  What do you know about William Shakespeare? What other works of his have you read? Do Now

William Shakespeare

  Macbeth was written for James I and performed in James I was King of Scotland when he came to the English throne.  James I’s descendants can be traced back to the character of Banquo.  Shakespeare’s plays reflect timeless conflicts and resolutions, as well as a view of Elizabethan society.  Macbeth is an example of a tragic hero.  The play takes place in the year Background

  One of the most celebrated authors of literature.  Shakespeare’s career spanned nearly 30 years.  1588 – Comedy of Errors  1613 – Henry VIII  Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s finest tragedies.  Othello  King Lear  Hamlet Shakespeare

  Ambition/power  The cruelty of men vs. women  Respect for monarchy and their responsibility to be moral Themes

Macbeth’s Scotland

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 1, Scenes 1-3 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  What do you think of what we’ve read so far? Do you find it interesting? Why or why not? Do Now

  What atmosphere is established in Scene 1?  Macbeth is reported to be a valiant solider in Act 1. The line “Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops/ And fixed his head upon our battlements,” paints a different Macbeth ( ). What can you infer from that line? Act 1, Scenes 1-3

  In Scene 1, the Witches say “Foul is fair and fair is foul.” Which characters do you consider fair or foul?  Why do you think Shakespeare opened Scene 3 with the Witches discussing an evil deed they have committed? What prophecies do the Witches make for Macbeth and Banquo? Act 1, Scenes 1-3

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 1, Scenes 4-7 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  What do you think it means that one of the witches’ prophecies has already come true? What does it foreshadow for Macbeth? Do Now

  In Scene 4, Duncan says that Cawdor was “a gentleman on whom I built/An absolute trust” ( ). What does this tell you about Duncan’s character? Act 1, Scenes 4-7

  Macbeth struggles with his conscience and the fear of eternal damnation if he murders Duncan. Lady Macbeth’s conflict arises when Macbeth’s courage begins to falter. Lady Macbeth has great control over Macbeth’s actions. What tactics does she use to gain control over him? Does she solve her conflict through her actions? Act 1, Scenes 4-7

  Shakespeare begins this play with the Witches talking on a barren stretch of land in a thunderstorm. This creates a certain atmosphere and mood. What images contributed to the evil atmosphere? Do you feel the mood continues through Act 1? Did the actions and dialogue of the main characters reinforce this atmosphere? Act 1, Scenes 4-7

  With your group, brainstorm about your assigned word. What thoughts or feelings does this word inspire within you and others? Think of synonyms and antonyms. Give examples from the past and present when your word was in the news or when it played an important role in history. To what groups or peoples does your word apply? What types of people are commonly associated with your word? Classwork

  Read Act 2, Scenes 1-2 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  Think about the line “Macbeth does murder sleep” (2.2.48). Why is sleep important? What effect would an inability to sleep have on someone who is already on edge? How does a lack of sleep affect you? Do Now

  The Witches are characters that have a powerful impact on the play, but have very few lines. Banquo says he cannot sleep because he is thinking about them (2.1.25). Macbeth says he has not thought of them at all ( ). How do the characters of Macbeth and Banquo differ and what influence have the Witches had on each character? Act 2, Scenes 1-2

  While Lady Macbeth returns with bloody daggers, Macbeth says, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/The multitudinous sea incarnadine/Making the green one red” ( ). Lady Macbeth returns with blood on her hands as well. What is Macbeth saying about what he has just done? What does the blood symbolize? Act 2, Scenes 1-2

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 2, Scenes 3-4 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  When will Macbeth be discovered as the murderer? Is there anyone who might be suspicious of him? Will he confess? Do Now

  Why do you think Shakespeare added the porter and his long speech to the beginning of Scene 3?  Besides being funny, is the porter’s speech in any way ironic?  What wise decision do Malcolm and Donalbain make? Why? Act 2, Scenes 3-4

  What might the Old Man in Scene 4 represent?  Explain the line, “Lest our old robes sit easier than our new” (2.4.53). What is Macduff implying here? Act 2, Scenes 3-4

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 3, Scenes 1-3 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  Macbeth is often considered a morality play. What moral lessons would Shakespeare’s audiences have taken with them after viewing the play? Do Now

