You're Watching Macbeth, by CSC, So Stick Around

[gnomi]

This morning's Boston Globe gave a mostly favorable review to the production of Macbeth to which mabfan, farwing and I went to on Tuesday night.

I still say that the following letter must be sent to the title character:

Dear Mr. Macbeth,

On your way home from fighting the Norwegians, do not listen to the Weird Sisters. Further, do not listen to your wife's crazy ideas. You, Duncan, and the rest of Scotland will be happier for it.

Sincerely,
The Theater-Going Public

Comments

[sdelmonte]

Of course, if you know your Scottish history, or are a fan of the Gargoyles cartoon, you know that the real Macbeth reigned for a good many years, and is regarded as a good king.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

True. But Shakespeare's version of Macbeth's reign is much better known. Good marketing, I guess. :-)

[sdelmonte]

Also keep in mind that James I, the then-newly crowned king of the United Kindgom, was descended from Malcolm. Thus Macbeth had to be a bay guy. Shakespeare was known for writing history with an eye towards keeping the monarchs happy.

uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

[(Anonymous)]

To prepare for Tisha b'Av, I'm trying to get through The Jewish War. Compared to Herod, Macbeth had a carefree life (and deserved it)....

—sethg

Re: uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Herod's a fascinating historical figure. And I always take Josephus with a grain of salt, even though his is the most complete account of what happened. He's got something of an agenda (doesn't almost every historian?), and I sometimes wonder what an unbiased news report of the day might have told us.

Re: uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

[magid.livejournal.com]

an unbiased news report

I don't know if there is such a thing.
Perhaps a news report biased in the opposite direction?

Re: uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

[farwing.livejournal.com]

As far as I can figure, there's not an unbiased anything. This is why I think anthropology is evil....or else, very silly. Objectivity is so hard to achieve...there's really only levels of subjectivity. As long as you acknowledge that, you're fine, I guess.

And now I will stop talking about things I know almosty nothing about...and hope that the anthropologists out there don't put a hit out on me.

[johannah-rose.livejournal.com]

I found your journal randomly (bored). I thought that was funny.