Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a tragedy of such proportions that even speaking its name is forbidden in theaters across the globe. The Scottish Play, as it is referred to by those bound by both superstition and tradition, was inspired by the history of one Scottish King and written with a desire to please another interested in witches and the supernatural. In this course, we will study different productions of Macbeth in their historical contexts. We will look at the ways that the different themes of the supernatural, greed, ambition, the dangers of allowing a woman to hold power, and the idea of free will evolve throughout the play and through its varied adaptations.

Offered Spring 2025