Macbeth Project
Your Task: Choose one of the following assignments to complete to demonstrate your
understanding of both the events of the play and illustrate some further analysis.
Option A: Essay
Choose ONE of the following essay topics. Your essay will be a minimum of 500 words and
include at least three quotes per body paragraph. Your essay will NOT be a summary of
events, but rather an analysis of what the play was about.
1. In Macbeth, Shakespeare’s characters are largely responsible for their own fate.
Agree or disagree with this statement referring specifically to Lady Macbeth or
Macbeth
2. Macduff calls Macbeth “this fiend of Scotland”, and it is true that Macbeth’s actions
are fiendish. Referring to the text of Macbeth, show that Macbeth’s fiendish actions
bring upon him a retribution which is justified.
3. Trace the changes in the mental or spiritual life of Lady Macbeth from the receipt of
the letter announcing Duncan’s visit, to the sleepwalking scene, noting her state of
mind
a. before, during, and after the murder of Duncan
b. before, during, and after the banquet scene
4. The witches are agents for evil. Discuss the influence of the witches’ prophecies
upon Macbeth. Pay particular attention to the fact that they cannot directly cause
events to occur.
5. Review the definition of literary tragedy. Explain how Shakespeare’s Macbeth can
be considered a tragedy (and how Macbeth can be considered a tragic hero).
Option B: Author
Rewrite Macbeth as if it were a children`s story. Consider your audience. How will you
change the story to fit your audience? What elements must stay the same in order to
maintain the integrity of the story? Your children’s story must also be illustrated. The story
should be 10 pages (text and image) minimum in length.
Option C: Film
This is a group option! Shakespeare’s plays are usually three hour affairs. Your task is to
cut the script of Macbeth so that it will not run over 30 minutes. You must also choose a
new genre for your masterpiece. For example, you could set Macbeth on the high seas and
act as pirates, or you could set the play in the 1960s and act as hippies. You are then to
submit both your rewritten script and your film. No more than 4 people and the more
people in your group, the more I expect of you. Keep in mind, that you must still have a
similar plot and theme to the original Macbeth. (The film does not have to be presented to
the class; that is up to you and your group)
Option D: Get Creative!
Rewrite Macbeth as a graphic novel. You must include all of the events of the entire play.
Your graphic novel must include dialog, panels, and all other elements of a graphic novel.
The graphic version of the play must be a minimum of 5 pages long with a minimum of 9
panels per page. Your graphic novel should highlight one of the major themes associated
with the play.
What can be said with only 140 characters? Create a Twitter feed for one of the following
characters: Duncan, Macbeth, Banquo or Lady Macbeth. Cover thoughts and events from
the entire play. Use some outside sources to add further interest to your tweets. Your
twitter feed link will be emailed to Ms. Foy.
The Macbeth’s love microblogging. Create a tumblr for either Lady Macbeth or Macbeth.
What has inspired them lately? What are some of their thoughts and musings? The blog
entries should be a minimum of 300 words total along with appropriate visuals, etc. If you
use other works (lyrics etc.), give credit to the original author. Your tumblr link will be
emailed to Ms. Foy.
Tabloids succeed because they sensationalize everything. Create a tabloid cover layout and
3 main articles (you can have shorter side articles for balance as well) that cover the gossip
of Macbeth’s world. Organize the elements of your layout by theme or act. Your articles
should be a total of 500 words.
You are Lady Macbeth’s attendant. Write a series of emails or text messages to one of your
friends describing your observations, expressing your curiosity about these changes in her
and speculating about causes and future behaviour. The email thread should be 500 words.
You can forward the complete thread by email to Ms. Foy or submit a printed version.
You can judge a book by its cover. Design a look book (drawings) of costumes for a
production of Macbeth. Use clothing of Shakespeare’s time to inspire your designs but don’t
forget who you’re dressing! You must create costumes for at least 4 characters, with
descriptions of the costume.
A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand (Hear, hear!). Create a dinner party recipe list
(menu) and carefully thought-out seating plan for Macbeth’s main characters Lady
Macbeth, Macbeth, Banquo, Duncan, Macduff and family, and the Wyrd Sisters. Include a
description of the food items, and the reason behind your seating plan of at least 300
words. Be creative with language.
Your own written proposal for a creative project to be approved by Ms. Foy by Tuesday,
January 14th, 2014.
Remember, you are to choose ONE of the listed topics.