Macbeth Portfolio
As we finish reading Shakespeare’s Macbeth begin compiling a portfolio of the following assignments to
demonstrate your understanding and appreciation of one of the Bard’s best-known plays. Your
completed portfolio is due: ____________________
Assignment 1:
Respond to the following: What is ambition? How can it be good? How can it be bad? What is “blind
ambition”? Can someone influence you to do something against your own values or ideas? How?
(Minimum: One page in length.)
Assignment 2:
(1) Choose one of the following quotes from the play that “speaks” to you for some reason.
(2) Write the quote exactly as it appears in the play including line breaks.
(3) Cite the Act, Scene, and Line(s) (For example; Act I, scene ii, lines 12-18).
(4) Explain what you think this quote means in your own words. (A good, solid paragraph.)
(5) Give a modern instance or example that parallels the quote you chose.
Quote Choices:
A.
I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er
B. Yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way.
C. Methought I heard a voice cry "Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep," the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast—
D. 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
E. Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content;
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
F. She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Assignment 3:
(1) Choose an example of figurative language from the play (metaphor, simile, foreshadowing, motif,
symbol, etc.).
(2) Write the quote with citation (see above example).
(3) Explain the example’s power and how it enhances the meaning of the play.
(Minimum: One page in length.)
Assignment 4:
(1) A motif is a word, image or action that occurs over and over within a work in order to enhance the
meaning (significance) of the work (theme). Create a visual interpretation (poster, collage, or YouTube
video) of one of the following images or motifs from the play. Include 5(five) appropriate quotes from the
play to accompany the visual interpretation.
a. blood
b. ambition
c. greed
d. birds
e. deception
f. night or sleep
g.honor
h. masculinity or femininity
Assignment 5:
Choose ONE of the following prompts, and write a one-and-a-half page (minimum) persusasive essay.
You must use specific details and provide commentary on each detail as your supporting evidence. Of
course, you will have a strong intro with arguable thesis statement and a conclusion that “resolves” your
thesis and ends with a clincher statement. You will also provide evidence of prewriting of some kind: web,
outline, graphic organizer, etc.
A.
Trace the deterioration of either Macbeth OR Lady Macbeth from the beginning of the play to
its tragic conclusion. Your thesis must state the “cause” of this deterioration. (*example thesis:
Macbeth begins the play as a conquering hero, but allows greed and viciousness to overrule
him, leading to more murders and his own eventual beheading. OR, Lady Macbeth’s ambition for
herself and for her husband lead her to the insane idea of killing a king which only serves to
spread the brutal insanity throughout the kingdom.)
B. In literature when one character’s responses, function, and characteristics are very different from
another that they “highlight” the flaws of another s/he is called a foil. Explain how either Macduff
or Banquo is a foil to Macbeth. (*example thesis: Macduff is an example of honor and integrity
while Macbeth is the antithesis of these characteristics. These characteristics lead one to a tragic
death and the other to a kingly resolution.)
C. Explain how the three witches are antagonists in this play and a “controlling force” working
toward Macbeth’s demise. (*example thesis: The three witches not only prophesy the future for
Macbeth, but they directly affect his thoughts and decisions, ultimately leading him to evil and
gruesome death.)
Assignment 6:
Choose one of the following speeches to memorize and recite to Mr. Sanders. Handwrite your
chosen speech four times and include the handwritten work in this portfolio. You may say your
speech to the class or to Mr. Sanders only.
Choices: