Nature of the Arts
Mrs. Sharp
name:
period:
Macbeth: The Off-Stage Scenes
Imagine that you are directing a performance of Macbeth and, in order to help your audience better
understand the characters and the story, you plan to bring to life a scene that does not happen on stage in the
original, Shakespearean version. Your scene (written in script format, as Shakespeare’s is) will include all
necessary characters and tell the whole story of the off-stage action.
Select ONE of the following scenes to script:
 The witches retelling the story of Macbeth to an ambitious young soldier years later.
 Malcolm recalling the battle of Dunsinane in speech 10 years after he is crowned King.
 Banquo’s ghost, explaining to his son Fleance what has happened and why he was murdered.
 Lady Macbeth, just before she takes her own life, explaining to her doctors why she can’t sleep.
 The witches, hours before they meet with Macbeth on the heath, discussing their plans for him.
 Lady Macbeth, preparing for the banquet or clearing up after it has gone so badly.
 Macbeth and Lady Macbeth trying to sleep after all they have done; Lady Macbeth sleepwalking
Your script should be between 1-2 pages in length – just enough to tell the story of the scene, but not too long
so as to distract from the rest of the action.
Use the scripts we’ve studied for ideas on format, how characters enter and exit, how setting is explained, how
characters usually interact with one another, etc. Your script does not have to be written in Shakespearean
language (though that would be a plus!) but be careful not to use very modern scenarios and/or language –
the story is still taking place in the 11th century.