Shakespearean Vocabulary Game

Witch Comparison

Post-it Annotation Example

Close Reading Annotations

Act 2.1

1.  2.1.1-64—Here is where the visions of things to come begin.  Make note of the things Macbeth "sees" and what they may mean. (CCSS11-12.RL.1)

2.  2.1.17—Irony: Highlight the line where Macbeth says that they were unprepared for Duncan. In the margin annotate what kind of irony it is and why it is ironic. (CCSS 11-12.L.5.a)

3.  2.1.26-28—Highlight and annotate this line. Banquo suspects something is not quite right with Macbeth's proposal here. What does this line tell us about what Banquo suspects about Macbeth's intentions.(CCSS 11-12.RL.3)

4.  2.1.33-41—Paraphrase this speech from the start of the soliloquy to here. Remember: A paraphrase is a rewording of about the SAME LENGTH as the original. (CCSS 11-12.RL.10, CCSS 11-12.L.1)

5.  2.1.52—Allusion: Hecate was a goddess in Greek mythology, considered to be the goddess of magic and witchcraft. She was often depicted holding two torches or a key. She was the daughter of the Titans Perses and Asteria, and she was honoured in the households as a protective goddess who brought prosperity. Source: https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Hecate/hecate.html Annotate: Why would is a direct reference to this goddess here at this particular juncture of the story? How does her purpose in homes make her the perfect reference for this particular scene? (CCSS 11-12.RL.4)

6.  2.1.56-61—Paraphrase the end of this speech from the words "Thou sure sure and firm-set earth" to the final line before the stage direction "A bell rings." (CCSS 11-12.RL.10, CCSS 11-12.L.1)

7.  2.1.63—Highlight the word knell. How is this choice of diction impactful here? How does using the word knell strengthen the result of what will happen? Knell- n. the sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral. (CCSS 11-12.RL.1, CCSS 11-12.RL.4)

Act 3.1-3.3

Act III.i

1.     Diction/Syntax. What does Banquo mean when he uses the word foully in line 3?

2.     Structure. In lines 1-10, what type of speech is this? Who is listening, and what is the purpose of having him say the words at this point and in this place?

3.     Theme. In lines 1-10, what is Banquo’s mood? Is he envious or more thoughtful and troubled? Why do you think so?

4.     Characterization. In lines 19-22, Macbeth seems curious about Banquo’s plans for the day. What inference(s) and be drawn about Macbeth’s interest in Banquo’s movements for the day?

5.     Characterization. In lines 29-30, who is it that is referred to as “the bloody cousins”? Is it reasonable to think that people still suspect them of the murder? Explain.

6.     Structure. In lines 30-31, information is provided that helps to determine the passage of time. What does it say that can help the audience/ reader infer the passage of time? How much time may have passed?

7.     Theme. In lines 49-60, it is clear that Macbeth is afraid of Banquo, but what about him does he fear?

8.     Structure. Macbeth speaks in lines 47-72. What type of speech is this? Who is listening and what is the purpose of having Macbeth speak these ideas at this point?

9.     Diction/Syntax. In lines 55-57 Macbeth uses a direct historical reference (sometimes called an allusion). Look up Mark Antony and Octavius Caesar. How does understanding these two historical figures and their relationship, provide deeper meaning to the line and Macbeth’s state of mind?

10.  Characterization. In lines 57-72, Macbeth reviews the prophecy and reflects on what has happened. Is Macbeth in his “right mind”? Is Banquo really a threat to him or is it only his perception? Explain.

11.  Diction/Syntax. In line 77 there is a pronoun reference without an antecedent. Who is the “he” referred to here?

12.  Diction/ Syntax. In lines 92-107 Macbeth makes an extended comparison between men and dogs. What is the purpose of this extended comparison?

13.  Characterization. In Macbeth’s extended comparison, he uses a technique that Lady Macbeth used on him, what does he do to the men? Does it work on the men in the same way it worked on him in Act 1?

14.  Characterization. In lines 108-114, the murders speak. What is learned about them? Do readers feel sympathy for them, why or why not?

