That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Sequencing: See below for the sequence of events, activities, due dates, and reading
schedule.
Class Work
Bryson’s Shakespeare
Language Work
Ethan Hawke’s Macbeth
Benchmark
Drama terms: online work
Working with the history
Act I.i through I.iv
“Unsex Me” analysis
4/20
4/21
4/22,23
4/27
4/28
4/29
4/29
4/30
Act I.v through Act II.i
Act II.ii through Act II.iv
Act II.v through Act III.iii
Act III.iv through IV.i
Act IV.ii through IV.iii
5/4
5/5
5/6
5/7
5/11
Monologue and Soliloquy
5/12
Act IV.iv through V.iv
Act V.v through V.viii
TEST:
5/13
5/14
5/18
Powerpoint notes
Grammar work
Worksheet
Study and quotes
Study and quotes
Tomorrow and
tomorrow study of
performance
Analyzing the scenes
visually
FULL ONLINE DIGITAL TEXT:
http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/html/Mac.html
Product Details







Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Washington Square Press (0100)
ASIN: B00DT643V4
Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
Average Customer Review: Be the first to review this item
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,062,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Shakespearean Tragedy
The Elements of a Tragedy
Element 1- The Tragic Hero
Usually there is only one tragic hero
Examples
Macbeth
Hamlet
Exceptions- The Love Tragedies
Only Great Men are Tragic Heroes
Peasants (merely because they are human beings) do not inspire pity and fear as great men
do.
For example- The pangs of despised love and the anguish of remorse are the same in a
peasant as in a prince. However, a peasant’s emotional distress will not affect the welfare
of a nation or empire. So when a great man falls suddenly from the heights of earthly
greatness, his fall produces a sense of contrast.
Common Qualities of the Tragic Hero
1. Tragic heroes are exceptional beings. They are from a high estate, but the tragic hero’s
nature generally raises him in some respect much higher than the average level of
humanity. The tragic hero carries a touch of greatness (fierce determination, fixed ideas,
which stirs not only sympathy and pity, but also admiration, terror, and awe.
2. Tragic heroes contribute to their own destruction by acts in which the reader sees a
flaw in their character. The flaw often takes the form of obsession.
3. The difficulty is that the audience must desire the defeat/destruction of the tragic hero,
but this in itself does not constitute tragic feeling.
4. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes need not to be “good,” though they generally are.
5. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes project that man is not small or contemptible, no matter
how rotten he can be.
Example6. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes illustrate the center of the tragic impression: the sense of
waste. There is a profound sense of sadness and mystery which is due to this impression of
waste.
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Example7. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes live for what seems to be a type of the mystery of the whole
world. Shakespeare tries to show the reader the tragedy that is all around and the waste
that it creates.
Element 2- The Tragic Flaw
Hamartia (Greek)- In a tragedy, the quality within the Tragic Hero or heroine which
leads to his or her downfall.
Examples- Macbeth’s obsession with power,
Hamlet’s indecisiveness
Othello’s jealousy
However, most great tragedies defy such simple explanations.
The flaw often takes the form of _________________________________
Element 3- The Tragic “Story”
Plot
1. The tragic story leads up to, and includes, the death of the hero.
2. The suffering and calamities that befalls the hero are unusual and exceptionally
disastrous.
Explanation of the CalamityThe suffering befalls to a conspicuous person.
The suffering is itself of a striking kind.
The suffering, as a rule, is unexpected.
The suffering, as a rule, contrasts with previous happiness and/or glory.
Tragedy, Human Flaws, and Responsibility
1. The calamities of a tragedy do not simply happen, nor are they sent.
2. The calamities of tragedy proceed mainly from actions, and those, the action of men.
3. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes are responsible for the calamity of their falls. The center
of the tragedy, therefore, lies in the action issuing from the character, of flawed
perceptions, and human frailty for which the hero is ultimately responsible. The hero
recognizes his own responsibility for the calamity too late to prevent his own death.
Element 4- The Abnormal, The Supernatural, Fate/Fortune/Chance
1.
2.
Shakespeare occasionally represents abnormal conditions of mind: insanity, hallucinations etc. The abnormal
conditions of the mind are never introduced as the origin of any deeds of any dramatic moment.
Shakespeare also introduces the supernatural: ghosts and witches who have supernatural knowledge. The
supernatural elements cannot be explained away as an illusion in the mind of one of the characters. It does
contribute to the action, but it is always placed in the closest relation with the character. It gives a confirmation
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
and a distinct form to inward movements already present and exerting an influence: to the half-formed thought
or the memory of guilt or suspicion.
