English 10 - Larsen
Name:
Macbeth Notebook—Act 5
For Each Scene:
Summary: Use the large box at the top of each page for a summary of the main events in the
scene. Use both words and pictures in your summary (like a cartoon strip or picture book).
The summaries of each scene in your book will be the most helpful tool—though you can access
SparkNotes or CliffNotes if you’d prefer. For full credit, make sure your summary includes
each main action/ event in the scene. (1 point each scene)
Performance Notes: Jot down at least two notes about the way the scene was performed:
choices or changes the actors or director made from Shakespeare’s original play; interesting
details you noticed; interpretations you agreed or disagreed with; favorite moments; ideas
about how you would have staged the scene, etc. Please include notes for each version of the
scene that we watch. (1 points each scene)
Theme Notes: List any specific lines or passages that relate to one of the themes of the play
(appearance and reality, ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity, fortune). List the line
number(s) and a very brief description of what the line(s) tell us about the theme. For full
credit, include at least two passages for each scene…though, obviously, the more passages you
can list, the more helpful your notes will be when you sit down to write your paper. (2 points
each scene)
Motif Notes: List any specific lines or passages that relate to one of the motifs of the play
(blood, sleep, supernatural, darkness). List the line number(s) and a very brief description of
what the line(s) tell us about the motif. For full credit, include at least two passages for each
scene…though, obviously, the more passages you can list, the more helpful your notes will be
when you sit down to write your paper. (2 points each scene)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For the Selected Scenes You Need to Read: (scenes 1, 3, and 5)
Comprehension: Answer the questions as correctly as possible. (1 point each scene)
Translate a Passage: Macbeth was written over four hundred years ago and the English language
has changed a lot. Your task is to translate Shakespeare’s poetic language into modern-day prose.
Translate each line of the selected speech, keeping Shakespeare’s original meaning and tone but
putting the lines into your own words. This is very much an exercise in close reading so pay
attention to detail! (3 points each scene)
Identify the Quote: You will be given an important quote from the scene. You need to (a) identify
the speaker, (b) identify to whom he or she is speaking, (c) explain what is happening in the play
when the words are spoken, and (d) explain why this is such an important line—what does it tell us
that we really need to know? Why would Larsen choose it as an important quote? (2 points each
scene)
Going Deeper: Directions will vary for each scene. Whatever the task, you want to demonstrate
deep thinking and attention to detail. When in doubt, go into more detail and explanation in your
answer. (5 points each scene)
(8 scenes in the act x 6 pts ea.= 48 pts) + (3 scene to read x 11 pts ea.= 33 pts) = 81 pts
Act 5, Scene 1
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):
Act 5, Scene 1
Comprehension:
While Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking, all of the following happen except:
a. She urges someone to go to bed because there’s knocking at the gate.
b. She recommends that Macbeth murder Duncan.
c. She expresses surprise that the old man had so much blood in him.
d. She wonders aloud where the Thane of Fife’s wife is now.
While watching Lady Macbeth, the Doctor says all of the following except:
a. He advises that the nurse leave immediately and not come back
b. He mentions that the heart is gravely burdened
c. He believes that he is not able to assist her
d. He expresses the belief that she killed Duncan and possibly others
Translate a Passage:
Doctor What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.
Gentlewoman
I would not have such a heart in my
bosom for the dignity of the whole body…
Doctor
This disease is beyond my practice. Yet I have
known those which have walked in their sleep,
who have died holily in their beds…
Will she go now to bed?
Gentlewoman Directly
Doctor
Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles. Infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.
More needs she the divine than the physician.
God, God forgive us all. Look after her.
Remove from her the means of all annoyance
And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night.
My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight.
I think but dare not speak. (5.1. 56-59, 62-64, 73-83)
Identify the Quote: “Out, damned spot, out, I say!” (5.1.37)
ABCD-
Going Deeper in Act 5, Scene 1:
While Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking, she references earlier events in the play through her words
and actions. Make a list of ALL the things she says and things she does that refer to earlier events
in the play and then explain what event or person she is referring to.
