A Resource Guide for Literary Criticisms
By
Susan Busch
Introduction
William
Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers in literary history, as well as
one of the most studied writers in history.
Scholars have devoted their entire careers evaluating and critiquing
Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. One
such play, written in 1606, is Macbeth. The number of themes explored in Macbeth is
featured in books, articles, and scholarly research papers, and extend as far
back as the date of the original play.
Furthermore, the amount of information gathered on this play is vast,
and can seem somewhat confusing when trying to find resources for specific topics
of literary criticism. This resource
guide will direct students to the places where Shakespeare’s works and
criticisms are found at the Manatee County Public Library (Central Branch). Although this library is not specifically
academic, it features a variety of secondary sources featuring analysis and
evaluations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Macbeth
Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Shakespeare, William,
1564-1616. Macbeth
Shakespeare, William,
1564-1616—criticism and interpretation
Shakespearean criticism
The
800 – Literature
820 – English & Old
English literatures
822 – English drama
822.33 – Shakespeare
The
Manatee County Public Library has a limited number of literary criticism books
regarding Macbeth; however, this library does have several copies of Macbeth
with different editors and critical reviews.
Bloom,
H. (Ed.). (2004). Bloom’s guides: William
Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
A comprehensive collection of critical reviews compiled by the
acclaimed critic, Harold Bloom. This
book discusses various literary themes in Macbeth, such as images of death, the
supernatural aspects, and the effects of darkness.
McGinn,
C. (2006). Shakespeare’s philosophy.
NY: Harper Collins.
This compilation discusses philosophical themes of six of
Shakespeare’s plays, including Macbeth. The call number is 822.33 Mcg and the
location is the nonfiction section.
The Central Branch of MCPL
holds a variety of “Cliff’s Notes” for Macbeth, and are cataloged in nonfiction
as 822.33. However, many professors do
not support the using of this type of study guide as a secondary resource. This resource guide will not list the
“Cliff’s Notes”.
Harris, L.L. (Ed.). (n.d.). Shakespearean criticism: excerpts from the
criticism of William Shakespeare’s plays and poetry, from the first published
appraisals to current evaluations.
Cromwell Productions LTD (Producer).
(2003). A critical guide to Macbeth
[Videorecording]. (Available from Films
for the Humanities & Sciences, 200 American Metro Boulevard, Suite 124,
Renowned critics discuss the various
themes of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Banquo and Macbeth with the three witches
These databases are accessible to any
Ø
Ask-A-Librarian: This is a free service that does not require
a library card. It features an option to
email the librarian or chat live with the librarian (when available). The chat times are posted as well.
Ø
Infotrac: Requires the patron library card number. Meta-database features several databases that
patron must choose from. A general
search using the terms literary criticism of Macbeth get four hits from the
General Onefile database.
Ø
OCLC First Search: Requires the patron library card number and
the pre-selected patron pin number.
Select the database ArticleFirst using the keyword Macbeth.
Ø
Thompson Gale’s
First Image: www.lehman.cuny.edu/.../jumuat/Colin.Witches.jpg
Second Image: questgarden.com/.../images/Witches.jpg