15.  Theme. In lines 117-126 Macbeth justifies his reasons for wanting Banquo dead. Paraphrase the lines to better understand his excuses.

16.  Structure. In lines 141-142 these lines mirror the lines at the end of Act 2.1. What does this parallel structure in the text help to build for the reader? Explain your answer.

Act III.ii

17.  Structure. In lines 4-7 mark the rhyme. Why does Shakespeare shift from blank verse to rhyming verse in this section of text? What affect does the rhyme have on the audience? Hint: Really notice the words she says, what she is saying is as important as how she says it.

18.  Theme. Motif is a reoccurring element in a story that builds towards a theme. There are several motifs in Macbeth that work to build themes. In this scene, Macbeth mentions sleep and sleeplessness. What does he say about sleep? How does this relate to previous mentions about sleep or sleeplessness in Act II? What ideas are related to sleep and sleeplessness?

19.  Diction/Syntax. In lines 36-37 a comparison is made. What type of literary device is it, and what is the purpose of using this device here?

20.  Diction/Syntax. Imagery is the use of sensory details to create and effect on the reader. What kind of imagery is being used in the lines 39-43? How does this imagery add to the tone of the scene?

21.  Characterization. Review lines 35 to the end of the scene. What changes are detectable in the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

22.  Structure. This scene ends with double couplet and an additional tag rather than the single couplet. What does this abnormal structure and the imagery of the lines alert to the audience? Explain.

Act III.iii

23.  Characterization. What can be inferred about the Third Murder based on lines 13-15?

24.  Structure. Lines 15-18 reveal action. What kind of directions might the director provide for the staging of this scene? How does the quick, nearly wordless presentation of this part of the scene add to its effects?

25.  Structure. This scene is sometimes called the technical climax or turning point of the play. Highlight the thing that makes this turn the fortune for Macbeth. In what way is this the point that points towards the tragedy to come?

Act 2

Scenes 1- 3

1. In Act 2 scene 1, at Macbeth’s castle he meets Banquo and his son.  What does Banquo say about sleep in the opening?

2. How do we know that Banquo is nervous in the opening?  Think about his action and how it might relate to what he reveals about his dreams.

3.    How might Banquo’s dreams relate to how he feels consciously?

4.    Why does Macbeth see the dagger?  Think about the relation of this vision to sleep and dreams?

5.    Macbeth speaks of his fears now that he has “done the deed.”  What are some of his fears and what techniques does he use to communicate them?

6. Lady Macbeth claims that “a little water clears us of this deed.”  Do you think that she and her husband will be able to wash away all of their guilt and regret or will that guilt manifest itself in nightmares?

7.    The porter pretends to be answering the gates of hell.  What kinds of people does he imagine he is letting in?  How do these people relate to the larger action of the play?

8.    Examine what the porter says about alcohol.  This is very funny, but how is it purposeful in its relation to the larger action of the play.

9.    What do you think the purpose of the porter scene is in Macbeth?  Think about juxtaposition. 

10.  Examine the reaction of each of the following characters to the murder of King Duncan in Act 2.3.  How is their reaction indicative of their characterization?

11.  Why do you think that Macbeth decides to go and commit murder?  Choose one of the reasons below and defend it with evidence from the text and your ideas.

He really is an evil man.

He is so mixed up he cannot sort out the difference between right and wrong.

He is under the power of the witches and his wife

Scene 4

12.  In scene four of act two, various unnatural or strange events are discussed.  What strange aspects of nature have occurred?

13.  How might these strange happenings relate to the characters or actions in the play- think of them as symbols and try to explain the symbolism.

Act 3

Scene 1

1. Examine what Macbeth says about Banquo in his soliloquy.  What emotions does he feel? Give evidence of these.

2. How does Macbeth convince himself of the need to hate and kill Banquo?

3. Consider the methods of persuasion that Macbeth uses. How are they similar to what Lady Macbeth uses on him in earlier scenes?

Scenes 2 - 3

4. Lady Macbeth once again demonstrates in this scene that the murder of Duncan bothers her more than she lets on to her husband.  How would you describe the type of lie she constructs?