3. Shakespeare, in most tragedies, allows “chance” in some form to influence some of
the action. Finally, chance is a prominent feature in life. That men may start a course
of events but can neither calculate nor control it, is a
tragic fact. However, any
large use of chance would weaken the sense of the casual connection of character,
deed, and calamity.
Element 5-Tragic Conflicts
The action of the protagonist/tragic hero is most often motivated by external and internal
conflicts, which lead to complications from which further conflicts arise- all in a kind of
snowballing effect, driving the action toward a tragic resolution.
External Conflict
1. Usually, there are two persons, of whom the hero is one,
Example2. Two Parties or Groups, one of which the hero leads
Example3. The passions, tendencies, ideas, principles, forces, which animate these persons or
groups
Internal Conflict
1. Shakespeare’s tragic hero, though he pursues his fated way, is, at some point, torn by an
inward struggle.
2. A comparison of the earlier and later tragedies show this struggle is most emphasized
in the later tragedies.
3. The conception of outer and inner struggle includes the action of “spiritual forces.”
The “spiritual forces” generating the internal turmoil for the hero is the combination of the
pressures of the external and internal struggles or conflicts.
Element 6- The Tragic Pattern- You can use three different stages in the Tragic
Pattern to make and prove your thesis.
Stage
Man of high
estate
Identification
Cite
Macbeth’s journey
Act,
Scene
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Flaw of
Character
Stage
Identification
Cite
Macbeth’s journey
Act,
Scene
Murder, exile,
Alienation of
enemies and
allies
Mobilization of
the opposition
Tragic
recognition of
the flaw by the
tragic hero
Courageous
attempt to
restore losses
Audience
recognizes
tragic loss
Death of tragic
hero
Restoration of
order
Your Task: Take this information and create a VISUAL REPRESENTATION (2D or 3D
of Macbeth’s journey through the tragic pattern).
Element 7-Structure in the Plays
As a Shakespearean tragedy represents a conflict which ends in calamity, any such tragedy
can be divided into four parts.
1. Exposition- The exposition is the task of the first and second act. Here the reader
learns about the general setting, the persons, the character traits, problems of the play, the
major conflict, and the tragic hero’s flaw.
2. Development/Rising Actions- This comprises the second, third, and fourth acts with
parts of the first and fifth. Time and urgency becomes important and the action increases.
Eventually, the tragic hero will end up alone.
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
3. Development/Falling Action- In act four, opposing forces begin to openly resist and
make plans for the removal of the tragic hero, and the tragic hero's power is declining as
the opposition’s power advances.
4. Resolution- In the final act, the opposition reaches its full strength and
defeats/destroys the isolated, weakened hero. This is where Tragic Recognition takes
place, the reader becomes aware of the greatness of the man just loss, and order is
restored.
Vocabulary
Monologue
Definition
Soliloquy
Agon
Anagnorisis
Catharsis
Pharmakos
Hubris
Nemesis
A contest of wills
Origin: Greek tragedy
The moment of recognition,
critical in the tragic pattern,
where the protagonist
realizes that the trouble is
his own fault
Example: Macbeth
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Macbeth
Character
Relation to
Macbeth
What do they want? Motive
Dies?
Where
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Weird Sisters
Hecate
Duncan
Malcolm
Donalbain
Banquo
Fleance
Macduff
Lady Macduff
Lennox/Ross
Siward
Young Siward
Theme Analysis
 A real man takes what he wants
 The supernatural has impact over the plans and events of society
 Violence begets violence
 Ambition is a dangerous motivation
 Man cannot master his own fate
Act I, Scene i
Witch 1
Witch 2
Witch 3
Summary of Action:
Storms indicate conflict, setting indicates storm
“Fair is foul and foul is fair” (I.i.10).
Rhyme= violence
Wheel of fortune is about to turn: good will become bad, bad will become good.
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Act I, Scene ii
Duncan
Malcolm
Captain
Lennox
Ross
Summary of Action:
Act I, Scene iii
Witch 1
Witch 2
Witch 3
Macbeth
Banquo
Ross
Angus
Summary of Action:
The witches cast a curse on a woman who wouldn’t share a snack.
The witches predict:
1. Thane of Glamis for Macbeth
2. Thane of Cawdor for Macbeth
3. KINGSHIP for Macbeth
4. Banquo will have sons that will be KINGS
Macbeth gets promoted to Cawdor, and starts to fantasizes about his own future…
“If chance will have me King,why/chance may crown me,/Without my stir” (I.iii.141-143).
Act I, Scene iv
King Duncan
Malcolm
Banquo
Macbeth
Summary of Action:
Duncan confesses that he trusted Cawdor--- and was wrong
Names Malcolm next in line for the throne.l..
