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

What do you know about William

Shakespeare? What other works of his have you read?

Do Now

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Macbeth was written for James I and performed

in 1606. 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 1040.

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 (1.2.24-25). 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” (1.4.15-16). 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 (2.1.27-28). 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” (2.2.78-81). 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?” (5.1.37-42). 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” (5.3.56-57)?

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 (5.5.20-31).

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