Hit: Books: Shakespeare books for students

[judy simms <judy.simms@MICRO.COM>]

   I obtained copies of all three "student" editions of Shakespeare plays.

   The publishers are: (1) Barron's, Shakespeare Made Easy series; (2)Oxford
Univ. Press, Oxford School Shakespeare series; and (3) Perfection Form Company,
Shakespeare Parallel Texts series.  Each book has an introduction to
Shakespeare and explanation of the lay at the beginning of the book.

   Oxford's edition is arranged with 2 columns on a page.  In the right-hand
column, the original play is written.  In the left-hand column, explanations of
non-standard terms found in the play is written.
Example from A Midsummer Night's Dream:
Act I, Scene I, line 1
1  our nuptial hour:    Now, fair Hippolyta, our
   the time of our        nuptial hour
   wedding              Draws on apace:  four happy
2  apace:  quickly         days bring in

   Barron's edition and Perfection Form edition are "parallel text"
editions.  On one page is the text of the original play; on the other page
is the text in
modern language.

   Barron's edition example:
From Romeo and Juliet:
The Prologue:
(Left hand page, p.20)
Chorus
Two households both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona where we lay our scene
From ancient grudge, break to new mutiny,
(Right hand page, p.21)
Announcer
The play is set in beautiful Verona, in Italy.  Two
families of equal, noble rank [the Montagues and
Capulets] have a long-standing vendetta, which has
recently flared up:

   Perfection Form edition examples:
From Hamlet, Act I, Scene ii, line 129:
(Left hand page, p. 24)
O that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter. O God, O God!
(Right hand page, p. 25)
O if only this far too solid body of mine would melt,
thaw, and turn itself into dew,
or that God had not established
his prohibition against suicide.  O God, O God!

   Of the two parallel text versions, I think that Barron's has the simpler
explanation.  I think that Perfection Form has a more sophisticated explanation.

   I can see a middle school library having the Oxford School Shakespeare
series and the Barron's Shakespeare Made Easy series.  I believe a high
school should have all three series.

   Thanks to all who sent me information.  I am sorry it took me so long to
get back to you.  You should be able to search for the titles by the series
titles.
If anyone needs ISBN numbers, please let me know.  I will try to help.
                      Judy Simms

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Judy Simms                              judy.simms@micro.com
Library Media Specialist
Prairie Star Middle School
14201 Mission Road
Leawood, Kansas  66224-9718
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