Macbeth

William Shakespeare, Dr. Barbara A. Mowat, Paul Werstine

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Year: 2014
• eBook ISBN: 9781476788463
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

The authoritative edition of Macbeth from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers. In 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne, becoming James I of England. London was alive with an interest in all things Scottish, and Shakespeare turned to Scottish history for material. He found a spectacle of violence and stories of traitors advised by witches and wizards, echoing James's belief in a connection between treason and witchcraft. In depicting a man who murders to become king, Macbeth teases us with huge questions. Is Macbeth tempted by fate, or by his or his wife's ambition? Why does their success turn to ashes? Like other plays, Macbeth speaks to each generation. Its story was once seen as that of a hero who commits an evil act and pays an enormous price. Recently, it has been applied to nations that overreach themselves and to modern alienation. The line is blurred between Macbeth's evil and his opponents' good, and there are new attitudes toward both witchcraft and gender. The edition includes:
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
-Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play's famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books
-An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading Essay by Susan Snyder The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

The Tragedy of

MACBETH

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ACT 1

ACT 1

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Scene 1

Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches.

FIRST WITCH
When shall we three meet again?	1
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?	2
SECOND WITCH
When the hurly-burly’s done,	3
When the battle’s lost and won.	4
THIRD WITCH
That will be ere the set of sun.	5
FIRST WITCH
Where the place?	6
SECOND WITCH Upon the heath.	7
THIRD WITCH
There to meet with Macbeth.	8
FIRST WITCH I come, Graymalkin.	9
<SECOND WITCH> Paddock calls.	10
<THIRD WITCH> Anon.	11
ALL
Fair is foul, and foul is fair;	12
Hover through the fog and filthy air.	13

They exit.

Scene 2

Alarum within. Enter King <Duncan,> Malcolm,
Donalbain, Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding
Captain.

DUNCAN
What bloody man is that? He can report,	1
As seemeth by his plight, of the revo...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Editors’ Preface
• Shakespeare’s Macbeth
• Reading Shakespeare’s Language: Macbeth
• Shakespeare’s Life
• Shakespeare’s Theater
• The Publication of Shakespeare’s Plays
• An Introduction to This Text
• Characters in the Play
• The Tragedy of Macbeth
• Longer Notes
• Textual Notes
• Macbeth: A Modern Perspective by Susan Snyder
• Further Reading
• Key to Famous Lines and Phrases
• Commentary
• Copyright