The First Assignment

Comparing the SparkNotes version of Macbeth with the Oxford University Press version, one can see that it is less sophisticated and meaningful. It is also a much less entertaining and worthwhile read than the original version. The SparkNotes version seems like it is meant for a less educated reader, perhaps a student of a foreign language, or someone who does not want to spend the time reading into the subplots and subtleties of Shakespearean writing, but merely wants to understand the basics of the text. The Sparknotes version is still, however, a useful and lasting text because it provides a basic understanding to those who are not looking for an in-depth study.

In Scenes I and II of the Sparknotes version of Macbeth, although the punctuation holds differences (stage directions given in square brackets, omissions of hyphens), nothing is taken or given of the text through these changes.

On the whole, language in the Sparknotes version of Macbeth, remains unchanged from that of the Oxford version, although there are a few exceptions. The most notable of these is the frequent contraction of a -ed ending to -'d (eg. fixed to fix'd). While none of these changes majorly affect reliability or relevancy, they do affect the general feel of the play.

Both versions of the text contain a page at the beginning listing the characters that appear in the play. However, where the descriptions of the characters in the Oxford version are detailed, the page in the Sparknotes version is much more simpler. For example, Macbeth is a “General in the King’s Army”, whereas in the Oxford text he is “Thane of Glamis, then of Cawdor, later King”. The men who are “thanes (Scottish lords)” in the Oxford text are simply “Noblemen of Scotland”. Seyton is “an Officer attending on Macbeth”, but in the Oxford text he is “Macbeth’s armourer”. In general, the Oxford text is simpler to allow for vocabulary that is more easily understood to the general public. However, this means that some important details are lost.

The SparkNotes version of Macbeth is inferior to the Oxford version in terms of format. Firstly, the SparkNotes version has no line numbers along the side, making it difficult to reference and locate certain lines. Secondly, the SparkNotes version has no notes regarding the language used along the bottom. The lack of notes makes it harder for the reader to understand the historical references Shakespeare uses. Lastly, the SparkNotes version divides the written lines differently from the Oxford version. This SparkNotes version detracts from the natural flow of dialogue.

The Stage Directions are separated into two distinct sections in the SparkNotes version, setting, and action, clearly shown in the first stage direction, where there is the Setting stage direction of "An open Place. Thunder and Lightning." in bold grey letters, followed by the Action stage direction of Enter three Witches, in the classic square bracket. Again in the second scene it follows this model and starts with a Setting stage direction in grey bold letters, followed by a smaller action stage direction. As well, the soldier does not have an exiting stage direction in the oxford university press version, whereas in the SparkNotes version, he exits where Ross and Angus enter in the OUP version, and Ross alone enters a few lines later in the SparkNotes Version. The other anomaly is that the witches vanish at the end of scene I instead of Exitting. The Stage Direction [Witches vanish.] is given in the SparkNotes version in place of Exeunt
All of these things contribute to the general lack of excellence in this version, however, it remains a useful version because the although parts are compromised, the general impact of the text is enhanced for the glancing reader, and though it is a downgrade for the intense reader it makes it a useful tool for those who are looking to understand the fundamental concepts of Macbeth.