Macbeth (King's Treasury of Literature S.) - Softcover

9780460083058: Macbeth (King's Treasury of Literature S.)
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In addition to the complete text of Macbeth, this book includes: activities; a synopsis at the beginning of each act; notes opposite the text; photographs showing various productions of each play; an introduction which places Shakespeare in context; and ideas for Key Stage 3.

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Review:
One of Shakespeare's greatest, but also bloodiest tragedies, was written around 1605/06. Many have seen the story of Macbeth's murder and usurpation of the legitimate Scottish King Duncan as having obvious connection to contemporary issues regarding King James I (James VI of Scotland), and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. King James was particularly fascinated with witchcraft, so the appearance of the witches chanting "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" at the opening of the play seemed particularly topical, as was Macbeth's betrayal of Banquo, from whom James claimed direct descent.

However, the play is clearly far more than a piece of royal entertainment. It is also a fast-moving and dramatically satisfying piece of theatre. Macbeth's existential struggle between loyalty to his King and his "Vaulting ambition" is fascinating to watch, as his is struggle with Lady Macbeth, and her own terrifying refusal of her maternal role. The play shows an intensification of Shakespeare's interest in mothers and their effect upon ruling masculinity, and also contains some of the most memorable speeches in the entire canon, including Macbeth's reflections that ultimately life "is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing". --Jerry Brotton

Review:
"The polymathic scholar and translator Burton Raffel not only elucidates baffling terms but offers guidance on the prosody and declamation of Shakespeare's lines, often to subtle effect, which will be useful to actors as well as readers."--Eric Ormsby, New York Sun

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Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780007258055: Macbeth (The Alexander Shakespeare)

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ISBN 10:  0007258054 ISBN 13:  9780007258055
Publisher: Collins Educational, 2007
Softcover

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