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Macbeth by William Shakespeare An American Globe Theatre Shakespeare-for-Schools Classroom Study Guide provided by AMERICAN GLOBE THEATRE 145 West 46th Street, 3rd floor New York, NY 10036 212-869-9809 www.americanglobe.org American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 2 WELCOMING LETTER: Welcome to American Globe Theatre’s Shakespeare for Schools production of “MacBeth,” a special 70 minute Shakespeare-for-Schools adaptation of William Shakespeare’s MacBeth.” Our touring production of Shakespeare visits New York public schools in our continued quest to introduce young people to the magic of live theater with innovative interpretations of classical literary works. Under the supervision of Artistic Director, John Basil, the program was originated to enlighten, entertain and educate young audiences throughout the NYC metropolitan area. AGT’s production of “MacBeth,”is a 70-minute edited version of the bard’s play, presented by a cast of seven multi- talented performers. By using classical costumes, we hope to emphasize the universality of the bard’s work and make this ageless story accessible to today’s youth. Our performance is followed by a facilitated discussion with the cast. Please urge your students to prepare some questions. We welcome their participation, reactions to the performance and questions about working with Shakespeare’s language. Get ready, our tale of ambition is going to be fast, furious and fun! TEACHER HANDOUT A STUDENT HANDOUT A STUDENT HANDOUT B STUDENT HANDOUT C STUDENT HANDOUT D TEACHER HANDOUT B/C TEACHER HANDOUT D STUDENT HANDOUT E STUDENT HANDOUT F STUDENT HANDOUT G TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome & Table of Contents Using this Study Guide About Shakespeare Shakespearean Theater Cast, Setting & Background Synopsis of the Play Activities and Games Surfing with Shakespeare Witches’ Pop Quiz Interview with the Director Student Responses PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5-6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8-13 PAGE 14-15 PAGE 16 PAGE 17 PAGE 18 PAGE 19 PLEASE NOTE: We would also appreciate receiving your students’ written responses of this production. Please use the focus questions on page 19 as an aid. Please mail copies of your students’ written responses to us at: AMERICAN GLOBE THEATRE Shakespeare-for-Schools Program 145 West 46th Street, 3rd floor New York, NY 10036 212.869.9809 American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 3 American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 4 USING THIS STUDY GUIDE American Globe Theatre encourages teachers to read Shakespeare’s original text with their students before attending our production. But if that’s not possible, this study guide has been set-up to prepare your students prior to seeing this shortened adaptation and provide follow-up activities in the classroom. It’s easy -- just separate the guide and Xerox the pages! WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE?!! • For a cast of characters, setting, background and scene-by-scene synopsis of AGT’s edited production of “MacBeth” see pages 7-13, STUDENT HANDOUTS C and D. Acts and scenes are identified according to the original text. Absolute power corrupts absolutely? • For classroom activities using art, journalism and drama, see pages 14 and 15, TEACHER HANDOUTS B and C. Games include Play Posters, Fleance’s Journal, Family Feud, Word Play and Elizabethan Insults. Who wants to play some games? • Need to incorporate more computer technology in the classroom? See Surfing with Shakespeare, TEACHER HANDOUT D on page 16 for several websites devoted to Shakespeare. • For a brief biography about William Shakespeare, that even includes the inscription on his tomb, see page 4, STUDENT HANDOUT A. What happened to Shakespeare’s bed? • Shakespearean theater is explored on page 5-6, STUDENT HANDOUT B, including descriptions of Elizabethan theaters, acting troupes, public performances and Shakespeare’s published plays. Find out why a folio is called a folio! • How about giving your students a pop quiz? Use the ten-question test on page 17, STUDENT HANDOUT E. What do you know about “MACBETH”? • If your students want to know how this production was developed, see page 18, STUDENT HANDOUT F, for an interview with AGT Director, Dennis Turney. The Director of “MACBETH” • Are your students writing responses to this theatrical experience? See page19, STUDENT HANDOUT G, for focus questions. What do your students think of “MACBETH”? TEACHER HANDOUT A American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 5 ABOUT SHAKESPEARE William Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, was a notable member of Stratford society. He was a successful landowner, moneylender, dealer in wool, agricultural trader, and glover. He married Mary Arden in 1557. In 1557 he became a member of the Stratford council and in 1567 he was elected bailiff, the equivalent of a modern day mayor. Born in Stratford, England, William Shakespeare was John and Mary's third child. Of nine siblings, only five lived to adulthood. His birth is unregistered but legend places it on April 23rd, 1564. Little is known about his life between his birth and the publishing of his first play, although he probably attended the local grammar school, the King's New School, whose curriculum included mathematics, natural sciences, Latin language and rhetoric, logic, Christian ethics, and classical literature. He did not attend a university, but this was not unusual at the time since most university education was reserved for clergymen. In 1582, at the age of eighteen, William Shakespeare married twenty-six year old Anne Hathaway. Their courtship caused quite a scandal and their marriage was considered happy but very unconventional. They had three children, Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at