5. Give an example with evidence for how she feels about the murder of Duncan.  Is she paying the price within the prison of her own mind?

6. How does she instruct/persuade him in regards to how he should think and act?  Is she being hypocritical?  Is she lying?

7. From what is Macbeth suffering?  Give a quote that proves this?  How does this fit with what he had said after the murder of Duncan?

8. Apply the following statements made by Cole to Macbeth in these scenes:

• • • • • “As a general principle, people grossly exaggerate the risk of any danger perceived to be beyond their control, while shrugging off the risks they think they can manage” (156)

        • “People will risk a lot to prevent a loss, in other words, but risk very little for possible gain” (157).

        • “…ego also plays a role in the way we assess risk” (159).

        • “We also believe it won’t happen to us if it hasn’t happened yet” (160).

Scene 4

9. Dr. Hans Holzer believes, “In cases of unnatural or violent deaths, the etheric body (aura soul) may fail to make a transition to ‘the other side’…because it is unaware of its own death or has unfinished business.”  Apply this concept to this scene and Banquo.

10. Is Macbeth’s sighting of Banquo’s ghost the product of his imagination or is it really a ghost? How would each scenario alter the effect of having Macbeth see the ghost? 

Scene 6

11. What is the status of Scotland and what in the text gives you that understanding?

Act 4

Scene 1

1.     Macbeth returns to the witches to ask about his future.  They comply with his wishes and present a series of apparitions.  Think about what the apparition looks like, what Macbeth says in reaction to it.  Analyze what his interpretation is and look for the hidden meaning behind the language that he may fail to see

Scene 2

2.       Examine the conversation between Ross and Lady Macduff.

• What language does she use to describe her husband’s absence and what does that language communicate about her tone?

• What language and phrases does Ross use to communicate his understanding of Macduff and the situation in Scotland?  What does it tell you about his view of Macduff’s absence?

3.     Now examine the conversation between Lady Macduff and her son. 

• What kind of language characterizes the conversation between them?

• Examine the language used and then decide what it communicates about Lady Macduff’s view of her husband and the relationship between Lady Macduff and her son?

4.     Finally, look at what Lady Macduff says in response to the messenger- what does she mean and how does what she says here and throughout the conversation with her son juxtapose with the murder to make to even more gruesome and evil?

Scene 3

5.     Where is Malcolm and why does Macduff seek him out?

6.     What phrases and words does Macduff use to describe the conditions of Scotland?

7.     What language does Malcolm use to describe Macbeth?

8.     Why does Malcolm initially believe Macduff has come to England? 

a.    Why specifically is he suspicious of Macduff? 

b.    What is Macduff’s explanation?

c.     How does this conversation feel knowing, as the audience does, that Macduff’s entire family has been killed?  What is the purpose of positioning the last scene before this conversation?

9.     After Malcolm says, “Be not offended…” he goes on to describe what the country would be like under his own rule through line 99.  List the examples that he gives to Macduff:

10.  Examine Macduff’s reaction of “O Scotland, Scotland!”  to “O, my breast,/Thy hope ends here!”  Why is this reaction enough to convince Malcolm that Macduff is honest in his intentions?

11.  What does the exchange with the doctor reveal about the King with whom Malcolm is staying and why is this placed in the play at all?

12.  Why does Malcolm test Macduff in this way?  What does this foreshadow about Malcolm as King that will be different from how his father ruled?

13.  Why doesn’t Ross just say what he knows about Lady Macduff and the children-

a.    How does he first say it without saying it?  

b.    What does he say about the words that he is about to speak- what does he mean?

14.  What does Macduff’s reaction, “He has no children” (3.3.216) mean (there could be several interpretations)?

15.  There is a discussion of being a “man.”  What is said?

Act 5

Scene 1

1. How does Lady Macbeth’s language compare to things she said earlier in the play.  Find examples of things that she says that are similar to what she said earlier in the play.  Identify the quotation from this scene and then find the corresponding quotation from earlier in the play (2.2).  Make sure that you include Act.scene.line#.  Finally, note any changes to the language and explain what it communicates to the reader about her state of mind, her characterization, etc.

