Macbeth (Folger Shakespeare Library)
Product ID: 228162
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The authoritative edition of Macbeth from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers. In 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne, becoming James I of England. London was alive with an interest in all things Scottish, and Shakespeare turned to Scottish history for material. He found a spectacle of violence and stories of traitors advised by witches and wizards, echoing James’s belief in a connection between treason and witchcraft. In depicting a man who murders to become king, Macbeth teases us with huge questions. Is Macbeth tempted by fate, or by his or his wife’s ambition? Why does their success turn to ashes? Like other plays, Macbeth speaks to each generation. Its story was once seen as that of a hero who commits an evil act and pays an enormous price. Recently, it has been applied to nations that overreach themselves and to modern alienation. The line is blurred between Macbeth’s evil and his opponents’ good, and there are new attitudes toward both witchcraft and gender. The edition includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books -An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading Essay by Susan Snyder The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu. Review: Let not light see my black and deep desires - In the theater, people apparently don't call Shakespeare's "Macbeth" by its actual name -- it's usually called "MacB" or "The Scottish Play." The dark superstitions that hover around this play really show its power: it's a harrowing portrait of a weak man who spirals into a personal hell of ambition, murder and madness. Shortly after a victory in battle, Macbeth and his friend Banquo are traveling home across a heath when they encounter three witches -- who greet him with "All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter!" When MacBeth is made Thane of Cawdor, he naturally begins to think that being king might be next in line. And when King Duncan visits his castle, Lady MacBeth goads her husband into murdering the king and framing a couple of innocent servants for the deed. As the witches predicted, MacBeth becomes king of Scotland. But the witches also prophesied that Banquo would be the father of kings, so MacBeth starts tying off loose ends by hiring assassins to kill Banquo and his young son, as well as a wily thane named MacDuff and all of his family. But though MacBeth believes himself to be safe from everyone, his fear begins to grow as madness and guilt torment him and his wife... One of the most fascinating things about "Macbeth" is how evil it is -- mass murder, insanity, bloody ghosts, a trio of manipulative witches pulling MacBeth's strings, and a nice if weak man who becomes a raving murderous paranoiac. Shakespeare starts the story on a dark note, and it gets darker and bloodier as the story winds on to its bleak climax. In fact, the entire story is a two-part spiral -- things get tighter and more intense, even as MacBeth and Lady M. get crazier and more violent. Shakespeare litters the story with brutally intense scenes (Banquo's ghost crashing the dinner, Lady M. trying to scrub her hands clean) and powerful dialogue ("Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,/And look on death itself! up, up, and see/The great doom's image!"). The one flaw: Shakespeare's handling of the "no man born of woman" prediction is a bit lame. I mean, didn't that count as "born" back in Elizabethan times too? Honestly, MacBeth is both a fascinating and repulsive character. He starts off as a nice ordinary thane with no particular ambition, but his weakness and his wife drive him to some pretty horrible acts. Before long, he's become somebody you desperately want to see diced into little pieces. And Lady Macbeth is little better, although there's a slight disparity between her ruthless ambition and her later insanity. "MacBeth" is a story filled with stormy darkness and all-consuming fire -- a powerful depiction of evil and how easily we can be seduced. Just don't say its name in the theater. Review: Good quality - Very good book and would recommend very good quality
| Best Sellers Rank | #6,408 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2 in Shakespeare Dramas & Plays #3 in British & Irish Dramas & Plays #293 in Classic Literature & Fiction |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,160 Reviews |
E**S
Let not light see my black and deep desires