the age of eleven. Around 1589, Shakespeare wrote his first play, Henry VI. Young Will was not an immediate and universal success; the earliest written record of Shakespeare's life in London comes from a statement by rival playwright Robert Greene, who calls Shakespeare an "upstart crow . . . [who] supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you." However, by 1593, with the publishing of his narrative poems, “Venus and Adonis,” and “The Rape of Lucrece,” Shakespeare managed to establish a following and his works were in demand. In 1594, “Titus Andronicus” became his first published play. In 1595, Shakespeare became a charter member of “The Lord Chamberlain's Men,” a group of actors who later changed their name to “The King's Men,” when they gained the sponsorship of King James I. By 1598, Shakespeare was the principal comedian for the troupe and by 1603 he was the principal tragedian. Shakespeare made quite a bit of money as a shareholder in his company. He invested his money in Stratford real estate and was able to purchase the second largest house in Stratford for his parents in 1597. In 1596, Shakespeare applied for a coat of arms for his family, in effect making himself into a gentleman, and his daughters married into success and wealth. On March 25,1616, William Shakespeare signed his last will and testament leaving the second best bed in the house, (the bed which he probably used), to his wife, Anne. The best bed was reserved for guests of rank. Anne died in 1623 at the age of sixty-seven. Shakespeare is buried in the Holy Trinity church in Stratford and the inscription above his tomb (allegedly written by Shakespeare himself) read: Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones And cursed be he that moves my bones. STUDENT HANDOUT A American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 6 SHAKESPEAREAN THEATER During most of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign troupes of actors performed wherever they could – in halls, courts, courtyards or fields - and were considered little better than vagabonds. However, in 1574, the Common Council passed a law requiring plays and theaters in London to be licensed and taxed. In 1576, famed actor James Burbage, built the first permanent theater building just outside the City of London. Based on the success of Burbage’s investment more theaters were established, including the Globe Theatre along the Thames, where most of Shakespeare's plays premiered. Elizabethan theaters were generally built after the design of Burbage’s building. Built of wood, these theaters comprised three tiers of seats in a circular shape with a stage area on one side of the circle. The audience's seats and part of the stage were roofed, but much of the main stage and the area in front of the stage in the center of the circle were open to sky and weather. About 1,500 audience members could pay extra money to sit in the covered seating areas while about 800 "groundlings" paid less money to stand in this open area before the stage. Performances took place during the day, using natural sunlight from the open center of the theater. Since there were no dramatic lighting effects and very little scenery or props, audiences relied on the actors' lines and stage directions to supply the date, time of day, weather conditions, location and mood of the scenes. Shakespeare's plays masterfully supply this information at the start of almost every scene. Elizabethan plays were not published in bound form, or script form, like they are today. Because mass printing was expensive and in order to prevent pirating, actors were given only their character’s speaking lines and cues on small hand-copied scrolls. (Hence the term “role.”) Performances were a bit less structured than they are today. Plots, characters and dialogue were often altered in performance to satisfy the whims of a patron or flatter a noble guest in the audience. Only after the plays were performed, and sometimes long after the author’s death, were the parts collected, reconstructed into script form and published for the public to read Shakespeare's plays were published in various forms and with a wide variety of The Elizabethans were an audience of listeners. accuracy. Plays were published in large anthologies called “Folios,” (the first folio of They would say, “I’m going to hear a play,” not Shakespeare's plays contains 36 plays), or smaller “Quartos.” Folios were constructed of “I’m going to see a play.” The Elizabethan sturdy paper folded in half, (“folio”), to make two audience would pick up on words and their pages which were sewn together to make a large volume. Quartos were smaller, less costly books various meanings that we wouldn’t. containing only one play, with cheap paper folded twice, making four pages. Although Shakespeare's language and classical references Marjorie Garber seem obsolete to modern readers, they were ordinary to his audiences. His plays appealed to all kinds of people, from the dramatic adventures Speaking in rhyme is not natural to us, but it of kings and queens, to the comic misadventures was to the Elizabethans, so we have to of servants and laborers. The Common man was always present in his plays, especially the understand what language meant to them, and tragedies, which included clown characters for comic relief and to editorialize on the play. Audiences were familiar with Shakespeare’s numerous references to classical mythology and literature, since these stories were staples of Elizabethan education. While Shakespeare’s plays appealed to all levels of society and included familiar story lines and themes, they also expanded his audiences' vocabularies. Shakespeare invented thousands of new words and coined many new phrases we still use today. During Shakespeare’s day, playgoers would attend his productions just to learn the latest phrases and words being bandied about on