Macbeth A Guide to the Play

Subjects:

• Literature » Drama
• Literature » English Literature

Reviews:

• One of the most frequently taught of Shakespeare's plays, 'the Scottish Play' is the ideal subject for the 'Greenwood Guides to Shakespeare' series. In the first four chapters Coursen briefly reviews the textual history, contexts and sources, dramatic structure, and salient themes, the latter including controversial interpretations of key scenes by leading critics and stage directors, which are more fully explored in the final sections of the book. Chapter 5 offers a lengthy review of criticism segmented by topic (genre, world order, witchcraft, psychology, gender, and 'Macbeth as murderer'), each with its own list of references.... Especially interesting is the substantial sixth and final chapter on the play in performance on stage, film, and television, including specific references for each medium.... essential for libraries at all levels.
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  Choice
• Its meticulous scholarship and readability make it useful (but not intimidating) for beginning students and advanced scholars. Coursen's illuminating presentation of the play's religious background makes this volume of special interest to Catholic libraries.
  —Catholic Library World
• Coursen treats the play in a scholarly manner with a very readable style.
  —Christian Library Journal
• Do we really need another guidebook to a major Shakespear play?... Coursen's book provides a decisive answer: Yes... The book is deftly organized.
  —Shakespeare and Renaissance Association of West Virginia Selected Papers

Table of Contents:

• Purpose
• Textual History
• Contexts and Sources
• Dramatic Structure
• Themes
• Critical Approaches
• The Play in Performance
• Selected Bibliography
• Index