“Macbeth” Unit“Macbeth” Unit

Honors English IIMrs. Katie Anderson

Honors English IIMrs. Katie Anderson

Born April 23, 1564Started out performing with “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men”

Gave him a chance to write a play

Henry IV, Pt. 1- It stunk but they gave him another shot

Born April 23, 1564Started out performing with “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men”

Gave him a chance to write a play

Henry IV, Pt. 1- It stunk but they gave him another shot

Many playwrights with nowhere to “play”

Barn turned into theatre (Yeah!)

Puritans burn it down (Evil theatre! Boo!)

Globe built! (Yeah!) Globe burns (sniff, darn cannon!)

Globe rebuilt! (Yeah!) Globe burns (Dang that Fire of London!)

Many playwrights with nowhere to “play”

Barn turned into theatre (Yeah!)

Puritans burn it down (Evil theatre! Boo!)

Globe built! (Yeah!) Globe burns (sniff, darn cannon!)

Globe rebuilt! (Yeah!) Globe burns (Dang that Fire of London!)

Reconstructed in the 1990’s

Only men were permitted to perform

Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women

Costumes were often the company’s most valuable asset

Costumes were made by the company, bought in London, or donated by courtiers

Only men were permitted to perform

Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women

Costumes were often the company’s most valuable asset

Costumes were made by the company, bought in London, or donated by courtiers

When in a play...

King Duncan of ScotlandMurdered by cousin MacbethHonest and good

Malcolm & DonalbainSons of the KingMalcolm is the eldest son

MacbethDuncan’s most courageous generalAmbition to become king corrupts him causing him to murder Duncan

King Duncan of ScotlandMurdered by cousin MacbethHonest and good

Malcolm & DonalbainSons of the KingMalcolm is the eldest son

MacbethDuncan’s most courageous generalAmbition to become king corrupts him causing him to murder Duncan

MacbethMacbeth

““Something wicked this way comes.”Something wicked this way comes.”

Setting of the PlaySetting of the Play

Macbeth is set in 11th-century Scotland.

Macbeth is set in 11th-century Scotland.

About MacbethAbout Macbeth

Act II, Scene I Journal

Act II, Scene I Journal

1. What influences Macbeth’s behavior the most? Religion? Ethics? Self-interest? Emotional drive?

2. Would Macbeth have decided to kill the King without the Witches’ prophecy? How does his encounter with the Witches’ affect his decision?

Create a picture of Lady Macbeth. Is she young or middle aged? Is she fair or dark? Is she seductive or stern? Does she wear jewelry? How does she wear her hair?

You may illustrate this through drawing or essay writing.

1. What influences Macbeth’s behavior the most? Religion? Ethics? Self-interest? Emotional drive?

2. Would Macbeth have decided to kill the King without the Witches’ prophecy? How does his encounter with the Witches’ affect his decision?

Create a picture of Lady Macbeth. Is she young or middle aged? Is she fair or dark? Is she seductive or stern? Does she wear jewelry? How does she wear her hair?

You may illustrate this through drawing or essay writing.

Act II, Scene IIAct II, Scene II

1. Why couldn’t Lady Macbeth kill King Duncan?

2. How does Macbeth feel at the end of the scene about his own actions? What does he wish would happen?

1. Why couldn’t Lady Macbeth kill King Duncan?

2. How does Macbeth feel at the end of the scene about his own actions? What does he wish would happen?

Act II, Scenes I and II

Act II, Scenes I and II

1. How does the narration help us as readers and as an audience?

2. Why is Macbeth having a difficult time sleeping?

3. What does Banquo think the problem with sleepless Macbeth is?

4. Macbeth and Banquo finally talk about the Witches. What does Macbeth ask Banquo? How does Banquo respond?

1. How does the narration help us as readers and as an audience?

2. Why is Macbeth having a difficult time sleeping?

3. What does Banquo think the problem with sleepless Macbeth is?

4. Macbeth and Banquo finally talk about the Witches. What does Macbeth ask Banquo? How does Banquo respond?

Act II, Scenes III and IV

Act II, Scenes III and IV

Who “discovers” King Duncan’s murder?

