William Shakespeare Books

I do not know Shakespeare's comedies very well. Yet I do understand that they are remarkable in their presentation of the passions of youth and love, in their expression of the lighter sides , and the happier ones of human life. I know that they often involve multiple plots, mistaken identities, star- crossed lovers, or lovers who are somehow interfered with by scheming elders. They often have multiple plot strands. I know that they may link high and low society, may have in them much which brings about laughter, and that they usually have a happy ending of some kind in which order is brought out of disorder- often their end is a wedding.
I believe I myself have never really gotten the spirit of Shakespearean comedy perhaps because even though I read them when I was chronologically young, I was never truly young in spirit.
I nonetheless could appreciate the depth and beauty of the language of the plays.
The plays have given generations upon generations of humanity, pleasure and delight. And I believe that most readers will find this is their experience also.

This is a fairly good book. I like the way how this book is organized. It feels like an old book, and it is wonderful reading those tiny typed words. However, I give this book only four stars because it is sometimes very hard to follow the next line. I mean, if you read this book for too long then it can give you an eyestrain. Also there's no expository comments to help you. Other than that, this is a great book for those who love William Shakespeare's works.

I love all Shakespeare's work, and it was wonderful to have all the comedies in one volume. It does allow for character development of some of Shakespeare's recurrent characters. My favourite one of these is Falstaff, and he appears in a number of these comedies. The book that I read had all fourteen comedies in it. I have read each one of these at different times, and some more than once, but I sat down and had a Shakespeare comedy fest when I bought this volume. I love all Shakespeare's work, and a collected version of all his works would certainly be on my "desert island book list", and the comedies are my second favourite genre of the three that he used for his plays. I will do individual reviews of three of my favourite comedic plays, but I enjoy them all very much. My three favourites (and believe me, it's hard to pick three) are "The Comedy of Errors", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Merry Wives of Windsor". Each one of his many plays have numerous wonderful quotes that are still used and recognized today. I personally feel that a reader can't love great literature if that reader does not love Shakespeare too.

We all know about Shakespeare, so a review of his writing is not required. However, I would like to say that the Everyman's Library series are worth getting. Unlike omnibus editions (such as the Riverside Shakespeare), these are actually portable so you don't need a table to hold them up while you are reading. The Everyman's Library series have good hardbindings, are conveniently sized to carry around, and have illuminating and extensive introductions. The typeface used is old, but the letters are large and easily readable (something that is a concern with some other editions).

Comedies, Volume 1 contains: The Comedy of Errors; The Taming of the Shrew; The Two Gentlemen of Verona; Love's Labor's Lost; Romeo and Juliet; A Midsummer Night's Dream

It all comes down to punctuation now. For a book to be this old and still be the best in my mind is great and also pathetic that all the newer texts out there have strayed away from such a clear edition of his complete works. I wish it were possible to get them to start re-printing this as my copy is a little old with some water damage. It's still the copy I run to though when I need to clarify a line, or some misleading punctuation, when working on a play.

If you can't get this one, try the older versions of the Pelican...I seem to be seeing a trend here. What's up with modern editors screwing up Shakespeare?!

Coming across old treasures like The Complete Signet Classic Shakespeare is always a welcome surprise. That there are a plethora of options for would be readers of Shakespeare is made completely evident by a mere search through Amazon's offered collection. I myself searched for nearly an hour, cross-comparing reviews and prices as I searched for an edition which would be both price friendly and complete. Between my own experience with reading Shakespeare, and the reviews across which I came on Amazon, I knew what I did not want in a text. I did not want a text which had merely reproduced an older typesetting, as these tend to employ fonts that are difficult to read. I did not want a text which was prone to abbreviate the names of dramatis personae, as the transformation of Hamlet to mere "Ham." and Julius Caesar to "Caes." is both hard on the eyes and demeaning to the characters. Further, I wished to avoid the tiny print and the more-than-tissue-thin paper which more modern editions seem to impose upon readers in the attempt to maximize profits and reduce costs. Finally, I wanted to find a collection of all of Shakespeare's writings which were companioned with essays that not only related and placed the text for the reader, but also did not attempt to push modern and controversial interpretations onto readers in exchange for the more time-warn and constructive insights which best fuel one's own ability to understand and appreciate Shakespeare.

