Something wicked this way comes….

MACBETH

Power has a price…

Paid in blood

Why read Shakespeare’s Macbeth? 10 Reasons…

1. The play is a fascinating example of our unit theme. 2. It is epic. Period. Probably more epic than 300. 3. Murder!4. Insanity!5. Witchcraft! 6. Epic battles! 7. It is set in Scotland. So, if you are Scottish, revel in its

awesomeness. 8. People actually died trying to perform this play. It could be

cursed! 9. Macbeth is part of pop culture!10.To enrich your understanding of the world. Also, you have

to read it for this class anyway. (muhahaha)

Tragedy Comedy

–Usually has a happy ending–Can also include jokes,

farce, and innuendo– Shakespeare’s are

usually love stories– Settings are far away

from England

– Ends in the death of one or more of the main characters.–Most of

Shakespeare’s tragedies involve historical individuals and events

CHARACTERS Macbeth – main character & general of king’s army

Lady Macbeth – Macbeth’s wifeKing Duncan – King of Scotland Banquo – general of King’s army Macduff – nobleman of ScotlandLennox - nobleman of ScotlandRoss – nobleman of ScotlandThree Witches & Hecate Malcolm – King Duncan’s son (older)Donalbain - King Duncan’s son (younger)

Act I Scene 1 begins with three witches discussing when they will meet again. They decide to meet after the battle.

Scene 2 Macbeth, King Duncan’s general, is named Thane of Cawdor by Duncan because he killed Macdonwald in battle (Macdonwald betrayed the king and Macbeth gets his title).

Scene 3: Macbeth eventually meets three witches, who tell him that he will eventually be king.Macbeth believes the witches and informs his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the prophecy. Lady Macbeth wants to be queen and encourages Macbeth to fulfill the prophecy. “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth” – Macbeth believes he is invulnerable.

King Duncan honors Macbeth by visiting his castle. Lady Macbeth welcomes the king to their home.

Lady Macbeth pressures Macbeth to kill the king and take the throne of Scotland.

Macbeth fears the moral consequences of killing Duncan, but eventually decides to go along with his wife’s plans…

Have you ever known someone who would do anything to obtain power?

“Let not see my black and deep desires…”

THE THREE WITCHES“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”

LADY MACBETH“I have given suck, and knowHow tender tis’ to love the babe that milks meI would, while it was still smiling in my face, Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gumsAnd dash’d the brains out, had I sworn as youHave done to this.”

KING DUNCAN“There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face :He was a gentleman on whom I built,An absolute trust”

The Simpsons (“Salem witch trial,” “the Scottish play”)

Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood (Macbeth)

2004 episode of South Park titled “Something Wal-Mart This Way Comes”

Something Wicked This Way Comes – 1998 album by Iced Earth

J.K. Rowling cited the three witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth as one of her main influences in Harry Potter (the weird sisters)

MACBETH IN POP CULTURE

1. Do you believe in “fate?” If someone (like a fortune teller…or creepy witches!) predicted you would have a specific path in life would you believe them? Why or why not? What if events/things they predicted started coming true?

2. What does it mean to have “power” in society? Why do people want power and how can power become dangerous or self-destructive? Can power also be used for good? Why or why not?

3. Has anyone ever convinced you to think or do something that you later regretted? If you knew you would never get caught for doing something wrong, even though whatever you did benefited you greatly (financially, socially, personally) would you still do it? Why or why not?

4. What motivates you to be successful? (at school, sports, etc.) What do you think success is? Do you think success, morality, and responsibility are connected? Why or why not?

Please read and write a response for two of these four questions

WHY READ SHAKESPEARE?

• Why do we continue to read/study Shakespeare?

• Does Shakespeare have any relevance in your life? Why or why not?

• What can we learn by reading Shakespeare?