Assignment #2: Etext Versions of Macbeth

Today your group is going to take a look at various online versions of Macbeth. The differences are often slight, but you can imagine how, after hundreds of years, the text can alter immensely in both format and meaning.

1. Each group will assess a different etext source from the list of hyperlinks below.

2. Read the first two scenes and compare them to the Oxford text version, paying close attention to:
a. physical layout/format (font selection, lines, spacing, numbering of lines, occurrence or absence of notes, headers, and use of italics, etc.),
b. language
c. punctuation
d. stage directions
e. character information

3. Each group will write and edit a 300-400 word analysis assessing your chosen etext version to determine if the resource is reliable, relevant and lasting. Will the site be around in 5 years? Is it a good resource for students studying Macbeth? The intended audience is Grade 9 English students.

It is interesting to note, last year I removed two links, as the resources were no longer accessible. Obviously not that reliable, relevant or lasting.

Here’s an excerpt from an analysis:
"Part of the University of Victoria's Department of English website, this site has not been updated for 10 years and still is in use for university study. Only a few minor differences were noticeable between the Oxford Shakespeare edition and this site's online text. These changes and variations included several semicolons that replaced commas and more detailed, if not more accurate, stage directions. Line numbers were also given throughout the online text; however, unlike the Oxford Shakespeare edition, line numbers were given every five lines as opposed to every ten lines. Although many of these changes could mean significantly different interpretations of the text, I believe that these grammatical changes do not compromise the reliability and credibility of this site."
-- Posted by Katrina

Etext Sources:
1. http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/macbeth/2/
2. http://www.literaturepage.com/read/shakespeare_macbeth.html
3. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/MobMacb.html
4. http://www-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/macbeth/full.html
5. http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/s/shakespeare/william/macbeth/
6. http://www.bibliomania.com/0/6/3/1075/frameset.html

Homework: Post your group response by November 17th