In The Complete Signet Classic Shakespeare, I found all of this and much more. The accompanying essays which precede the plays and poems are informative, but not overbearing in their attempt to either politicize or indoctrinate. Further, the somewhat lengthy but well received introduction explains, not only the history of Elizabethan drama, but Shakespeare and everything in his world. Apt use of contemporary sources are also employed, as well as the plays themselves, to drive home the author's points.

The editing is also well done, with handy glosses present at the bottom of every page. These do an exceptional job of giving the meaning of words and phrases which could throw off the novice reader of Early Modern English. Though not in this position myself, the glosses still manage to give insightful clarifications for grammar idiosyncrasies and other such things. Further, the editors also explain deviations between folio and quarto.

On the hole this is an exemplary edition and it is a shame that it does not seem to be in print at the moment, as I find it comparable or even superior to the current Shakespeare collections for which a myriad of university students are forced to pay hefty sums. For those who have professors open to other editions, or for those who wish only to have a standing copy of the complete works of English's greatest and most influential writer, this is worth picking up second hand.

When you go to a bookstore to buy a good one volume edition of Shakespeare's works, you will certainly find a wide range of choices. Most people who buy one edition do so because it is that edition only that their literature professor demands. However, before you buy consider what you will need in that one edition: (a) Does it include every word Shakespeare ever wrote? Some do not. (b) Are the character's names spelled out each time? Abbreviations can be confusing. (c) Does each play contain a coherent and insightful introduction? Again some do not. (d) Are there helpful side or bottom notes? (e) Do the editors include a wide range of explanatory essays including his biography, his Globe Theater, his fellow actors, the contemporary dramatic background, his writing style, his usage of English, the intellectual background, and separate overviews of his tragedies, his comedies, and his histories? Part of the problem that students have in reading and understanding Shakespeare is that they do not see the connecting but subtle links from play to play. THE COMPLETE SIGNET SHAKESPEARE, edited by Sylvan Barnet, does all this and more. To take just one play as example, consider 'Julius Caesar.' The contributing editors, William and Barbara Rosen, write eloquently not only of the themes and ideas of the play, but they manage to connect how the audience of Shakespeare's day saw the action on stage. Without this background, then the reasons behind Anthony's ability to stir up his listener's at Caesar's funeral to a killing frenzy go unnoticed. There are more recent editions than this one (1972), but new does not mean better. This one improves with age.

This was the text we had... and I remember how beautiful it felt just carrying it to class. Very nice reading too, better than the Riverside edition that has "replaced" it in schools. I had to trade it in, but finding it years later was like being 20 years old again, and learning what I knew all along ~ Shakespeare is easy to read, and this book makes it a pleasure as well. Get a copy and carry it everywhere with you for a few months, you'll be glad you did.

I have so many volumes of the Complete Works of Shakespeare that I can speak from experience. I picked this up used for about 10 bucks and put it aside as my new and shining copies of Riverside and Arden arrived. I took my Signet to work, flipping it open from time to time, using it as a reference and for casual reading of essays and re-reading the plays. You know what? I LOVE this volume. Better than even my previous favorite, Riverside, with all of the nice photos and plates and slipcased double volume leather covers that Signet lacks!

Signet is handy, not overly large or too hard to drag around, the essays are sharp and relevent to my reading. Full names used throughout (unlike Riverside)! No more "Ham." or "Jul." - It has no visual frills, but the substance is there. I used the signet paperbacks in high school and never appreciated them (quality was rather poor - bad paper, weak spines, etc.) but THIS volume... I'd want to be buried with it.

After finding many purple highlighted pages in Midsummer Night's Dream alone of this voulme I screamed in dismay and went all over the internet looking for a replacement "clean" copy, which I just finished ordering here at the Amazon Marketplace for nearly triple my origal cost! But SO WHAT? This is a wonderful book and worth the investment. When it comes, I'll mark it up myself, perhaps, but not with a purple marker. My first copy will stay with me at my desk, at work.

