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Macbeth
A graphic novel adaptation of William Shakespeare's play about Macbeth, the eleventh-century king of Scotland, and of the tragedy of prophecy and royal murder.
77 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2012
About the author
William Shakespeare
18.6k books48.3k followersWilliam Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 26, 2022
I watched the Joel Coen Macbeth movie with Denzel Washington, and since I was a bit dissatisfied by that adaptation, I thought I'd try another one right away to compare, and boy is this one so much worse.
I felt the Coen flick was too dominated by a director who wanted to let you know he was directing dammit!!! from the use of black-and-white stock to the super elongated shadows to the bizarre elevation of Macbeth's cousin Ross from minor messenger in the play to major character in the film. Meanwhile, Denzel's Macbeth was too withdrawn, reserved, and monotone for me.
But at least they didn't dumb down the material to the degree this adaptation does. Of course, the plot and language are simplified for an audience of children, but sheesh. I suppose it will serve to at least familiarize kids with the story so they are better prepared to tackle the original later in life, unless the pure cheesiness puts them off ever attempting that.
At least it made me feel a little better about the Coen film.
I felt the Coen flick was too dominated by a director who wanted to let you know he was directing dammit!!! from the use of black-and-white stock to the super elongated shadows to the bizarre elevation of Macbeth's cousin Ross from minor messenger in the play to major character in the film. Meanwhile, Denzel's Macbeth was too withdrawn, reserved, and monotone for me.
But at least they didn't dumb down the material to the degree this adaptation does. Of course, the plot and language are simplified for an audience of children, but sheesh. I suppose it will serve to at least familiarize kids with the story so they are better prepared to tackle the original later in life, unless the pure cheesiness puts them off ever attempting that.
At least it made me feel a little better about the Coen film.
November 16, 2021
I love Macbeth and I have this book as a reference within my classroom. While I will pull bits and pieces from it to show my students, as a whole, this book is not well done. The characters look very similar and the drawings don't seem to match with the emotions all the time. Also, while I understand that No Fear Shakespeare is supposed to make it easier to understand, they are also getting rid of the actual beauty of so much of the play. There's a healthy balance of Shakespearean and modern English and they did not strike it.
Also, there is just so much text... I understand that there are soliloquies, but holy cow this is on a new level for the amount of text in a speech bubble.
Also, there is just so much text... I understand that there are soliloquies, but holy cow this is on a new level for the amount of text in a speech bubble.
November 15, 2017
An entertaining retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The graphics are top-notch.
This GN includes a cast of the major characters at the beginning, history of the authors and the play as well as explanation of some of the more difficult lines in the story.
This would make a great introduction and/or companion piece to the play Macbeth.
This GN includes a cast of the major characters at the beginning, history of the authors and the play as well as explanation of some of the more difficult lines in the story.
This would make a great introduction and/or companion piece to the play Macbeth.
October 8, 2021
I’ve been thinking about reading Shakespeares’ Macbeth soon, so when I saw this I thought it would be the perfect introduction to the story. And it was, it was concise and the art style was great. I especially liked how it pulled actual quotes from the play and gave food-for-thought questions at the end.
December 10, 2022
3.5🌟 Good short graphic novel adaptation. It could have been more in depth, but not too bad otherwise. I liked the art work as well.
May 26, 2026
Who decided this guy was a genius?
July 13, 2026
Dudeeee i love macbeth the play i am a big fangirl.. so angsty, so gothic, just pure deliciousness.. And the illustrations deliver
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April 2, 2023I loved the writing but hated the illustrations. The writing was succinct and easy to understand, with just the right amount of original phrases by Shakespeare. It is the perfect way to introduce a child to Shakespeare's work. They will understand the basic story of Macbeth, which they can refer back to as they get older, build their reading and vocabulary skills, and maybe want to try to read an actual book by Shakespeare.
However, I really disliked the illustrations. To me it looked like the illustrator was trying to hard to draw in manga style, but was used to drawing in an American superhero comic book style. The characters looked goofy and ugly - I personally think they should look a little more realistic and dark for a story like Macbeth.
However, I really disliked the illustrations. To me it looked like the illustrator was trying to hard to draw in manga style, but was used to drawing in an American superhero comic book style. The characters looked goofy and ugly - I personally think they should look a little more realistic and dark for a story like Macbeth.
