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Summary
Summary
Witches, murder, ghosts, and madness -- one of Shakespeare's finest tragedies is also a perfect fit for the graphic novel format. This compelling adaptation depicts every blood-curdling scene in easy-to-follow illustrations, accompanied by Shakespeare's original text. An illustrated cast of characters reminds readers who's who, and fascinating background information on Shakespeare and the real Macbeth adds historical context.
Author Notes
William Shakespeare, 1564 - 1616 Although there are many myths and mysteries surrounding William Shakespeare, a great deal is actually known about his life. He was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, son of John Shakespeare, a prosperous merchant and local politician and Mary Arden, who had the wealth to send their oldest son to Stratford Grammar School.
At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the 27-year-old daughter of a local farmer, and they had their first daughter six months later. He probably developed an interest in theatre by watching plays performed by traveling players in Stratford while still in his youth. Some time before 1592, he left his family to take up residence in London, where he began acting and writing plays and poetry.
By 1594 Shakespeare had become a member and part owner of an acting company called The Lord Chamberlain's Men, where he soon became the company's principal playwright. His plays enjoyed great popularity and high critical acclaim in the newly built Globe Theatre. It was through his popularity that the troupe gained the attention of the new king, James I, who appointed them the King's Players in 1603. Before retiring to Stratford in 1613, after the Globe burned down, he wrote more than three dozen plays (that we are sure of) and more than 150 sonnets. He was celebrated by Ben Jonson, one of the leading playwrights of the day, as a writer who would be "not for an age, but for all time," a prediction that has proved to be true.
Today, Shakespeare towers over all other English writers and has few rivals in any language. His genius and creativity continue to astound scholars, and his plays continue to delight audiences. Many have served as the basis for operas, ballets, musical compositions, and films. While Jonson and other writers labored over their plays, Shakespeare seems to have had the ability to turn out work of exceptionally high caliber at an amazing speed. At the height of his career, he wrote an average of two plays a year as well as dozens of poems, songs, and possibly even verses for tombstones and heraldic shields, all while he continued to act in the plays performed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men. This staggering output is even more impressive when one considers its variety. Except for the English history plays, he never wrote the same kind of play twice. He seems to have had a good deal of fun in trying his hand at every kind of play.
Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, all published on 1609, most of which were dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothsley, The Earl of Southhampton. He also wrote 13 comedies, 13 histories, 6 tragedies, and 4 tragecomedies. He died at Stratford-upon-Avon April 23, 1616, and was buried two days later on the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. His cause of death was unknown, but it is surmised that he knew he was dying.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-These graphic interpretations of literary classics have been republished as "English Language Teaching Readers." These extensively edited versions remain true to the originals to the extent possible, both in terms of using actual snippets from the author's original texts as well as preserving the overarching themes. The entire stories are told through speech balloons rather than through a running narration. Particularly with Shakespeare's plays, this format offers readers an experience closer to a theatrical performance than a prose condensation of the plot. Most acts and scenes are included, although heavily edited. The same care and attention to detail that was evident in the original series is presented here. Excellent graphics bring the stories to life and set the mood. Lush art in jewel tones heightens interest. All of the titles are replete with support materials beginning with an illustrated cast of characters and an introduction or plot summary and concluding with back matter such as an author biography and historical background. Macbeth in particular includes a wealth of additional resources such as a main-character summary, family tree, link map of characters, and a listing of famous quotations. Most useful in a classroom setting, these volumes could serve as introductions to literary classics as well as companion volumes for students benefiting from a modified text.-Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
These graphic novel retellings of classic tales present dialogue in modern-day English; there's some awkwardness in the conversions. The books are accessible, though, and could serve as introductions to the original texts. Jane Eyre is illustrated in staid period style, and the other volumes' pictures may appeal to readers accustomed to glossy motion-picture animation. Glos. [Review covers these Classic Graphic Novel Collection titles: Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, Henry V, Macbeth, and Frankenstein.] (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Guardian Review
Not exactly a memoir but definitely Scottish, this vintage 1960 recording is to drama what Von Karajan conducting Beethoven is to music. You may prefer the Barenboim version last week at the Proms but sometimes you just want the good old-fashioned blood-and-thunder melodrama. Here it is with knobs on. - Sue Arnold Not exactly a memoir but definitely Scottish, this vintage 1960 recording is to drama what Von Karajan conducting... - Sue Arnold.