Action or Words
What She is Referring To
Act 5, Scene 2
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):
Act 5, Scene 3
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):
Act 5, Scene 3
Comprehension:
Why is Macbeth not afraid, even though he’s getting reports of all the armies moving towards him?
What does the Doctor say to Macbeth about Lady Macbeth’s condition? What is Macbeth’s reaction?
What is the Doctor’s opinion of Macbeth?
Translate a Passage:
Macbeth
How does your patient, doctor?
Doctor
Not so sick, my lord,
As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies
That keep her from her rest.
Macbeth
Cure (her) of that.
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?
Doctor Therein the patient
Must minister to himself.
(5.3.45-57)
Identify the Quote: “Go prick thy face and over-read thy fear,/ Thou lily-livered boy. What
soldiers, patch?/ Death of thy soul! Those linen cheeks of thine/ Are counselors to fear. What
soldiers,/ whey-face?” (5.3.17-20)
ABCD-
Going Deeper in Act 5, Scene 3:
List all of the reports that Macbeth receives and the way that he responds to each report. What
does he say to reassure himself after each piece of news?
Give examples of the ways that Macbeth talks to the people around him. Why is he treating them
in this way?
How does Macbeth feel about his life at this point? Give specific examples.
List all of the physical actions that Macbeth does or orders in this scene. What do these actions tell
us about how Macbeth is feeling?
What are Macbeth’s plans for the future?
Act 5, Scene 4
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):
Act 5, Scene 5
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):
Act 5, Scene 5
Comprehension: True or False
T / F As the scene opens, Macbeth is planning on going out to meet the enemy armies in battle.
T / F Lady Macbeth is killed by the army raised by Malcolm
T / F The army attacking Macbeth hides its numbers by carrying boughs of trees
T / F Macbeth asks several of his soldiers to kill him so that Malcolm’s army does not do so.
T / F Macbeth demands to put on armor before it is necessary
Translate a Passage:
Messenger Gracious my lord,
I should report that which I say I saw,
But know not how to do ‘t.
Macbeth Well, say, sir.
Messenger
As I did stand my watch upon the hill,
I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought
The wood began to move.
Macbeth Liar and slave!
Messenger
Let me endure your wrath, if ‘t be not so.
Within this three mile may you see it coming.
I say, a moving grove.
Macbeth If thou speak’st false,
Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive
Till famine cling thee. If thy speech be sooth,
I care not if thou dost for me as much.-- (5.5.33-47)
Identify the Quote: “I have supped full with horrors. Direness, familiar to my slaughterous
thoughts, cannot once start me.” (5.5.15-17)
ABCD-
Going Deeper in Act 5, Scene 5:
“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.”
(5.5.20-31)
Read through the speech carefully, drawing the picture of either a clock or an hour glass above
each reference to time. When you are finished, take a look at all the ways that time is portrayed
in this speech. What meaning(s) does time have for Macbeth at this point?
Next, read through the speech again, underlining or highlighting the references to words,
playacting, or speaking. When you are finished, take a look at the overall message. What is
Macbeth saying about life by comparing it to these images?
Finally, read through the speech for a final time, looking for unmarked words or images that may
emphasize the emotional content of the speech or that hold multiple meanings. Circle these words
or images and then briefly identify what emotions or meanings they communicate (write next to
the passage itself).
In your opinion, how is Macbeth feeling as he says these lines? Is he angry? Is he sad? Is he feeling
hopeless? Is he out for revenge? Explain why you think he is reacting in that way. (Your
explanation should be at least one paragraph long).
Act 5, Scene 6
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):
Act 5, Scene 7
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):
Act 5, Scene 8
Performance Notes:
Theme Notes (appearance and reality,
Motif Notes (blood, sleep, supernatural,
ambition, loyalty and betrayal, masculinity,
fortune):
darkness):