Shakespeare In Bits: Macbeth

Review

Common Sense Media says

An extraordinary study aid for mature-themed play.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Macbeth isn't appropriate for little kids because of its mature themes -- including murder, witches and ghosts, alcohol consumption, and sexually suggestive language. Plus, this animated version of the story shows the killing sequences (albeit with cartoon-like visuals). It's not overtly graphic compared to today's violence seen in movies. Many young kids won't likely understand everything because of the use of Shakespearean English. An iPad-only version is also available.

  • Ease of use4
    The app is quite easy to use -- even for novice iPad users.
  • Violence4
    There is plenty of violence in this story: Lady Macbeth encourages her husband to murder King Duncan in order to take the throne. Macbeth stabs Duncan in his sleep, and in the morning also kills his chamberlains. Macbeth hires people to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Later on, Macbeth orders the death of the wife and children of Macduff (a Scottish nobleman who serves as a threat to Macbeth). Lady Macbeth kills herself. And finally, Macbeth is beheaded in a fight with Macduff.
  • Sex3
    There are more subtle references and sexual innuendos in Shakespeare's Macbeth than direct descriptions or imagery of sexual behavior. Some lines of dialogue or jokes hint at impotence and performance.
  • Language2
    Words such as "hell" and "damn'd" can be read (and heard) in this app.
  • Consumerism2
    The app has a tab called More Plays that promotes other software from Mindconnex Learning, such as the Romeo and Juliet version of Shakespeare in Bits. There is also a link that takes you to the iTunes App Store.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    There are a few scenes and references related to drinking alcohol, such as Macbeth planning to get King Duncan’s two chamberlains drunk so they'll black out -- and then be blamed for Duncan's murder. Lady Macbeth also uses a metaphor to liken her excitement to drunkenness.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
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Is it any good?

 

SHAKESPEARE IN BITS: MACBETH delivers the original play, divided into digestible "bits" with translation, analysis, summaries, and notes. But what really makes this app shine is a fully animated version of the tragedy that runs beside the text. Therefore, not only can you read the complete unabridged Macbeth, but you can also watch the nearly three hour play of it, voiced by professional actors Stephen Dillane (King Arthur) as Macbeth and Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter) as Lady Macbeth. When the play is running, the text is highlighted, so you can easily follow along -- or pause at any time to click on a word or phrase to get the modern English translation. You can also skip back or fast forward to various acts and scenes.

This handy app also has a biography section so you can read up on each character, along with a relationship map that shows the links between characters.

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This review was written by Marc Saltzman

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This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Category:Education
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:$7.99 ($14.99 for iPad)
Publisher:Mindconnex Learning Ltd.
Version:1.0.10p
Release date:January 31, 2011
This review was written by Marc Saltzman

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
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BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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