Let’s review what we have read……. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Act I Scene 1. Setting: An open place in Scotland  The weather is __________.  The three witches are planning on meeting ___________ on the heath after the ______ is won.  “Fair is foul and foul is fair….” – What tone is this quote setting up for the audience?  Beyond the text: Are you superstitious? Do you  Believe in “witches” and their powers?  Discuss your opinion/experience with a  person next to you.

Scene 2. Setting: King Duncan’s camp near the battlefield  The Captain reports on the ________ that has just ended between Scotland  and The King of Norway and the Thane of Cawdor, a traitor against King  Duncan.  General and Thane of Glamis, Macbeth, along with General Banquo are the  recipients of praise from King Duncan.  The Thane of Cawdor is sentenced to death for being a traitor.  Macbeth is awarded the title Thane of ________, but he does not know it yet!  Beyond the text thinking: Since King Duncan totally trusted the Thane of  Cawdor and the Thane ended up committing treason, what does this say  About King Duncan’s judgment? Discuss with a partner: What attributes  Help you to build trust in someone?

Scene 3 Setting: A bleak place near the battlefield  The First Witch tells about the revenge she placed on the husband of a woman who would not share her ______ with the witch. She places a spell On the husband who is a ship captain so that he cannot sleep for 9 x 9 nights.  Who said, “What are these so withered, and so wild in their attire, that look not like the inhabitants o’ th’ earth and yet are on ‘t?  The witches prophecy that Macbeth is now the Thane of ______ and will Become _______. They also prophecy that Banquo will _______ _______.  Regarding Banquo, the First Witch claims that Banquo will be “lesser than Macbeth and greater.” What does this mean?  Macbeth does not understand how he can be the Thane of Cawdor because He says that “The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?”  Beyond the text: In this scene, Macbeth mentions killing King Duncan. What tragic flaw is revealed in his private thoughts?  Beyond the text: What are the pros and cons of ambition? Discuss with a partner.

Scene 4 Setting: A room in the King’s palace at Forres  King Duncan expresses his gratitude to Macbeth by naming him Thane of Cawdor, thus the first part of the witches’ prophecy has come true!  The King unexpectedly names his son, Malcolm, to be his heir and the Prince Of Cumberland.  To further honor Macbeth, the King will go to Macbeth’s castle at Inverness, Which is a great honor to any subject of the king.  Macbeth questions eliminating Malcolm so that he can become king more quickly. He tells the King that he will ride ahead to alert his wife.  Beyond the text: Is it realistic to think that someone would plot to kill a kind and generous king? If so, what accounts for that?

Scene 5 Setting: Macbeth’s castle at Inverness  Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth telling her of the witches’ prophecy.  She fears that Macbeth does not have the courage to kill the king, but she will do what she must to get him to do it.  “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe-top of direst cruelty!”  She informs Macbeth that Duncan “..never shall sun that morrow see!  Beyond the text:  How do you view Lady Macbeth? What is her motivation  to get Macbeth to kill King Duncan?  The fact that Shakespeare has Lady Macbeth say that she must not be a  Woman to accomplish this says what about the perception of women in  Renaissance England? Discuss with a partner.

Scene 6 Setting: In front of Macbeth’s Castle  King Duncan is welcomed to Inverness by Lady Macbeth – she is all graciousness!  Duncan wonders where Macbeth is since he left earlier than the King.

Scene 7 Setting: A room in Macbeth’s Castle  Macbeth has left the King in the middle of dinner. He is questioning whether he should kill the king or not.  The reasons not to kill the King are: Macbeth is his subject and kinsman; King Duncan is a great king and virtuous and does not deserve to be murdered. Basically, the only reason to kill Duncan is Macbeth’s “vaulting ambition.”  Lady Macbeth tells her husband that he is a coward if he does not go through with the killing. She tells him that if she made such a promise, she would murder her own baby in order to fulfill the promise.  Lady Macbeth unveils the plan: She will ply Duncan’s two chamberlains with wine and wassail, then she and Macbeth will kill Duncan with the knife of the chamberlains. The blame will go to the chamberlains.  Beyond the text:  Who do you think is more lethal: Lady or Lord Macbeth? Why?  Discuss with a partner.