February 22, 2024
An entertaining and quick telling of Macbeth with some good (but not excellent) illustrations.
It captures the main plot points of the play, a few lines of the dialogue but it is undoubtably sacrilegious to strip away so much of the actual prose with it's metaphors, word play, witticisms and flow. This is particularly true when removing so many of the witches craftily worded prophesies, Lady Macbeth's manipulative lines of control and her / Macbeth's descent into paranoia and insanity.
Would have liked the imagery to be far more grimy and violent as it is perhaps one of Shakespeares bloodiest plays, but understand this GN is most likely targeted for school children who are about to embark on the tale. A good and quick refresher of the plot with the helpful addition of imagery.
It captures the main plot points of the play, a few lines of the dialogue but it is undoubtably sacrilegious to strip away so much of the actual prose with it's metaphors, word play, witticisms and flow. This is particularly true when removing so many of the witches craftily worded prophesies, Lady Macbeth's manipulative lines of control and her / Macbeth's descent into paranoia and insanity.
Would have liked the imagery to be far more grimy and violent as it is perhaps one of Shakespeares bloodiest plays, but understand this GN is most likely targeted for school children who are about to embark on the tale. A good and quick refresher of the plot with the helpful addition of imagery.
July 19, 2023
I'm so glad I picked this up! Brought back memories when I was still in junior high school ❤️ I played Lady Macbeth back then and this just made me reminisce those moments. Aah~ how time flies so fast.
Anyway! Reading graphic novels are indeed a fun way great to break one's book slump! Haha So with that, giving this a solid 4 stars, just because I feel like this is too concise from the original story. But I get that the target audience of this graphic novel are mostly children and people who finds Shakespeare's works a little daunting but still interested in knowing what it is about.
So that's it, that's the review. On to the next read!
xx
Anyway! Reading graphic novels are indeed a fun way great to break one's book slump! Haha So with that, giving this a solid 4 stars, just because I feel like this is too concise from the original story. But I get that the target audience of this graphic novel are mostly children and people who finds Shakespeare's works a little daunting but still interested in knowing what it is about.
So that's it, that's the review. On to the next read!
xx
August 8, 2021
For those who love and live Shakespeare, this book might be disappointing. However, a big majority of readers who have stayed away or got scared of the terse language, might get a taste of his work with this clever adaptation of his work. The graphics is not impressive but the story is one of the greatest and is a must read for those who couldn’t attempt the original play. The unfathomable mind of men and women are explored by Shakespeare in so many of his works and this graphic novel, in my opinion, is a great abridged and adapted version to start learning his work.
May 17, 2022
I have read the original Macbeth and seen it performed as a play several times and appreciated it. I got this as a support for my son reading Macbeth in 9th grade English and have also included a copy in my high school classroom library for my support students. I read it with my son. The graphic novel artwork in comic book form and the modernized language is wonderful for students who learn better from visual graphics and modern language. My husband finished the last two Acts to help my son prepare for his exam. I just picked it back up after several months to finish it.
April 15, 2024
Ooh, hard to rate. Am I rating the story, the interpretation, the art? Overall, a 3 maybe? I had requested a different graphic telling of Macbeth from the library, one that was somewhat abridged but was in fact actually Shakespeare's verses. Unfortunately the copy of it had been lost for some time, so they suggested this one to me. It is definitely not Shakespeare's work. I mean, there are a few lines that are but the people who paraphrased made some really odd choices. That said, I liked the artwork and felt like it did add to my enjoyment.
December 5, 2024
I had never read Macbeth or seen it performed, so I was coming to it as a clean slate. After reading and teaching Hamlet for a few years, I was looking forward to checking out a new play.
Compared to the Hamlet graphic novel version, I was not a big fan of this style in Macbeth. The drawings were not super engaging and I had to flip back and forth to check who each character was.
I’m definitely interested in reading the full play sometime, and while this was a good introduction to the story I’m not sure the medium or style treated this story the best.
Compared to the Hamlet graphic novel version, I was not a big fan of this style in Macbeth. The drawings were not super engaging and I had to flip back and forth to check who each character was.
I’m definitely interested in reading the full play sometime, and while this was a good introduction to the story I’m not sure the medium or style treated this story the best.