Scenes 2 - 4

2. Look closely at Scene 2, lines 19-20: “Those he commands move only in command, Nothing in love.”

• What do these lines mean?

• Why does Angus seem to think that this will help them and hurt Macbeth?

3. What is the purpose of placing scene 2 here in the context of the rest of the play?  How does it contrast with how Macbeth used to be discussed by fellow soldiers? 

4. How does Macbeth’s spoken word characterize his attitude- does it shift or stay the same, and what does that indicate about him?

5. What does Macbeth say about how life should have been?  Why does he bring this up now?

Scene 5

6. “I have supped full with horrors, / Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts./Cannot once start me.” These lines state Macbeth’s view of his past.  What are three key words that express his attitude toward his past?  How has his experience affected him?

7. Now read the famous soliloquy “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” Lines 19-28.  This expresses his view of his later life.  What images does he use, what do they mean and what do they convey about his mindset?

8. Discuss Macbeth’s reaction to the news about Birnam Wood marching on Dunsinane.  How do his words help you characterize his mindset at the end of this scene?

9. Do you think that Macbeth deeply feels the death of his wife?  Explain why or why not, using examples from the text to support your opinion.

Scenes 6 - 8

10. In the midst of the battle against the tyrant, Macbeth kills Young Siward.  After Macbeth himself has been murdered, there is a conversation about the death in 5.8 lines 38-54.

11. 1. What views of the soldier’s death are stated and by whom?

    2. How do the views in Macbeth echo or differ from the views of a soldier’s death today?

    3. How do these views relate to what it means to be a man?

11. Examine Malcolm’s speech at the end.

12. 1. What factual things does the audience learn in the speech?

    2. What kind of distinct language does he use or mention that indicate new beginnings for himself and Scotland?

Macbeth Writing Assessment

Prompt: The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) is a film noir adaptation of Shakespeare's play of the same name. Common Sense Media touts it as a "[m]asterfully made, diversely cast, and [filmed] in stark black and white, it's one of the best Shakespeare movies ever made, and it's highly recommended for mature viewers." How does the visual aesthetic created by Coen contribute to the play's exploration of topics like ambition, guilt, and the corrupting nature of power?

Expectations

What will I need to turn in?

1. An outline for the entire paper

2. Thesis statement that reflects the outline

• The visual aesthetic created by Coen in the 2021 adaptation of The Tragedy of Macbeth adds to the theme that [theme statement] through the use of ________________________________________________, ________________________________________, and ___________________________________________.

3. One of the body paragraphs from the outline using the MEAL structure

How do I start?

• Write a theme statement related to ONE of the topics of the play:

  • • Guilt

    • Corrupting Nature of Power

    • Ambition

• Write a thesis statement that makes a claim related to the visual effects and how they demonstrated the theme statement you wrote. Develop the thesis statement based on the prompt above. It should include the title, director, theme, and a claim related to the prompt.

• Create an outline for the paper using the template provided.

• Select ONE of the sections of the outline (I recommend the one you feel is your strongest.) to write an analytical MEAL paragraph

Then what?

• Writing should be done formally with proper MLA formatting.

• It should be submitted to BOTH Google Classroom AND turnitin.com. If it is not submitted ON TIME to BOTH locations, it will be considered late/missing.

Resources: 

• The writing tab at the top of the class webpage has a variety of resources and RUBRIC for the assignment.

  • The main page for writing accessed by clicking on the word Writing has videos that review MEAL and sample paragraphs.

  • The subpages under the category are broken down into specific needs: MLA, Formal Academic Writing, and Rubric for MEAL writing.

• Use your MLA Handbook. It is a VERY valuable resource with most answers you need for grammar and citation within its pages.

• Turnitin Draft Coach in Google Docs, it can be found under Extensions on the top and allows you to check your document for grammar AND up to three times for plagiarism BEFORE submitting it!

Due Friday, December 6 by 3:05 PM

Tips for Success MEAL Paragraphs

Topic Sentence (M): Restate the prompt before providing the answer in the form of a “mini outline.” See example below.

