Comparison of Oxford Next and Bibliomania's 'Macbeth' (Group Version)

Our group researched Bibliomania's version of Macbeth. There are a few important features that differ from this version of the play as compared to the Oxford Next version. Firstly are the setting descriptions. For the most part, the Bibliomania version contains most of the setting description mentioned in Oxford Next, but there are still some parts of the description missing, and often there is another point added that is not stated in the Oxford version, and this added part is often incorrect. As for the formatting of the setting, the Bibliomania version has a part of the setting non-italicized, a space, an indent and more setting description italicized.

Our second point involves the format of the script. All characters are listed in large, bold lettering, followed by a space, an indent and the person's line, which is written in smaller, un-bolded script. However, The witches and other smaller parts (such as the Attendant) are written in lowercase, which is not the same in the Oxford version. Another noted detail is that the stage directions are the same as the one in the Oxford version, but they are not located to the right side of the page, and are not in square brackets. Furthermore, the captain in the Oxford Next version is referred to as the sergeant in the Bibliomania version.   

Regarding notes, there are none visible on this site. It is the script and solely that. This does not allow a reader to thoroughly view and understand the script, or learn more about a character or event that may not be easily seen in the script itself. The only 'notes' were the list of the dramatic personae, which provided little insight on the character themselves, but instead listed their role or position and not much else. 

The final point has to do with the script. The wording and punctuation is similar to the Oxford version, with a some instances of mistakes.There are also some formatting differences. In the Oxford version, when a line is not finished by one character, it would continue in the same point in the line by the other character, however this is not so in the Bibliomania Version.

In all, the Bibliomania version contains most of the written components of the Oxford Next version, differing mainly on it’s formatting and lack of notes and insight about the play. For these reasons, Bibliomania is not an ideal site for people studying Shakespeare.