Charles and Mary Lambs classic of childrens literature Tales from Shakespeare is characterized by almost fairytale-like plot devices-complications arising from identical twins, magical forests, ghosts and witches, and foolish kings. The prose renditions of fourteen comedies and six tragedies are just as captivating for adults. Far from being mere plot summaries, the Tales closely follow the plays, frequently incorporating Shakespeares exact language into the narratives and refusing to impose simplistic moral conclusions on the often-messy philosophical universe of Shakespearean drama.