Fast Facts: William
Shakespeare




Elizabethan playwright, poet, and actor
Born: April 23, 1564
Died: April 23, 1616
Birthplace: Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Writing Style: Blank Verse composed in Iambic Pentameter





Wrote 38 plays and 154 Sonnets
Influenced romantic writers like Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats, Coleridge
His performance company was called The Lord Chamberlain's Men
His plays were performed at The Globe Theatre
Known for:




Producing perhaps the most varied and powerful body of work any author
has ever written
Exploring elemental themes of power, justice, love, and death in his tragedies,
comedies, histories, romances, and sonnets
Creating realistic stage characters whose appeal comes in their truly human
motives, actions, and flaws
Achieving widespread and lasting recognition for his work, which continues
to be taught and performed worldwide
Elizabethan Theatre

Costumes were often quite elaborate and detailed






Wigs, makeup, and props were used just like modern theatre
Props were often real – sword fights were choreographed with real
weapons!
Women were not allowed on stage
Puritans often tried to shut down theatres (and for a while,
succeeded)
Theatres were shut down at one point due to the PLAGUE!
Plays were also performed at court for Queen Elizabeth I (and,
later, King James). The royal family of the time were avid patrons
of the arts. 
“The Scottish
Play”
{
Superstition, or Truth?
Where Did Shakespeare
Get His Ideas?

The main source for Macbeth was a book called Chronicles of England,
Scotland, and Ireland by Raphael Holinshed.


Characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth may be more influenced by a
Latin work, Rerum Scoticarum Historia, by George Buchanan.


The story presented in the play is nearly exact to the history related in this
book.
These two characters in the original history are not depicted as so cunning
and seemingly evil. This second source references different characteristics
that Shakespeare likely used.
Remember: Shakespeare was a playwright out to make money! If he
didn’t think the idea would sell, he’d change it!

King Duncan




King of Scotland at the start of the play
Has been at war against a rebellion
Is friends with Macbeth
Malcolm and Donalbain


Duncan’s sons
Heirs to the throne
Macbeth: Dramatis Personae
(Characters)

Macbeth


The main character
Thane of Cawdor


Is presented with a surprising fate at the
beginning of the play


A thane is like a Duke
Works throughout the play to accomplish and
fight that same fate
A very complex and dynamic character

Many famous actors have played him,
including Orson Welles, Patrick Stewart, Ian
McKellen, and most recently Sam Worthington
(2006)
Macbeth: Dramatis Personae
(Characters)

Lady Macbeth



Macbeth’s wife, obviously
Falls victim (or does she?) to Macbeth’s fate
Easily one of the most difficult female roles to
play in existence



She is both a loving, devoted wife and a
malicious, even crazy woman
One does not simply “play” this character!
Famous actresses include: Victoria Hill (2006),
Francesca Annis, Jeannette Nolan, and Hannah
Taylor Gordon (2012)
Macbeth: Dramatis Personae
(Characters)

Banquo




Macbeth’s best friend (…o rly?)
General in King Duncan’s army
Father of kings!
Fleance


Banquo’s son
What will his future be??
Macbeth: Dramatis Personae
(Characters)

The Three Witches




Magic was a very “real” and scary thing to
Elizabethans
These three characters would have been played
by men (all female characters were)
They were also very ugly!
Worshipped an ancient goddess of witchcraft,
Hecate
Macbeth: Dramatis Personae
(Characters)

Minor Characters:

Noblemen of Scotland:


Siward, Earl of Northumberland and General of
English forces


Macduff, Lennox, Ross, Menteth, Angus, Cathness
Young Siward, his son
Seyton (officer attending Macbeth), Boy (son to
Macduff), an English doctor, a Scottish doctor, a
Captain, a Porter (doorman), an Old Man, Lady
Macduff, other attendants/soldiers/messengers,
and plenty of ghosts
Macbeth: Dramatis Personae
(Characters)
The Tragedy of
Macbeth
{
Act I
Vocabulary
{
Macbeth Act I

An obsequious follower or dependent

(obsequious: obedient; dutiful)
Minion

Of or relating to the body

For current purposes, NOT an Army officer!
Corporal

To adhere, cling, or stick fast

Cleave
"Rose's mouth was dry, her tongue cleaving to
the roof of her mouth.”

One that indicates or foreshadows what is to
come

The three witches in Macbeth
Harbinger

To punish
Chastise

To pass time pleasantly


Charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a
deceptive way: "every prominent American artist
has been beguiled by Maine"; "a beguiling smile".
Trick (someone) into doing something.
Beguile

messengers
Couriers
The Tragedy of
Macbeth
{
Act II and Act III

Finish reading Act 1





Study Guide
Vocab review
QUIZ NEXT CLASS (MONDAY!!!)
Act 1 Recap Activity
Watch opening of 1971 Roman Polanski film
April 16, 2015
Act 1 Recap
{
At your table/group, write a 1-page
“script” that details the important
points of the Act so far!


