First read Act one Scene One. Then watch the three cinematic interpretations of it.
This is one of the most famous scenes of any of Shakespeare's plays. Why does he open with these three witches? |
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Act I scene ii and iii
Click here to check out a map of Macbeth's Scotland.
The list of literary elements Shakespeare employs is seemingly endless. The range from drama specific elements like soliloquies to just darn good writing with euphemisms, similes, iambic pentameter and of course, his excellent vocabulary.
1) Look at Act I Scene ii and find a simile. What does this simile mean for Duncan's army? Why was it used? How does it making this piece of story better?
2) In Act I Scene iii and find some asides or solioquies. What does this dramatic element add to the play? Why would this technique be particularly important during a tragedy.
3) In Act I scene iii, we meet the witches again. This time gaining a little better sense of their chicanery. What do we learn about the witches power? What can they do? What can't they do? How do you think this will play into the future of this tale?
1) Look at Act I Scene ii and find a simile. What does this simile mean for Duncan's army? Why was it used? How does it making this piece of story better?
2) In Act I Scene iii and find some asides or solioquies. What does this dramatic element add to the play? Why would this technique be particularly important during a tragedy.
3) In Act I scene iii, we meet the witches again. This time gaining a little better sense of their chicanery. What do we learn about the witches power? What can they do? What can't they do? How do you think this will play into the future of this tale?
Act I scene iv and v
1) What according to Macbeth in lines 25-30, should be the proper relationship between Kings and a thane?
2) Why is Macbeth disturbed when Duncan makes the announcement that Malcolm becomes Prince of Cumberland?
3) Where are King Duncan and his followers headed at the end of this reading?
4) What conflict do you seem happening? Is it man vs man? Man vs self? Man vs society?
5) Summary: Discuss examples of irony found in the following dialogues:
-Ironic “nature” images Duncan uses in lines 31-32 (what could this be foreshadowing?)
-Lines 13-15
-Lines 62-66
Over the weekend you MUST finish ACT I.
2) Why is Macbeth disturbed when Duncan makes the announcement that Malcolm becomes Prince of Cumberland?
3) Where are King Duncan and his followers headed at the end of this reading?
4) What conflict do you seem happening? Is it man vs man? Man vs self? Man vs society?
5) Summary: Discuss examples of irony found in the following dialogues:
-Ironic “nature” images Duncan uses in lines 31-32 (what could this be foreshadowing?)
-Lines 13-15
-Lines 62-66
Over the weekend you MUST finish ACT I.
End of Act I
Soliloquy – Macbeth, Act I
A soliloquy is a conversation with one’s self. In plays, it is sometimes directed at the audience. Usually lengthy, the character speaks their inner-most thoughts aloud. It is delivered by the character while on the stage alone.
At the beginning of Act I, scene vii, Macbeth vacillates between wanting to kill King Duncan and being content with remaining the Thane of Cawdor. His indecision ends with him deciding that he will not kill King Duncan. It’s not a lack of ambition, but a fear of retribution that keeps him from plotting against his king.
This activity involves creating your own soliloquy. Choose one of the situations below. Write at least 10 lines that show your own vacillation and indecision. Like Macbeth, weigh the consequences of each action. Part of the process will be to see the other viewpoint… put your self in the opposite position of your first reaction. Show indecision, but make a decision by the end.
The situations:
A soliloquy is a conversation with one’s self. In plays, it is sometimes directed at the audience. Usually lengthy, the character speaks their inner-most thoughts aloud. It is delivered by the character while on the stage alone.
At the beginning of Act I, scene vii, Macbeth vacillates between wanting to kill King Duncan and being content with remaining the Thane of Cawdor. His indecision ends with him deciding that he will not kill King Duncan. It’s not a lack of ambition, but a fear of retribution that keeps him from plotting against his king.
This activity involves creating your own soliloquy. Choose one of the situations below. Write at least 10 lines that show your own vacillation and indecision. Like Macbeth, weigh the consequences of each action. Part of the process will be to see the other viewpoint… put your self in the opposite position of your first reaction. Show indecision, but make a decision by the end.
The situations:
- You are lost in a desert with your best friend. You are on the verge of death, when suddenly a man on a camel appears. He only has enough food for one of you, and you must make the choice of who gets the food since your friend is too weak to argue either way.
- You’ve broken your mother’s favorite lamp, and she is due home any minute. You know your mother would ground you for two weeks if she found out. You also know your brother has been disciplined for throwing things around the house before, so if you blamed him, your mother would believe you. Do you blame him or take the blame yourself?
- You’ve just been elected President of the Senior class, and you’ve shared the news with all of your friends and family. Later, while you are studying the results, you realize that someone made an error in counting the ballots and you actually lost the race by one vote. The person who actually won is someone whom you know would do a terrible job. Do you point out the error by telling the advisor or keep quiet?