In the theater, people apparently don't call Shakespeare's "Macbeth" by its actual name -- it's usually called "MacB" or "The Scottish Play." The dark superstitions that hover around this play really show its power: it's a harrowing portrait of a weak man who spirals into a personal hell of ambition, murder and madness. Shortly after a victory in battle, Macbeth and his friend Banquo are traveling home across a heath when they encounter three witches -- who greet him with "All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter!" When MacBeth is made Thane of Cawdor, he naturally begins to think that being king might be next in line. And when King Duncan visits his castle, Lady MacBeth goads her husband into murdering the king and framing a couple of innocent servants for the deed. As the witches predicted, MacBeth becomes king of Scotland. But the witches also prophesied that Banquo would be the father of kings, so MacBeth starts tying off loose ends by hiring assassins to kill Banquo and his young son, as well as a wily thane named MacDuff and all of his family. But though MacBeth believes himself to be safe from everyone, his fear begins to grow as madness and guilt torment him and his wife... One of the most fascinating things about "Macbeth" is how evil it is -- mass murder, insanity, bloody ghosts, a trio of manipulative witches pulling MacBeth's strings, and a nice if weak man who becomes a raving murderous paranoiac. Shakespeare starts the story on a dark note, and it gets darker and bloodier as the story winds on to its bleak climax. In fact, the entire story is a two-part spiral -- things get tighter and more intense, even as MacBeth and Lady M. get crazier and more violent. Shakespeare litters the story with brutally intense scenes (Banquo's ghost crashing the dinner, Lady M. trying to scrub her hands clean) and powerful dialogue ("Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,/And look on death itself! up, up, and see/The great doom's image!"). The one flaw: Shakespeare's handling of the "no man born of woman" prediction is a bit lame. I mean, didn't that count as "born" back in Elizabethan times too? Honestly, MacBeth is both a fascinating and repulsive character. He starts off as a nice ordinary thane with no particular ambition, but his weakness and his wife drive him to some pretty horrible acts. Before long, he's become somebody you desperately want to see diced into little pieces. And Lady Macbeth is little better, although there's a slight disparity between her ruthless ambition and her later insanity. "MacBeth" is a story filled with stormy darkness and all-consuming fire -- a powerful depiction of evil and how easily we can be seduced. Just don't say its name in the theater.
M**E
Good quality
Very good book and would recommend very good quality
P**O
Durable, easy to store
This isn't about the contents of this book. Plenty of other places you can get that info. This review is about this version/printing. Good student version. Uncoated paper for pages, decent font size, lightweight binding. It'll last the semester. You won't wince at the price if you need to recycle at the end of school year.
S**Z
Sad
This one is sad
J**É
A Must-Have for High School AP English!
Saved my high schooler’s gpa! A must for any student trying to understand Shakespearean writings
V**0
Book arrived quickly
This book arrived quickly and is exactly as expected.
B**D
Macbeth, The Selfish One.
Shakespeare surprises me again with another one of his classics, Macbeth. The story takes place in Scotland, ruled by the Scottish King Duncan. Macbeth, the main character of the play, and Banquo are the Kings generals. They were very successful with defeated two armies, one from Ireland and one from Norway. The king praised his brave generals, but that was enough for Macbeth. He wanted to be king. So he sets his mind to do so. Macbeth is not the only one who wants him to be in power. Lady Macbeth, being his wife wanting the wealth and attention, has the same dream. A dream to have King Duncan murdered. Macbeth stabs Duncan in his sleep, but plan to blame it on the chamberlains. But how do they do it? By getting the chamberlains drunk, so when they wake up the next morning, their memory would be gone. Giving Macbeth the right to assume the kingship. But there is still an obstacle in the way. Banquo is just as worthy to become king as Macbeth is. So what does Macbeth presume to do? He hires three murders to kill Banquo to assure he becomes the king of Scotland. The murders were also ordered to kill Banquo son, Fleance, but he escapes into the night before they could reach him. Macbeth’s rage grows inside, as he is still afraid his kingship is in danger. The Macduff and Prince Malcom, family of King Duncan, finds out about Macbeth’s whereabouts from Fleance, they want to challenge Macbeth’s forces. Macduff and Prince Malcom’s forces were much stronger against Macbeth’s. Macduff approached Macbeth, then proceeds to kill and then behead Macbeth, giving the power over to the Prince. Shakespeare gives us examples of tragedy throughout this whole play. Macbeth showed selfishness and greed, giving us a life lesson to appreciate the things we have and have to come to us in the future.
K**R
A Shakespeare classic!
NOt one of Shakespeare's best works, but it's perfect for Shakespeare lovers!
T**O
Horrível
A Folger deve ser a pior edição que já encontrei das peças de Shakespeare. Encadernação ruim, tinta de baixa qualidade, notas com poucas informações sobre as peças, papel ruim (10 reais seria um bom preço para o produto, não 20-50). Melhor tentar as edições já famosas: Norton, Arden, Oxford (na versão individual, comentada), Riverside etc.
K**R
Good
It's nice
D**A
Ottimo
Ottimo mi serviva per la tesi
K**D
Super
Super
A**R
Kindle version does not include translation
Bought because of the translation, turns out the Kindle version doesn't include one.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
2 weeks ago