Understanding Macbeth : a student casebook to issues, sources, and historical documents
(Book - Regular Print)

1. Dramatic Analysis. Tragedy. From Aristotle's Poetics. History Rewritten. From Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, 1587. The Text. Poetic and Dramatic Patterns

2. Historical Context. Monarchy and Tyranny: The Boundaries of Kingship. From Dr. Gwinn, Tres Sibyllae, 1605. From William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, 1.3.85-110. From Edmund Plowden, Commentaries or Reports, 1571. From Nicolo Machiavelli, The Prince, 1513. From John Ponet, A Short Treatise of Politic Power, 1556. From King James, The True Law of Free Monarchies, 1598. From King James, Basilicon Doron, 1599. Treason and Equivocation: The Gunpowder Plot. Anonymous Letter to Lord Mounteagle, October 26, 1605. Guy Fawkes's Confession, 1605. From King James's A Speech in the Parliament House, November 9, 1605. From A True and Perfect Relation of the Whole Proceeding against the Late Most Barbarous Traitors, Garnet a Jesuit and His Confederates, 1606. From Mr. John Chamberlain's Letter to Mr. Ralph Winwood on April 5, 1606. From John Nichols, The Progresses, Processions, and Magnificent Festivities of King James the First, 1828. Toil and Trouble: Witchcraft in England and Scotland. From Raphael Holinshed, Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, 1587. From Reginald Scot, The Discovery of Witchcraft, 1584. From News from Scotland, 1591. From King James the First, Demonology, 1597. From Thomas Middleton, The Witch, c. 1613-1616. From The Witch of Edmonton, 1621

3. Performance and Interpretation. The Jacobean Stage. From Simon Forman, The Book of Plays and Notes Thereof per Forman's for Common Policy, 1611. From the Restoration to the Nineteenth Century. From Thomas Campbell, Life of Mrs. Siddons, 1839. From Francis Gentleman, The Dramatic Censor, 1770. From Leigh Hunt, "To 'The Tatler': Monday, November 7," 1894. The Twentieth Century. "Macbeth" the Moor. Film: Polanski's and Tynan's "Macbeth" Currents of Criticism. From A.C. Bradley, Shakespearean Tragedy, 1904. From Caroline Spurgeon, Shakespeare's Imagery and What It Tells Us, 1935. From G. Wilson Knight, The Wheel of Fire, 1930

4. Contemporary Applications. Crime and Punishment: A Quest for Power. Watergate: A Political Scandal. FBI Finds Nixon Aides Sabotaged Democrats. Nixon's Finale: America Needs a Full-Time President. A Consuming Passion for Power. High Drama and Flawed Character in a Theater Too Accustomed to Tragedy. The Olympic Games: An Athlete's Dream. Canada Begins Probe of Drug Use in Sports. Johnson Says He Lied about Steroid Use after Olympics. Bodyguard: Harding Knew of Plot. Plea Aside, Harding Already Cashes In. Haiti: A Terrorist Regime. Duvalier's Flight Ends Family Rule, but Not Haitian Turbulence. Army Tries Usual Ways against Unusual Leader. Haitian Armed Forces Repressing Aid Groups. Beyond the Courtroom: The Social and Psychological Impact. The Oklahoma City Bombing: The Aftermath of Fear. Oklahoma Shock Seat Fear throughout U.S. Bottom Line ... Terrorist Challenge Is Bigger Than Bombs. Timing Couldn't Be Worse for Latest Die Hard Sequel. The Voice of Conscience: Stories of Guilt. From Sophocles, Oedipus, King of Thebes. From Matthew 26 & 27, The Betrayal of Judas. From Edgar Allan Poe, "The Tell-Tale Heart."