Notes
humorist ユーモア作家;
wit 知力、知恵;
critic 批評家、評論家;

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Mark Twain was a famous American writer and humorist. He was born on November 30, 1835, in Missouri, United States and died on April 21, 1910. He is most famous for his books “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Mark Twain was known for his wit and humor, and his writing often reflected his experiences growing up along the Mississippi River. He traveled widely and had many interesting adventures, which he wrote about in his books and essays. He was also a strong critic of society and used his writing to address social and political issues. Today, Mark Twain is considered one of the greatest American writers and his books are still popular and widely read.　
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Notes
prejudice 偏見;
conflicts 争い、論争;
tackle 〈仕事・問題などと〉取り組む；
deservedly　当然、正当に；
plot (小説・脚本などの)筋、構想;

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Ask anyone involved with English literature: “Who is the greatest writer?” and you will undoubtedly hear one name mentioned — William Shakespeare. Although Shakespeare died over 406 years ago, his thirty-seven plays are still valued and loved today. Why? Part of the answer lies in the fact that Shakespeare dealt with timeless problems that continue to concern us, such as prejudice and parent-child conflicts. Two of Shakespeare’s best-known plays tackle the ugly and still unsolved problem of prejudice.

Shakespeare’s plays are deservedly popular. They contain many colorful characters, beautiful poetry, and action-filled plots. Shakespeare’s uncanny ability to focus on problems that are still current today also adds to the continuing success of his plays. (from “Classic English Essays “ )
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