Macbeth

Elements of Drama Drama: is a form of literature that tells a story through performance by actors in front of an audience Dialogue: tells the story; speeches of the characters Stage directions: help the cast and production staff to bring the text to life; tells how the work is to be performed or staged

sets – the constructions that set the scene for the drama props – movable objects that actors use onstage dialogue – speeches of the characters theme – the central message or insight into life that is revealed through a literary work

dramatic irony – when the audience knows something that a certain character onstage does not Playwright – author of the play Pun - a play on words involving a word with two or more different meanings or two words that sound alike but have different meaning Foreshadowing – hints about what is going to happen

Dialogue Soliloquy: a long speech expressing private thoughts, delivered by a character who is alone onstage Monologue: a long speech delivered by one character to another or to a group of characters Aside: a private remark to one character or to the audience that breaks convention because it is understood not to be heard by other characters onstage Chorus: a single character or a group of characters that comment on the action and whose words may connect scenes to convey the collective thoughts or feeling of the community

Stage Directions Many playwrights include stage directions, or instructions, about the setting, costumes, lighting, scenery, and props, or objects used on stage. This text may indicate how and when characters should move and deliver their lines

Stage Directions

Kinds of Drama Tragedy: end with a downfall or death of the protagonist or main character comedy – a literary work with a happy ending, in Shakespeare it means marriage

Key Elements: Tragic Hero: is the main character- an outstanding person of high rank whose downfall is caused by his own flawed behavior Tragic Flaw: part of the hero’s character that leads him to make a fatal mistake; a weakness Comic Relief: to relieve tension, playwrights often include humorous scenes or characters that provide comic relief. Usually characters from lower ranks in society

Macbeth The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.

Written between 1604-1606 Performed at the Globe Theatre, London Published in the First Folio of 1623

Theme The play is seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.

What to Watch For what Macbeth is thinking and feeling, why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself

At the Start of the Play Macbeth is a very successful and highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations . He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.

At the End of the Play Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.

WITCHES TREACHERY MURDER BLOOD FAITHLESSNESS DECEPTION AMBITION

AP only

Irony Verbal Irony - Most commonly used form of irony, one in which there is a contradiction between what is stated and what is actually meant. Situational Irony - Form of irony in which a set of circumstances turns out to be the opposite of those expected; reverse of those anticipated and appropriate.

Irony Continued Dramatic Irony - where the audience knows something vital that the character does not know. Example - Oedipus Rex, the audience knows that, as was prophesied, Oedipus has killed his father and married his mother, but Oedipus does not know either of them are his parents.

Catharsis Emotional cleansing or feeling of relief felt by an audience member at the conclusion of a tragedy. In a sense, the tragedy, having aroused powerful feelings in the spectator, also has a therapeutic effect.

Hubris Greek: "insolence," "pride." The emotion in the tragic hero which leads him to ignore warnings from the gods or to transgress against their moral codes; by extension, in dramas, any wanton insolence on the part of the hero which leads to his/her downfall