Romeo and Juliet (Simply Shakespeare) [Paperback]

William Shakespeare (Author)

Book Description

This lyrical tragedy of two star-crossed lovers and their feuding families is one of the world's most famous love stories. Books in this new, illustrated series present complete texts of Shakespeare's plays. However, the lines are set up so students can see the bard's original poetic phrases printed side-by-side and line-by-line with a modern translation that followed, Shakespeare's plays were popular entertainment for London's theatergoers. His Globe Theatre was the equivalent of a Broadway theater in today's New York. The plays have endured, but over the course of 400+ years, the English language has changed in many ways--which is why today's students often find Shakespeare's idiom difficult to comprehend. Simply Shakespeare offers an excellent solution to their problem. Introducing each play is a general essay covering Shakespeare's life and times. At the beginning of each of the five acts in every play, a two-page spread describes what is about to take place. The story's background is explained, followed by brief descriptions of key people who will appear in the act, details students should watch for as the story unfolds, discussion of the play's historical context, how the play was staged in Shakespeare's day, and explanation of puns and plays on words that occur in characters' dialogues. Identifying icons preceding each of these study points are printed in a second color, then are located again as cross-references in the play's original text. For instance, where words spoken by a person in the play offer insights into his or another character's personality, the "Characters" icon will appear as a cross-reference in both the introductory spread and the play proper. Following each act, a closing spread presents questions and discussion points for use as teachers' aids. Guided by the inspiring format of this fine new series, both teachers and students will come to understand and appreciate the genius of Shakespeare as never before.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (December 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764120859
• ISBN-13: 978-0764120855
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 1564, and his birth is traditionally celebrated on April 23. The facts of his life, known from surviving documents, are sparse. He was one of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a merchant of some standing in his community. William probably went to the King's New School in Stratford, but he had no university education. In November 1582, at the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, who was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. She was born on May 26, 1583. Twins, a boy, Hamnet ( who would die at age eleven), and a girl, Judith, were born in 1585. By 1592 Shakespeare had gone to London working as an actor and already known as a playwright. A rival dramatist, Robert Greene, referred to him as "an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers." Shakespeare became a principal shareholder and playwright of the successful acting troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later under James I, called the King's Men). In 1599 the Lord Chamberlain's Men built and occupied the Globe Theater in Southwark near the Thames River. Here many of Shakespeare's plays were performed by the most famous actors of his time, including Richard Burbage, Will Kempe, and Robert Armin. In addition to his 37 plays, Shakespeare had a hand in others, including Sir Thomas More and The Two Noble Kinsmen, and he wrote poems, including Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. His 154 sonnets were published, probably without his authorization, in 1609. In 1611 or 1612 he gave up his lodgings in London and devoted more and more time to retirement in Stratford, though he continued writing such plays as The Tempest and Henry VII until about 1613. He died on April 23 1616, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. No collected edition of his plays was published during his life-time, but in 1623 two members of his acting company, John Heminges and Henry Condell, put together the great collection now called the First Folio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Help For High Schoolers, February 21, 2009

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absent-minded (Alabama) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (Simply Shakespeare) (Paperback)

This is a great tool for high schoolers as they attempt to come to grips with Shakespearean English. With modern text on one page and the original text on the facing page, they not only understand the story line, they also begin to understand the many nuances. My high schoolers not only excelled in their English class, they became Shakespeare fans.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!, May 12, 2006

By 

Shaun J (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (Simply Shakespeare) (Paperback)

I'm a high school freshman studying Romeo & Juliet and I cannot understand hardly any of it. I found this book at a Borders bookstore and I have been reading it and it is extremely helpful. There's a line-by-line translation that makes a ton more sense. Buy this if you're having trouble with R&J!

5.0 out of 5 stars This is great!, January 13, 2009

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Humble Reviewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (Simply Shakespeare) (Paperback)

I'm getting ready to audition for Romeo and Juliet, and I was having trouble understanding what some of the things that the characters were saying meant. I wanted to know exactly how to express what the characters were feeling. So, I figured this book would help me out. And it did, a lot. This book "translates" the old English into a more modern version. It gives you both the original text and the modernized version. So, basically, if you're having trouble understanding the language, I recommend that you pick this up. It's worth it!