An improved, larger-format edition of the Cambridge School Shakespeare plays, extensively rewritten, expanded and produced in an attractive new design. An active approach to classroom Shakespeare enables students to inhabit Shakespeare's imaginative world in accessible and creative ways. Students are encouraged to share Shakespeare's love of language, interest in character and sense of theatre.Substantially revised and extended in full colour, classroom activities are thematically organised in distinctive 'Stagecraft', 'Write about it', 'Language in the play', 'Characters' and 'Themes' features. Extended glossaries are aligned with the play text for easy reference. Expanded endnotes include extensive essay-writing guidance for 'Macbeth' and Shakespeare.Includes rich, exciting colour photos of performances of 'Macbeth' from around the world.
This book is part of a book series called Cambridge School Shakespeare .
There are 200 pages in this book.
It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.
This book was published in 2014 by Cambridge University Press .
Rene Weis is Professor of English at University College London and a distinguished editor and biographer of Shakespeare. The author, James David, has taught in primary schools for 30 years and compiled word puzzles for many magazines and newspapers. He has had several puzzle books published and a children's fiction series.
This book has the following chapters: Introduction; Photo gallery; List of characters; Act 1; Act 2; Act 3; Act 4; Act 5; Perspectives and themes; The contexts of Macbeth; Characters; The language of Macbeth; Macbeth in performance; Writing about Shakespeare; Writing about Macbeth; Timeline; Acknowledgements.
This book contains the following story:
Macbeth
"Macbeth" is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare, exploring themes of ambition, power, guilt, and the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition.
Act 1: The play "Macbeth" opens with three witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, who gather on a heath and prophesy that Macbeth, a brave Scottish general, will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland. Intrigued by the witches' words, Macbeth and his friend Banquo encounter messengers from King Duncan, who confirm Macbeth's new title as Thane of Cawdor. This prompts Macbeth to start contemplating the possibility of fulfilling the witches' second prophecy.
Act 2: Driven by his ambition and influenced by his power-hungry wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth begins to entertain the idea of murdering King Duncan to seize the throne. As Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle for a visit, Macbeth hesitates but ultimately succumbs to Lady Macbeth's persuasion and kills Duncan in his sleep. After the murder, Macbeth is plagued with guilt and paranoia.
Act 3: Macbeth becomes king, but his troubles are far from over. Fearful of the witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne, Macbeth orders the assassination of Banquo and his son, Fleance. While Banquo is killed, Fleance manages to escape. At a banquet, Macbeth is tormented by the ghost of Banquo, which further intensifies his guilt and paranoia.
Act 4: Macbeth seeks guidance from the witches again and receives more prophecies. They warn him to be wary of Macduff, a nobleman who poses a threat to his rule. Macbeth decides to have Macduff's family slaughtered. Meanwhile, Macduff joins forces with Malcolm, Duncan's son, who has fled to England. Together, they plan to overthrow Macbeth.
Act 5: As Macbeth's tyrannical rule continues, Lady Macbeth is consumed by guilt and descends into madness. She sleepwalks and confesses her involvement in Duncan's murder. Macbeth, who is now desperate and on the verge of despair, learns that an army led by Malcolm and Macduff is approaching to challenge him.
In the final battle, Macbeth fights bravely but realizes that the prophecies are coming true. He encounters Macduff, who reveals that he was born via a Caesarean section, not "naturally" as Macbeth had believed, making him the fulfillment of the witches' prophecy. Macbeth is subsequently slain by Macduff, and Malcolm is proclaimed the new King of Scotland.
The play concludes with Malcolm's ascension to the throne and the restoration of order and justice to Scotland.
"Macbeth" is a tragic play that explores themes of ambition, guilt, and the corrupting influence of power, showcasing the devastating consequences that can arise from unchecked ambition and ruthless pursuit of authority.
This book features the following characters:
John Shakespeare
This book features the character John Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor. He wrote plays, sonnets and verse and is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English Language. Son of a glove maker, he grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon. He married Anne Hathaway and had three children, though one died very young. Shakespeare left Stratford to pursue theatre in London, where he acted at the Globe Theatre, wrote and was part owner of a playing company called 'The Lord Chamberlein's Men' (later 'The King's Men').
Macbeth
This book features the character Macbeth.
Mary Arden
This book features the character Mary Arden.
Anne Hathaway
This book features the character Anne Hathaway.
