1. Background on William Shakespeare -- Shakespeare and his times -- Shakespeare's path to success -- The Gunpowder Plot and MacBeth -- 2. Macbeth and power -- Darkness in the struggle for power -- Shifting values, chaos, and order in Macbeth -- The clash between military and Christian virtues -- The course of Macbeth's drive for power -- Is Macbeth solely responsible? -- Macbeth as victim -- Identifying with Macbeth -- The criminal as tragic hero -- The revolt against nature and the father -- Macbeth is a play of morality, not religion -- Macbeth's journey into nothingness -- 3. Contemporary perspectives on the drive for power -- A modern-day Macbeth -- The growing power of the American presidency -- The power of American dynasties at the expense of democracy -- Corporate ambition.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.