Who is blamed? Why? How does this happen?

What are Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s reactions to the King’s murder?

What happens to the King’s guards? Why?

Who “discovers” King Duncan’s murder?

Who is blamed? Why? How does this happen?

What are Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s reactions to the King’s murder?

What happens to the King’s guards? Why?

Act II, Scenes III and IV

Act II, Scenes III and IV

What do all of the King’s men talk about? Why must they part?

What do Donalbain and Malcolm discuss? Why?

What do Duncan’s men believe about Malcolm and Donalbain? Why?

What do we know about Macbeth at the end of these scenes?

What do all of the King’s men talk about? Why must they part?

What do Donalbain and Malcolm discuss? Why?

What do Duncan’s men believe about Malcolm and Donalbain? Why?

What do we know about Macbeth at the end of these scenes?

If you have completed Act II

Readings:

If you have completed Act II

Readings: Was Lady Macbeth as guilty of the King’s murder as

Macbeth? Write a Journal Entry as one of the following roles:Lady MacbethProsecutorDefense LawyerWitnesses- Physical and CharacterBanquoMacbethState your case and prepare for a debate.

Was Lady Macbeth as guilty of the King’s murder as Macbeth?

Write a Journal Entry as one of the following roles:Lady MacbethProsecutorDefense LawyerWitnesses- Physical and CharacterBanquoMacbethState your case and prepare for a debate.

Act II- Literary Aspects

Act II- Literary Aspects

Identify themes within the play to this point.

How does the setting enhance the mood of the play?

Mini Lesson:What is allusion? How is it used in

literature?

Identify themes within the play to this point.

How does the setting enhance the mood of the play?

Mini Lesson:What is allusion? How is it used in

literature?

Examples of Allusion

Examples of Allusion

She was no Scrooge. Each year she donates hundreds of dollars to charity.

“I can’t believe you chose her over me! You are such a Judas!”

The teacher liked to call the boys in first period the Three Stooges.

She was no Scrooge. Each year she donates hundreds of dollars to charity.

“I can’t believe you chose her over me! You are such a Judas!”

The teacher liked to call the boys in first period the Three Stooges.

Act III, Scene IAct III, Scene I

How do we know that Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth?

What does Macbeth tell the murderers? How does this affect their decision?

What does Macbeth say about how the murders will affect him?

How do we know that Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth?

What does Macbeth tell the murderers? How does this affect their decision?

What does Macbeth say about how the murders will affect him?

Act III, Scene IIAct III, Scene II

What advice does Lady Macbeth give her husband? Why?

Why is Macbeth still worried?

What advice does Lady Macbeth give her husband? Why?

Why is Macbeth still worried?

Act III, Scene III

Act III, Scene III

Where does the third murderer come from?

What are the results of the mission?

Where does the third murderer come from?

What are the results of the mission?

Act III, Scene IVAct III, Scene IV

What do Macbeth and his wife discussion prior to eating?

How and why does Macbeth’s mood change in this scene?

What happens to Macbeth? How does Lady Macbeth respond?

How is Banquo viewed in this scene? Why?

What does Macbeth think he should do? What does his wife think he should do?

What do Macbeth and his wife discussion prior to eating?

How and why does Macbeth’s mood change in this scene?

What happens to Macbeth? How does Lady Macbeth respond?

How is Banquo viewed in this scene? Why?

What does Macbeth think he should do? What does his wife think he should do?

Act III, Scene VAct III, Scene V

Who is Hecate?What does she discuss with the wicked sisters in this scene?

What does Hecate predict will come of Macbeth’s ambition?

Who is Hecate?What does she discuss with the wicked sisters in this scene?

