Comparison of OxfordNext Macbeth script and Bibliomania Macbeth script

The first difference I noticed between the Bibliomania version and the OxfordNext version was in the "Dramatis Personae". In general, the OxfordNext version gives better descriptions of the characters. For example, it says mentions that Malcolm is Duncan's oldest son, and heir to the throne, whereas in the Bibliomania version, it simply says that Malcolm and Donaldbain are Duncan's sons. However, the Bibliomania version mentions when characters may be called something different in the script, such as that "Boy" is also referred to as "Son". Two other things of note are that the "Captain" is a "Sergeant" in the Bibliomania version, and that Fleance is mentioned as the son of Banquo, whereas he is not mentioned in the OxfordNext version.

 In the actual scripts themselves, one of the most major differences between them is that the OxfordNext version numbers the lines, but in the Bibliomania version, the lines are not numbered. This makes citing and referring to sections the Bibliomania version more difficult. There are also numerous punctuation and spelling differences, such as phrases in the Bibliomania version occasionally being separated by colons instead of commas or periods, or spelling "Norwegian" as "Norweyan", or "Memorize" as "Memorise". I also noticed that the settings are rather different.

The OxfordNext version sets the first scene at a battlefield and the second scene at the king's headquarters, while the Bibliomania versions sets the first scene at a "desert place", and the second scene at a "Camp near Forres". Lastly, I noticed that the Bibliomania version has an extra line at the end of Scene 2, which is the first line of Scene 3 in the OxfordNext version. Both scripts seem to generally be lacking stage directions, which could make using them more difficult for actors. Overall, while one's reading of the play would not differ too dramatically if using the Bibliomania version or the OxfordNext version, I would say that OxfordNext version is a better resource for Grade 9 students studying the play, because it has notes on the script explaining the terms used in the play, and it is easier to cite from and refer to.

Online Resource: http://www.bibliomania.com/0/6/3/1075/frameset.html