Spring 2015
Columbia International College Taiwan
Teacher Kelli
Macbeth Layered Project Unit
Literature 11
Layer A: You must complete three of the tasks from Layer A. Must add up to 25 points!
1. Choose a scene from Macbeth (any of Macbeth including Act II-IV) and recreate
the scene as a comic strip or manga scene. Comic length must correlate to all the
details found in the original scene. At least two pages of comic strips. You may use a
web comic creator for this assignment. (20 pts.)
2. Rewrite Macbeth's soliloquoy's in journal format. The journal is for himself versus
for an audience so you can be creative and innovative here. Must contain key details
from the original play. Each journal entry should be half a page to one full page in
length. Soliloquy’s to rewrite include the following: Act I, Scene 7, lines 1-28; Act I,
Scene 3, lines 127-142. (2 journal entries, 10 pts. each: 20 pts. total)
3. In your group, you may choose to re-enact a scene from Macbeth. The lines can not
be remade or readjusted, but you can choose to recreate the scene or change
characteristics of the actors including personality and tone. For example: you could
easily turn a death scene into a comedic act, where the characters over-act or under-act
the scene. If you choose to do this task, then there must be some effort put in involving
costume, make-up and acting. (20 pts.)
4. Create a timeline for events leading up to and after the killing of Duncan. This
timeline must be done on a poster board, should include key events with quotes from the
play, as well as illustrations or pictures depicting each particular quote. A minimum of
10 events must be included on this timeline. (20 pts.)
5. Choose 10 quotes from any part of Macbeth to analyze. You must paraphrase the
quote (put the quote in your own words) and explain the meaning or importance of the
quote to the overall play. I am well versed with Spark Notes, Cliff Notes, etc. If you
choose to use quote analysis from the internet, you will get a zero on this entire
project. (20 pts.)
6. Choose twenty new vocabulary terms that are completely new to you. Fold a paper
in four and write one vocabulary term in each box. Define the vocabulary term and mark
the part of speech it is. Use the vocabulary term in a complete sentence of your own
creation. Illustrate the sentence that you have created. (20 pts.)
7. Write an acceptance speech for Macbeth. This speech would be the speech that
Macbeth would give when he is crowned King. This speech should reassure the country
that things will be better now that Macbeth is their King. Remember to praise the fallen
brethren. (5 pts.)
8. Write a eulogy for one of the dearly departed. A Eulogy is a tribute or statement of
praise for someone who has recently died. This could be written for any character who
has died in the play and who also played a significant role in the events. (5 pts.)
Layer B: You must complete one task from Layer B.
Spring 2015
Columbia International College Taiwan
Teacher Kelli
1. Find popular culture references that include elements from Macbeth. Present these
pop culture references in a creative format (ie; presentation, poster board, essay, song or
video game). Popular culture references could be movies, television show episodes,
song lyrics, movie quotes, etc. that either reference Macbeth or use themes from
Macbeth. Themes from Macbeth include the Supernatural, Prophesies, Power, Ambition
(you can also treat Power and Ambition as one theme), Gender Roles, Monarchy, and
Religion. If you think there is a theme I missed, bring it to my attention and we will
discuss whether it is an appropriate theme for your project. (25 pts.)
2. Create a Macbeth video game. For this assignment, you must choose and use a game
maker software to retell the story of Macbeth. Must include all key players (some minor
characters may be left out) and most of the key events. Soliloquy's and certain key
quotes must be included to keep the tone and feel of Macbeth alive. I have taught Game
Design before and would be happy to help those of you who are interested in doing this
task. Software you can use to create a Macbeth video game includes Kodu, Scratch,
Game Maker Studio, Unity3D, PlayFic, GameStar Mechanic, etc. (25 pts.)
3. Rewrite key scenes from Macbeth by changing a key element. Maybe the witches
didn't prophesize Macbeth's becoming king, but instead, Macbeth used a Magic 8 Ball or
flipped a coin. Perhaps Lady Macbeth was very weak and tried to convince Macbeth to
not kill the King and he went against her wishes. Maybe Macbeth is a vampire and kills
the King by biting him. Be creative here. (25 pts.)
Layer C: Choose one task to complete from Layer C.
1. Write an essay responding to the following prompt: The three witches are a key
element of the play Macbeth. Using quotes from the play, explain the significance of the
three witches. How do they affect they events of the play? Why are they significant?
How would the play be different if there were no witches? Do you think Macbeth would
have desired to be King if the witches had not prophesied it. Prove your statements with
evidence from the play. You may use outside research for this essay, but you need to cite
your sources and use a Works Cited Page. See the OWL resource for formatting and
citation questions. (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/) (50 pts.)
2. Write an essay responding to the following prompt: Lady Macbeth is a key player in
the events that unfold within Macbeth. Using quotes from the play to illustrate and
support your ideas, write an argument for why Lady Macbeth is a key player in the
events of Macbeth. Would Macbeth have killed the king were it not for Lady Macbeth's
persuasion? How do we know this? What was more powerful in the leading up to
Macbeth's fateful decision: Macbeth's ambition or Lady Macbeth's persuasion? (50 pts.)
3. Choose a theme to analyze from Macbeth and write an essay showing how that
theme is portrayed in Macbeth. Themes include the Supernatural, Prophesies, Power,
Ambition (you can also treat Power and Ambition as one theme), Gender Roles,
Monarchy, and Religion. Make sure you properly cite your quotes according to MLA
formatting. (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/) (50 pts.)