Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
An extraordinary study aid for mature-themed play.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Shakespeare In Bits: Macbeth iPad Edition
What's It About?
The app includes the full text of the play as well as plot summaries, character analysis, and literary analysis. Kids read the text and watch the animation and hear the professional reading. In-text translation is available for some of the Shakespearean language, like hurly-burly to battle or ere to before -- kids click on the highlighted term to see the more contemporary word choice. Each scene is brief -- a minute or two -- so kids can view the whole two-hour plus play at once or watch scene by scene.
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
If teens are studying Macbeth in school, use Shakespeare in Bits: Macbeth as a complement at home to deepen understanding. Watch it and discuss it with your teen.
Share with your teen some of your favorite lines or scenes from Macbeth.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : reading , text analysis
- Skills : Self-Direction : academic development , Tech Skills : using and applying technology
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : January 31, 2011
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Mindconnex Learning Ltd.
- Version : 1.0.10p
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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