• Prompt: The famous dagger scene is created with a variety of different techniques throughout the history of filming Macbeth. Which recreation is the most effective and why?

• Topic Sentence: The most powerful and effective recreation of the dagger scene in film is the 2021 Denzel Washington performance from The Tragedy of Macbeth because of the film noir techniques of light and shadows, obscure angles, and sound.  

Evidence (E): Select evidence that demonstrates the element of film noir that you are using to make your point. Each piece of evidence should be embedded AND have two components: film and provided resource. See example below.

• Topic Sentence: The most powerful and effective recreation of the dagger scene in film is the 2021 Denzel Washington performance from The Tragedy of Macbeth because of the film noir techniques of light and shadows, obscure angles, and sound. 

• Evidence: The use of light and shadows in the dagger scene is classic film noir, as the director and lighting team created the illusion of the dagger from the handle of the door to Duncan’s room (The Tragedy of Macbeth). The illusion of the dagger is a key feature of film noir lighting techniques which “[employs] reflections and unusual camera shots” creating both “tension and unreality” (“Film Noir—Everything You Need to Know”).

Analysis (A): Analysis should demonstrate how the two pieces of evidence interact to create the effect or illustrate the element of the claim you are working to prove. Additionally, the length of the analysis should be clearly longer than the length of the evidence. See example below.

• Evidence (72 words including in-text citations): The use of light and shadows in the dagger scene is classic film noir, as the director and lighting team created the illusion of the dagger from the handle of the door to Duncan’s room (The Tragedy of Macbeth). The illusion of the dagger is a key feature of film noir lighting techniques which “[employs] reflections and unusual camera shots” creating both “tension and unreality” (“Film Noir—Everything You Need to Know”).

• Analysis (121 words): Although other directors have created the illusion of the dagger by actually having a dagger present that Macbeth’s hand cannot grasp, or the dagger has been left as an invisible figment of Macbeth’s imagination, the use of light and shadows helps to create a parallel to an ambiguity of Macbeth’s state of mind. As the scene begins, Macbeth is uncertain about his intended task, and the door handle appears to be a dagger. However, as he proceeds down the hallway, his intention gets more and more clear, and the illusion of the dagger becomes less and less dagger-like, until it is clear that the “dagger” is really the handle of Duncan’s chamber door, and the uncertainty he feels is made certain.

Concluding Sentence (L): Restate the main idea/ topic sentence using all of the ideas present but find a way to make it seem “done” and finished. Create a sentence that makes the claim seem obviously believable. See example below.

• Topic Sentence: The most powerful and effective recreation of the dagger scene in film is the 2021 Denzel Washington performance from The Tragedy of Macbeth because of the film noir techniques of light and shadows, obscure angles, and sound. 

• Concluding Sentence: Since the advent of motion pictures, the dagger scene has been filmed in many different renditions, but the film noir techniques of light and shadows, obscure angles, and sound in 2021 release of The Tragedy of Macbeth are the most effective and stunning of them all.

Attention to Detail: Little details are important.

• Review your work for proper MLA headers and headings, font, and spacing.

• Did you double check for quotation marks and periods in the proper places.

• Contractions and the use of first and second person are little details that make a big difference in your final draft.

• Is the assignment turned in to both places?

• Did you wait to see that the submission went through?

• Did you get the receipt of your submission from Turnitin.com?

Outline: The Tragedy of Macbeth Essay

1. Thesis that responds to the prompt:

Body Paragraph 1

• Topic Sentence (M)

  • Evidence 1 (1st example that supports M)

  • Evidence 2 (2nd example that supports M)

  • Evidence 3 (3rd example that supports M)

Body Paragraph 2

• Topic Sentence (M)

  • Evidence 1 (1st example that supports M)

  • Evidence 2 (2nd example that supports M)

  • Evidence 3 (3rd example that supports M)

Body Paragraph 3

• Topic Sentence (M)

  • Evidence 1 (1st example that supports M)

  • Evidence 2 (2nd example that supports M)

  • Evidence 3 (3rd example that supports M)

Consider: After filling out the outline above, which of the three paragraphs would be the strongest (easiest) for you to write? Why?