English 9
Mrs. Sharp/Ms. Edwards
name:
period:
Macbeth: Bringing the News
The following are all pieces of news Macbeth receives in the play. Consider how Macbeth would react to all of
this news, delivered over the course of a few months.
1.
All hail, Macbeth: hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
1.3.51
2.
All Hail, Macbeth: hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
1.3.52
3.
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!
1.3.53
4.
He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor.
Hail, most worthy Thane!
1.3.110
5.
Ring the alaurm bell. – Murder and treason! …
Our royal master’s murdered.
2.3.86-117
6.
My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.
3.4.18
7.
Most royal sir – Fleance is scaped.
3.4.22
8.
Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth, beware Macduff!
Beware the Thane of Fife!
4.1.81-82
9.
10.
Laugh to scorn
The power of man, for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth.
Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until
Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill
Shall come against him.
4.1.90-92
4.1.105-107
11.
Macduff is fled to England.
4.1.161
12.
There is ten thousand…
Soldiers, sir.
5.3.14,16
M17
13.
The English force, so please you.
5.3.21
14.
All is confirmed, my lord, which was reported.
5.3.36
15.
She is troubled with thick-coming fancies
That keep her from her rest.
5.3.47-48
16.
The Queen, my lord, is dead.
5.5.19
17.
Gracious my lord,
I should report that which I say I saw,
But know not how to do’t.
5.5.34-35
18.
I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought
The wood began to move.
5.5.37-38
19.
Within this three mile you may see it coming.
I say, a moving grove.
5.5.43-44
20.
Macduff was from his mother’s womb
Untimely ripped.
5.8.19-20
I will not yield
To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet
And to be baited with the rabble’s curse.
Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane
Macbeth
And thou opposed, being of no woman born,
Yet I will try to the last. Before my body
I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,
And damned be him that first cries “Hold! Enough!”
5.8.31-39
Consider:
 How would it feel to receive all this news over the course of a few months?
 What are Macbeth’s crimes?
 To what extent do you think Macbeth has brought about his own downfall? Is anyone else responsible
for what happens to him?
 How do you feel about the news of Lady Macbeth? How do you think Macbeth reacts to this
information?
 Why does Macbeth always believe the Witches?
 How typical of Macbeth is his response to the last piece of news?
M17