Macbeth: A Shakespeare Story
Shakespeare Stories Series
What’s inside...
Out, damned spot! A brilliant retelling of this classic tale of witches, murder and madness. With Notes on Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre and Evil in Macbeth. The tales have been retold using accessible language and with the help of Tony Ross's engaging black-and-white illustrations, each play is vividly brought to life allowing these culturally enriching stories to be shared with as wide an audience as possible. Have you read all of The Shakespeare Stories books? Available in this series: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice, Henry V, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Richard III, and King Lear. Discover the literary world of Shakespeare with these fantastic kid-friendly retellings of his most famous works. From the murderous adventures of Macbeth to the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, these stories come alive with illustrations throughout that capture the humor and drama from the original stories. This set is a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for young readers!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Macbeth
Banquo
King Duncan
Lady Macbeth
The Three Witches
Malcolm
Macduff
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Macbeth to make the choices he did?
How do you think Lady Macbeth influenced Macbeth's decisions?
If you were in Macbeth's place, how would you handle the witches' prophecies?
What consequences did Macbeth face because of his actions? Do you think they were fair?
How does the story show the importance of making good choices?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the motives behind characters' actions and how they relate to real life decisions.
Discuss the significance of honesty and integrity by comparing Macbeth's actions with real-life scenarios.
Stimulate empathy by asking how your child would feel in Macbeth's situation and how they would manage the pressures he faced.
Highlight the consequences of actions within the story, and relate them to everyday life to help your child understand the importance of good decision-making.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The consequences of unchecked ambition
Explanation: In the story, Macbeth's overwhelming ambition to become king leads him down a dark path of murder and betrayal, ultimately resulting in his downfall.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of setting realistic goals and the risks of letting ambition override moral judgment. It teaches them to strive for success while maintaining integrity.
Example Lesson: The importance of moral decision-making
Explanation: Macbeth faces several moral dilemmas throughout the story, such as the decision to kill King Duncan. These actions highlight the conflict between right and wrong.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their choices have consequences. It encourages them to think critically about right and wrong and to make ethical decisions in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: The impact of guilt on mental health
Explanation: After committing heinous acts, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience profound guilt and mental distress, which significantly affects their well-being and decision-making.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the psychological effects of guilt and the importance of dealing with feelings of remorse in healthy ways, such as by seeking forgiveness or making amends.
Example Lesson: The destructive nature of power and greed
Explanation: As Macbeth gains power, his greed grows, leading to more questionable and destructive choices, illustrating how power can corrupt if not handled responsibly.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of humility and the dangers of greed. It encourages them to handle power responsibly and to always consider the welfare of others in their actions.