William Shakespeare's "Macbeth": A Retelling in Prose

I would like to see my retellings of classic literature used in schools, so I give permission to the country of Finland (and all other countries) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to the state of Texas (and all other states) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to all teachers to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever.

Teachers need not actually teach my retellings. Teachers are welcome to give students copies of my eBook as background material. For example, if they are teaching Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” teachers are welcome to give students copies of my “Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’: A Retelling in Prose” and tell students, “Here’s another ancient epic you may want to read in your spare time.”

Suppose that you are a great Scottish hero but that you are ambitious and want to become the King of Scotland. Suppose further that malevolent supernatural beings — who want you to be damned to Hell — decide to tempt you to commit murder so that you can become King. Suppose also that your wife so wants to become Queen that she tells you that you are not a man unless you murder the King of Scotland and succeed him. Could you resist the temptation to become King? Could you commit only a few murders and then stop? Would you sink further and further into evil until you are responsible for the deaths of women and children? Would you be able to repent your sins in the last minute of your life? When you die, would you go to Heaven or Hell? After fighting and winning two great battles, Macbeth, a great Scottish hero, meets three witches who tell him that he will become King of Scotland.

Teachers, the author gives you permission to buy one copy of this book per course and to share it with all the students in that course.