Customer Reviews

Macbeth (No Fear Shakespeare)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I consider myself to be a reasonably literate individual but, I have always avoided Shakespeare since I cannot make sense of the text. But now, I have fianally read Macbeth because, with "No Fear Shakespeare," each left hand page is written in the original whereas the right hand page is a plain English translation. So now I know, that when a porter says "it makes him stand to and not stand to," he is not referring about someone standing up on his feet. Instead, it means that alcoholic drinks make a man have an erection but then, lose the erection. How true is that and how cool is it to be able to understand that? Seriously, Macbeth is a great tale of ambition, deception and conscience. Thanks to this innovative book, I was able to read the original, then, after reading each page, I referred to the translation so I could understand. It was fun to read lines in the original, try to work out what I thought it meant and then check whether I was right. I recommend this as a way finally read and appreciate Macbeth.

The translation is clear and it helps immensely that it is side by side with the actual text. That way it's easy to fully understand the meaning behing Shakespeare's language.

After struggling with my decision to use this book with my senior students, I am finding they are less hesitant to read AND they are enjoying the concepts in this drama! If it were an honors class, I think I would make students read the original text, but for my regular classes, I am very happy with my decision because they are GETTING IT. We are reading the authentic Shakespeare for the really good lines/soliloquys that shouldn't be missed. This is much better than other renditions that simply paraphrase as far as comprehension is concerned.

I like the concept of the book and it really helps my students in need of understanding. The level of understanding has risen and with it their ability to enjoy Shakespeare. I would recommend this book to every student in need.

I loved this book because when you get to read Shakespeare and then read the modern version then it brings a whole new meaning to the book without loosing the simplicity and poetic writing of the original piece. I loved the way this book compares both writings for a better understanding and would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read Macbeth especially at a college level :)

i really needed this for my english class and i did not know where else to find it. i bought a new one and im glad they had a book for me.

I am very familiar with Shakespeare's Macbeth and was intrigued by the idea of making into a graphic novel. I like the way the language has been played with and many of the character choices. For instance the blindness of the three weird sisters. The "magic" of the witches is a great mixture of possible and "only possible in a Book/Drawing" and I loved that. The problem of actually understanding who is who is handles well, but the drawings of the people themselves are somehow too simple. I didn't actually finish it. After buying it and greedily unwrapping it when it arrived. (As I said, the story itself is very familiar to me and I was interested in how it was told more than what was told)

I can't believe anyone reads Macbeth without this 'No Fear' guide. It is wonderfully helpful!

This is the easiest way to read Shakespeare. One side is "The Bard's" words and the other is modern English. I highly recommend if reading Shakespeare is like reading another language.

This is not the side by side translation of this play that the "No Fear Shakespeare" series is known for. I thought it would have a few pictures. But is a comic book version. I returned my copy upon receipt. It would have helped if Barnes and Noble would let Amazon post pictures of a few of the pages.