Act I Quiz
Watch the Roman Polanski Film
Monday, April 20, 2015
Quiz
{
When you finish, begin looking
over Act II!





Vocab
Read II.i and II.ii
Study Guide
Read II.iii (if time)
Study Guide (if time)
April 22, 2015
Vocab
{
Act 2
Palpable
{
Easily perceived (or touchable)
Appalls
{
Fills with dismay
Carousing
{
Drunken merrymaking
Equivocates
{
Avoids making an explicit
statement
Scruples
{
Conscience; morals
Suborned
{
Induced to commit an unlawful act
Act II
{
The Plot Thickens (and gets quite bloody!)











Banquo
Fleance (Banquo’s son)
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Porter (doorman)
Macduff
Lennox
Malcolm
Donalbain
Old Man
Ross
Characters Needed

1. What is Macbeth's lie to Banquo about the
witches' predictions?

He says he doesn't even think about them.
Study Guide: II.i

3. What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself?
 He looked like her father sleeping there.

4. After Macbeth kills Duncan, he goes to Lady Macbeth and is
concerned about not being able to say "Amen." What is her advice to
him?
 She tells him not to think about it so much, or it will make them crazy.

5. Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying, "Macbeth
does murder sleep." What does Lady Macbeth then tell him to do?


She tells him to go get some water and wash "this filthy witness" from
his hands. In other words, get cleaned up and forget about it.
6. Why won't Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime?

He can't bear to look at Duncan again.
Study Guide: II.ii

7. Who was knocking?


9. How does Lennox describe the night, and what is Macbeth's response?


Lady Macbeth was a determining force in the death of Duncan. She is no "lady."
12. What excuse or explanation did Macbeth give for killing the guards (grooms)? What
is his real reason?


Macduff discovered Duncan's body.
11. Macduff says, "Oh, gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The
repetition, in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell." What is ironic about this?


Lennox goes through a great description of the terrible night, saying it predicted terrible,
confusing times ahead. Macbeth brushes it off by saying it was a "rough night."
10. What did Macduff discover?


Macduff and Lennox were knocking at the gate.
He did it out of pain and rage, but he actually wanted to be rid of any possible witnesses
to the murder.
13. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave?

They fear that the king's murderer will be after them, too.
Study Guide: II.iii

Happy Belated Birthday, Shakespeare! (It was
yesterday!)

Finish Act 2: Reading & Study Guide
Act 2 Recap Discussion



Answer the questions on a piece of notebook
paper & turn it in when finished!
Honors Portfolio: Writing Reflection
April 24, 2015

14. Why does Ross not believe Malcolm and
Donalbain were responsible for Duncan's
murder?

He says it is against nature -- both their personal
natures and nature as the ruling force in the
universe.
Study Guide: II.iv

Did you actually think Macbeth would go
through with the murder?


Does Lady Macbeth freak you out at all?


Why or why not?
Why or why not?
Do you think Banquo has any idea of what
Macbeth is planning when they talk in Scene 1?

What evidence do you have for your opinion?
Act II Recap Discussion Q’s
Write your answers neatly on a clean sheet of paper, and turn in when time is up!

Complete the info gathering worksheets (2
pages – one for early writings, one for current
writings.)




Begin gathering evidence for essay: strengths,
weaknesses, areas for further improvement.
You will need to cite specific passages from your
work throughout the year!
Create a goal and how you intend to achieve it.
Begin to create your rough draft.
Honors Portfolio:
Writing Reflection



Watch the film through Act II (0:36:00 – 1:00:00)
Act II Quiz
If you finish the quiz early, pull out your
writing reflection packets & continue working
on assessing your own strengths & weaknesses.
April 28, 2015


Act III vocab
Act III.i-iii


Study guide as we go!
Honors Portfolio: Writing Reflection



Answering your questions
Look at an example essay & the rubric
Begin writing rough drafts
April 30, 2015
Vocabulary
{
Act III
parricide
{
The murdering of one’s parent(s)
malice
{
Extreme ill-will or spite
vizards
{
masks
Bides
{
waits
purged
{
Freed from impurities
muse
{
To consider
homage
{
Special honor expressed publicly
Act III
{
Characters Needed:
Banquo
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Servant
First Murderer
Second Murderer
Third Murderer
Lennox
Ross
Hecate
First Witch
Lord




1. Why does Macbeth want Banquo and
Fleance dead?
He knows they suspect him of foul play, and he
is furious that he has done all of the work (soto-speak) of becoming king, and Banquo's
descendants will benefit from it.
2. What is Macbeth's plan for killing Banquo
and Fleance? Does it work?
He gets two convicted murderers to wait along
the road to ambush them. The murderers kill
Banquo, but Fleance escapes.
Act III.i-iii

How has Macbeth changed in Act III? Defend
your answer with evidence from the text!



