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    Macbeth
    Macbeth
    Macbeth
    Ebook54 pages39 minutes

    Macbeth

    By Tony Bradman

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Tony Bradman's retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth is a historical narrative with plenty of pace and drama. It's a very dark story, with almost a horror movie feel, as Macbeth is corrupted by ambition and power. Boy readers in particular will be drawn to the darkness and violence of the world of Macbeth, with its swords and warriors, witches and ghosts.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBloomsbury Publishing
    Release dateNov 7, 2011
    ISBN9781408153536
    Macbeth
    Author

    Tony Bradman

    Tony Bradman started working life in the music press. In 1979 he joined Parents magazine where he launched their highly successful children’s book pages and, in 1985, the Best Books For Babies Award. He went freelance as a children’s author in 1987 and by 1992 was among the top 20 children’s authors borrowed from UK public libraries.

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    Reviews for Macbeth

    4/5

    5,760 ratings32 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Obviously, Shakespeare is a poetic genius. This play is beautifully written and contains messages about morality. Although Shakespeare's writing can be sometimes hard to understand, I followed this play very well and found it very entertaining. It is interesting to notice the way that fate plays a huge role in the outcome of the play.
    • 5/5
      My all time favorite.
    • 5/5
      This is a wonderful play with so many great things going on. One of my favourite lines comes when MacDuff learns that his family has been killed. He says, "Oh, my pretty chickens!" As those of you who've read the play will know, much of it revolves around the idea that fair is foul and foul is fair. Pretty chickens are fair fowls. I can't help but wonder if Shakespeare did that deliberately.Stuff like that kills me.
    • 3/5
      I'm not a big Shakespeare fan, so I won't rate any of his works very high
    • 5/5
      It's interesting to consider the role fate has in this play. And of course, it helps to have the guides at the bottom of the page that explains some of the texts.
    • 5/5
      Fantastic editions this is, the play on the right page, and explanations and supprt material on the left. You don't have to read it, but if you come across words you don't understand, It's pretty convenient!The story itself, well that off course has lost nothing of it's magic....
    • 3/5
      Actually enjoyed this one, and I typically loathe reading Shakespeare. This and Hamlet are the only ones worth reading, in my opinion.
    • 4/5
      I read this play my senior year of high school, and immediately enjoyed it more than HAMLET, especially because of the three Witches. And when my teacher pointed out that the punctuation within one of Lady Macbeth's paragraphs seems to connotate that she is reaching orgasm simply by talking about all the power she is about to obtain, I was hooked. I love several of the monologues.
    • 4/5
      Truly among the best of the Bard's dramas. Full of great dramatic images -- the supernatural, passion for power and scenes of great intensity. It's easier to follow than King Lear because it moves forward in a straight line with no sub-plots. The ending, with images juxtaposed through the various almost overlapping scenes adds to the dramatic tension.
    • 5/5
      What can you say about Macbeth that's not already been said? I thought I would find it difficult to understand, having not read any Shakespeare before, but it just took a bit of slow reading and thinking about what the meaning might be. I think if you've not read Shakespeare before, this might be a good place to start.
    • 5/5
      I can't believe I hadn't read this sooner and hope to see a production of it one of these days. I must say I have a soft spot in my heart for the three weird sisters.
    • 4/5
      studied this play during 2nd level education. Certain lines still stick with me to this day. Amazing to think of its sheer impact, centuries into the future (and still going strong!).
    • 4/5
      Audiobook. It was done like a play and very enjoyable =)
    • 4/5
      Re-read this classic in the Signature Shakespeare edition - beautiful presentation, and useful notes and explanations. Interesting to contrast the awful reputation of the Shakespearian Macbeth with the vastly different person that historians now document. I read a book on the real Macbeth a few years ago which claimed that he was the most unfairly maligned figure in history. But you read the play for Shakespeare, not historic accuracy, and this play is a ripper. Read March 2015
    • 4/5
      The Scottish play is well known for those who know a thing or two about Shakespeare. This play tells the tale betrayal, guilt, hubris, and witchcraft, threading together plots and wordplay only as Shakespeare could do.Recommended for any fan of Shakespeare, or by any fan of British fantasy.
    • 2/5
      Not fun to read. A cool line every 20 lines or so. Pretty good story, I would have enjoyed it more if it was written in regular, somewhat poetic prose.
    • 5/5
      Classic. My favorite SS play.
    • 3/5
      Although I'm an English teacher, I have to admit that Macbeth is not one of my personal favorites. Does that mean that the play isn't brilliant? Absolutely not. Shakespeare, once again, exhibits the full range of characteristics and emotions that a human can display. Great play about the way a seemingly good man, can descend into the madness of becoming greedy and a murderer.
    • 4/5
      Not my favorite in any sense. An interesting read. Worth the read for the exposure to Shakespeare's writing. The story itself, however, wasn't as engaging for me personally. Because I read it at 2AM had something to do with it, I'm sure. I'll revisit it, I'm sure.
    • 3/5
      I think this is one which needs to be seen. It seemed very slow to me, aside from the bits with murder and ghosts.
    • 5/5
      Classic tragedy.
    • 4/5
      1606, Shakespeares meest intense tragedie, confrontatie met de kracht van het kwaad.Ook zijn kortste stuk, sterk geconcentreerd. Doordrenkt met demonische energie (via woorden als duisternis en bloed).“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player/ that struts and frets his hour upon the stage/ and then is heard no more: it is a tale / told by an idiot, full of sound and fury / Signifying nothing”.Spijtig van het zeer flauwe einde.
    • 4/5
      A shakespeare play full of tragedy, love, and a crazy hunger for power. An amazing play by William Shakespeare.
    • 5/5
      My favorite Shakespeare play so far, due to the simple depth of the plot, the cool use of the witches, and the straightforward, yet dynamic characters.
    • 4/5
      Was a great book, at the time I had a teacher who understood how to make Shakesphere approachable to students.It could easily be staged as a leadership bid at one of those Fortune 500s all over Wall Street.
    • 5/5
      This is one of my absolute favorite plays by Shakespeare. The "Scottish Play" contains the supernatural, riddles and memorable quotes. It is a testament about the times and a warning to those that would deceive others to get what they want. This play is a must read/see!
    • 5/5
      Opening with the prophecies of the three witches always caught my imagination. I love how the story relates to that throughout the play, and also how Macbeth is intrigued that he may indeed become king. It adds a great, dramatic effect. Beginning to end this is a brilliantly written play.
    • 3/5
      Audiobook. Strangely compelling. Narrated by Alan Cummings. A good part of the charm was the great Scottish reading. I have now downloaded his one man show of Macbeth. This is a very interesting project. Would probably be a .5 because of how interesting the project.
    • 4/5
      Seems like a lot of build up to just suddenly end like that. Damn those witches and their doubletalk. Pro tip: mention this play as often at theatres as possible.
    • 5/5
      This full cast production of Macbeth was excellent. Joanne Whalley was particularly good as Lady Macbeth.