What does Hecate predict will come of Macbeth’s ambition?

Act III, Scene VIAct III, Scene VI

What do Lennox and the Scottish lord discuss in this scene?

What does Lennox say about Malcolm and Macduff?

What do Lennox and the Scottish lord discuss in this scene?

What does Lennox say about Malcolm and Macduff?

Act IV, Scene IAct IV, Scene I

What were the apparitions? What message did they give Macbeth?

What is the answer to Macbeth’s question: “shall Banquo’s issue ever / Reign in this kingdom?”

What were the apparitions? What message did they give Macbeth?

What is the answer to Macbeth’s question: “shall Banquo’s issue ever / Reign in this kingdom?”

Act IV, Scene IIAct IV, Scene II

How does Lady Macduff react to the news that her husband has gone to England?

What is the mood/tone of the conversation between Lady Macduff and her son?

What does this scene tell us about traitors during the rule of a tyrant?

How does Lady Macduff react to the news that her husband has gone to England?

What is the mood/tone of the conversation between Lady Macduff and her son?

What does this scene tell us about traitors during the rule of a tyrant?

Act IV, Scene IIIAct IV, Scene III

How does Malcolm test Macduff?

What special powers of the King of England do the doctor and Malcolm describe? Explain the symbolism here.

How do Ross, Macduff, and Malcolm react to the murder of Macduff’s family? Why?

How does Malcolm test Macduff?

What special powers of the King of England do the doctor and Malcolm describe? Explain the symbolism here.

How do Ross, Macduff, and Malcolm react to the murder of Macduff’s family? Why?

Act V, Scene IAct V, Scene I

What is Lady Macbeth’s state of mind? What punishment does she suffer as a result of her crime?

Which crime apparently troubles her the most? Which of her words are received by the nurse and recalled by the continuing of her washing her hands?

What is the attitude of the physician?

What is Lady Macbeth’s state of mind? What punishment does she suffer as a result of her crime?

Which crime apparently troubles her the most? Which of her words are received by the nurse and recalled by the continuing of her washing her hands?

What is the attitude of the physician?

Act V, Scene IIAct V, Scene II

Briefly explain the conversation of these Scottish noblemen, Menteith, Caithness, Angus and Lennox. What important developments are announced in this scene?

Briefly explain the conversation of these Scottish noblemen, Menteith, Caithness, Angus and Lennox. What important developments are announced in this scene?

Act V, Scene IIIAct V, Scene III

What does Macbeth’s opening speech reveal to us? What does Macbeth’s speech to Seyton reveal to us?

What does Macbeth resolve to do? Why?

In what spirit does Macbeth seem to approach the battle? Does he lack physical or moral courage? Support your answer.

What does Macbeth’s opening speech reveal to us? What does Macbeth’s speech to Seyton reveal to us?

What does Macbeth resolve to do? Why?

In what spirit does Macbeth seem to approach the battle? Does he lack physical or moral courage? Support your answer.

Act V, Scene IVAct V, Scene IV

LUCKY YOU! NO Questions here! :)

LUCKY YOU! NO Questions here! :)

Act V, Scene VAct V, Scene V

The final soliloquy of Macbeth is one of the most famous passages of this tragic drama.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrowCreeps in this petty pace from day to dayTo the last syllable of recorded time;And all our yesterdays have lighted fools\The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief

candle.Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,That struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.

Explain the four metaphors in Macbeth’s soliloquy.

The final soliloquy of Macbeth is one of the most famous passages of this tragic drama.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrowCreeps in this petty pace from day to dayTo the last syllable of recorded time;And all our yesterdays have lighted fools\The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief

candle.Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,That struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.

Explain the four metaphors in Macbeth’s soliloquy.

Act V, Scene VAct V, Scene V

In what three ways does Macbeth express the span of life?

How does he express the futility of life?

What prophecy of the witches is fulfilled in this scene? How? What is the significance of the form of this apparition from Act IV?

