Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb - book review

A Children's book no one Should Read – Or should they?

“Tales from Shakespeare” by Charles and Mary Lamb has delighted readers for over two centuries, but it is time we reconsider its place in modern literature. Originally written as an “introduction to Shakespeare,” it weaves sexist tropes, objectifies characters, and promotes regressive gender roles. Is this really what we want to hand to our children? Read on for a thoughtful critique of this so-called children’s classic.

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Have you ever come across a children’s book that, at first glance, seems perfectly innocent—maybe even charming—but after closer inspection, you wonder why anyone thought it was a good idea for kids? That’s how I felt when I revisited Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb, a book that many of us have either heard of or, perhaps, read during our childhood. The book, often passed off as a harmless introduction to the world of Shakespeare, feels more like a collection of cautionary tales for what not to teach our children.

Let us start with the basics. This book was published way back in 1807. I understand the good intentions. Shakespeare’s language can be dense, and simplifying his works for a younger audience makes sense. But how many of us ever stopped to ask, *simplified how*? And more importantly, simplified to what end?

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What are we really reading here?

When I first picked up Tales from Shakespeare, I expected an accessible, maybe even whimsical, retelling of some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. What I found was a collection of stories that were surprisingly sexist, sadistic, and, let us be honest, highly problematic. Yes, problematic even by 19th-century standards.

Take, for instance, the retelling of  The Taming of the Shrew. The story, already a controversial Shakespearean play, features a husband “successfully taming” his wife. In the Lambs’ version, this isn’t just a case of outdated gender roles being presented with a soft touch; no, Petruchio’s emotional abuse is glorified. Katharina’s submission is painted as the ultimate victory for Petruchio—and, by extension, for all husbands everywhere. In fact, she even delivers a speech about how women should be obedient to their husbands, leaving us with the uncomfortable feeling that Charles and Mary Lamb might have actually believed this.

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Now, we could argue that this is merely a product of its time, but here’s where things get tricky: These stories are still being sold as children’s books today. The edition I picked up was from Wordsworth Classics, printed in 1999, with 304 pages of outdated moral lessons, complete with illustrations by Arthur Rackham and a cover design by Tony Selina. This is no dusty relic collecting cobwebs on a forgotten bookshelf. It is marketed to children, beautifully presented, and meant to spark interest in Shakespeare. And that, dear reader, is precisely the problem.

Why should we care about stories from 1807?

You might be thinking, “Surely, we’ve moved on since then. Why should we care about an old children’s book from 1807?” Well, for one, it’s still being read and revered. Tales from Shakespeare continues to be a staple in the children’s classics section. It is recommended in schools, and parents are still picking it up off the shelf.

But here is the thing: these stories reflect more than just Shakespeare’s world—they reflect the moral compass of the 19th century, which, if we’re being honest, wasn’t exactly progressive when it came to gender roles. Women in the Lambs’ tales are regularly objectified, either as shrews to be tamed, princesses to be wooed, or, at their most “rebellious,” women disguised as men who inevitably fall in love with the first rich bloke they meet.

Is this the kind of message we want to send to today’s children? That women are only worth something if they are docile, obedient, or disguised as a man? That men are only worthy of attention if they are rich or noble? These are the same outdated tropes that continue to haunt our society today, contributing to the very gender inequalities we are working so hard to overcome.

Can we call this entertainment?

Let us talk about the writing itself. Charles and Mary Lamb were clearly skilled storytellers. The language is concise, and the stories do manage to retain much of Shakespeare’s original spirit—minus, of course, the poetry. But here’s a little secret: Tales from Shakespeare wasn’t really written for children. It was written for *young ladies*. That’s right. Charles and Mary Lamb specifically targeted the book at young women, who they believed could benefit from these moral tales.

Moral tales. Let that sink in. Shakespeare, already problematic in parts, is boiled down into moral lessons for young women—lessons that include how to be obedient, how to marry well, and how to avoid getting confused if you ever have to disguise yourself as a man (because apparently, that happens a lot in these stories). 

Their attempts to make Shakespeare accessible have instead rendered him laughable at best and sexist at worst. 

Where do we go from here?

This brings me to a larger question: Should *Tales from Shakespeare* even be read today? My initial reaction was a hard no. Why continue to promote a book that’s so clearly out of step with our values? But then I thought about it more. Perhaps there’s a way to use this book to teach children—and adults—a lesson. Not the lesson Charles and Mary Lamb intended, of course, but a lesson about how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.Also, how we got here, in a deeply rotten society in the first place. 

I think *Tales from Shakespeare* could serve as an excellent starting point for discussions on gender, society, and literature. Imagine reading it with a group of young people, encouraging them to critique the stories, to question why women are portrayed the way they are, and to challenge the outdated notions of love, marriage, and identity that permeate these pages. In that sense, this book might have some value after all—if we use it as a teaching tool, not as a guide.

And what about the famous quote?

I can’t leave without sharing at least one quote from the book. Since *Tales from Shakespeare* is a retelling of the plays, it doesn’t have any original Shakespeare quote. But let me share a gem from *The Taming of the Shrew*, one of the most infamous tales in this collection:

"Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee, and for thy maintenance; commits his body to painful labour both by sea and land, to watch the night in storms, the day in cold, whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe; and craves no other tribute at thy hands but love, fair looks and true obedience."

It is jaw-dropping, isn’t it? In 2024, these words ring hollow and absurd. But in the world of Tales from Shakespeare, this is presented as sage advice. And that, in a nutshell, is why this book is so deeply problematic.

The numbers don’t lie

A study by the Common Sense Media showed that 72% of parents believe the media their children consume today has a direct impact on their perception of gender roles. It is not hard to see how a book like this, with its old-fashioned views on gender, could contribute to a skewed understanding of relationships and identity in young minds.

Should we cancel Tales from Shakespeare?

I am not a fan of cancel culture, and I don’t believe we should throw away every book that offends our modern sensibilities. But I do think we should be thoughtful about what we put in front of children. Tales from Shakespeare has its place in literary history, but that place is not on the nightstand of a 10-year-old. Instead, let us use it as a springboard for deeper discussions about the values we want to instill in our kids.

Frequently Asked Questions - (FAQs)

Is *Tales from Shakespeare* appropriate for children?

It depends on how it is used. On its own, the stories promote outdated and sexist ideas. However, with proper context and discussion, it could be a useful tool for exploring Shakespeare’s work critically.

Why is *Tales from Shakespeare* still popular?

Part of its popularity comes from its status as a classic. Many parents and educators see it as a gateway to Shakespeare, not realising the problematic content within.

Can you still enjoy Tales from Shakespeare?

Yes, if you approach it with a critical eye and an understanding of the time period it was written in. It can be enjoyable as a historical artefact, but it’s important to recognise its flaws.

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Tushar Mangl writes on mental health, soul food, leisure, and a greener, better society. Speaker, author of *Hey Honey Bunch*, *Ardika*, and *I Will Do It