Characters in Macbeth
A Webquest Activity for Honors
English IV
INTRODUCTION
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The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of William
Shakespeare's most intriguing plays, filled with
many intricate characters, each motivated by his
or her own fears and desires.
This Webquest is to introduce you to the main
characters, so you will be familiar with each one
as we continue to read the play.
YOUR TASK

Your task is to conduct research on the main characters of
Macbeth by reading brief descriptions from several sources and
synthesizing them into a concise description in your own words.
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Begin by skimming through a few of the linked sites (listed
under Resources), to get a general idea about the characters.
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Once you have a general idea of the characters, pick three that
you are going to write descriptions for. Then go back and read
the description of each character on each site.
PROCESS
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Choose any three of the following characters:
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Duncan
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Banquo
Macduff
Lady Macduff
Malcolm
Donalbain
The Three Witches
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Use the Web sites listed under Resources to help you learn about the
characters in the play.
PROCESS

Once you have read about the characters in at least
three different sources, write a brief summary of each
character, being sure to use in-text citation and include
a Works Cited page at the end.

Include a brief introductory paragraph about Macbeth,
including a TAG (title, author, genre) sentence, and a
thesis such as “Three particularly interesting characters
are _________.” You do not have to write a
conclusion.
USE OF SOURCES
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Use at least two sources per character
Use your own words—do not use direct quotes
Do not plagiarize!
Use at least three sources (higher grade for all
four)
RESOURCES
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Use these sites:
Thinkquest
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Absolute Shakespeare
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Macbeth Characters
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Introduction to the Main Characters in Macbeth
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MLA REMINDERS
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Be sure to:
Alphabetize your entries
Use a hanging indent
Double-space
Feel free to use the Citation Maker (only this
one!) to help you.
NC WiseOwl Citation Maker
RUBRIC
5
4
3
2
Introduction
Includes an accurate TAG
sentence, an appropriate
thesis, and two sentences of
other insightful information.
Includes an accurate
TAG sentence, a thesis,
and one other sentence.
Includes a thesis and
some additional
information.
Introduction lacks a
thesis or is missing.
Description
Accurately and thoughtfully
described three characters in
the writer’s own words
Accurately described
three characters in the
writer’s own words
Described three
characters with few
inaccuracies, mostly in
the writer’s own words
Described fewer than
three characters, often
copied from the source,
and may have errors
Citations
Cites two sources per
character and four overall.
Cites two sources per
character and three
overall
Cites two sources per
character and two
sources overall
Cites one source per
character and two
sources overall
Mechanics
Works cited page and in-text
citations are properly
formatted. Few if any
spelling or grammar errors.
Works cited page and
citations are mostly
correct. Minor spelling
or grammar errors
Several mistakes in
works cited page and
citations. Spelling and
grammar errors interfere
with reading.
Works cited page and
citations have major
format errors which
make it hard to
determine the source.
Distracting spelling and
grammar errors.