Shakespeare's Drama Stories - Bedside English Learning Reader V (Pure English Version)

Author: Mao Ronggui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: This book contains 8 Shakespearean stories: The Taming of the Shrew (1593), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1595), Much Ado About Nothing (1598), Cymbeline (1609), The Tempest (1611) – 5 comedy stories; Romeo and Juliet (1595), Othello (1604), Macbeth (1605) – 3 tragedy stories. The Taming of the Shrew follows the different experiences and outcomes of the love and marriage between the sisters Katherina and Bianca and their suitors Petruchio and Lucentio, recreating the social customs and human relations of ancient Italian Padua (actually representing London and the author's hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon). A Midsummer Night's Dream combines realism and romanticism, allowing progressive young people like Hermia and Lysander to enter a dream world, where with the help of supernatural forces, they freely fall in love and achieve a happy marriage. Much Ado About Nothing depicts how the couples Benedick and Beatrice overcome external interference and personal psychological barriers, as well as their own prejudices, to finally achieve happiness after suffering. The main plot of Cymbeline is set against the backdrop of "peace-war-peace" between Britain and ancient Rome. Princess Imogen of Britain is persecuted and attacked by her stepmother, her stepson, a Roman trickster, and her gullible husband, enduring trials and tribulations, only to finally regain happiness. In The Tempest, Shakespeare uses the misfortune of Prospero and his daughter as the main thread, skillfully combining historical legends, political corruption, sea adventures, survival on a desert island, magical spells, ugly reality, and a beautiful future into a captivating story. It is a feast for the eyes and mind, leaving a lasting impression. Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's first tragedy to achieve great success; for over 400 years, it has remained one of the most popular of his plays. The play depicts Romeo and Juliet, who have new ideas, sacrificing their young, precious lives for their freedom, sincerity, and pure love under the weight of family feud and feudal oppression. The main plot of Othello is about Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian nobleman, defying her father's orders to secretly marry Othello, a Moorish general, only to be betrayed and killed by the villain Iago. Macbeth portrays how the loyal general Macbeth, under the temptation of witches, transforms his original ambition into greed and murder, killing his cousin King Duncan of Scotland to seize the throne and becoming a ruthless tyrant. In the end, he is abandoned by all, defeated in battle, and meets his downfall. These 8 Shakespearean plays are profound in theme, vivid in imagery, enchanting in atmosphere, rich in plot, distinctive in character, and delicate in psychological portrayal, showcasing the diverse aspects of human nature. Both comedies and tragedies are imbued with poetic beauty and the radiance of truth, goodness, and beauty. Despite two adaptations, the essence of the original plays remains intact. This book tells these stories in modern English, making it an ideal reading material for contemporary young readers to explore Shakespearean works and learn English.