I am not one for Shakespeare and I had my reservations before beginning the journey into The Devil's Bride, however Joan Silsby provides colorful imagery and true emotional sustenance to this reserved readers skeptical eye. Every moment of this masterpiece carried the descriptive details of a master writer and creator of worlds. I found myself laughing out loud, shedding genuine tears of sorrow and joy, gasping with surprise and following her words feverishly right until the end... as all great reads, I hoped it never to end, but alas. One can only hope for a sequel to the sequel. I highly recommend this novel wholeheartedly to any and all who enjoy mayhem, mystery and romance. Hats off to Silsby for a most excellent adventure into the after world of Much Ado About Nothing.

I had my doubts when I picked up this book, but "Much Ado About Nothing" is one of my favorite works of Shakespeare. I was pleasantly surprised, so much I could not put it down until I reached the end. Ms. Silsby has done an excellent job capturing the heart of the original and expanding on Don John, the (...) Prince of Aragon. And the best part, this book is easy to read. The courtship between Don Jon and Lady Allegra is incredibly romantic. This is a great summer read, I highly recommend it.

"The Devil's Bride is a brilliant sequel to Much Ado About Nothing. With a solid grasp of the characters and the setting, the author answers all of the questions brought up from the first story. Don John is a villain out of place in Much Ado, but shines brightly as a character you can sympathize with, instead of just disliking. A sequel with substance that can only enhance its predecessor, Bride is an enjoyable combination of old school Shakespeare mixed with modern Silsby, which makes it easy to read even for those who don't 'get' Shakespeare. Everything that Ado should have been is here in Devil's Bride, and I enjoyed it immensely."

With such well-known material and characters one might be concerned about finding a badly attempted prose piece or a tepid rehash. Fear not gentle reader, this wonderful volume is neither. What Mr. Shakespeare started Ms. Silsby continues with wit, style and unusual clarity. When so much of today's works are chock full of useless filler "The Devils Bride" is detailed without being overblown and concise without being cold. How many of us have finished a great story and wondered what happened the day after. In this case it's the next week. We find the "evil" Don John in silent acceptance of his fate believing that he has caused the death of the lovely Hero. For anyone not familiar with the original tale Hero is not dead but married to her precious Claudio. Benedict has married the sharp-tongued Beatrice and alls well that ends well. And while Don John finds himself not sentenced to death for murder, justice must be had for his deceptions and cruelty. Our quick-witted Benedict administers the punishment and truly does it fit the crime. The author delves into the psyche of the original cast of characters. Examining the relationships between brothers, sisters, husbands and wives adding dimension and meat to people we thought we already knew. A fine desert to finish off the original "Much Ado" meal, I highly recommend this as a companion piece suitable for the most discerning Shakespeare fan. Delightful and endearing this is a novel that you can revisit time and again like an old friend.

What else could you expect!

There isn't much to say...its exactly what you should expect when ordering Shakespeare...seriously.

4 of his best i strongly recomend this group of storys.

Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth are Shakespeare's greatest works. These fantastic stories, coupled with strong footnotes, make for superb reading material. I would recommend this book to beginning and master Shakespeare readers.

Having a love of literature, and being an English Lit. major has given me the oportunity to read most of Shakespeare's works. Shakespeare's talent and genius has surely endured and his beautiful writings are essential to mankind not only in the classroom but throughout our lives. His tragedies speak the loudest to me, as they are charged with drama, emotion and memorable quotations. Having to choose a favorite book of all time I would say, "Othello." Yet Hamlet is my second favorite drama of Shakespeare's, and Macbeth also holds strong. I do not care for King Lear but having Shakespeare's 4 greatest and most popular tragedies in one book is a collection worth having.

I recommend Folger's editions for Shakespeare for people like me who love to read Shakespeare, but need a little help. The left page notations on the text are helpful and well-placed for easy reading.

