Getting Started

GETTING STARTED

Required Resources

The following texts are available in the Library:

Primary Text

Macbeth by William Shakespeare [Available at the Library/Textbook Rental Desk.]

Secondary Text

Oxford Students' Guide to Language, Literature, and Media [Available at the Library/Textbook Rental Desk.]

Additional References

Bradley, A. C. Shakespearean Tragedy, Toronto: MacMillan. 1971.

Lerner, Lawrence, ed. Shakespearean Tragedies. An Anthology of Modern Criticism. Middlesex, England. Penguin. 1968.

Media Resources

Macbeth film on laser disc or video [Roman Polanski’s version is highly recommended and available at the Library/Textbook Rental Desk.]

STEPS TO SUCCESS

To complete this Learning Guide in English 20-1, carry out the following steps:

1. Read the play and complete all of the Learning Activities listed in this Learning Guide

2. Complete the crossword available at the end of this learning guide or on Brightspace [D2L]. HINT: The crossword serves as excellent preparation for the “Objective Test.” HINT: Study the terms below for the test.

3. Attend the seminar. Students should bring copies of the play, their completed pre-seminar questions, and their completed crosswords, to the seminar. NOTE: Check the calendar posted on Brightspace [D2L] for specific seminar dates. Students should readily engage themselves in the seminar’s group discussion.

4. Complete the Shakespearean Drama Tone Assignment . Students must attend the tutorial at the Macbeth seminar to be able to complete the Tone assignment. as I teach tone at the seminar. If you complete this assessment without attending the seminar, reassessment will not be an option.

5. Present the Tone assignment to Ms. Ferguson during one of the drop in presentation times. (Monday, week A at 9:15 or Tuesday, Week B at 1:15, Friday week B at 9:15)

6. Attend an “Effective Writing Tutorial” prior to writing your first “Critical/Analytical Essay Test” to gain a deeper understanding of how to write a successful essay. Students are encouraged to attend additional tutorials as needed throughout the school year.

7. Complete the “Critical/Analytical Essay Test” 1 or 2 (if you plan to write on "Macbeth" ) in the Testing Centre after attending the Macbeth seminar and the “Effective Writing Tutorial.”

NOTE: Plagiarism is a serious issue. While research is encouraged to enhance your understanding of any literary work, ALL ideas from secondary sources [i.e. the Internet, Coles Notes, literary criticism, historical books, scholarly journals, current magazines or newspapers, educational videos, commercial movies, previous student’s assignments, etc.] SHOULD BE clearly identified.

Study the following terms ,which may appear on your Objective Test:

valor

augment

chalice

bounteous

dauntless

verity

corporal

judicious

diminutive

desolate

brandish

rapt

surmised

peerless

incensed

malevolence

discern

temperate

unruly

consort

Successful Strategies for Studying Shakespearean Drama

Do engage with the original text. It promotes and develops critical thinking skills.
Because you have to really think when you are reading Shakespeare, a great strategy is to read an Act a day, or a few scenes. This allows you to really study the language instead of skimming the text.
Chunk the text- when reading a scene, break down the lines. Read to the end of the sentence or punctuation. Then try to make sense of what the lines mean. Smaller chunks make text more accessible and less intimidating.
Read the play aloud, preferably with a group of people. Get some friends together, have everyone select a part and begin! This is how actors read through a play; you will be amazed at how much clearer everything becomes with this process.
Visualize the play/ scene; use the stage directions to help create images in your mind.

6. Read the play as you watch the movie.

7. Consult the Internet for assistance from relevant resources. Some websites have interactive Shakespeare programs where you will be prompted to read a part of the play while the “computer” reads the other parts.

8. Carefully read the notes provided alongside the text of the play to explain complicated poetic metaphors, archaic words, or historical allusions. In the HBJ version, these notes are on the left-hand side. In other versions of the play, however, these notes are likely located at the bottom of the page. If there are no notes, access a dictionary. Remain mindful that notes play a key role in enhancing your understanding of a Shakespearean text. As a result, it is highly recommended that you seek out a version that contains notes in an easy-to-follow format.

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