1a. What do Lady Macbeth's gentlewoman and doctor observe her doing at the beginning of scene 1? What action does she continually perform? What statement of hers from act 2 does this recall?
2a. Why is Macbeth so confident at the beginning of scene 3?
3a. In scene 5, Macbeth receives bad news related to the witches' prophecies. What is this news? What does Macbeth realize?
4a. What indications are given at the end of the play that order will be restored in Scotland?
5a. Evaluate whether Shakespeare develops the theme that an immoral life is meaningless.
1b. What do Lady Macbeth's actions reveal about her state of mind? What do you think she is feeling? What event might have driven her to this state?
2b. In lines 22–28 of scene 3, how does Macbeth characterize his life? Why is he so unhappy, despite his confidence?
3b. In what ways have the witches equivocated with Macbeth?
4b. In act 2, Macduff says of Duncan's murder that "Most sacrilegious murder that broke open / The Lord's anointed temple and stole hence / The life o' the building." In what sense was the murder of a king sacrilegious? What is this play saying about the nature and effects of regicide?
5b. Write a rebuttal to Macbeth's words in act 5, scene 5, lines 24–28.
Metaphor. In scene 5, lines 26-28, Macbeth responds to the news of Lady Macbeth's death. What two things does he compare? What do they have in common? What does the metaphor tell you about Macbeth's view of life?
Theme. James I, king of England when Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, believed in the divine right of kings, the idea that a king was divinely appointed and his rule was part of the natural order of things. What recurring elements, or motifs, in this play deal with disturbances to the natural order? Give examples of psychological disorder, disorder in nature, disorder in the kingdom, and disordered (or equivocal) speech.
What incident in the play brings about all of this disorder?
What elements of Duncan's murder make it particularly unnatural?
What theme do you think Shakespeare is expressing regarding the natural order?
A complex play like Macbeth has, of course, many themes. Another theme of the play is the consequences of ambition. What are the consequences of ambition for Macbeth?
What are some other themes that you have noticed while reading the play?
1. An obituary is a written notice of a person's death, listing the cause of death, survivors, and some biographical information. Write an obituary for Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, or Duncan.
2. Imagine that you are Malcolm and you have just won the battle against Macbeth. Write a proclamation to your people detailing the outcome of the battle, the crimes of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and your plans to reunify Scotland. Use language to rally the people to your side.
3. There is more than one way to look at a piece of literature; that is, there is not necessarily a right or a wrong interpretation. However, a good expository essay about a piece of literature states its thesis, or main idea, clearly, and then supports that thesis with solid, convincing evidence. Write an expository essay about one of the central themes of Macbeth. State your thesis, the idea that you wish to prove, and then present in a logical, organized manner evidence from the play to support your thesis.
Researching Warfare. Research the weapons and tactics used in warfare during the Middle Ages. Then present your findings to the class.
Research Findings:
Sources Used:
Researching Guy Fawkes Day. In 1605 a plan to blow up Parliament and the king was discovered. Since then, the British have celebrated Guy Fawkes Day. Research Guy Fawkes Day. What were the details of the plot? What would have happened if the plot succeeded? Who was Guy Fawkes? How is Guy Fawkes Day celebrated today? Find answers to these questions on the Internet.
Research Findings on Guy Fawkes Day:
