Arthur Rackham Brings Shakespeare’s Tales Alive for Young Readers

Created by siblings Charles and Mary Lamb, Tales from Shakespeare has endured as one of history’s most beloved children’s books since originally published in 1807. Within its 20 stories summarizing Shakespeare plays into short proses, the Lambs brought the intimidating Bard accessible for young readers and beyond. From tragedy to farce, the tales capture iconic works like Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream through engaging, atmospheric plots condensed yet faithful to their dramatic essence.

Remaining in continuous print for over 200 years like few counterparts such as Alice in Wonderland or Wind in the Willows, Tales from Shakespeare has introduced countless millions worldwide to the foundations of stagecraft with its viral popularity even causing a sensation in 1900s China. While initially only crediting Charles, Mary likely contributed equally through her former acting experience. Together, their collaborative feat speaks to Shakespeare’s persisting appeal and influence, translating his eloquence into eternal stories speaking to audiences of all ages and languages. By 1899, Arthur Rackham’s 12 skillful illustrations enhanced accessibility further, allowing his developing pantheon of images tailored to youth imagination to escort new readers into the Bard’s spellbinding worlds.

Formats:

• Blue leather binding with gilt stamping (562 pages)
• Blue cloth binding with blind stamping (562 pages)

Size: 3 5⁄8 x 6 inches

Series: The Temple Classics For Young People

Text: Tales from Shakespeare by Charles & Mary Lamb

Illustrations: Frontispiece color plate, 11 black & white plates by Arthur Rackham

Publisher: J.M. Dent & Company (London)

Publication Date: 1899

Summary: In 1899, Arthur Rackham contributed 12 imaginative illustrations, including a color frontispiece plate, to Charles and Mary Lamb’s classic 1807 prose retellings of Shakespeare’s stories for children, Tales From Shakespeare. Part of publisher J.M. Dent’s Temple Classics for Young People series, both deluxe leather and standard cloth versions of this book featured Rackham’s work accompanying the 20 abbreviated plays.

While tackling more historic content, Rackham’s gift at distilling ambience and deeper themes already shines through his dramatic black and white renderings of star-crossed romance in Romeo and Juliet as well as fairy magic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Though his fantasy fame was just crystallizing in this period, Rackham’s cross-genre mastery engaging audiences young and old emerges through these dynamic glimpses into the Bard’s enduring tales.

The Lambs

Siblings Charles and Mary Lamb endured tragedy and adversity before authoring one of history’s most beloved children’s books. After Mary stabbed their mother to death in a fit of madness in 1796, Charles took custody of her instead of allowing permanent incarceration. They spent the rest of their lives together in a supportive partnership that produced Tales from Shakespeare in 1807.

While Charles enjoyed more education and writing opportunities at institutions like Christ’s Hospital school, Mary overcame limited schooling as a girl to teach herself languages and become Charles’ editorial partner. After publisher William Godwin approached them to adapt Shakespeare for young readers, their collaborative process saw Mary condensed the comedies as Charles translated the tragedies into prose, with both heavily editing the other’s selections.

Preserving the Bard’s celebrated language, they crafted daring escapades suited for children without sacrificing dramatic spirit, pruning only content deemed questionable for youth at the time. As evidenced by Charles’ complaint that “he can make nothing out of it,” and Mary’s comparison to Hermia & Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, their affectionate teamwork resulted in enchanting touchstone that left indelible impact on literature. While Charles has received more posthumous acclaim, Mary’s overlooked role and talent peeled back barriers for aspiring young female writers and scholars over the past two centuries.

Romantic Movement

Beyond collaborator and housemate Mary, Charles Lamb nurtured profound connections that placed him at the center of England’s Romantic movement. His longest friendship belonged to fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, whom he met at Christ’s Hospital school. Coleridge published Lamb’s early verse and introduced him to luminaries like William Wordsworth. Alongside sister-in-law Dorothy Wordsworth, Lamb also befriended the family of publisher William Godwin, who eventually suggested the siblings adapt Shakespeare.

From 1806 onward, Charles and Mary hosted influential weekly salon gatherings attended by leading lights including John Keats, Leigh Hunt, William Hazlitt and Thomas De Quincey. Painter Benjamin Robert Haydon captured one lively 1817 dinner attended by Wordsworth, Keats and Lamb – indicating the tight-knit community of authors flourishing around the Lambs then.

With Charles encouraging and promoting peers through his criticism while penning beloved essays, and Mary’s oversight of the household, the Lambs’ humble residence facilitated exciting exchange of era-defining ideas. Though the couple lived in “double singleness” shadowed by hardship, their perseverance fueled creative production still admired today for both pioneering children’s literature and nourishing icons of English literature itself.

Legacy

Though initially receiving mixed reviews in 1807, Tales from Shakespeare soon flourished across countless editions over the 19th century. By 1899 when Arthur Rackham contributed illustrations, the book’s popularity had turned it into arguably the most read Shakespeare adaptation ever. Beyond Britain, the condensed prose tales facilitated translations that introduced the Bard’s brilliance to young readers internationally, especially across Asia.

In India and Malaysia, British colonial schools often utilized Tales as a cornerstone text. Meanwhile in Japan, nearly 100 unique translated versions appeared by the 1950s amidst a craze for Shakespeare. Overall the book has been translated into over 40 languages including Swahili and Macedonian thanks to its accessibility.

In China specifically, Tales caused a sensation after short excerpt versions titled “Strange Tales from Overseas” and “An English Poet Reciting from Afar on Joyous Occasions” proved bestsellers, reprinted repeatedly. Additional titles covering more plays followed in 1916 for the tercentenary of Shakespeare’s death. Ironically, without the Lambs’ simplified stories, Shakespeare may have never become so famous in China.

So through conflict, mental anguish, and rejection, the Lambs persevered in crafting a revolutionary children’s work that not only stood the test of time but transcended borders. Over 200 years since its modest first edition run, Tales from Shakespeare continues introducing young imaginations globally to the alluring worlds unlocked through creativity and compassionate collaboration.