Macbeth

By William Shakespeare

[Fresh from victory on the battlefield, the
celebrated general and nobleman Macbeth
receives a prophecy from three witches that he
will one day become king of Scotland. Driven by
his own ambition and that of his power-hungry
wife, he murders King Duncan and seizes the
throne for himself. Forced to commit murder
again and again to maintain their grip on power,
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become haunted by
guilt and paranoia, spiralling into madness and,
eventually, death.]

Can I just start by saying - I READ A SHAKESPEARE PLAY FOR FUN.

If you'd have known me back in secondary school or even college you would know how much I loathed Shakespeare. Annotating every single blasted word drove me up the wall.

But I found myself, a few months ago, wanting to attempt a reading of his darkest play out of pure curiosity. As a writer, he is worshipped. So what is all the fuss about?

Funnily enough, I rather enjoyed reading Macbeth.

The version I read had a sort of translation page opposite the actual Shakespearian play which was very handy indeed. I don't think I would've enjoyed it half as much if it wasn't for that because I still probably wouldn't have understood at least 60% of it.

But it was good. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I seemed to prefer scenes with Macbeth or Lady Macbeth in them, or the witches, because they were the scenes that were a lot more dramatic. I was always wondering who they'd kill next or what prophecy the witches would come up with next.

The only thing I wasn't particularly happy about were the sudden write-offs of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. I think I would've liked to see what actually happened to them both as their deaths were off-stage.

However, saying that, the way it was written might've been very effective in play format, so who knows?

Maybe I'll try Romeo and Juliet soon...



➴

The Infernal Devices: Book 1, Clockwork Angel

By Cassandra Clare.

Do  you ever get all these emotions and doubts run through your mind day after day and worry that things aren't going the way they're meant to be?

I do, mostly about my relationship, but then once he's here at the weekend I feel almost restored back to faith and like I've taken a chill pill.

God, the past two weekends have been so great. Although if I write it down it doesn't look like we did much, but I guess it's just the little moments and how I seem to be appreciating them all the more.

Ah, I feel so full of love for him ♥︎

Anyway, as much as I could probably write a full post on why I love him, I'm going to get on with the review instead.

[When Tessa Gray arrives in England during

the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is

waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, 

warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit 

streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with 

the Shadowhunters, a band of demon hunters. Drawn 

ever deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated 

by - and torn between - two best friends.]

I'm not too sure how I feel about these sorts of books anymore. 

Like, I think I've read far too many YA novels and am now so used to their predictable plot lines and complicated love triangles that I find myself growing restless whilst reading them.

However, it was an easy read, a very easy read, and I did enjoy the setting in Victorian London. Clare's description - as always - was beautiful and I could feel my mind bringing her ideas to life.

I liked the concept of the mechanical/clockwork creatures in this one. It was definitely different from the initial series with Clary and Jace. Not so much love drama, although there is a hint of it going in that direction and there is a mysteriousness about Will that is kind of enticing.

The other characters are all quite interesting. I'm not annoyed with Tessa or Jessamine yet, as the only prominent female figures. There's no unnecessary whining or selfish behaviour at the moment. Plus, I think Clare nailed the way women and men perceived each other back then with all the informal politeness and the men taking lead in the fighting. I didn't find it sexist at all like I have done in some books, Clare touches on it gracefully.

I enjoyed the plot and the twist at the end of who the Magister really was, definitely not who I expected! The epilogue left unanswered questions about Will which I can't wait to find out about and I'm intrigued as to how the plot continues and how it will all link up with The Mortal Instruments Series.



✌︎