
The Oxford School Shakespeare has become the preferred introduction to the literary legacy of the greatest playwright in the English language. This exclusive collection of the Bard's best works has been designed specifically for readers new to Shakespeare's rich literary legacy. Each play is presented complete and unabridged, in large print. Every book is well illustrated, and starts with a commentary and character summary. Scene synopses and character summaries clarify confusing plots, while incisive essays explore the historical context and Shakespeare's sources. Each book ends with a complete list of Shakespeare's plays and a brief chronology of the Bard's life. The detailed explanatory notes are written clearly and positioned right next to the text--no more squinting at microscopic footnotes or flipping pages back and forth in search of endnotes!The new edition of the series features new covers and new illustrations, including both new drawings and photos from recent productions of Shakespeare's plays around the globe. In addition, the notes and the introductory material have been completely revised in line with new research and in order to make them clearer and more accessible. Finally, the entire text has been redesigned and reset to enhance readability. The new edition achieves the feat of unprecedented clarity of presentation without any cuts to the original text or the detailed explanations.
A Scottish general receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become King of Scotland, triggering a descent into moral decay and violent ambition. Driven by his own desire for power and the relentless influence of his wife, Macbeth orchestrates the murder of King Duncan to seize the throne. He soon finds himself trapped in a cycle of paranoia and bloodshed, attempting to secure his position against perceived threats. The narrative unfolds through a series of dramatic soliloquies and intense confrontations that examine the psychological toll of tyranny and the erosion of conscience.
Discussion often centers on the rapid pacing of the play and the stark psychological transformation of the main characters. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the supernatural atmosphere in establishing the tone of impending doom. Critics often analyze the balance between the internal moral struggle of the protagonist and the external political consequences of his actions. The work remains a central subject of study due to its exploration of the corrupting nature of absolute power and the inevitability of consequences.
Page Count:
160
Publication Date:
2001-05-10
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198320221
ISBN-13:
9780198320227
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