In what three ways does Macbeth express the span of life?

How does he express the futility of life?

What prophecy of the witches is fulfilled in this scene? How? What is the significance of the form of this apparition from Act IV?

Act V, Scene VAct V, Scene V

Why is Macbeth not troubled by the cry of women? In what frame of mind does he accept Lady Macbeth’s death?

What news does the messenger bring? How does Macbeth now regard the witches? The prophecies? What is the significance of the form of this apparition from Act IV?

Why is Macbeth not troubled by the cry of women? In what frame of mind does he accept Lady Macbeth’s death?

What news does the messenger bring? How does Macbeth now regard the witches? The prophecies? What is the significance of the form of this apparition from Act IV?

The Last Oak in Birnam Wood

(2005)

The Last Oak in Birnam Wood

(2005)

Act V, Scene VIAct V, Scene VI

Explain the action in this scene. What is the spirit of the forces opposing Macbeth?

Explain the action in this scene. What is the spirit of the forces opposing Macbeth?

Act V, Scene VIIAct V, Scene VII

Explain the action in this scene and Malcolm’s speech at the end.

Why does Macbeth not wish to encounter Macduff? What is the significance of the form of this apparition from Act IV?

What opinion does Malcolm set forth concerning Lady Macbeth’s death?

Explain the action in this scene and Malcolm’s speech at the end.

Why does Macbeth not wish to encounter Macduff? What is the significance of the form of this apparition from Act IV?

What opinion does Malcolm set forth concerning Lady Macbeth’s death?

The PlotThe Plot

Plot – the arrangement of incidents or events in a story; “what happens” in the story.

Plot Diagram – a way of visually demonstrating a story’s structure by plotting incidents along a line; plot lines can vary for different forms of fiction

Plot – the arrangement of incidents or events in a story; “what happens” in the story.

Plot Diagram – a way of visually demonstrating a story’s structure by plotting incidents along a line; plot lines can vary for different forms of fiction

A Note on the Plot Structure of

Macbeth

A Note on the Plot Structure of

MacbethMacbeth does not strictly follow the plot structure of

Greek tragedy, or of most of Shakespeare’s other plays. The climax occurs very early in the play; everything that follows is the result of that moment.

One theory for this involves James I. The play was partly written for His Majesty’s pleasure, and many points in the story clearly aim to praise him and his family life.

James I was descended from the historical (“real-life”) Banquo. Since the play was written for the King, his engagement with the parts of the plot that deal with his family would be most significant to him.

In Act III, sc. iii – the traditional point of climax – Banquo meets his fate. It could be argued that this is actually the point of highest tension in the story for its intended audience.

Macbeth does not strictly follow the plot structure of Greek tragedy, or of most of Shakespeare’s other plays. The climax occurs very early in the play; everything that follows is the result of that moment.

One theory for this involves James I. The play was partly written for His Majesty’s pleasure, and many points in the story clearly aim to praise him and his family life.

James I was descended from the historical (“real-life”) Banquo. Since the play was written for the King, his engagement with the parts of the plot that deal with his family would be most significant to him.

In Act III, sc. iii – the traditional point of climax – Banquo meets his fate. It could be argued that this is actually the point of highest tension in the story for its intended audience.

Plot Structure of Macbeth

Plot Structure of Macbeth

Act II, ii Climax

Acts III-IVActs I-II Falling Action

Rising Action

Act I Exposition

Act VCatastrophe

Act II, ii Climax

Acts III-IVActs I-II Falling Action

Rising Action

Act I Exposition

Act VCatastrophe

The exposition establishes the mood of the play. The setting is identified, as are the main characters and their relationships to one another.

In Macbeth, the exposition is from I,i to I, v.

The exposition establishes the mood of the play. The setting is identified, as are the main characters and their relationships to one another.

In Macbeth, the exposition is from I,i to I, v.

