Introduction:
“Macbeth is a play about how dreams may become nightmares, how a castle that by day seems the pleasant seat of nesting birds is transformed by night into hell itself—with a grimly witty Porter at the gate. And how the world may be turned upside down: the sun refuses to rise the morning after Duncan has been killed and other strange phenomena are interpreted as disruptions of the natural order.
"The English court, in contrast, is represented as a haven, a place of grace and ‘healing benediction.’ Malcolm’s stay in England serves as an education into virtue. His conquest of Scotland, with the worthy English Siward in support, is made to seem like a restoration of nature, the moving trees of Birnam symbolic of spring and rebirth. The play was written in the first few years after King James united the thrones of Scotland and England: Macduff’s final entrance with the tyrant’s head and his announcement that the time is free express hope for an end to the uncertainty about the nation’s future which had attended the final years of the Virgin Queen’s reign.”
-from: Bate, Jonathan. “Introduction.” Macbeth. NY: Modern Library, 2009. vii-xxi. Print.
"The English court, in contrast, is represented as a haven, a place of grace and ‘healing benediction.’ Malcolm’s stay in England serves as an education into virtue. His conquest of Scotland, with the worthy English Siward in support, is made to seem like a restoration of nature, the moving trees of Birnam symbolic of spring and rebirth. The play was written in the first few years after King James united the thrones of Scotland and England: Macduff’s final entrance with the tyrant’s head and his announcement that the time is free express hope for an end to the uncertainty about the nation’s future which had attended the final years of the Virgin Queen’s reign.”
-from: Bate, Jonathan. “Introduction.” Macbeth. NY: Modern Library, 2009. vii-xxi. Print.
Reading:
Even though it is by far the shortest of Shakespeare’s tragedies, Macbeth is pretty dark and heavy:there’s a lot to dig up in so little space. In addition to the study guide that you will be completing, the following are hints to help you reap the full rewards of your reading time:
- Highlight, underline and annotate any ideas that you deem important as you read. Look for repeated symbols, ideas, or characteristics of characters.
- Use post-it notes (big or small) to remind you of key evidence in the text. Our focus this semester is to prepare for the AP prose analysis and open questions (Q1 & Q3) by developing your close reading skills. As we read the play, be on the lookout for good passages.
- Need some extra guidance? www.shakespeare-online.com is a good starting place.
- Here's the BBC School Radio's study guide: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0572w00
- And Thug Notes: https://vimeo.com/221509584
- Feb. 25: Act I, sc i-iii
- Feb. 26: Act I, sc iv-vii
- Feb. 27: Act II
- Feb. 28: Act III, sc i-ii
- Mar. 1: Act III, sc iii-iv
- Mar. 4: Act IV, sc i-ii
- Mar. 5: Act IV, sc iii
- Mar. 6: Act V, sc i-iii
- Mar. 7: Act V, sc iv-vii
- Mar. 8: Act V, sc viii
Extra Credit:
You may earn up to 10 points back on your lowest major assessment by performing a memorized dramatic monologue from Macbeth in front of class on Apr. 3rd/4th. Grades will be based upon (1) accuracy, (2) dramatic performance/enthusiasm, (3) stage presence, and (4) creativity.
You must choose one of the following monologues:
You must choose one of the following monologues:
- Captain (I.ii.9-46)
- Lady Macbeth (I.v.1-33 or I.vii.39-67)
- Macbeth (I.vii.1-29)
- Macbeth (II.i.44-77), or
- Macbeth (III.i.52-77)
