Comment

May 19, 2015DaisyCosh rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Written in 1606, "The Tragedy of Macbeth" follows the story of a Scottish noble soldier named -- you guessed it! -- Macbeth. The story starts after a battle between Scotland and Norway in which Macbeth killed so many that he single-handedly won the war. King Duncan of Scotland gladly gives Macbeth a fancy title as the new Thane of Cawdor. However, when Macbeth hears a prophecy that he is destined to be king, his ambition takes over. With the help of his calculating wife, Macbeth does what it takes to live the life he wants, but for how long will it last? With Macbeth constantly being challenged by new foes, will he continue to reign or will he fall from the throne? You'll have to read it to find out. Like many of Shakespeare's plays, there are elements of history entrenched in the plot. The royal family was not without fault in the early seventeenth century, so Shakespeare took aim. History buffs will enjoy the nod to the witch-hunting traits of King James I of England (formerly James VI of Scotland) in "Macbeth". Furthermore, pay close attention to the final act, especially the character of Malcolm. The reflection of Duncan in his own son says more about the nature of the monarchy than if Shakespeare had outright screamed it onstage. It's tongue in cheek, but telling nonetheless. Rich with symbolism beyond the obvious, "Macbeth" is still a great read for those who don't give a flying fig about historical accuracy. It has a strong story that reads like a cautionary tale against greed. The Three Weird Sisters plant the seed, but never explicitly tell Macbeth to slaughter his way to the top. That's just one of the many aspects of "Macbeth" that I enjoyed. The bloodiness will appeal to those who like the "Song of Ice and Fire" series, while the manipulative nature of Lady Macbeth comes off like the latest installment in the "Gossip Girl" series. There's really something for everyone. Plus, it's brief, the shortest of Shakespeare's plays -- it tells a great story quickly rather than dragging it out until it becomes dull and flimsy. The language isn't difficult to understand with a little practice, but this Folger Shakespeare Library edition offers such detailed modern English translations page for page that even those who struggle with it can understand the Bard's point. My main complaint? The final act felt rushed, jumping from convenient death to convenient death to tie up loose ends. Other than that, I genuinely enjoyed Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and recommend this particular edition for its great translations and supplements.