William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is arguably the most famous play ever written in the English language; it presents the world with questions and characters that have been the subject of thespian and scholarly debate ever since the Prince of Denmark's first appearance on the stage of London's Globe Theatre. Probably written and first performed in 1601 (estimates vary between 1600 and 1602), the play draws on Saxo Grammaticus's late 12th/early 13th century chronicle "Gesta Danorum," which includes a popular legend with a similar plot centering around a prince named Amleth; as well as several more contemporaneous sources, primarily Francois de Belleforest's "Histoires Tragiques, Extraicts des Oeuvres Italiennes de Bandel" (1559-1580), which expands on the story told in the "Gesta Danorum," and a lost play known as the "Ur-Hamlet" (i.e., original "Hamlet"), sometimes also attributed to Shakespeare, but equally likely written by a different author a few decades earlier. Another work frequently cited in this context is 16th century playwright Thomas Kyd's "Spanish Tragedie."

Pursuant to Shakespeare's wishes and like all of his works, "Hamlet" was not immediately published, and the original manuscript did not survive. However, in the absence of copyright laws or other forms of protection of what today would be called the playwright's intellectual property rights, first bootleg copies (so-called quartos) based on transcripts made during or after performances began to appear in 1603. Yet, it would not be until 1623 - seven years after Shakespeare's 1616 death - that his former fellow actors John Hemmings and Henry Condell published 36 of his plays (including this one) in a collection known as the First Folio.

As no print version of any of Shakespeare's plays has a bona fide claim to its author's first-hand blessings, ever since the Bard's death the world is left with numerous questions about his characters' motivations and psychological makeup; first and foremost, in this particular case: who is this Prince of Denmark anyway, and what's driving him - is he a reluctant suicide or reluctant avenger? A Renaissance man? Wrecked by Freudian guilt? Genuinely mad, or merely putting on a clever act of deception? Or is he someone else entirely? - Indeed, we're even left in doubt as to what exactly it was that Shakespeare meant his characters to say, with all attendant interpretative consequences: Does the Prince wish for his "too too sullied" or his "too too solid" flesh to "melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew" in his first major soliloquy (Act I, Scene 2)? Does he really contemplate "the stamp of [that] one defect" which may fatally taint the perception of a man's other virtues, "be they as pure as grace," before meeting his father's ghost (I, 4)? Does Polonius, when sending Reynaldo on a spying mission after Laertes, refer to his scheme as "a fetch of wit" or "a fetch of warrant" (II, 1)? Do Hamlet's musings in "To be, or not to be" (III, 1) concern "enterprises of great pith and moment" or "of great pitch and moment," whose "currents turn awry and lose the name of action" by his doubts? Does or doesn't the sight of the Norwegian army while Hamlet is on his way to England (IV, 4) prompt him, who has so far failed to carry out his purpose, to reflect "How all occasions do inform against me," and conclude his soliloquy with the vow "from this time forth my thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth"?

How you answer any of these questions, and how you consequently view the play's characters, depends in no small part on the text you read. Like all Folger Shakespeare editions, this one is based on what the editors have deemed the "best early printed version," while allowing the reader a unique direct comparison of the principal reliable versions by including a text essentially combining these versions, with unobtrusive markers characterizing those passages appearing only in one particular version. For "Hamlet," the editors eschewed the play's very first (1603) quarto, which was possibly compiled by a journeyman actor and whose inconsistencies with all subsequent versions (textually as well as plot-wise and even regarding character names) have caused it to be generally considered a "bad" quarto, in favor of the 1604 Second Quarto, which some even believe to be based on Shakespeare's own first draft of the play and which, in any event, while more extensive than the 1623 First Folio (in turn, thought to be closest to the version(s) actually produced on the Globe Theatre stage), boasts about as secure a claim of authenticity as the latter. In some instances, the text follows the Second Quarto (Q2) without visually alerting the reader to the differences vis-a-vis the First Folio (F1), thus compelling those more used to the latter version to seek out the extensive end notes to reassure themselves that (in the examples given above) it might indeed be "solid flesh," "warrant," and "pith and moment" (F1) instead of "sullied flesh," "wit," and "pitch and moment" (Q2). In other instances, however, the First Folio's language (clearly marked as such) is given preference over that of the Second Quarto; while crucially, the text also includes all those passages *only* contained in the latter, including the "stamp of one defect" and "bloody thoughts" monologues, whose interpretation has such a direct bearing on many a reader's understanding of Hamlet's character.

