What is one major THEME you noted
in Macbeth?
 Explain the theme and how it is seen in the
play
 Remember theme is the main idea or truth
that can be applied universally!
Macbeth
Discussion Groups
Goal:
 To discover authentic writing topics for an in-
class essay on Macbeth and review important
concepts in the novel to prepare for our
exam.
Groups
1.yellow
2. Orange
3. Light lime
4.Green fern
5.Bubbly blue
6.Blazin blue
7.pink
8.red
9.brown
10.black
11.Orchid
12. Purple
Play Dough
 You have been assigned a theme, topic, motif, purpose,
etc of Macbeth.
 With your partner you are to create a 3D representation of
the concept. You can be literal or figurative. Symbolic or
representative. It is up to you.
 Once you have created your model, you are to write a brief
but elaborative explanation that includes AT LEAST one
direct quote from the play to support your representation.
 Cite your quote in MLA FORMAT (See pg 8 of your packet
for details in citing, but essential it is Act#.Scene#.Line#.
(V.ii.22)
How would you represent to motif of
BLOOD?
 We created a 3D image of a hand to represent the
motif of blood. We did this because Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth literally had blood on their hands from
killing the king and they both had different ideas of
how to both literally and figuratively get rid of the
blood/guilt. She even says, “Out damned spot! Out I
say! One: two: why then ‘tis time to do’t,” when
referring to the blood she sees on her hands that will
not come off (V.i.31-32). In the end, though Macbeth
felt guilty and hesitant at first, he becomes the tyrant
and Lady Macbeth succumbs to her own guilt-filled
mind and commits suicide.
Play Dough
 You have been assigned a theme, topic, motif, purpose,
etc of Macbeth.
 With your partner you are to create a 3D representation of
the concept. You can be literal or figurative. Symbolic or
representative. It is up to you.
 Once you have created your model, you are to write a brief
but elaborative explanation that includes AT LEAST one
direct quote from the play to support your representation.
 Cite your quote in MLA FORMAT (See pg 8 of your packet
for details in citing, but essential it is Act#.Scene#.Line#.
(V.ii.22)
1. How would you represent the author’s writing style ?
2. How would you represent Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s motivation?
3. How would you represent Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
4. How would you represent the theme of dysfunction’s affect on families
as seen in Macbeth?
5. How would you represent the motif of sickness and madness as seen
in Macbeth?
6. How would you represent the motif of dreams or nightmares as seen in
Macbeth?
7. How would you represent the theme of the eternal battle of good vs.
evil as seen in Macbeth?
8. How would you represent the theme of fate vs. free will as seen in
Macbeth?
9. How would you represent the theme of the relationship of cruelty and
masculinity as seen in Macbeth?
10. How would you represent the theme of succumbing to peer pressure
as seen in Macbeth?
11 How would you represent the theme of the corrupting power of
ambition as seen in Macbeth?
12. How would you represent the theme of distinguishing leadership and
tyranny as seen in Macbeth?
Play Dough
Group 1. & 2. will be a discussion group
(yellow/orange)
Group 3. & 4 will be a discussion group (green)
Group 5. & 6. will be a discussion group (blue)
Group 7. & 8. will be a discussion group
(pink/red)
Group 9. &10. will be a discussion group
(brown/black)
Group 11. & 12. will be a discussion group
(purple)
Discussion Topic 1
 Discuss the author, William Shakespeare’s, writing
style. Use the first page of your study guide to help
you.
 Consider these guiding questions as you discuss





What is important or noteworthy about the writing
style?
How does the writing style affect my understanding?
How does the writing style reflect culture?
What are other styles (prose, novel, short story,
historical document etc.) the author could have
chosen?
How does another style change the effect of the
story?
Discussion Topic # 2: Motivation
 Consider and discuss each character’s
motivation and the effect on the plot.





Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Banquo
Macduff
Malcom
 What motivates you to complete different
actions?

Consider internal and external motivating
factors.
Discussion Topic # 3: Tragic Flaw
 What is Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw?
 What Tragic Flaws do you see most
commonly in “real life”? Give some examples.
Discussion Topic # 4: Dysfunctional
Families
 What does it mean for a family to be
dysfunctional?
 How is Macbeth’s family dysfunctional? How
does dysfunction affect the plot?
 Is dysfunction a common societal issue?
 What are some dysfunctional family issues
you see in our society?
Discussion Topic # 5: Sickness
 A recurring idea of sickness or madness
occurs through the novel. Discuss your
reaction to these ideas. Consider…





What is the effect of “sickness” in the novel?
Who is sick?
What can “sick” imply?
Does “madness” or “sickness” affect free will?
Who are some other historical figures who
could be considered “sick” or “mad”?
Discussion Topic # 6: Dreams
 What turns a dream into a nightmare?
 What is Macbeth’s dream?
 What are some of your dreams?
 How did Macbeth’s dream turn into a
nightmare?
 How could/did your dreams turn into
nightmares?
 Does reality ever resemble dreams? What
does this tell us about dreams?
Discussion topic 7: Theme
 the eternal battle of good vs. evil
 fate vs. free will
 the relationship of cruelty and masculinity
 succumbing to peer pressure
 the corrupting power of ambition
 distinguishing leadership and tyranny
Open Discussion
 What important truth, idea, reaction, feeling,
emotion, etc. did you get from reading
Macbeth. Discuss with your group.
Decisions
 Based on your discussions, choose a topic for your in
class essay on Friday and start to develop ideas on
how you are going to organize and write it. Your thesis
for your in class essay should answer the essential
question. Your essay topic should use Macbeth as a
jumping off point. You could use a theme, recurring
idea, writing style etc. to choose your topic from. You
will also use Macbeth as a point of comparison.
Decide what YOU want to express about the story. If
you are having problems coming up with a topic, see
the list on my website (at the end of this PowerPoint.
Topic ideas
 Reflections and effects of madness on free
will
 Sources of personal motivation (faith, getting
something back, proving something etc.)
 Effects of dysfunctional families on societies
and individuals
 What it takes to “be a man”
 Analysis of real life tragic flaws (such as
alcoholism or drug abuse)
 Cavorting with evil transforms one into evil