In which we introduce ourselves and then talk about the background and first act of Macbeth. Why did Shakespeare want to write a play set in Scotland? Why did so many people go on to think that play was cursed? What are the important dos and don'ts when trying to blow up Parliament? (legal note: do not try to blow up Parliament) Would Shakespeare fail a modern creative writing class? And most importantly, what is Aleppo? Some or all of these questions may be answered in this episode.

The 1979 Royal Shakespeare Company production, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, can be found on YouTube in full: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7skhaOegpLA

For texts and scholarship, Margot swears by the Internet Shakespeare Editions: https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/

You can find us at @beatabeatrix1 (Margot) and @railtragedy (Max)