The text is amplified by illustrations and annotations for those unfamiliar with 16th century English, scene-by-scene plot summaries, a short biography of Shakespeare, and introductory and concluding essays on this and the Bard's other plays and on Shakespearean theatre, as well as extensive suggestions for further reading, and a key to the play's most famous lines. While it is unlikely that after 400 years of debate any one version, be it in print, on stage or on screen, will be able to generate unanimous acceptance as the "definitive" rendition of this complex play, this is an excellent starting point for an in-depth excursion into the Prince of Denmark's world.

Also recommended:
The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
BBC Shakespeare Tragedies DVD Giftbox
Olivier's Shakespeare - Criterion Collection (Hamlet / Henry V / Richard III)
William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Grigori Kozintsev's Hamlet
Hamlet
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
Peter Brook's King Lear
Richard III
Julius Caesar

Centuries of audience recognize the brilliance of Shakespeare's Hamlet. This review treats the editing, printing, binding, appendices, et cetera - work done by Folger Shakespeare Library. Overall, a great product.

*** PRINTING & BINDING ***
This new 8.5 x 5.5-inch format is fantastic! Print is much sharper and bigger. Margins are much bigger - excellent paper quality. Binding/cover has a slight plastic laminate - more durable. Copyright 1992. (total weight: 18 ounces)
From 15 years, we still have a copy of the old 6.75 x 4-inch format - page for page identical content (same Copyright), but very cramped and hard to read - small fuzzy print - cheap coarse paper - tiny cramped margins - distracting.
The new 8.5 x 5.5-inch format is a tremendous pleasure.

*** APPENDICES ***
The essay by Michael Neill is also brilliant - "Hamlet: A Modern Perspective"

***** EDITING *****
Almost all of the editor's explanatory notes (on facing page) are helpful in finding the original meaning. However, in some cases they've missed it. These occasional blunders may betray a tinge of naive, academic reluctance to plunge in and fathom the depths of Hamlet's profound sadness, sarcasm and gloom.
exempli gratia :

Act 5, Scene 2, line 237-38
-- "Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is 't to leave betimes?"
Hamlet's meaning: Since no one knows when they'll die, what is it to die early?

The editors have an embarrassing note:
"237-38. 'of aught he leaves knows' : knows anything about what he leaves behind"

Act 3.2.38
-- "I hope we have reformed that indifferently with us, sir."
Meaning: ... reformed our performance segments which were only average or mediocre ...

The editors misfire:
"38. 'indifferently' : pretty well"

Note: The word "indifferent" appears again in three more scenes. In all cases the meaning is: ordinary, unexceptional, somewhat, uninspired, tolerable, undistinguished, passable, average, mediocre, so-so ...
[see Act 2.2.245 / Act 3.1.132 / Act 5.2.110]

This really is "The Tragical History of Hamlet Prince of Denmark" and not only the Prince but his family. Not only his family but his friends. Not only his friends but all though that came before him and is told to those that came after him.

You can take time to scrutinize and pick apart many underlying themes or may of the phrases that now challenge Bible sayings in today's sound bites. But the real fun is in just reading the story and you will find that it is not as foreign as you may have thought.

A quick synopsis is that Old Hamlet conquered Old Fortinbras seizing his land. Now that Old Hamlet is dead, Young Fortinbras wants his land back and is willing to take it by force. Meanwhile back in Dänemark Young Hamlet who is excessively grieving for the loss of his father, gets a now insight from his fathers ghost. Looks like he was a victim of a "murder most foul"; it looks like his mother and uncle were in cahoots on the murder.

The story is about what each person felt and acted or did not act upon the situation.

You will find many movies and perverted imitations of the story but nothing will replace the original scripts that were intended to be watched.

