1. Stock Characters in Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Ms. Schemrich

2. Video

3. Shakespeare's Use of Stock Characters
Stock Character: a stereotypical character audiences recognize from repeated use in literature, movies, etc.; clichés
Shakespeare used stock characters in most of his plays, and Macbeth is no exception.
Examples: The young lovers (Romeo and Juliet), the proud ruler (King Lear), or the treacherous, jealous friend (Cassius).
Three stock characters used in Macbeth: The Tragic Hero (Macbeth), the Femme Fatale (Lady Macbeth), and the Foil (Banquo).

4. Question One: What are stock characters used in? A. literature
B. movies
C. television shows
D. All of the above

5. The Tragic Hero Originated with the Greeks (Oedipus)
Usually a character of high moral and social standing
Tragic flaw=hubris
The protagonist in most Shakespearean tragedies.
Error in moral judgement usually leads to his downfall

6. Macbeth Loyal to the King of Scotland (Duncan)
Well-liked among his peers, fights bravely in the war.
Promoted to Thane of Cawdor
Witches tempt him with a fate that he will be king
Wife convinces him to kill the king and take power
Goes from a sorry sap to a ruthless killer
Ultimately killed by his enemies

7. Question Two: How does Macbeth represent the idea of a tragic hero?
A. He is a dark and brooding character who feels morally obligated to help people around him
B. He is a noble and heroic individual who goes on a marvelous adventure
C. He is a character of high moral position and standing who falls from grace
D. He likes Taco Bell

8. The Femme Fatale “Dangerous Female” Masters of seduction
Usually lead their lovers into dangerous and deadly situations
Manipulative

9. Lady Macbeth Ambitious Power-hungry Seductive
Convinces her husband to kill the king
Wears the pants
As Macbeth becomes more brutal, she becomes weaker
Eventually looses her mind and takes her own life

10. Question Three:
Based on your prior knowledge of Shakespearean heroines, how does Lady Macbeth differ from Shakespeare's other female characters?
A. She has red hair
B. She is a strong, ambitious character
C. She is meek and helpless
D. She likes Chick fil A.

11. The Foil Opposite of the protagonist
Literary device used to highlight certain qualities of the main character
This provides a contrast in characters

12. Banquo
Like Macbeth, he fights hard in the war and is loyal to the king (he doesn’t get promoted, though)
The witches prophesy that his decedents will be king
He doesn’t care
Macbeth, aware of this prophesy, eventually orders he and his son to be killed
His son escapes, though

13. Question Four:
How is Banquo the opposite of Macbeth? What makes him a foil?
A. He is noble and loyal to his king, doesn’t let ambition get the best of him
B. He is cruel, calculating, and manipulative
C. If you put him in the microwave he catches on fire
D. He is actually a woman in disguise

14. Group Activity Groups: Table 1: Tragic Hero Table 2: Femme Fatale
Table 3: Foil
In your individual groups, come up with at least three modern examples of your character trope.
When the time is up, each table will explain the reasoning behind the characters they picked. How do they embody that trope?

15. Question Five:
True or False: Shakespearean actors had to be trained with the sword in order to defend themselves from rowdy audience members.
A. True
B. False

16. Assessment Log on to the Quizlet app
Click on the class “Integrating Instructional Systems”
Click on the “Macbeth” set
Take the quiz