Macbeth

Learning goals: Try strategies for reading Shakespearean language Get familiar with the characters and themes in Macbeth

Common Shakespearean Terms Fie – indicates disdain or disgust “You cheated? Fie upon it!” Hark – Listen “Hark the herald angels sing” Hence – Away “Get thee hence” Hie – Hurry “Hie thee hence” Hither – Here “Hie thee hither” Thither – There “Thither doth the sun rise.” Hath – Has “He hath a horse.”

How to read difficult texts Use the words you do know Picture the action Make guesses and predictions Use what you know about language Use what you know about people and the world Use context Think of similar words or words in other languages as clues Keep your mind open to possibilities

Thane of Glamis, General Macbeth Thane of Glamis, General

Lady Macbeth Wife of Macbeth

Duncan King of Scotland

Malcolm Prince of Scotland

Donalbain Prince of Scotland

Friend of Macbeth, General of the King’s army Banquo Friend of Macbeth, General of the King’s army

Macduff Thane of Fife

Lady Macduff Wife of Macduff

Ross Thane

Lennox Thane

General of the English Army Siward General of the English Army

Young Siward Son of Siward

Doctor

Gentlewoman Attending Lady Macbeth

Porter Door man

Seyton Servant to Macbeth

Pagan goddess of farming, but also of witchcraft, ghosts and tombs Hecate Pagan goddess of farming, but also of witchcraft, ghosts and tombs

Three Witches

Macdonwald Traitor to Scotland

Bloody Soldier

Macbeth thought-starters Write answers to the following questions: What is a traitor? When is it justifiable to turn against the leaders of your country? If you had a chance to steal $100 million, and were 99% sure you’d get away with it, would you try? How can you tell when someone is being dishonest with you? How can a person lie effectively?

Tell your elbow partner a story using the following words:

Macbeth Reading Questions Read these questions before reading each scene. Answer them as you read. These are not meant as extra work for you to do. The questions will help you.

Macbeth Reading Questions They tell you what happens in the scene, and give you an idea about what might be important. Questions will be collected at the end of the unit and marked for completion.

Let’s listen: Act I, scene I

Let’s perform: Act I, scene I

Let’s read Act I