Okay, so I am reviewing Hamlet. Its good. Everyone should know that.
But more importantly, the character Hamlet is a microcosm of us all. Our potential for reluctance, revenge, soaring intellect, and noble actions. Shakespeare created in this character a person who transcends the play he is in and helps to create a realistic humanity in fiction that has rarely, if ever, been equaled. A good reader is a rereader and Hamlet should be reread after life intervals. This text keeps giving, and that is a marvelous gift!
As for the Pelican Shakespeare series, they are my favorite editions as the scholarly research is top notch and the editions themselves looks good as an aesthetic unit. It looks and feel like a play and this compliments the text's contents admirably. The Pelican series was recently reedited and has the latest scholarship on Shakespeare and his time period. Well priced and well worth it.

This really is "The Tragical History of Hamlet Prince of Denmark" and not only the Prince but his family. Not only his family but his friends. The tragedy started in the previous generation. Will it end with Hamlet?

Many people are interested in dissecting underlying themes and read more into the characters actions than was probably intended. Many of phrases from Hamlet now challenge Bible for those popular quotes that no one remembers where they came from. The real fun is in just reading the story and as you find that it is not as foreign as you may have thought; you see many characters like these around you today.

A synopsis, Old Hamlet conquered Old Fortinbras seizing Fortinbras' land. Now that Old Hamlet is dead, Young Fortinbras wants his land back and is willing to take it by force. Meanwhile back in Dänemark Prince Hamlet who is excessively grieving the loss of his father, the king, gets an interesting insight from his father's ghost. Looks like Old Hamlet was a victim of a "murder most foul"; it appears his mother and uncle were in cahoots on the murder. On top of that they even get married before the funeral meats are cold.

The story is about Hamlet's vacillating as to what to do about his father's murder. However he does surprise many with his persistence and insight.

You will find many great movie presentations and imitations of the story; this is an intriguing read but was really meant to be watched.

oh yeah. what the world needs is my opinion on "hamlet," by william shakespeare. seems that the jury is still out on whether this is a good book or not. well, here it is: my seal of approval. great stuff mr shakespeare. i hope that i helped your writing career with this review. you go, guy.

The Pelican Hamlet is an attractive, straightforward, inexpensive paperback edition for readers already familiar with Shakespeare. The text is based primarily on the second quarto edition with some additions from the Folio; a section at the beginning includes the lines from the Folio that were not incorporated in the text. (These include the "Denmark is a prison" remarks in Hamlet's conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.) The scholarly introductory matter is rather dry but provides the usual information about the theater in Shakespearian England, etc. Glosses are adequate for those who have read the Bard before. Less experienced readers may find them a little skimpy.

Like all the Arkangel Shakespeare, this production of "Julius Caesar" is great listening. I've listened to it many times and I never get tired of hearing it. I'd especially single out for praise the superb sound effects: the thunderstorm early in the play sounds so real you almost feel wet! Highly recommended.

These audio CDs were a valuable addition to my unit. Students were able to hear the text's tone, inflection, and nuances and then more accurately pattern their own oral readings after that of the professional actors on the CD. The CDs also aided students' comprehension. I used them with Acts 4 and 5, and next year I will play the key speeches in Act 3 for students before we engage in role play. Students read along in their texts while listening to the audio.

I have used this version in teaching Julius Caesar to sophomores in high school with great luck. The actual length of each scene shows on my computer (Windows Media Player), so I can plan lessons appropriately. The actors do an excellent job and my students enjoy listening as they follow along in the lit. texts. I whole-heartedly endorse this item.

High School English students never loved Julius Caesar, and the dated movie versions that our school owns don't help any. This recording brings the emotion of the story to life, and I think my sophomores secretly enjoyed it (but would die before they admitted it.)

Beautiful translation of one of my favorite mystic poets! Robert Bly's translation of Kabir allows us to experience this mystic poet in a personal way without losing any of the beauty of the poetry. Really enjoyed this book.

Indeed these poems are of such a depth that it is difficult to render their content. Let's say it's the Sufi tradition in full. Just glimpses of the Absolute Truth expressed in words. Let the power of the sound embrace your whole being. Excellent!

