Crofts classics | Downers Grove Public Library

Author

Earliest Publication Date

1946

Description

Featuring the images of some of the world's most famous stage and film actors, these additions to the all-new Oxford School Shakespeare introduce--and enthrall--young people to one of the greatest writers of all time. This season brings revised editions of five of the Bard's most famous plays--As You Like It, Othello, Hamlet, Love's Labour Lost and The Taming of the Shrew. Designed specifically for students unfamiliar with Shakespeare's rich literary...

2) Oedipus the King and Antigone

Author

Sophocles

Earliest Publication Date

1960

3) Samson Agonistes and shorter poems

Author

Milton, John, 1608-1674

Earliest Publication Date

1950

4) The alchemist

Author

Jonson, Ben, 1573?-1637

Earliest Publication Date

1947

Description

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Thought to be Jonson’s best comedy, The Alchemist follows the satirical trail of deception when the gentleman Lovewit leaves his London home due to the plague, leaving behind his servant, Face, who endeavors to dupe all manner of folks-and relieve them of their funds-with the aid of fellow con artists. What ensues is a brilliant depiction of human folly.

5) The Canterbury tales

Author

Chaucer, Geoffrey, -1400

Earliest Publication Date

1928

Description

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"Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales brings together an unforgettable group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury, pilgrims who came from all ranks of society, from the crusading Knight and burly Miller to the worldly Monk and the famously lusty Wife of Bath. Their tales are as various as the tellers, including romance, bawdy comedy, beast fable, learned debate, parable, and Eastern adventure. The resulting collection gives us a set of characters so vivid...

6) The prince

Author

Machiavelli, Niccolò, 1469-1527

Earliest Publication Date

1947

Description

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Need to seize a country? Have enemies you must destroy? In this handbook for despots and tyrants, the Renaissance statesman Machiavelli sets forth how to accomplish this and more, while avoiding the awkwardness of becoming generally hated and despised. "Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot; therefore the injury that is to be done to a man ought to be...

7) The Republic

Author

Plato

Earliest Publication Date

1955

Description

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The Republic is a Socratic dialogue, written by Plato around 380 BC, concerning the definition of justice and the order and character of the just city-state and the just man. It is Plato's best-known work and has proven to be one of the most intellectually and historically influential works of philosophy and political theory. In it, Socrates along with various Athenians and foreigners discuss the meaning of justice and examine whether or not the just...