By William Shakespeare
4 Stars
William Shakespeare's Macbeth is a tragedy with an influence that extends far beyond its time. The play follows the story of a Scottish general whose ambition leads him down a dark path, ultimately ending in tragedy and disaster. Macbeth is influenced by prophecies, "supernatural forces," as well as other characters throughout the play. Macbeth seeks power and is willing to do anything to solidify it. 
Being one of the later plays in Shakespeare's life, Macbeth is rich in its writing. The mixture of poetic language, Shakespeare's masterful use of symbolism and imagery, and the use of powerful themes and emotions like ambition, guilt, etc., allows for Macbeth to be an immersive and enjoyable reading experience. Adding on, Shakespeare is known for writing in-depth and realistic characters. Macbeth is no exception. The characters in this play display the emotions that we – the reader – feel throughout our everyday lives. This allows the reader to feel a great connection with the characters or perhaps even deep hatred and disgust. The characters are very complex and intriguing with true personalities. As the play continues, the unravelling of both the plot and the psychology of the characters are interesting and are one of the standout components of the play.
However, due to the time period in which the play was written, the archaic language will most definitely feel challenging to the modern reader. Therefore, it is best to read from a copy where there are "side notes" that allow the reading experience to be more comprehensible and smoother. The language must already be difficult for younger readers, and the complex themes and ideas do not make it easier. This play should be read by older readers, ages teen and older.
Despite its cons, Shakespeare plays are some of the finest pieces of literature to ever exist. It is highly recommended to those who enjoy dramas, tragedies, and works similar to Shakespearean plays.
Reviewed by Aayan
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