Literature Matters The Tragedy of Macbeth A Study Guide for Teachers, Students and Readers: A Practical Guide for Teaching and Understanding: Macbeth

Macbeth was meant to be exciting. It was meant to entertain. Let me rephrase those statements: Macbeth IS meant to be exciting. It IS meant to entertain. While there are many layers and complexities to the play, it still remains powerful and entertaining, and ruthlessly appealing. Too often, scholars and directors get caught up in the complexities and lose that main goal of entertainment. When William Shakespeare was alive and writing, he was the equivalent to Steven Spielberg - a provider of entertainment. Sometimes that entertainment is more layered and complex. Other times it is pure pleasure and fun. Macbeth was not meant for the scholar; it was meant for the casual play goer, the casual reader, the casual movie watcher. This study guide addresses the complexities but maintains the excitement.