ENG 3U Name: Date: Mrs. Blaak

Macbeth ActivitiesAct & Scene TaskI.i. Do notes and Scene QuestionsI.ii. Macbeth, Your Reputation Precedes You

Examine the ways in which Macbeth’s reputation is made known before we even meet him. When we do meet him, how does he make good on the ways he is perceived before he arrives on stage? (Focus on his early character – the first act or so – in the play)

Quality Line to Indicate Quality Is Macbeth This Way?

I.iii. Uh… Macbeth? Take a Page out of Banquo’s Book!

Macbeth and Banquo respond differently to the news from the witches. Take note of the differences according to the chart below. An example is done for you. (change or add to the prompts below if you wish)

Banquo ___

When he says ____ And proves he is ____

But Macbeth__

When he says ____

And shows he is____

Observes “what are these / So wither’d, and so wild in their attire…”

Cautious and patient until he knows a situation

Demands “Speak, if you can: what are you?”

Active and demands the world around him to answer to him

Politely Inquires

Demands more strongly

Questions Believes

Stands in Disbelief

Nobly Questions / Denies

Warns Dwells in Possibility

Makes Excuses

Relies on Fate

I.iv. Take the Lead, DuncanA good leader knows the individuals in whom he/she can place trust in order to secure his/her own authority. Duncan puts faith in Macbeth because Macbeth has been faithful. Complete the following trust web with SPECIFIC (ie. Quote a line) examples of the trust occurring and the logic behind that trust.

Duncan Trusts… When he says to him… How is that good logic?Malcolm

Macbeth

Banquo

Outline the ways in which Duncan’s trust is misplaced:

I.v. Oh, Lady Macbeth

If you remember that James I thought women are susceptible to evil, it is no surprise that Lady Macbeth acts in the way she does.

What does she find out? (give lines)

What are her concerns about Macbeth? (give lines)

What does she plan to do? (give lines)

How does she execute the plan? (give lines)

I.vi. Do notes and Scene QuestionsI.vii There’s A CONFLICT a’brewing!

Rewrite the following speech in your own words:MACBETHIf it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere wellIt were done quickly: if the assassinationCould trammel up the consequence, and catchWith his surcease success; that but this blowMight be the be-all and the end-all here,But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,We'ld jump the life to come. But in these casesWe still have judgment here; that we but teachBloody instructions, which, being taught, returnTo plague the inventor: this even-handed justiceCommends the ingredients of our poison'd chaliceTo our own lips. He's here in double trust;First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,Who should against his murderer shut the door,Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this DuncanHath borne his faculties so meek, hath beenSo clear in his great office, that his virtuesWill plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, againstThe deep damnation of his taking-off;And pity, like a naked new-born babe,Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsedUpon the sightless couriers of the air,Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spurTo prick the sides of my intent, but onlyVaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itselfAnd falls on the other.

And Then She Trumps the GameConsider that Lady Macbeth trumps (overrides) all of Macbeth’s objections to killing Duncan. Outline Macbeth’s logic or attempts to be assertive, and then show how Lady Macbeth meets Macbeth’s protestations with words and logic he simply cannot refute.

Macbeth Attempts to be Assertive by Saying… Lady Macbeth Trumps Macbeth by Saying…

I FINISHING UP ACT IOutline the ways in which the following characters act as solid leaders by finishing the chart below:

Character Says Thus Stands For…Macbeth

Duncan

Lady Macbeth

Banquo

II.i. Macbeth’s InfluencesPlease review the following note and jot down comments or connections you notice thus far in the play.

MACBETH’S INFLUENCES and CONFLICT –II.i.

These Conflicting

Forces Converge in Macbeth

The pressure results in:Hallucinations (person vs. self conflict) – a representation of how these exterior influences are affecting him. He is losing his mind, and shows that he cannot handle the pressure placed on him. Pressure of his wife … Pressure of the witches… Pressure of Duncan …

Without the exterior influences, there would be no internal conflict because his mind knows the right way. It is the supernatural and lady Macbeth (oh look – FEMALES) against what he knows is right (shown through Duncan) that lead Macbeth to his downfall. The desire to be a man and show his manly ambition by fitting into the role of that which becomes a man leads Macbeth to his ghastly end.

II.ii. What’s Done is DoneThe persona that Lady Macbeth shows the audience as opposed to the one she shows Macbeth is quite different.

But I WANT to be a man… I once laughed at fate, but how could I

now that it has made such great predictions?

How can I betray a leader who has been so kind? Is my ambition great enough to commit treason?

Lady Macbeth

(person vs. person struggle –

Macbeth easily gives in)

Witches

(person vs. supernatural conflict)

Duncan

(to be person vs. person conflict)

Outline the ways in which Lady Macbeth acts differently when alone in this scene vs. when with Macbeth. Why the difference?

