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Macbeth (Simply Shakespeare)
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Macbeth (Simply Shakespeare) Unknown - 2002

by William Shakespeare


About this book

Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a tragic play that delves into the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition. The story follows Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman, who, driven by his wife's relentless ambition and the prophecies of three witches, succumbs to his own inner darkness. As he ascends to the throne through deceit, Macbeth becomes consumed by guilt and paranoia. The play explores themes of power, guilt, fate, and the corrupting nature of ambition. Through vivid imagery, complex characters, and dramatic soliloquies, Shakespeare masterfully crafts a tale that exposes the psychological turmoil and moral decay that accompany the pursuit of power, leaving the audience with a haunting reflection on the human condition.

Macbeth's precise date remains uncertain, but it is generally considered contemporaneous with other canonical tragedies such as Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear. While some suggest an original writing date as early as 1599, it is more likely that the play was composed no earlier than 1603, celebrating King James' ancestors and the Stuart accession to the throne. Scholars believe Macbeth was written in 1606, following the Gunpowder Plot, with references and allusions to the plot and its trials. The play also reflects the political context of James' reign, exploring themes of kingship and rebellion.

From the publisher

This tragedy tells of a power-hungry Scottish nobleman and his lady, and the price they pay for violently seizing the royal throne. Books in this new, illustrated series present complete texts of Shakespeare's plays. However, the lines are set up so students can see the bard's original poetic phrases printed side-by-side and line-by-line with a modern translation on the facing page. Starting in the late 1580s and for several decades that followed, Shakespeare's plays were popular entertainment for London's theatergoers. His Globe Theatre was the equivalent of a Broadway theater in today's New York. The plays have endured, but over the course of 400+ years, the English language has changed in many ways --which is why today's students often find Shakespeare's idiom difficult to comprehend. Simply Shakespeare" offers an excellent solution to their problem. Introducing each play is a general essay covering Shakespeare's life and times. At the beginning of each of the five acts in every play, a two-page spread describes what is about to take place. The story's background is explained, followed by brief descriptions of key people who will appear in the act, details students should watch for as the story unfolds, discussion of the play's historical context, how the play was staged in Shakespeare's day, and explanation of puns and plays on words that occur in characters' dialogues. Identifying icons preceding each of these study points are printed in a second color, then are located again as cross-references in the play's original text. For instance, where words spoken by a person in the play offer insights into his or another character's personality, the Characters icon will appearas a cross-reference in both the introductory spread and the play proper. Following each act, a closing spread presents questions and discussion points for use as teachers' aids. Guided by the inspiring format of this fine new series, both teachers and students will come to understand and appreciate the genius of Shakespeare as never before.

First Edition Identification

The “First Folio” of 1623 remains the primary source for the play and the only early printed text, although some interpolations and additions are suspected. The “First Folio” is indeed the first printing of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays, and it was first published in 1623 by Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard. It is believed there were 750 copies of the First Folio printed in 1623. Only 235 of those are known to survive today, most of them held by The Folger Shakespeare Library.

Details

  • Title Macbeth (Simply Shakespeare)
  • Author William Shakespeare
  • Binding unknown
  • Publisher Tandem Library
  • Date August 2002
  • ISBN 9780613527019
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Macbeth
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Macbeth

by Shakespeare, William

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780613527019
ISBN 10
0613527011
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Description:
Turtleback Books, 2002. School & Library Binding. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Macbeth (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Simply Shakespeare)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Macbeth (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Simply Shakespeare)

by William Shakespeare

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780613527019
ISBN 10
0613527011
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$12.11
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Turtleback, 2002-03-01. School & Library Binding. Good.
Item Price
A$12.11
FREE shipping to USA