Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader V: Shakespeare Drama Stories (Pure English Version)

Author: Mao Ronggui et al
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 employs a combination of realism and romanticism, allowing the progressive young characters of Hermia and Lysander to enter a dream world, where with the help of supernatural forces, they engage in free love and achieve a happy marriage. Much Ado About Nothing depicts how the couples Benedick and Beatrice overcome external interference and their own psychological barriers, as well as their prejudices, to finally find happiness after enduring hardships. The main plot of Cymbeline is set against the backdrop of "peace-war-peace" between Britain and ancient Rome. The British princess Imogen suffers persecution and attacks from her stepmother, her stepson, a Roman trickster, and her gullible husband, enduring trials and tribulations before finally regaining happiness. In The Tempest, Shakespeare weaves together historical legends, political corruption, sea adventures, survival on a desert island, magical spells, ugly realities, and a beautiful future into a masterful tapestry. It is a work of breathtaking beauty and enduring fascination. Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's most successful tragedy and has remained one of the most beloved of his plays for over 400 years. It tells the story of Romeo and Juliet, who, under the weight of family feud and feudal oppression, sacrifice their young lives for their freedom, sincerity, and pure love. The main plot of Othello involves Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian noble, defying her father's wishes to secretly marry Othello, a Moorish general, only to be manipulated and betrayed by the villain Iago, leading to their tragic demise. Macbeth depicts how the loyal general Macbeth, under the influence of witches, transforms his ambition into ruthlessness, murders his cousin King Duncan, seizes the throne, and becomes a tyrannical killer. In the end, he is abandoned by his allies, 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 diversity of human nature. Both comedies and tragedies are imbued with poetic beauty and the radiance of goodness, truth, and beauty. Despite two adaptations, the essence of the original plays remains intact. This book retells these stories in modern English, making it one of the ideal reading materials for contemporary young readers to explore Shakespeare and learn English.