The Tragedy of Macbeth

This is the most extensively annotated edition of Macbeth currently available, offering a thorough reconsideration of one of Shakespeare's most popular plays.A full and accessible introduction studies the immediate theatrical and political contexts of Macbeth's composition and treats such celebrated issues as whether the Witches compel Macbeth to murder and whether Lady Macbeth is herself a witch. An extensive, well illustrated account of the play in performance examines several cinematic versions, such as those by Kurosawa and Roman Polanski, and other dramatic adaptations.