1. Macbeth Pre-reading 2 / Creative writing Date:
Objectives
Understand the environment in which Macbeth was written.
Practise the language of narration and creative writing by writing an essay.
(Worth about a quarter of your entire exam – essays are important)
Warm –up
Each of you has a piece of paper with a different Shakespeare fact. Each of these are numbered. When you say your fact, pick a number. That person says theirs next. (or homework)

2. One Note today: Write this down
Background
The play was written in King James I, son of a Scottish Queen and English King, had been crowned only years earlier. Many people believed Scotland was a small, third-rate, backward land. He strongly believed in witches, demons and their link to treason.
This play was written quickly to please King James I. Shakespeare ‘borrowed’ from other stories and current events. It worked. King James I became his patron.

3. Plot Setting Characters Dialogue
Note this on the same page – write essay on a new page
Plot
You are a Scottish warrior who wants to be king.
Method of narration
Third person. Telling someone else’s story.
Setting
Scotland
Characters
You, a friend, the king, witches
Dialogue
The witches will tell you the future.
Timeframe
Distant past
Conflict/ climax
You want to be king.
4 paragraphs, following plot structure.

4. Plot Setting Characters Dialogue Timeframe Conflict/ climax
Note this on the same page – write essay on a new page
Plot
You are a Scottish warrior who wants to be king.
Method of narration
Third person. Telling someone else’s story.
Setting
Scotland
Characters
You, a friend, the king, witches
Dialogue
The witches will tell you the future.
Timeframe
Distant past
Conflict/ climax
You want to be king.
Paragraph one – your job to introduce who, where and what.

5. Go over your junior cert results this week.
Reflection
Go over your junior cert results this week.
When the classes are set and finalised, we can start buying and reading our play.
Think about where you are aiming for after 6th year and realise the work you have to put in to get there.