A little writing work & review

Review of some basic elements:

Some things to avoid ...
1. Speculation (could/would/should are not your friends; use cause and effect instead)
2. Summarizing rather than analyzing the evidence (don't tell me what the quote says; tell me how it proves your thesis statement)
3. Wishy washy statement (maybe, sort of, likely -- all are words to avoid; take a stand and run with it!)
4. I. Yes you are important, but there's no need to write, "I think" or "I believe." I know it's what you believe because YOU are making an argument and YOUR name is on the paper.

Some things to know ...

1. Proper text citation format:

"How doth thou know that / Macbeth is a weirdo? He hath / done nothing wrong save for / killing a few people," (5.3.34-37).

2. Proper context (no dangling/floating quotes!)

It is clear from Macbeth's language that he loves fried chicken: "In between battles the king / would make me fried chicken / and for that I will always love him and / the chicken. It was juicy and succulent and made me / fight with greater strength" (4.1.1-5).

3. Paragraphs are indented! Paragraphs are indented! And, paragraphs are indented! What do we do at the start of a paragraph? We indent! One more time -- indent the beginning of each paragraph!!

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The question

In what TWO specific ways does the language reveal Macbeth’s or Lady Macbeth’s true character? Let's look at an example of a successful response.

Some process with the last in-class

1. What is the prompt asking you to look at? Turn the prompt into your own words.

2. Often the hardest part of coming up with a thesis statement is making sure that you are making an argument, and are not just stating a fact. Here are some ways to turn an observation (or fact) into an argument (or interpretation):

• Identify a cause or an effect.
• Answer how or why.
• Evaluate / make a distinction between the two things being compared.  (Say who is more isolated, or who is affected most by internalized oppression, or decide whose need for absolute power led to greater negative consequences.)
• Take a stand on a controversial issue. (Answer a question like one of these:  Is Caliban truly a monster? Does Victor really change by the end of Frankenstein?)

3. Using the perfect SPA structure, please go through and highlight the different parts of your essay (see example).

Act 4

Let's watch some video: chpts 14, 15, 16.

From the last class:

1. Soliloquy #6 (4.1.143-155): In what way has Macbeth become more fully committed to evil? Reference specific parts of the soliloquy to support your claims.
2. Poor Lady Macduff is the only other female in the play. What? It's true. How does she compare to Lady Macbeth?
3. Ross's speech (4.2.14-26): What does Ross reveal about Scotland under Macbeth's rule? Look back at Lennox's speech (3.6.1-25) to see how things have changed/stayed the same.
4. What is up with Malcolm and Macduff?? Let's look at Scene 4!

Act 4, Scs. 1 & 2

ACT-ivity: Let's write!

The opening of Act 4 (4.1.1-46) is a reminder of the ominous world in which the majority of the action takes place. Keeping this in mind, assume the role of director. What does this scene look like on the stage? What physical details complement the ominous and evil language? What are the witches doing? What are they wearing? How are they moving on the stage? Have fun. Ground your ideas in the text. Be creative.

Discussion

1. A look at Macbeth's speech (4.1.49-60): What is Macbeth saying? Notice the use of repetition (anaphora). What's the impact of the repetition?
2. The apparitions
1. Nature of each apparition
2. Statement it makes
3. Effect on Macbeth (look at the language of his reaction)
4. Does the apparition promise success or failure of Macbeth?
3. Soliloquy #6 (4.1.143-155): In what way has Macbeth become more fully committed to evil? Reference specific parts of the soliloquy to support your claims.
4. Poor Lady Macduff is the only other female in the play. What? It's true. How does she compare to Lady Macbeth?
5. Ross's speech (4.2.14-26): What does Ross reveal about Scotland under Macbeth's rule? Look back at Lennox's speech (3.6.1-25) to see how things have changed/stayed the same.

Act 3 Discussion

Discussion

• In Scenes 1 & 2 the audience discerns significant changes in Macbeth's character and in his relationship with his wife. What evidence of these changes do you see in this act thus far (please cite scene and line numbers)?