June 6, 2022
I got this for my kids before going to see Daniel Craig in MacBeth on Broadway, but even though I read the original, I decided to read this version, too. It's a great supplement to the original text to make sure you don't miss what's happening. I was glad I refreshed my memory, because, while the play was amazing, Shakespeare can be hard to follow if you haven't already studied the story in depth.
March 20, 2022
4 stars
Just to be clear - the original Macbeth text is 5 stars. I'm rating this based on the translation and illustrations. I like the concept of No Fear Shakespeare but their translation takes the joy out of the words; it all sounds so stilted. Also, these illustrations were just not my taste. The story is still as incredible as ever though.
Just to be clear - the original Macbeth text is 5 stars. I'm rating this based on the translation and illustrations. I like the concept of No Fear Shakespeare but their translation takes the joy out of the words; it all sounds so stilted. Also, these illustrations were just not my taste. The story is still as incredible as ever though.
December 22, 2022
"But screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we'll not fail."
=
”If you keep your courage, then we will not fail.”
"Things without all remedy should be without regard. What's done is done.” = ”If you can't fix something, you shouldn't worry about it. You cannot undo what is already done.”
"Things without all remedy should be without regard. What's done is done.” = ”If you can't fix something, you shouldn't worry about it. You cannot undo what is already done.”
March 13, 2023
personal classic book reading challenge
March: Shakespeare
pt 1, a play I’ve read before and liked: Macbeth
I had bought this version because I like both Shakespeare and graphic novels and my only complaint is that more of his plays aren’t in this format. I loved that it helped me visualize more of the play itself and the coloring definitely fits the mood.
“Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
March: Shakespeare
pt 1, a play I’ve read before and liked: Macbeth
I had bought this version because I like both Shakespeare and graphic novels and my only complaint is that more of his plays aren’t in this format. I loved that it helped me visualize more of the play itself and the coloring definitely fits the mood.
“Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
December 27, 2023
Enjoyable, quick read
A good comic for younger readers and anyone else who enjoys graphic novels and wants a simpler introduction to what can be a tricky text.
I enjoyed the artwork and the information at the end of the book about the play itself, Shakespeare and the discussion questions and writing prompts.
A good comic for younger readers and anyone else who enjoys graphic novels and wants a simpler introduction to what can be a tricky text.
I enjoyed the artwork and the information at the end of the book about the play itself, Shakespeare and the discussion questions and writing prompts.
Read
January 2, 2022I read the play in middle school, and saw it produced once, but reading this graphic novel was a totally different experience. It was less poetic, less emotional, and much simpler and clearer.
I prefer the live performance over both reading experiences, but this was also valuable.
I prefer the live performance over both reading experiences, but this was also valuable.
September 28, 2021
Macbeth
Macbeth is not my favorite play by Shakespeare at all but this graphic novel is perfect for students who do not enjoy reading the typical play.
Macbeth is not my favorite play by Shakespeare at all but this graphic novel is perfect for students who do not enjoy reading the typical play.
November 21, 2021
A nice refresher on Macbeth, who went from "no, absolutely no murder" to "yeah, alright, fine, murder" in, like, 24 hours, and yet people still choose to bemoan Romeo and Juliet.
February 26, 2023
A decent graphic novel!
This was a really good graphic novel retelling! I’m not the biggest fan of Macbeth, but I wanted to try a new version.
This was a really good graphic novel retelling! I’m not the biggest fan of Macbeth, but I wanted to try a new version.
March 28, 2023
Shakespeare just does it for me. Especially if it’s in graphic novel form.
July 2, 2023
My first read of Shakespeare. Being a graphic novel made it so much easier to understand what was going on and who was who. I really enjoyed this.
July 8, 2023
It’s’s a short, oversimplified version of the classic play - but it was still a good read nonetheless.
March 22, 2024
Stoked to dig into the full story more and work through this tale of power and ambition! Thanks to No Fear Shakespeare for the Graphic Novel intro!
May 28, 2024
Great translation, and engaging for students. The illustrations were not my favorite though, and I had a hard time keeping track of the characters because it it.
June 26, 2024
3.5/5
July 14, 2024
I'm begging this artist to stop using giant sweat drops to express that a character is scared.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews