The Tragedy of Macbeth William Shakespeare

1. The Tragedy of MacbethWilliam Shakespeare Menu Introduction Background Discussion Starters

2. The Tragedy of MacbethWilliam Shakespeare Be careful what you wish for.

3. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction What would you do if you encountered three strange women who predicted your future and then those predictions started coming true?

4. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction Suppose the women predicted that you would become a powerful ruler someday. Would you want to wait to see if this came true? Or would you want to make it come true?

5. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction As The Tragedy of Macbeth opens, the Scottish army is battling invading forces Norwegian forces Scotland and King Duncan wants a victory.

6. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction Macbeth fights ferociously killing the traitor Macdonwald and planting Macdonwald’shead on the castle battlements. King Duncan is impressed.

7. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction While crossing the stormy countryside after the battle, Macbeth and Banquo encounter a trio of witches. Double, double, toil and trouble, Fire burn and cauldron bubble

8. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction The weird sisters make these predictions: • Macbeth will earn noble titles. • Banquo will produce a line of kings. • Macbeth will be King of Scotland. Then, the witches vanish, and a messenger appears to tell Macbeth that King Duncan has just given him a noble title.

9. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction All Macbeth can think about is the sisters’ final prophecy … And the thought that he might become king.

10. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction His wife, the ambitiousLady Macbeth longs for • high position • wealth • power • prestige She’ll do anything to make her husband king.

11. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Introduction She just may get her chance. King Duncan decides to visit Macbeth’s castle. Will the king live to rule another day?

12. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Background William Shakespeare wrote more than 36 plays and 150 poems in his lifetime. He is considered the most influential writer in English literature. • movies More than four hundred years later, his works still influence • music • TV shows • video games

13. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Background In the tragedy Macbeth, Shakespeare explores the damaging nature of overwhelming ambition and greed. It is the shortest of Shakespeare’s tragedies, and includes this simple message: “Thou shalt not kill.”

14. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Background Before Shakespeare’s time, troupes of actors traveled the countryside, to perform in parks halls courts courtyards and in other open spaces they could find.

15. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Background In 1576, the first playhouse, called The Theater, was built outside London’s city walls.Soon other famous London theaters followed. • the Fortune • the Rose • the Red Bull • the Swan • the Globe Theater

16. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Background Now drama could be a permanent experience for theater crowds, rather than a traveling show. covered seats main stage actors cheap standing room

17. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Discussion Starters • Discuss (1) • Shakespeare’s works are just as popular today as they were in his lifetime. Why do you think these stories are still so admired and imitated 400 years later? • Shakespeare’s writing works as well on the stage as it does on the written page. Why? Do you think that acting out a story on stage adds to its emotional effect?

18. The Tragedy of Macbeth: Discussion Starters • Discuss (2) • Macbeth and his wife are overwhelmed with ambition, so they plot to steal the throne of Scotland. • Which character is more willing to do evil? Why? Do you think they will suffer a price for their actions? • Do you think Shakespeare means for this story to be a cautionary tale, or warning? How?

19. Essay Option #1: The Role of Gender in MacbethExplain the role of gender in Macbeth. According to the central characters, what traits are women supposed to embody? What traits are men supposed to embody? How are those roles challenged in Macbeth, and what is the effect?

20. Essay Option #2: The Role of LeaderSeveral leaders are presented in Macbeth: King Duncan, Malcolm, King Edward, and Macbeth. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each, and how does Shakespeare show them to be considered leaders? What vision of an ideal monarch does Shakespeare leave with his audience?

21. Essay Option: #3GuiltChart the disintegration of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship. Discuss the factors that lead to its demise.

22. Essay Option: #4Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrowTomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrowCreeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded timeDescribe Macbeth's state of mind in this passage. Using examples from the text, and discuss three key moments that have lead Macbeth to this place.

23. Essay Options: #5Your Premise-Your Own Written Thesis:1. Depictions of good versus evil in the characters Macbeth and Lady MacbethWhich character is more willing to do evil? Why? How will they suffer a price for their actions? 2. The Three Weird Sisters: “The witches are the most powerful characters in the play and the catalyst to all of Macbeth’s crimes.” Defend this premise with examples.