PEE PEE technique is vital if you are to do well in your Shakespeare essay = P OINT E VIDENCE E XPLAN / E FFECT

PEE Example: Lady Macbeth has been drinking and is startled by noises in the castle, (= POINT) ‘Hark!-Peace!/ It was the owl that shriek’d, the fatal bellman,’ (EVIDENCE) Her reactions show her nervousness and fear of discovery. (EXPLANATION)

PEEL PEEL = PEE with a LINK. Just writing PEE sentences will not produce a good essay, you need to show the examiners the thinking behind your answer so that each point is linked to the next one.

PEEL example For example: Lady Macbeth has been drinking and is startled by noises in the castle, (P) ‘Hark!-Peace!/It was the owl that shriek’d, the fatal bellman,’ (Ev). Her reactions show her nervousness and fear of discovery. (Exp) The dramatic tension that her reactions produce is increased further ( L) as she begins to describe the murder of Duncan through the eyes of Macbeth. (P) ‘He is about it: /The doors are open; and the surfeited grooms /Do mock their charge with snores:’ (Ev)…

How to tackle the Macbeth’ question With reference to Act 2, Scene 2 and Act 5, Scene 3 show how Shakespeare makes these scenes especially dramatic? What techniques do you think are particularly successful in creating dramatic tension?

Underline the key words in the question For example Act 2,Scene2, Act 5, Scene 3, show, Shakespeare, dramatic, techniques, dramatic tension By annotating your question you will have some idea of what you should write about

Now plan! Work chronologically (in order) through your scenes, noting down which parts are most dramatic and next to these the techniques Shakespeare uses to make them dramatic and tense.

Planning for Act 2 sc 2 Most dramatic parts Lady Macbeth’s fear Audience imagines Duncan’s murder M & L.M frightened reaction to noises/ fear of discovery Macbeth’s entrance covered in blood M’s behaviour L.M’s dismay at the daggers Knocking at castle gates Shakespeare’s techniques Sound effects/noises L.Mac describes ‘off- stage’ murder Short, broken sentences Visual impact of blood stained hands Repetition of ‘Amen’ & ‘Sleep’ Visual impact of daubing herself with blood Sound effects for fear of discovery

Now it’s your turn! Plan the next scene Act 5 Scene 3 Most dramatic partsShakespeare's techniques

Sample questions Ideas, themes and issues Act 2 Scene 2 and Act 5 Scene 3 How do these scenes show how Macbeth’s behaviour and feelings change, particularly in his relationship with Lady Macbeth? How does Shakespeare show the development of Macbeth as a tragic hero in these scenes?

Ideas, themes and issues Which themes feature in the extracts? Fate Ambition Supernatural Blood Sleep Kingship Betrayal Guilt Revenge Religion Appearance and reality How are the themes presented to the audience? Through the character’s actions Their words Their body language Stage directions What other characters say about them

What issues might Shakespeare want his audience to think about? Consider: Issues of the time Social and historical context What issues are still relevant today? i.e. Relationships Love Betrayal Revenge

Motivation and behaviour Act 2, Scene 1 ( Lines 33 - end of scene) & Act 5, Scene 3 (Lines 1-28) & Scene 5 (Lines 1-27) How do these three extracts show how Macbeth’s behaviour and motivation has changed ? Or How does the audience’s impression of Macbeth change in these three extracts?

Motivation and behaviour What are the feelings of the character?What do they actually do? What makes them tick?What do they actually say? What motivates them? Is it greed, ambition, revenge, etc? Is their behaviour typical of them? How does Shakespeare reveal their motivations? Is their action surprising and out of character? Why do they act in a certain way?How does Shakespeare reveal their behaviour? What events have influenced them?How do the other characters react to their behaviour? What has occurred prior to this scene which has made them act in a particular way? Does their behaviour change at any point during this scene. If so, why is this? Do their motivations change at any point during this scene? If so, why is this? What impact does their behaviour have on the other characters? Which characters have influenced their behaviour? What impact does their behaviour have on the plot? How is their motivation changed in this scene?What mood and atmosphere is created as a consequence of their behaviour? What reasons can you give to explain their motivation? How would the audience react to their behaviour? With sympathy, contempt, anger, understanding? How would the audience react to their motivation? With sympathy, contempt, anger, understanding?

Text in Performance Act 2, Scene 1 and Act 5, Scene 5 Imagine that you were directing the actor playing Macbeth in these two scenes. How would you make his thoughts and feelings clear to the audience? Act 2, Scene 2 and Act 5, Scenes 4 & 5 Imagine you were directing these scenes. What would you do to create dramatic tension and suspense for the audience? Remember to refer to the main actors, their behaviour and relationships, stage directions, props, sound effects, lighting etc.

Text in Performance The stage itself. Where should the following go? Characters Props Entrances / Exits The audience Lights / sound Characters’ position on stage in relation to: Other characters The audience Characters’ movements At the beginning of the scene At key points during the scene

How can the relationships between characters be presented? Use of levels Dress Tone of voice – authoritative / submissive Body language Volume Eye contact Gestures Emphasis of particular words and phrases Physical touch How can atmosphere be created? Music Sound effects Fog Dramatic pauses Interaction between characters Interaction between characters and the audience When the audience has more knowledge than the characters Explain why you have made these choices. How would this direction help to reinforce the audience’s understanding of plot, characters and mood?

The Language of the Text Are there any particular language devices used? Symbolism Metaphor Prose / Verse Alliteration Rhyming couplets Dramatic irony Double meaning What is the effect of the language on the audience? What mood is created? Excitement Increases pace of the action Reinforces our understanding of character Darken / lighten the mood Create tension Is the language used by the characters reflective of their personalities? i.e. Macbeth's hysteria / Macbeth’s arrogance How does the language used reflect the changing relationships in the scene?

Language of the text How does Shakespeare use language in these extracts to make Macbeth’s feelings clear to the audience?

Acknowledgement Jonathan Morgan: ‘SAT Attack Macbeth’ Teacher book with copymasters Badger KS3 English Test Guides