Shelfology Book Pairing

by William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet (/ˈh�mlᵻt/), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare at an uncertain date between 1599 and 1602. Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play dramatises the revenge Prince Hamlet is called to wreak upon his uncle, Claudius, by the ghost of Hamlet's father, King Hamlet. Claudius had murdered his own brother and seized the throne, also marrying his deceased brother's widow. Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest play, and is ranked among the most powerful and influential tragedies in English literature, with a story capable of "seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others". The play likely was one of Shakespeare's most popular works during his lifetime, and still ranks among his most performed, topping the performance list of the Royal Shakespeare Company and its predecessors in Stratford-upon-Avon since 1879. It has inspired many other writers - from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Charles Dickens to James Joyce and Iris Murdoch - and has been described as "the world's most filmed story after Cinderella".Summary : The protagonist of Hamlet is Prince Hamlet of Denmark, son of the recently deceased King Hamlet, and nephew of King Claudius, his father's brother and successor. Claudius hastily married King Hamlet's widow, Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, and took the throne for himself. Denmark has a long-standing feud with neighboring Norway, which culminated when King Hamlet slew King Fortinbras of Norway in a battle years ago. Although Denmark defeated Norway, and the Norwegian throne fell to King Fortinbras's infirm brother, Denmark fears that an invasion led by the dead Norwegian king's son, Prince Fortinbras, is imminent. On a cold night on the ramparts of Elsinore, the Danish royal castle, the sentries Bernardo and Marcellus and Hamlet's friend Horatio encounter a ghost that looks like the late King Hamlet. They vow to tell Prince Hamlet what they have witnessed.As the Court gathers the next day, while King Claudius and Queen Gertrude discuss affairs of state with their elderly adviser Polonius, Hamlet looks on glumly. After the Court exits, Hamlet despairs of his father's death and his mother's hasty remarriage. Learning of the Ghost from Horatio, Hamlet resolves to see it himself. Soon thereafter, Ophelia rushes to her father, telling him that Hamlet arrived at her door the prior night half-...Biography : William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 (baptised) - 23 April 1616) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright...Extrait : MARCELLUS'Tis gone, and will not answer.BERNARDO How now, Horatio! you tremble and look pale: Is not this something more than fantasy? What think you on't?HORATIOBefore my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes.MARCELLUSIs it not like the king?HORATIOAs thou art to thyself: Such was the very armour he had on When he the ambitious Norway combated; So frown'd he once, when, in an angry parle, He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice. 'Tis strange.MARCELLUS Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour, With martial stalk hath he gone by our watchHORATIO In what particular thought to work I know ¬ But in the gross and scope of my opinion, This bodes some strange eruption to our state.MARCELLUS Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows...

The Graphic Novel

by Julia Alvarez

The very first graphic edition of the internationally bestselling modern-day classic about three brave sisters fighting against dictatorship, illustrated by award-winning artist Krystal Quiles. Set during the waning days of Trujillo's rule in the Dominican Republic, In the Time of the Butterflies was inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters, known as Las Mariposas, or the Butterflies, who were murdered on November 25, 1960, for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government. First published in 1994, the historical novel went on to receive wide acclaim, being nominated for the 1994 National Book Critical Circle Award, adapted into a feature film in 2001 starring Salma Hayek, and selected for the National Endowment for the Arts' reading program, The Big Read. Today, In the Time of the Butterflies has sold over a million copies in all formats and is known as a modern classic. This magnificently illustrated edition of the 1994 novel reintroduces readers to the Mirabal sisters and renders these historical figures as they've never been seen before. A longtime reader of Alvarez, illustrator Krystal Quiles has honored the literary icon's portrayal of the sisters' teenage years, their resistance against Trujillo's rule, and their terror as their involvement in the revolution is revealed. This is a stunning rendition of a beloved classic, sure to captivate a new generation of readers.