    Book preview

    Macbeth - Tony Bradman

    Macbeth

    WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S

    Retold by Tony Bradman

    Illustrated by Mark Oldroyd

    Contents

    Cover

    Title

    List of characters

    Act One

    Act Two

    Act Three

    Act Four

    Act Five

    About the Author

    Imprint

    List of characters

    Macbeth, a thane of Scotland

    Lady Macbeth, his wife

    Banquo, another thane of Scotland

    Fleance, Banquo’s son

    Duncan, King of Scotland

    Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan’s sons

    Lennox, Ross and Macduff, thanes of Scotland

    Lady Macduff and her son

    The Weird Sisters

    A gatekeeper

    Two murderers

    A doctor

    Lady Macbeth’s maid

    Seyton, Macbeth’s servant

    Act One

    The Weird Sisters Speak

    A Scottish warrior came riding down a rocky track at dusk. He was smiling, and there was blood on his hands from the day’s battle. Darkness slowly covered the land behind him, and it seemed he was drawing the night around his shoulders like a great, black cloak. Another man followed, riding hard to keep up, a smile on his face, too.

    Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, and his right-hand man, Banquo. Two men who had fought on the same side, and who were friends. For now…

    ‘I’ve never known a day so foul and fair, Banquo,’ Macbeth called out. ‘The sun was shining for our victory — but look at those black clouds!’

    ‘You’re right, it is strange…’ Banquo replied.

    Suddenly lightning flashed. It revealed three women — the Weird Sisters — waiting at a place where the track crossed the road to Macbeth’s castle. They were very old and dressed in rags, and their eyes glowed a fiery red. Thunder rumbled in the distance and echoed off the mountains.

    Macbeth and Banquo stopped their horses. Both men were startled and were silent for a while.

    ‘Who… who are you?’ Banquo said at last. ‘Are you truly human? People that live and breathe and speak?’

    ‘Yes, speak to us, if you can…’ Macbeth said quietly, his hand on his sword. He felt that he had fallen under a spell. It was almost as if he had been waiting his whole life to hear what they had to say.

    ‘All hail, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis,’ wailed the first Sister.

    ‘All hail, Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor,’ wailed the second Sister.

    ‘All hail, Macbeth, who will be king,’ wailed the third Sister.

    Macbeth caught his breath, and the blood drained from his cheeks.

    ‘What’s the matter?’ Banquo asked him. ‘Surely there’s nothing to fear in their words. They’re promising you a golden future, a royal one…’

    Macbeth made no reply. He didn’t want to explain his feelings and give himself away.

    Banquo turned back to the women. ‘Have you no words for me, then?’ he said. ‘Don’t you know what my future will be?’

    ‘Hail, lesser than Macbeth, and greater!’ wailed the first Sister.

    ‘Hail, not so happy, yet much happier,’ wailed the second Sister.

    ‘Hail, you who will not be a king, but whose children will be,’ wailed the third Sister.

    Lightning flickered once more and their shadows danced.

    ‘Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!’ the Weird Sisters wailed.

    Macbeth glanced at his friend, but Banquo couldn’t take his eyes off them.

    ‘I’m Thane of Glamis right enough,’ said

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