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"An excellent sourcebook because of its emphasis on issues, sources, and historical data…Highly recommended."
The Book Report on
Understanding Macbeth (print)
This rich interdisciplinary collection of primary
materials and commentary about Shakespeare's Macbeth will
help student and teacher explore historical, literary, theatrical,
social, and political issues related to the play. Bringing together
past and present in its approach to Macbeth, the guide explores
topics ranging from Shakespeare's stage to modern political events
- from historical focus on the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and
its influence on the play, to theatrical interest in the stage and
performance, to thematic connections between Macbeth and
modern events such as Watergate and the Oklahoma City
bombing.
Excerpted documents range from royal proclamations
to court confessions, from an actor's journal to dramatic criticism,
from a short story to movie reviews. Ideas for classroom discussion,
student assignments, paper topics, and bibliographies provide additional
sources for examining the play in context. In addition, the online
resource provides the user access to:
- E-text of Shakespeare's Macbeth, offering a hypertext
study guide with scene summaries, speech summaries, and analytical
comments; E-texts of six additional Shakespeare plays
- E-text of the 1605 purported transcript of the trial of Guy
Fawkes and fellow conspirators for their part in the Gunpowder
Plot
- Audio performances of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and the Witches
- Audio of rock opera version of Macbeth
- Video of scenes from performances of Macbeth
- E-texts of: The Prince (Machiavelli); Discoverie
of Witchcraft, 1584 (Reginald Scot); Demonology (King
James VI of Scotland); and The Witch (Thomas Middleton)
- Shakespeare's Globe Research Database with 16th
century sketches of the original Globe Theatre
- Virtual tour of the new Globe Theatre, London, including the
reconstruction process
- Pictorial survey of English and American actors who played
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth for late Victorian and Edwardian audiences
- Audio and video of Nixon's resignation
- Biographical profiles of key players in the Watergate scandal
- QuickTime movies of the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing
and comprehensive media coverage of the event
- Contextual timelines
- Glossary of cultural references and historical idioms from
Shakespeare's Macbeth
- Web-based study questions
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