It's so hard to find WISDOM these days...
not "moral/ethical" wisdom, or "financial" wisdom,
but ECSTATIC WISDOM.
So few people are interested in the subject of
actually experiencing divine ecstasy...they're too
tied down by dogma, worship of imagery & robotic
ceremonies, etc. That's why this Kabir book by Mr. Bly
is so refreshing...like a real literary Oasis.
It's LOADED with wisdom of the divine ecstasy kind.
I don't care about any translation controversies...
I just approach the book as its own entity...and
understand the ecstatic wisdom it radiates.
I want to thank Mr. Bly for producing this book of
ecstatic wisdom poetry...there's so little of it
available. THANK YOU MR. BLY.

"We are all struggling; none of us has gone far." Perhaps not, but the world presented in these poems of a Bhakti, devotion is a different, further, place, one of struggle yet, but also of ecstatic love. Kabir is a poet from India Fourteenth century, while Bly a poet of our time. He tries to bring this home with specifics for our age, for example, "a loaded gun" rather than "deadly weapon" . These are not translation, but are Robert Bly's "versions". Divided into 4 sections "The Gardener is Coming", "The Wanting Creature", "The Bride Want Her Lover", and "The Guest is Inside You". There are some startling lines in these poems; for example:
if you can't find where your soul is hidden, for you the world will never be real.

When you're trying to find a hardwood forest, it seems wise to know what a tree is.

There is a moon in my body, but I can't see it.

This short book is rich, the short introduction gives a setting of Kabir, while the poems themselves are nicely illustrated for example "Krishna with Flute", help to give an otherworldly effect. The afterward by John Hawley, helps to locate Bly, and proposes a connection from Thoreau to Bly.

I really like this series, but I have to nit-pick a little. Lady Macbeth sounds way too young, and the Scottish accents seem fake. Other than that, it's a good performance of a great play.

I've been playing this in a regular senior English class. Many of the students are finally understanding the play. The actors in this cd do a wonderful job interpreting their lines. The Scottish accents are well done. Sound effects make it vivid. It's the best production I've found to date.

This CD is excellent--the witches are super creepy sounding, and the unabridged text is well performed. Definitely helpful for teaching Macbeth.

This series is wonderful if you are a teacher. It really helps students to hear how Shakespeare's words are supposed to flow when spoken by classically trained actors. Students snicker a bit at first when they hear the Scottish accents, but they get used to them quickly and the quality of the recording is excellent. The cheesy music in between acts is irritating, but you learn to ignore it. A fun bit of trivia is that the porter scene is acted by David Tennant who most people know as the current Dr. Who! It's also a treat to be able to listen to Macbeth in my car. Shakespeare makes rush-hour almost tolerable.

This is the easiest way to read Shakespeare. One side is "The Bard's" words and the other is modern English. I highly recommend if reading Shakespeare is like reading another language.

After struggling with my decision to use this book with my senior students, I am finding they are less hesitant to read AND they are enjoying the concepts in this drama! If it were an honors class, I think I would make students read the original text, but for my regular classes, I am very happy with my decision because they are GETTING IT. We are reading the authentic Shakespeare for the really good lines/soliloquys that shouldn't be missed. This is much better than other renditions that simply paraphrase as far as comprehension is concerned.

I consider myself to be a reasonably literate individual but, I have always avoided Shakespeare since I cannot make sense of the text. But now, I have fianally read Macbeth because, with "No Fear Shakespeare," each left hand page is written in the original whereas the right hand page is a plain English translation. So now I know, that when a porter says "it makes him stand to and not stand to," he is not referring about someone standing up on his feet. Instead, it means that alcoholic drinks make a man have an erection but then, lose the erection. How true is that and how cool is it to be able to understand that? Seriously, Macbeth is a great tale of ambition, deception and conscience. Thanks to this innovative book, I was able to read the original, then, after reading each page, I referred to the translation so I could understand. It was fun to read lines in the original, try to work out what I thought it meant and then check whether I was right. I recommend this as a way finally read and appreciate Macbeth.

The translation is clear and it helps immensely that it is side by side with the actual text. That way it's easy to fully understand the meaning behing Shakespeare's language.