Compile quotes from the play
Consider your own knowledge of humans
Synthesize these ideas into an argument
defending your opinion!
Macbeth – Dynamic or Static?

Finish Macbeth Act III




Reading
Study Guide
QUIZ FRIDAY
Writing Reflection


Begin Writing Rough Drafts
Rough Draft DUE NEXT CLASS for peer review


You must have a hard copy: no exceptions, no
excuses. You will NOT be allowed to print at the
start of class.
Final Copy will be due FRIDAY!!
May 4, 2015

3 Sources from over the course of the year







“Source A,” etc.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Things you improved on
Things you still need to improve
Organization is key
Support your claims with specific details
Writing Reflection:
Reminders
Act III
{
Characters Needed:
Banquo
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Servant
First Murderer
Second Murderer
Third Murderer
Lennox
Ross
Hecate
First Witch
Lord

3. Macbeth says, "The worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom
breed, No teeth for the present." What does that mean?


4. Who (what) did Macbeth see at the banquet table?


She tells the guests that he often has these fits, that those who know him well
have learned to ignore them. When Macbeth really gets out of hand, she sends
the guests home.
6. Who else was missing from the banquet table (besides Banquo)?


He saw Banquo's ghost.
5. How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? What excuses
does she give for his wild talk?


Fleance will be a problem in the future, since he will have children who will
become kings, but for now Macbeth can let him go and deal with other things
because Fleance is of no immediate threat to him personally.
Macduff is missing.
7. Macbeth says, "I am in blood Stepped in so far that should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er." What does he mean?

There is no going back now. Macbeth is committed to this course of action,
whatever terrible things he may yet have to do.
Act III.iv

8. What does Hecate want the witches to do?


She wants the witches to give Macbeth some
visions which will give him false impressions,
false hopes for his personal safety and the safety
of his rule, so he will continue on his path of
destruction.
9. What does Lennox think about Macbeth,
Fleance, and Duncan's sons?

He thinks Macbeth is the "good guy," Fleance
killed Banquo, and Duncan's sons killed the king.
Act III.v-vi
Honors Portfolio
{
Writing Reflection

Introduction
Pgh 1: Strenghts past and present + evidence
Pgh 2: Weaknesses + evidence
Pgh 3: Goal and how you will achieve it
Conclusion

DUE NEXT CLASS!!!




Writing Reflection R.D.


Act III review activity
Honors Portfolio: Writing Reflection




Rough Draft HW check
Peer Review
Proofread & revise
FINAL COPY DUE NEXT CLASS
May 6, 2015


COLLECT WRITING REFLECTION ESSAY
Watch Macbeth Act III



Start at 1:00:00
End at 1:26:00 (ish)
Act III Quiz
May 8, 2015


Acts IV and V Vocabulary
Read Act IV




Discussion & Study Guide
Block 2 will read all (extended block)
Block 3 will read IV.i and IV.2
Honors Portfolio: Big Question Essay


Create thesis (i.e. answer to your question)
Outline


Check this with Mrs. D when finished
Begin writing rough drafts
May 12, 2015
Vocabulary
{
Acts IV and V
cauldron
{
A large vessel
pernicious
{
Evil; wicked
diminutive
{
Extremely small in size
appease
{
To humor; to make peace with
avaricious
{
Having an immoderate desire for wealth
interdiction
{
Something authoritatively forbidden
integrity
{
Adherence to a strict moral code
censures
{
Harsh criticisms
ague
{
A chill or fit of shivering
brandished
{
Waved or flourished
“Something Wicked This Way Comes”
{
Acts IV and V
1. Witch 2 says, "By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes." Who
comes?

Macbeth comes.
2. What is Macbeth's attitude towards the witches this time?

He is demanding, trying to take charge.
3. What four things did the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is
Macbeth's reaction?

They showed him an armed head, a bloody child, a crowned child with a tree in its hand,
and, finally, eight kings followed by Banquo's ghost. Respectively, they showed/told
Macbeth to beware of Macduff, that he would not be harmed by anyone "born of woman,“
that he would not be vanquished until Birnam Wood would come to Dunsinane, and that
Banquo's descendants would be kings.
4. Macbeth says (about the witches), "Infected be the air whereon they ride, And
damned all those that trust them!" What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself?

He is damned.
5. Where is Macduff?

