Manga Classics: Macbeth (Modern English Edition)

Macbeth is a famous tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Macbeth himself is a thane who devises a plan to murder King Duncan in order to overthrow him. One murder leads to another, with Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, also getting involved. As the body count mounts, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are consumed with guilt and the psychological effects of their actions.

Manga Classics’ Macbeth is a fully adapted modern English version of the classic play. Since the story is about murder, power, and politics, it is obviously a darker story. Compared to Romeo and Juliet, the illustrations are darker and more ominous. Even the illustrations of the characters are pointier and more angular.

While it is among the most popular of Shakespeare’s plays, Macbeth is one of my least favorites. I’m just not a fan of Macbeth’s power-hungry, murderous character. While it’s been a long time since I had to read Shakespeare for school, this version helped me understand the story more. Anyone who is studying Shakespeare should really consider reading this Manga Classics’ adaptation.