Macbeth: Usborne Graphic Shakespeare
by Russell Punter, Romina Denti (Illustrator), Valentino Forlini (Illustrator), Massimiliano Longo (Illustrator), William Shakespeare (Author of original source)
Usborne Graphic Shakespeare
On This Page
Description
When three witches tell Scottish warrior Macbeth that he is destined to be king, it sparks off a series of tragic events. Spurred on by his ambitious wife, Macbeth is determined to fulfil his destiny, whatever the cost. Shakespeare's tale of ruthless ambition is retold with simplified text. The comic strip format provides an accessible introduction to the works of Shakespeare. A map, together with background information on Shakespeare and the original play bring added value.Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I first became aware of the Usborne Shakespeare graphic adaptation of Macbeth through a post on the Graphic Stories thread. I bought a copy because I was launching a read of Shakespeare's play coupled with a read of Jo Nesbo's novel of the same name, inspired by the play. After reading Usborne's edition, I spotted a graphic version by Gareth Hinds in a library. I signed it out. Comparing the two graphic versions was very interesting.
In my opinion, the Usborne version is a bargain-basement item, intended to fill a blank spot in the publisher's lineup. The adaptation of Shakespeare's text is acceptable, not not anything more than that. Overall, the illustrations are competent but not special; my gut snarks that they were drawn by the show more low-bidder, who was chosen for the job simply because he was the low-bidder. They are sketchy. The characters convey anger more often than any other emotion.
I've posted a comparison of this edition with the edition created by Gareth Hinds. A substantial selection of visuals from both books is included. Here's the linky: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340224#7796277 show less
In my opinion, the Usborne version is a bargain-basement item, intended to fill a blank spot in the publisher's lineup. The adaptation of Shakespeare's text is acceptable, not not anything more than that. Overall, the illustrations are competent but not special; my gut snarks that they were drawn by the show more low-bidder, who was chosen for the job simply because he was the low-bidder. They are sketchy. The characters convey anger more often than any other emotion.
I've posted a comparison of this edition with the edition created by Gareth Hinds. A substantial selection of visuals from both books is included. Here's the linky: https://www.librarything.com/topic/340224#7796277 show less
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Club Read's Graphic Stories Recommendations
127 works; 2 members
Books Read in 2022
5,226 works; 115 members
Author Information
142+ Works 11,625 Members
William Shakespeare, 1564 - 1616 Although there are many myths and mysteries surrounding William Shakespeare, a great deal is actually known about his life. He was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, son of John Shakespeare, a prosperous merchant and local politician and Mary Arden, who had the wealth to send their oldest son to Stratford Grammar School. show more At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the 27-year-old daughter of a local farmer, and they had their first daughter six months later. He probably developed an interest in theatre by watching plays performed by traveling players in Stratford while still in his youth. Some time before 1592, he left his family to take up residence in London, where he began acting and writing plays and poetry. By 1594 Shakespeare had become a member and part owner of an acting company called The Lord Chamberlain's Men, where he soon became the company's principal playwright. His plays enjoyed great popularity and high critical acclaim in the newly built Globe Theatre. It was through his popularity that the troupe gained the attention of the new king, James I, who appointed them the King's Players in 1603. Before retiring to Stratford in 1613, after the Globe burned down, he wrote more than three dozen plays (that we are sure of) and more than 150 sonnets. He was celebrated by Ben Jonson, one of the leading playwrights of the day, as a writer who would be "not for an age, but for all time," a prediction that has proved to be true. Today, Shakespeare towers over all other English writers and has few rivals in any language. His genius and creativity continue to astound scholars, and his plays continue to delight audiences. Many have served as the basis for operas, ballets, musical compositions, and films. While Jonson and other writers labored over their plays, Shakespeare seems to have had the ability to turn out work of exceptionally high caliber at an amazing speed. At the height of his career, he wrote an average of two plays a year as well as dozens of poems, songs, and possibly even verses for tombstones and heraldic shields, all while he continued to act in the plays performed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men. This staggering output is even more impressive when one considers its variety. Except for the English history plays, he never wrote the same kind of play twice. He seems to have had a good deal of fun in trying his hand at every kind of play. Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, all published on 1609, most of which were dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothsley, The Earl of Southhampton. He also wrote 13 comedies, 13 histories, 6 tragedies, and 4 tragecomedies. He died at Stratford-upon-Avon April 23, 1616, and was buried two days later on the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. His cause of death was unknown, but it is surmised that he knew he was dying. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Work Relationships
Is an adaptation of
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Macbeth: Usborne Graphic Shakespeare
Classifications
- Genres
- Poetry, Graphic Novels & Comics
- DDC/MDS
- 741.5941 — Arts & recreation Drawing & decorative arts Drawing Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips History, geographic treatment, biography European British Isles
- LCC
- PZ7.7 .P86 .M — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 81
- Popularity
- 393,370
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.25)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 4