Macbeth realizes that his ambition for king is strong
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
SELF FULFILLING PROPHECY:
Light/Dark imagery: “stars, hide your fires;/ Let not light see my black and deep desires”
(I.iv.50-53).
Act I, Scene v
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Messenger
Summary of Action:
Note the rhyming at the end: this portends eeeeevil.
Act I, Scene vi
King Duncan
Banquo
Lady Macbeth
Summary of Action: Hey, look! We’re at Inverness!
Act I, Scene vii
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Summary of Action:
Analysis:
1. Consider Macbeth’s character from the beginning of the play to the end of Act I. How
has he changed? What might be the reason for this change?
2. Consider the line, “Fair is foul and foul is fair”. What might be indicated by these lines,
and how do our pre-reading notes relate to it?
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
3. How does Lady Macbeth manipulate Macbeth? What does she use as leverage to get
what she wants?
4. Why is Macbeth reluctant to kill Duncan?
5. What is your primary reaction to a. Macbeth? Lady Macbeth?
Which themes from your Anticipation Guide were evident in this chapter? Use text evidence
to support your answer. This is a paragraph.
 Topic sentence
 Claim
 Evidence (quote)
 Discussion of Evidence
 Conclusion
Macbeth Act II
Act II, scene i
Fleance, Son of Banquo
Porter. Doorman for Macbeth
Macduff. Nobleman of Scotland
Donalbain. Duncan’s younger son
Summary and Analysis:
“Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell” (II.i.63-64). Macbeth
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Act II, Scene ii
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Summary and Analysis
Act II, Scene iii
Macduff
Lennox
Macbeth
Porter
Lady Macbeth
Donalbain
Malcolm
Summary and Analysis:
Analysis Questions Act II
How does Macbeth’s attitude towards killing change from Act I to the end of Act II?
Explain the difference between killing and murder, and the difference between Duncan’s murder
and the murders that follow.
What were a) Lady Macbeth and b) Macbeth ‘s initial reactions to the act of murder? Was this
different from what you expected? Why?
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Use quotes to support your answer.
Macbeth is unable to return the bloody daggers. Why?
What does Lennox say about the previous night? Why is this significant?
Why does Macbeth cut his wife out of his plans? What does that indicate?
Why do you think that Shakespeare introduced a third murderer at the ambush of Banquo? This
is the source of great debate in the crit world.
Why do Donalbain and Malcolm leave?
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Writing response: Use quotes to support your claim.
Be sure to organize with a topic sentence, claim, evidence, discussion of the evidence, and
conclusion.
THE QUESTION
Macbeth is alone while Lady Macbeth returns the bloody daggers when he says, “Will all great Neptune’s
ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas
incarnadine,
Making the green one red.” Lady Macbeth returns will blood on her hands as well. What does the blood
symbolize? Cite examples from the play.
Macbeth Act III
New Characters
Murderers: Hired killers
Hecate: A witch
Summary:
Act III, Scene i
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Act III, Scene ii
Act III, Scene iii
Act III, Scene iv
Act III, Scene v
Act III, Scene vi
Analysis Questions, Act III
What is the change in Macbeth from Act II to Act III?
What behaviors illustrate this? Be sure to use quotes.
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
How has the relationship between Banquo and Macbeth changed from the time they met the
witches to the beginning of Act II? Use examples.
What fear is the source of Banquo’s murder?
What happens during the ambush on Banquo’s family? What are the positives and the negatives
of this new scenario, according to Macbeth?
Who is the uninvited guest at the banquet that only Macbeth sees? What is the purpose of this
additional guest, and how does Lady Macbeth handle this quirk?
What do you think it means when guilt is able to manifest itself in the material world?
Who is Hecate? Look past the play and do some research on her origin.
What is the purpose of the meetings with the witches?
What do we find out about Malcolm at the end of the play?
Act IV
New Characters
Apparitions: created by the witches
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Lady Macduff: Macduff’s distraught wife
Son: Macduff’s child
Summary:
Act IV, Scene i
Act IV, Scene ii
Act IV, Scene iii
Analysis questions, Act IV
Macbeth goes back to the witches, who are preparing a potion. How many times do they have to
say the incantation in order for it to work?
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Name each of the apparitions (hallucinations, really) that appear. Draw it. Next to each, describe
it and its significance.
1.
2.
3.
Why is Macbeth so upset that Macduff went to England? What does he pledge to do?
Is Scene ii necessary to the play, considering that the act of murdering Duncan was excluded?
What is Malcolm’s reluctance to attack Macbeth? How does Macduff talk him out of his fears?
What, exactly, is he planning to do?
That Scottish Play: Macbeth 2015
Symbolism and Imagery
Darkness/Light
Fertility/Plant life
Feminity/Masculinity