A Review of the Arabic
Translation of Allusions in Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Nour Alshikh Sobeh
ABSTRACT
Shakespeare's Macbeth is interwoven with allusions
to biblical narratives (e.g., the Fall in Lady Macbeth's
sleepwalking scene), classical mythology (e.g., Hecate's
invocation), and historical motifs (e.g., equivocation echoing
Gunpowder Plot rhetoric), which pose significant challenges for
translators who seek to preserve their interpretive power. This
review article critically analyzes Jabra Ibrahim Jabra's 1960s
Arabic translation of allusions in the play of Macbeth, applying
frameworks from Peter Newmark's semantic-communicative spectrum to
pivotal excerpts including the witches' prophecies ("fair is foul"),
Banquo's ghost, and Macbeth's "tomorrow" soliloquy. The analysis
demonstrates Jabra's hybrid strategy: foreignization via direct
transliteration for culturally resonant allusions (e.g., retaining
"Birnam Wood"), domestication through Arabic proverbs or Quranic
parallels for accessibility, and innovative footnotes to bridge
gaps. While this enhances readability for Arab audiences, selective
omissions in politically sensitive historical references
occasionally weaken thematic irony. Nevertheless, Jabra's rendition
exemplifies culturally attuned fidelity, advancing Arabic literary
translation by negotiating Shakespearean universality with local
hermeneutics. This review article contributes to translation studies
by illuminating allusion transfer in drama and offers practical
guidance for future renditions of intertextual classics.
Keywords: literary translation; cultural studies; allusions; drama;
Jabra Ibrahim Jabra; Macbeth.
