Macbeth Reading 4 Date: Objectives Read Macbeth Act 2 scene 3 and 4 Understand what’s going on in the story. Mark important quotes and complete exercises. Warm-up Does the weather affect you mood? Give examples of how it could – if it were sunny / raining outside.

Today’s Reading Act 2 Scene 3, (10 minutes) A porter (doorman) pretends he is a gatekeeper to hell. The King’s body is discovered by Macduff. Macbeth kills the guards and the king’s sons flee. Act 2 Scene 4, (3 minutes) This scene is set some days later. Ross and an old man discuss some strange, supernatural things that have happened. Because the princes ran away, they are suspects in the kings death. Macbeth has been crowned king and there is tension everywhere. Audiobooks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL5wF4pWH4c&t=943s starts at 9.30

Notes – Act 2 Scene 3 A humorous porter (doorman) plays a game that he is the gatekeeper of hell. He imagines several people entering hell, showing people he considers evil. This links to both Duncan dying and Macbeth turning evil. Macduff and Lennox go to wake the king. When Macduff enters, Lennox speaks with Macbeth and tells us it had been a violently stormy night. There were earthquakes and the animals acted strangely. Lennox tells of hearing voices screaming and prophesising the doom of everyone. Macduff emerges in shock, unable to effectively tell the others that the king is dead. Macbeth kills the guards while pretending to be angry and sad. Macduff is annoyed at this as they would have liked to question them. Lady Macbeth faints, perhaps to distract Macduff and change the topic. The Kings sons do not know who to trust so flee. Malcolm goes to England while Donalbain goes to Ireland.

Notes – Act 2 Scene 4 This scene takes place days after Duncan’s death. Ross and an old man discuss some strange and supernatural things that have been going on: the sun has been hidden behind clouds for days, a small owl killed an eagle and Duncan’s horses have eaten each other. The murder of a king is the most terrible crime, a violation against God itself who made him king. Nature is therefore angry at this unnatural state of affairs. Duncan’s sons are the prime suspects in his murder because they ran away. Meanwhile Macbeth has been crowned king of Scotland. Macduff refuses to go to the coronation, perhaps because he suspects Macbeth of ill-doings. His absence will be taken as an insult.

Time for Reflection - pair work Write down the two quotes below and what you think about them. “Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time” (Act 2, scene 3) (Macbeth’s reaction) “That darkness does the face of earth entomb When living light should kiss it’ ” (Act 2, scene 4) Write and perform a scenario / story about the following, based on what happened in the play but about yourself. You just did something horrible but no one knows it was you. While your friend is really shocked at what happened, you have to pretend to be shocked so nobody realises it was you.

Cooldown Duncan’s sons run away. Was this the right choice do you think? What might have happened if they stayed?