despises to help a man he loves. Shylock demands nothing but justice, even when the demands of the agreement he made is met and even doubled. Everywhere in this play is there action taken to the extreme.

      Only a refusal to acknowledge the historical context would be blind to the comedy. There are stage plays, television shows, and screenplays aplenty which follow the example set forth in MERCHANT OF VENICE, showing how comical people can be when their actions are taken to the extreme. If MERCHANT OF VENICE can be view in THIS context, then the comedy shines through.

      As a writer, I find it comical that anyone would use MERCHANT OF VENICE to point the finger of "racism" at Shakespeare. Part of a writer's challenge is to present convincingly views even he or she disagrees with. The best writer would try to dismantle and disprove the very beliefs he or she holds dear. That Shakespeare has often been judged a racist based on his portrayal of Shylock serves only as testimony to the continuing success of this play. Shylock's speech, complimented by another reviewer, is ample proof that Shakespeare's own views are well hid. Shylock's speech demonstrates magnificently that Shakespeare was able to get inside the head of any man (or woman) in his stories and write the words which that man would speak, faithfully render the thoughts which that man would think, have that man act as only that man would act, and all of it be believable. Simply put, unless you knew beforehand a writer's views on any subject, it would be difficult to find the needle of truth in his or her haystack of fiction if that writer has done their job well, and in this case Shakespeare was damned near flawless!

      It is true that the movie, starring Al Pacino, does not present this play as a comedy, but that hardly detracts from its excellence. It shows, in fact, that MERCHANT OF VENICE plays well as both a drama and a comedy. In our age, however, given the importance of religious tolerance, I'll admit that it is probably best played as a drama.

      As for the Pelican series of Shakespeare's plays, they are an excellent resource for anyone wanting to read and study the Bard's work. I've several volumes in this series and hope to eventually own them all. Each volume contains two identical essays, "The Theatrical World" (which provides a good understanding of the historical context, as well as an idea of just how much we know about Shakespeare as an individual) and "The Texts of Shakespeare" (which gives more historical context and also discusses some of the difficulties which editors have experienced in presenting these plays in print to modern audiences). There is then an introduction to each play, which is best left unread until afterwards if you aren't familiar with the play. The footnotes are few, but well-chosen, and do help in understanding words and phrases whose meanings have changed over the centuries.

      5 out of 5 stars Reversing our point of view toward the 'Justice'.......2005-12-16

      Anti-festive character who is Shylock on this play sacrificed unjustly. Shylock is a character who is legally invoking his rights as a money-lender among the community which experiencing transition from agriculture society to capitalistic society. Moroever, the character Portia's defending Bassanio as an disguised attorney is unreasonable in some ways and speech is crude, indeed.
      In my opinion, to reach the axiomatically righteous conclusion, we should reverse pur point of view toward the 'Justice'. It is a transformation of way of our thinking. Therefore, I recommend rhis masterpiece for someone who aspire to ponder about our human being's viewpoint.

      5 out of 5 stars Time has made Merchant into a tragedy.......2005-12-06

      Shylock is the only sympathetic character in the play. Modernity has altered the villain in "The Merchant of Venice" from Shylock to the entire cast of characters EXCEPT for Shylock. Any sense of comedy in the play died for those with a sense of religious tolerance, and Shylock comes off as merely oppressed. I found Act 5 almost nauseating after the forced conversion. That, coupled with the happy racism makes a perversion of decency and happy endings. This play is a tragedy. The recent movie version done starring Al Pacino turned it into a tragedy, and amazingly, a play written as a comedy seems to work very well as a tragedy.

      Antonio gladly spits upon Shylock and calls him a dog, but stunningly, when Antonio finds himself in a financial pinch he goes to Shylock for money. More brash is Antonio's promise to act the same in the future: "I am as like to call thee so again, / To spet on thee again, to spurn thee, too." (1.3.127-28) From this point on, sympathy for Antonio is paralyzed in a modern reader's mind, from reminders of past images, from slavery and anti-Semitism, where the dehumanizing of a group of people is accepted by a society. The entire text afterward reads like an indictment of humanity, as if Shakespeare is making the Elizabethans laugh at their own behavior.

      In perhaps the best argument in Shylock's defense in the trial, he point out the fact that those who speak of mercy own slaves. "What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? / You have among you many a purchased slave." (4.1.89-90) Shylock, as fanatical as he is over the pound of flesh, is asking for only a pound of a man, when the slaveholders own the entire person. The play is littered with prejudiced remarks that clearly show how animalistic Shylock was to them.

      Every conversation involving Shylock has ridicule from the Christians, without remorse or a feeling of comedy. The Christian children are taught to mock Shylock, they run after him in the street. The merchants spit on him, the Duke reviles him, his daughter renounces her religion and robs him.

      Still an amazing story, with a few of the best on mercy and prejudice ever written.
      Born to Win: The Authorized Biography of Althea Gibson
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Born to Win: The Authorized Biography of Althea Gibson
        Frances Clayton Gray , and Yanick Rice Lamb
        Manufacturer: Wiley
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

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        ASIN: 0471471658

        Book Description

        On Althea Gibson, America's first African American tennis champion:

        "I am grateful to Althea Gibson for having the strength and courage to break through the racial barriers in tennis. She knocked down walls that gave us more freedom to concentrate on the game. . . . Althea's accomplishments set the stage for my success, but she also made a difference for people of all backgrounds in all areas. Through beneficiaries like me, Serena, and many others to come, her legacy will live on."<BR> -Venus Williams

        "She just meant so much to me. I've always felt connected to her and thankful and grateful for what she's done for people of color and me."<BR> -Billie Jean King

        "Althea built many bridges over her seventy-six years on this earth to ease our crossing. . . . She fought the good fight, she finished her course, she kept her faith, and she can rest-game, set, and match."<BR> -David Dinkins<BR> former mayor of New York City

        "It was the quiet dignity with which Althea carried herself during the turbulent days of the 1950s that was truly remarkable. . . . When she began playing, less than five percent of tennis newcomers were minorities. Today, some thirty percent are minorities, two-thirds of whom are African American. This is her legacy."<BR> -Alan Schwartz<BR> President, U.S. Tennis Association

        British Prime Ministers:

        1. Lloyd George, David
        2. MacDonald, James Ramsay
        3. Macmillan, Harold
        4. Major, John
        5. North, Frederick
        6. Palmerston, Henry John Temple
        7. Peel, Sir Robert
        8. Pelham, Henry
        9. Pelham Holles, Thomas
        10. Perceval, Spencer

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