Macbeth 4.1 & 4.2

Let's look at some film!

RSC
PBS

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.

Macbeth 3.4 & 3.5

1. Vocab quiz!

2. Let's review the banquet scene and watch some professionals do their thing!

3. What the heck is Lennox saying in Scene 6? -- a little group work

• Odd groups: go through the scene and underline/circle every word having to do with evil or wrongdoing.
• Even groups: go through the scene and underline/circle every word having to do with goodness, hope or Heaven.
• All together: one reader reads the scene aloud; one odd group member echoes all of the evil words; one even group member echoes all of the good words

5. How does Lennox feel about Macbeth? Duncan?

6. What function does this scene serve?

7. What conflicts have been set up?

Macbeth 3.3 & 3.4

Working through the banquet scene. See handout. (Film: 1:21.30)

Back to the action. Macbeth 3.1-3.2

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 you will be Macbeth and the other will be Banquo).
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 horror 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, and 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?