• The pervading sense of a dark and anguished world of horro is sustained in these scenes, particularly in Macbeth's speeches to Lady Macbeth, in which he describes his own state of mind and his sense of the world h e inhabits. Find 2-3 such passages in Act 3, Scene 2, an comment on the key images in each passage. Look for vivid and effective description. (Think about where else in the play we've heard an appeal to evil and darkness.)

• Why doesn't Macbeth just give the order to kill Banquo? Why does he have to convince the murders to do it? How does he employ a little Lady Macbeth-style convincing? What does this reveal about Macbeth's character?

• Compare Macbeth's last lines before killing Duncan to his last lines before killing Banquo. How do the lines compare and contrast?
• What is the significance of the recurring image of blood at the close of Scene 4? Look closely at Macbeth's lines 122-144.
• What do we learn about Macbeth & Lady Macbeth in this Act?
• What major themes are expressed?

Act 3, Sc 3 & 4

ACT-ivity
60 second banquet scene: in groups of 4+ you will re-read the banquet scene and write an abbreviated version of it that can be performed in 60 seconds. Include the most important parts as we still want to get a full impression of the scene. (Film: 1:21.30)

Discussion

• In Scenes 1 & 2 the audience discerns significant changes in Macbeth's character and in his relationship with his wife. What evidence of these changes do you see in this act thus far (please cite scene and line numbers)?

• The pervading sense of a dark and anguished world of horro is sustained in these scenes, particularly in Macbeth's speeches to Lady Macbeth, in which he describes his own state of mind and his sense of the world h e inhabits. Find 2-3 such passages in Act 3, Scene 2, an comment on the key images in each passage. Look for vivid and effective description. (Think about where else in the play we've heard an appeal to evil and darkness.)

• Why doesn't Macbeth just give the order to kill Banquo? Why does he have to convince the murders to do it? How does he employ a little Lady Macbeth-style convincing? What does this reveal about Macbeth's character?

• Compare Macbeth's last lines before killing Duncan to his last lines before killing Banquo. How do the lines compare and contrast?
• What is the significance of the recurring image of blood at the close of Scene 4? Look closely at Macbeth's lines 122-144.

Act 3: Scenes 1 & 2

ACT-ivity: Let's get angry!

Working in pairs you'll examine the fifth main soliloquy: 3.1.49-73. Macbeth contemplates why he wants Banquo out of the way, and his speech rises toward the close to a pitch of dramatic intensity. This intensity is created through the use of vivid metaphors.

1. Identify the key metaphors in the lines
2. Explain how they serve to heighten the expression of Macbeth's feelings
3. Figure out how you and your partner are going to deliver the lines (think tone, volume, etc; one of your will be Macbeth and the other will be Banquo .... I'll fill you in).
4. Film: 1:02.29

Discussion

• In Scenes 1 & 2 the audience discerns significant changes in Macbeth's character and in his relationship with his wife. What evidence of these changes do you see in the two scenes (please cite scene and line numbers)?
• The pervading sense of a dark and anguished world of horro is sustained in these scenes, particularly in Macbeth's speeches to Lady Macbeth, in which he describes his own state of mind and his sense of the world he inhabits. Find 2-3 such passages in Act 3, Scene 2, an comment on the key images in each passage. Look for vivid and effective description. (Think about where else in the play we've heard an appeal to evil and darkness.)
• Why doesn't Macbeth just give the order to kill Banquo? Why does he have to convince the murders to do it? How does he employ a little Lady Macbeth-style convincing?
• Compare Macbeth's last lines before killing Duncan to his last lines before killing Banquo. How do the lines compare and contrast?

Macbeth: Act 2

Continuation of the previous class discussion...

Best. Soliloquy. Ever. Watch each version and respond to the question.

But first: What's the difference between observation and interpretation?

Viewing 1: What did you observe in this performance?
Viewing 2: What did you interpret from this performance?


Start at 3:15



Some questions:
1. How do you explain the appearance of the dagger apparition in terms of Macbeth's psychology as you know it?
2. Irony contributes to the mounting dramatic effect of the scenes in Act 2. What irony can be found in each of these passages:

• "A little water clears us of this deed: / How easy is it, then!"
• The humorous speeches of the porter as he pretends to be the porter at the gates of Hell