Customer Reviews

Macbeth: Man and Myth

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This is one of the best examples of historical research I've read in a long time. The author thoroughly discusses the pertinent sources, their provinence, accuracy, contemporanety, and biases. Using a variety of these sources he paints a very clear and interesting portrait of both MacBeth and to some extent his queen, for whom there is even scanter evidence. Thereafter Aitchison follows the development of the myths of MacBeth, two of which began in the king's lifetime or shortly thereafter. Because Shakespeare's MacBeth is one of the threads of this mythologizing tradition, he also discusses the manner in which Shakespeare changed the story and for what purposes. Probably the most important aspect of this book is the fact that the author is able to give a balance account of MacBeth. He neither indulges in the condemnation of some authors or the almost unrealistic praise of the appologists, both of whose efforts he evaluates as part of his study of the effects of the myth on modern times. Of considerable interest is the discussion of modern cinimatic recreations of MacBeth, including my favorite, the Japanese version Throne of Blood.

Glad that there is more and more information coming to light about this last Celtic King of Scotland and the reality of life in this period in time.

Readers will appreciate Aitchison's thorough historical and archeological review of the "real" Macbeth. In the second section of the book, he traces the growth of the "myth" (or story) about Macbeth. I found the entire work fascinating.