  As Act 3 begins, Banquo is reflecting on what has happened to Macbeth. What three events does he discuss and what does he hope for himself?  What reason does Macbeth give the Murderers for wanting Banquo killed? What reason does he give for not doing it himself?  Why do you think Macbeth does not tell Lady Macbeth about his plan to murder Banquo and Fleance? Act 3, Scenes 1-3

  What is your evaluation of the Macbeths’ relationship based on their interaction in Scene 2?  Compare and contrast the murders of Banquo and Duncan. How does the murder of Banquo show the change in Macbeth? Act 3, Scenes 1-3

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 3, Scenes 4-6 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  Discuss the references to light and dark found in the play thus far. What do you think they symbolize? Do Now

  There is a turning point in Scene 4. What is that turning point and how do you think Macbeth will respond throughout the rest of the drama?  What does Lady Macbeth say to the guests is the reason for Macbeth’s behavior? Act 3, Scenes 4-6

  What does Hecate say she is going to do to Macbeth? Why does she think he will respond to her?  What does Lennox say about Malcolm, Donalbain, and Fleance? What does Lennox hope for? Act 3, Scenes 4-6

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 4, Scenes 1-2 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  How is a tyrant different from a benevolent ruler? Think about some tyrants in recent history. What happened to them in the end? Or, if he/she is still alive, what is happening to him/her now or happened recently? Do you see a pattern? Do Now

  What are the Witches doing at the beginning of Act 4?  What are the three statements made by the Apparitions? What is the symbolic purpose of each prophecy the Apparitions state in the play? What interpretation can be drawn from the way each is dressed? Do you feel there is a hidden meaning? Cite examples from Act 4. Act 4, Scenes 1-2

  What does Lady Macduff say is the reason for her husband leaving? What does Lady Macduff tell her son about his father? How does he respond to her?  Act 4, Scene 2 is the only scene in which Lady Macduff appears. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to have the murder in the scene instead of having it merely reported, as with Duncan’s murder? Act 4, Scenes 1-2

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 4, Scene 3 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  Will Macduff and Malcolm succeed? Or will Macbeth reign victorious? What do you want to happen in the last act? Do Now

  Why does Malcolm question Macduff? How does Macduff convince Malcolm he can be trusted?  Why does Malcolm tell Macduff that when he, Malcolm, becomes king “black Macbeth/Will seem as pure as snow” (4.3.63)?  What information does Ross have for Macduff? What is Macduff’s reaction? What do Malcolm and Macduff plan to do? Act 4, Scene 3

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 5, Scenes 1-4 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  Why is Macbeth considered a tragedy? Does Macbeth fit the definition of a tragic hero? Explain why or why not. Do Now

  Elaborate on the importance of the scene when Lady Macbeth says “Out damned spot, out, I say! One. Two./ Why then, ‘tis time to do ‘t. Hell is murky. Fie, my/ lord, fie, a soldier and afeard? What need we fear/ who knows it, when none can call our power to/ account? Yet who would have thought the old man/ to have so much blood in him?” ( ). How does this scene illustrate a change in the character of Lady Macbeth? Act 5, Scenes 1-4

  What does the Doctor say to Macbeth about Lady Macbeth’s condition? What is Macbeth’s reaction?  What is the Doctor referring to when he says “Therein the patient must minister to himself” ( )? Act 5, Scenes 1-4

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Read Act 5, Scenes 5-8 of Macbeth and answer the corresponding questions. Homework

  How did Lady Macbeth lose control over her husband? Do Now

  Describe Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death. Compare his reaction to the reaction he had after the murder of Duncan.  Paraphrase Macbeth’s soliloquy following the announcement of his wife’s death ( ).  What does the Messenger tell Macbeth he sees coming toward Dunsinane? How does Macbeth respond? Act 5, Scenes 5-8

  Explain the line “Of all the men else I have avoided thee” (5.8.5).  What does Macbeth say to Macduff about his mortality? What is Macduff’s response? How does Macbeth react?  What does Malcolm say about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? Act 5, Scenes 5-8

  Complete classwork worksheet. Classwork

  Study for Macbeth test. Homework

  Quote identification  Speaker  The person to whom he/she is speaking  Context  You are responsible for everything from the PowerPoint.  You must provide concrete, specific examples from the story to receive full credit on all open-ended questions. Test