He is in England helping Malcolm.
Something Wicked This Way Comes:
Act IV.i
6. Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family and
servants killed?
 Macduff is not loyal to Macbeth, and Macbeth is
angry.
7. Why does Lady Macduff's son say liars and swearers
are fools?
 He implies that since there are more of them than
honest people, they should get together and hang
the honest folks. They are foolish to leave
themselves in jeopardy when they could overcome
the honest people.
Something Wicked This Way Comes:
Act IV.ii
8. Malcolm says, "Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell.
Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace
must still look so." What does that mean?

The devil was, of course, at one time the brightest angel. The point is
that things aren't what they seem. One can't judge the book by its
cover, so-to-speak.
9. Macduff says, "Oh, Scotland, Scotland!" Why?

Malcolm has just told him what a horrid king he (Malcolm) would be
if he were on the throne instead of Macbeth. Given a choice, then,
between Malcolm and Macbeth, he gravely fears for his country's
future.
10. What news does Ross bring to Macduff?

Ross brings news of Macduff's family's murders.
Something Wicked This Way Comes:
Act IV.iii

Reading & Study Guide




Block 3 will finish Act IV and read Act V (extended block)
Block 2 will read Act V
Quiz next WEDNESDAY (May 20)\
Honors Portfolio: Big Question Essay



Question Review
Answer Pre-Write activity
Artifacts
May 14, 2015
“Something Wicked This Way Comes”
{
Acts IV and V
1. What do the doctor and gentlewoman see Lady Macbeth doing? What
do they decide to do?

She is sleepwalking and talking about the murders. The doctor decides
his best move is to not mention that he heard anything, and he tells the
woman to keep an eye on Lady Macbeth.
2. What does Macbeth want the doctor to do for his wife?

He wants the doctor to ease her suffering, to give her something to make
her oblivious to her weighty troubles.
3. What trick does Malcolm use to hide the number of men in his army?

He has his men cut off tree branches and use them as camouflage.
4. Malcolm says, "And none serve with him but constrained things Whose
hearts are absent, too." What does that mean?

Macbeth's armies are there in body only, not in spirit, and there should
not be any serious opposition.
Something Wicked This Way Comes:
Act V.i - iv
5. What is Macbeth's reaction to Lady Macbeth's death?

He takes it very calmly, saying she would have died sooner or later, anyway.
6. What is Macbeth's reaction to the news that Birnam Wood is moving?

"Arm, arm, and out!" He's going to fight to the bitter end and take down the whole universe
with him, if necessary.
7. Who first fights Macbeth? What happens?

Young Siward fights Macbeth and is slain.
8. Macbeth says to Macduff, "But get thee back, my soul is too much charged With blood
of thine already." To what is he referring?

Macbeth doesn't want to fight Macduff; he has already killed Macduff's family.
9. When does Macbeth know he's in trouble?

He knows this is his end when Macduff tells him he was taken from his mother's womb
instead of being "born of woman.“
10. How does Macbeth die?

Macduff fights him and beheads him.
11. Who will be King of Scotland?

Malcolm will be king.
Something Wicked This Way Comes:
Act V.v - vii





1. Write your question.
2. Write your OPINIONS about the answer to your
question.
3. Which works of literature in class have we read
that would support your opinions?
4. What have you read/watched/heard outside of
class that would support your opinions?
5. What is the opposite point of view from yours?
Honors Portfolio
Big Question Essay

Finish watching Macbeth


Start at 1:29:45
Honors Portfolio: Big Question Essay

Draft Outline & Thesis

PRINTED COPY DUE NEXT CLASS
May 18, 2015



Acts IV and V Quiz
Performance Project Intro
Honors Portfolio: Big Question Essay

Check Outline & Thesis


I will be doing this while you take your quiz.
Begin Writing Rough Draft

DUE FRIDAY for Peer Editing!!!
May 20, 2015



Performance Project
Big Question Essay Peer Edit
Submission Instructions: TurnItIn.com


FINAL COPY DUE BY 11:59 PM MAY 25
(MONDAY) (Memorial Day)
These are being graded on May 27. If I do not have
your submission YOU WILL EARN A ZERO. Other
teachers grade these essays so there will be NO
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS.
May 22, 2015
“Something Wicked This Way Comes”
{
Acts IV and V

Good vs. Evil



Supernatural


Evident in the character of Macbeth
The plot
Real or imagined? Able to influence us, or not?
Fate: Do we control it, or does it control us?

Where do we get our ideas from?
Themes in Macbeth


How does he act at the start of the play?
When does he change? (What event sparks his change?)


Does he change again? If yes, what causes it?


Where is this in the play’s structure?
Where is this in the play’s structure?
Would you say Macbeth is purely good influenced by evil things, purely
evil, or somewhere in between?


Do you think this is true of humanity in general?
Why would Shakespeare want to write about a character like Macbeth?
Macbeth: Good, Evil, or In
Between?