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Lamb v. Nesbit Shakespeare
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I’m wondering whether there are strong reasons to look for one or the other of these? These are the two I’ve heard the most about, although I did read some about an Usborne book, too. This will be our first introduction to Shakespeare, with an 8yo girl.
Thanks so much in advance for any imput!!
Nancy
I have also seen the Leon Garfield version recommended (by the Bravewriter program). I am trying to decide, also. We are doing Midsummer Night’s Dream this year, and I am definitely buying the No Fear Shakespeare version, which is available for free online at Sparknotes, but I think I’d like to have a book copy. It is the play in its original language, with a modern language version alongside. I read through it already, and it seems good.
People often ask me what the difference is between the book by Nesbit and the similar one by Lamb. Here’s my opinion: Both are great; but Nesbit is a bit easier read for younger children.
For a comparison example, here is the opening from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in each:
Nesbit — “Hermia and Lysander were lovers; but Hermia’s father wished her to marry another man, named Demetrius. Now, in Athens, where they lived, there was a wicked law, by which any girl who refused to marry according to her father’s wishes, might be put to death.”
Lamb — “There was a law in the city of Athens, which gave to its citizens the power of compelling their daughters to marry whomsoever they pleased: for upon a daughter’s refusing to marry the man her father had chosen to be her husband, the father was empowered by this law to cause her to be put to death.”
Personally I like Lamb’s best. I think that Nesbit, while in many ways easier in language, is just much harder to follow–I think she leaves too much out, at times. We always begin with Lamb’s, although the kids enjoy reading the Nesbit and they liked the illustrations.
Garfield I never really got on board with–don’t like it as well as Lamb’s. I discovered Lamb’s when I was about 9 or 10 and I think I had our library’s copy at my house about every other three weeks. 🙂
No Fear is great–for the PARENTS. AMND isn’t too bad, but some of the No Fear “modern English” versions are terribly raunchy–your kids would miss it in the archaic old original Shakespeare, but the No Fear lays it out plain and ugly. They are kept for parents’ eyes only around here, and I use a marker liberally. 🙂 Just be forewarned.
Nesbit is considered to be for ten and younger and the Lamb’s for above ten. We enjoy the Nesbit verison; it is requested every Friday. I have 2-9 yr. olds and we have been reading it for the 1 1/2 years. I also have the Lamb from my own childhood.
I think it’s valuable to use both, IMO. Combined with going to see the plays on the stage if at all possible, which I think is imperative in studying Shakespeare, they develop a love for Shakespeare that easily transitions to the real stuff. Also, don’t forget the Sonnets as they older and other poems that aren’t as well known.
Rachel
This is related to the topic, but not the original question.
There is a book that heard about but can’t recall the name of on the subject of Shakespeare for Christians (that’s not the title; I tried googling that). Does anyone know the title? I think it was for high school students or adults.
Nanci
Thank you! I recognize the name as soon as I saw it in your post.
It’s good to know that it is as good as it sounds.
Nanci
LOL thanks for the “head’s up” on No Fear, I’ll take it into consideration!
I liked it because it keep the play, well, a play, while the others that we have mentioned seem to transfer the story to prose. Any other sources for plain language plays? Although I really do like the No Fear version
I use the No Fear-we have several. I just keep them for a “parent resource” . That’s the version I use while we read. If we need explaining, I can read the modern translation. Just don’t hand them alone to a kid! LOL
There is one other type of line-by-line modern translation–Barron’s Simply Shakespeare. I have their Julius Caesar to use this fall. I haven’t had time to go through it yet to see how they handle more risque passages, and this is not the best play to test that part out.
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