Lady Macbeth When Alone… Lady Macbeth When With Macbeth

II.iii. Look Like the Innocent Flower…Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have successfully created rather a convincing set up.Outline the ways in which different characters in this scene LOOK innocent but may actually BE guilty. Quote lines of innocence and state their truth.

Character Innocence Presented Serpent Beneath it

II.iv Do notes and Scene QuestionsIII.i Liar Liar

So now that Macbeth is a murderer (not just a brave soldier and not just a noble man), we begin to see him OWN his role. Write down all of his LIES in this scene (his lies may even be questions that imply care but that actually have vicious intent). Then, write the truth beside them. Next, show how Macbeth has LEARNED from Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth’s Lies to Banquo The Truth Behind each Lie

Lady Macbeth Has Taught Macbeth to be… As indicated in this line:

III.ii A Marriage Failing

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both demonstrate very different selves when in the presence of each other in comparison to when they’re alone, as explored earlier. Do it again, this time noticing the connection between their actions and the arrows on the page.

Lady Macbeth

Alone When with Macbeth

Macbeth

Alone When With Lady Macbeth

III.iii Do notes and Scene QuestionsIII.iv.

The Banquet Scene – What do each of the following influences in this scene reveal about Macbeth’s mental state?

Influence / Element Line(s) Indicating Effect Specific Effect on Macbeth’s MindLady Macbeth

The Murderer’s Good News

The Murderer’s Bad News

Banquo’s Ghost

III.v. Do notes and Scene QuestionsIII.vi Lennox and Winston Smith?

Lennox (and the lord) questions Macbeth’s reign just as Winston questions that of Big Brother.Complete the chart with examples of how they each question their tyrannical leaders. Draw arrows between the items that overlap or are connected. In other words, outline the issues Lennox has with Macbeth and show how Winson had the same objections to BB’s regime.

Lennox / Lord Winston Smith

IV.i. Recipe for WinningThe witches gather some pretty odd things to concoct a potion and curse Macbeth. But they’ve done much more than that. Create a recipe that outlines the ingredients (including quantities and methods of adding them) that have contributed to Macbeth’s downfall. Use 8-10 ingredients and state the intended result of this brew.

Quantity Ingredient Directions / Intention

IV.ii. Who Wears the Pants?According to Lady Macduff and the boldness of her son, please outline her opinions of what it is to be a man, a woman, and a child. Offer evidence for each.

Character What she thinks Line to SupportMan

Woman

Child

IV.iii Malcolm is SuspiciousMalcolm builds a strong case for his mistrust of Macduff. Explain each argument found at the lines:

11

12-13

14

14-15

16-17

18

19

19-20

21-23

26-28

29-30

IV.iii(con’t)

Malcolm Sways Back and Forth… About Himself? Malcolm outlines his opinions of Macbeth and says he himself is worse (yes, just to test Macduff) (lines 57-60). Malcolm outlines his opinions of a good king (lines. 92-4) Malcolm outlines an account of himself (lines 125-31)

Complete the chart in your own words. Ultimately, what makes a true leader? – base your answer not only on what Malcolm SAYS but how he ACTS.

Bad King Qualities Good King Qualities Malcolm’s Qualities

What is a MAN?Malcolm receives bad news while in England. And the discussion of manhood opens up again. Document the following:

Lady Macbeth to Macbeth Macbeth to Murderers Malcolm to Macduff Macduff to Malcolm

V.i. Things Fall ApartLady Macbeth’s gentlewoman sees Lady Macbeth writing on a note and folding it, reading it, sealing it, etc.Based on what you know of her character, what do you think Lady Macbeth wrote on the note?It doesn’t have to be coherent (is she?), but it should be thoughtful and consistent with her character.

V.ii-iv

Do notes and Scene Questions for these scenes.

V.v. Macbeth’s Great SpeechMacbeth’s soliloquy below is famous. Translate it line by line. What do you think Macbeth was trying to say? Then, consider what Shakespeare might have been trying to say. Perhaps the lines mean different things when delivered from different perspectives?

Lines Translated as Macbeth Translates as ShakespeareShe should have died hereafter;

There would have been a time for such a word.

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,

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.

V.vi-vii

Do notes and Scene Questions for these scenes

V.viii

Greek Terms RevisitedNow that you’ve seen the entirety of Macbeth’s rise and fall, identify the points at which the four Greek terms are best revealed. Offer instances with specific line reference; including quotations is best, but please explain them.

Hubris Pride

HamartiaTragic

Character Flaw

Anagnorisis Recognition of Fate

PeripeteiaReversal

from high to Low