The ExpositionThe ExpositionI, i – The witches on the heath.

I, ii – King Duncan and the state of Scotland introduced.

I, iii – Inciting Force/Complication: Macbeth introduced, witches make prediction.

I, iv – Duncan and Macbeth’s relationship explored.

I, v – Lady Macbeth introduced.

I, vi – Duncan visits the Macbeths.

I, vii – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide to do something about Duncan.

I, i – The witches on the heath.

I, ii – King Duncan and the state of Scotland introduced.

I, iii – Inciting Force/Complication: Macbeth introduced, witches make prediction.

I, iv – Duncan and Macbeth’s relationship explored.

I, v – Lady Macbeth introduced.

I, vi – Duncan visits the Macbeths.

I, vii – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide to do something about Duncan.

The rising action delivers a build-up of tension as the plot and sub-plots begin to develop, and the conflicts grow.

The climax is the point of highest tension in the story. At that point, the tragic hero does something that leads him/her to the final outcome.

In Macbeth, the rising action begins in Act I and continues through II, i.

The climax is in II, ii, when Macbeth commits the murder.

The rising action delivers a build-up of tension as the plot and sub-plots begin to develop, and the conflicts grow.

The climax is the point of highest tension in the story. At that point, the tragic hero does something that leads him/her to the final outcome.

In Macbeth, the rising action begins in Act I and continues through II, i.

The climax is in II, ii, when Macbeth commits the murder.

Rising Action and Climax Act II

Rising Action and Climax Act II

II, i – The Macbeths welcome Duncan into their castle in Inverness, with a plan to murder him.

II, ii – Climax –The Macbeths carry out the murder.

II, iii – King found murdered. Malcolm and Donalbain flee.

II, iv – Macduff, Ross, and Old Man discuss events.

II, i – The Macbeths welcome Duncan into their castle in Inverness, with a plan to murder him.

II, ii – Climax –The Macbeths carry out the murder.

II, iii – King found murdered. Malcolm and Donalbain flee.

II, iv – Macduff, Ross, and Old Man discuss events.

The falling action of a story encompasses the events that follow as a direct consequence of the choices made in the climax.

The falling action leads to the catastrophe at the end of the play.

The falling action of a story encompasses the events that follow as a direct consequence of the choices made in the climax.

The falling action leads to the catastrophe at the end of the play.

The Falling Action Act IIIThe Falling

Action Act IIIIII, i – Banquo leaves Forres. Macbeth hires the murderers.

III, ii – The Macbeths worry. Macbeth leaves Lady M. out of his plans.

III, iii – The murderers assault Banquo and Fleance on the road.

III, iv – The banquet scene.

III, v – The spurious scene with Hecate and the witches.

III, vi – The lords discuss events.

III, i – Banquo leaves Forres. Macbeth hires the murderers.

III, ii – The Macbeths worry. Macbeth leaves Lady M. out of his plans.

III, iii – The murderers assault Banquo and Fleance on the road.

III, iv – The banquet scene.

III, v – The spurious scene with Hecate and the witches.

III, vi – The lords discuss events.

The Falling ActionAct IV

The Falling ActionAct IV

IV, i – Macbeth meets the witches, and they show him the apparitions.

IV, ii – Macduff’s castle scene.

IV, iii – Macduff meets Malcolm in England.

IV, i – Macbeth meets the witches, and they show him the apparitions.

IV, ii – Macduff’s castle scene.

IV, iii – Macduff meets Malcolm in England.

The catastrophe is the final result of the action of a tragedy Note that it is the culmination of the events that followed as a direct consequence of the choices made in the climax.

The catastrophe will end in death, usually of the tragic hero/protagonist, and possibly others as well.

The catastrophe is the final result of the action of a tragedy Note that it is the culmination of the events that followed as a direct consequence of the choices made in the climax.

The catastrophe will end in death, usually of the tragic hero/protagonist, and possibly others as well.