FRANKENSTEIN; OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS (ANNOTATED EDITION) - BY MARY SHELLEY "Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary Shelley follows the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who becomes obsessed with creating life. He successfully animates a creature from assembled body parts, but horrified by his creation, he abandons it. The creature, intelligent and sensitive, seeks acceptance but faces rejection and isolation. This leads him...

Excerpt: "The object of the following pages is to re-study the character of Turner's art in the light of his sketch-books and drawings from nature. During Turner's lifetime his rooted objection to part with any of his sketches, studies, or notes often formed the subject of ill-natured comment. Yet we owe it to this peculiarity that the drawings and sketches included in the Turner Bequest at the National Gallery comprise practically the whole of the...

"The Clouds" is a timeless Greek comedy written by Aristophanes, renowned for its sharp wit, satire, and philosophical inquiry. Set in ancient Athens, this comedic masterpiece follows the misadventures of Strepsiades, a debt-ridden farmer desperate to evade his financial troubles. Fueled by the promise of enlightenment and the power to argue his way out of debt, Strepsiades enrolls in the "Thinkery," an unconventional school led by the eccentric Socrates...

A treatise in which eighteenth-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant attempts to reconcile empiricism and rationalism.

Literary scholar, professor, and poet J. Lesslie Hall is best known for his 1897 translation of the Old English epic poem "Beowulf." The story focuses on the titular character of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero who comes to the aid of the Danes to save their land from a human-demon monster named Grendel. After defeating Grendel, Beowulf must then kill Grendel's mother. He returns to Scandinavia with more fame and accord and eventually becomes king. Then...

"Measure for Measure," while listed among William Shakespeare's comedies, is doubtless among the darkest of his lighter works and remains one of the Bard's most popular plays. When the Duke of Vienna decides to go undercover in his own city, he leaves Angelo, his deputy, in charge and disguises himself as a monk to see how things progress in his absence. Angelo, who purports to be a man of honor and a stickler for the rules, arrests young Claudio...

"A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen is a groundbreaking and thought-provoking masterpiece that challenges societal norms and explores the complex dynamics of marriage and identity. Set in 19th-century Norway, the play revolves around Nora Helmer, a seemingly content wife and mother, and her husband Torvald. As the plot unfolds, the audience is drawn into a web of secrets, lies, and personal revelations. Nora's journey from a docile, doll-like existence...

When tragedy strikes on his son's wedding day, Lord Manfred believes it is a foreboding omen, and will do whatever it takes to stop it-no matter how immoral. Set in the 18th century, The Castle of Otranto begins on the day Manfred's son, Conrad, was meant to be married. Known for his sickly nature, Conrad is the eldest child of two, and is set to marry Princess Isabella, a union that would reap strong benefits for the noble family. However, when...

Embark on a captivating journey through the imaginative world of "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift. This timeless masterpiece, penned in 1726, follows the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, an intrepid explorer whose voyages lead him to remarkable lands, each with its unique inhabitants and customs. Swift's ingenious satire delves deep into the complexities of human nature and society, offering a thought-provoking commentary that remains relevant...

"The first great adventure story in the Western canon, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty, and power; about marriage and family; about travelers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. In this fresh, authoritative version--the first English translation of The Odyssey by a woman--this stirring tale of shipwrecks, monsters, and magic comes alive in an entirely new way. Written in iambic pentameter verse...