the street. STUDENT HANDOUT B Hearing a Play American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 7 WHERE DID THE STORY ORIGINATE? Shakespeare's chief source for Macbeth was Holinshed's Chronicles (Macbeth), who based his account of Scotland's history, and Macbeth's in particular, on the Scotorum Historiae, written in 1527 by Hector Boece. Other minor sources contributed to Shakespeare's dramatic version of history, including Reginald Scott's Discovery of Witchcraft and Daemonologie, written in 1599 by King James I. Macbeth's words on dogs and men in Act 3, scene 1, (91-100), likely came from Colloquia, the memoirs of Erasmus (edition circa 1500). The plays of Seneca seem to have had great influence on Shakespeare and although no direct similarities to the work of Seneca can be seen in Macbeth, the overall atmosphere of the play and the depiction of Lady Macbeth can be attributed to the Latin author. DID YOU KNOW MACBETH WAS A REAL PERSON? MacBeth actually reigned in Scotland for 17 years (1040-1057) and according to the little we know about him was a decent king. He did kill Duncan, but on the field of battle not murdering him in his sleep. So why all the changes? The play was actually written and performed for James I, who traced his line back to Banquo. So MacBeth becomes a bad guy and Banquo, Fleance and Duncan the good guys. Can you think of another play that Shakespeare wrote to flatter the current monarch’s ancestors? (hint:the bad guy has a hump) SHAKESPEARE AS WORDSMITH Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and in those plays he used over 47, 000 words. By contrast the King James bible only uses 8,000 words. He was a master of adapting words to suit his particular purpose. Some of his words were taken from language that was in use, but changing the form (assassin existed, Shakespeare was the first to use assassinate) or adapting foreign languages into an English form (la garto=alligator). Other words used for the first time in Shakespeare’s plays are bloodstained, leapfrog, lonely, skim milk, watch dog, pander and hob nob. Try making up a new word and see if you can put it into common usage at your school. CHARACTER CLUES In “MacBeth,” vivid character portraits are drawn through the language. Lady MacBeth tells MacBeth to ”sleeke o’re your rugged looks” and Banquo describes the witches as “wither’d, and so wilde in their attire” Also look at the difference in the way MacBeth speaks to the murderers or Seyton in comparison to how he speaks to Lady MacBeth or Banquo. The portraits Shakespeare paints with words are just as good as Polaroids! PROSE VS POETRY One of the clues of Shakespeare’s language is which character speaks in prose (Porter) as opposed to who speaks in poetry (MacBeth) or when they use both what is happening in the scene to make the switch? Check when Lady MacBeth switches from poetry to prose. (Hint: madness may have something to do with it) STUDENT HANDOUT B American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 8 CAST, SETTING & BACKGROUND MACBETH CAST OF CHARACTERS (In order of appearance in a full production) DUNCAN, King of Scotland. MALCOLM, his Son. DONALBAIN, his Son. MACBETH, General in the King's Army. BANQUO, General in the King's Army. MACDUFF, Nobleman of Scotland. LENNOX, Nobleman of Scotland. ROSS, Nobleman of Scotland. MENTEITH, Nobleman of Scotland. ANGUS, Nobleman of Scotland. CAITHNESS, Nobleman of Scotland. FLEANCE, Son to Banquo. SIWARD, Earl of Northumberland, General of the English Forces. YOUNG SIWARD, his Son. SEYTON, an Officer attending on Macbeth. BOY, Son to Macduff. An English Doctor, A Scotch Doctor, A Soldier A Porter, An Old Man LADY MACBETH LADY MACDUFF Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth HECATE,and three Witches. Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and Messengers. The Ghost of Banquo and several other Apparitions SETTING Scotland BACKGROUND During a war between Scotland and Norway captains MacBeth and Banquo distinguish themselves in Battle STUDENT HANDOUT C American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 9 SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY Act I, Scene I Amidst thunder and lightening, three witches meet to plan their encounter with Macbeth, a Scottish general and theThane of Glamis. They agree to gather again at twilight upon a heath that Macbeth will cross on his way home from battle. Act I, Scene II King Duncan of the Scots awaits news of the battle between his men and the rebels led by the Thane of Cawdor. The King and his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, meet a soldier who is weak and bleeding. He reports that Macbeth and Banquo have performed valiantly in the fight. King Duncan is delighted at his captains' bravery and when Angus and Ross arrive to tell him that the Thane of Cawdor has surrendered; Duncan gladly hands over the Thane's title and all his land to Macbeth. Act I, Scene III Macbeth and Banquo come across the Weird Sisters. The Witches address Macbeth as Glamis, Cawdor, and King of the Scots. Macbeth is startled by what he sees clearly as a prophecy that he will be Scotland's next ruler. He is too stunned to speak and thus Banquo asks the Witches if there is any prediction for him. They talk in riddles, telling him he will be "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater" and "Not so happy, yet much happier" They also tell Banquo that even though he will never himself be king, he will beget future kings of Scotland. Then the Witches disappear into the darkness. Once alone, Macbeth and Banquo pretend not to believe anything the Weird Sisters have said, then Ross and Angus arrive and inform Macbeth that Duncan has appointed him Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and Banquo are stunned by the turn of events, realizing that the Witches are right about one facet of the prophecy and Macbeth cannot help but focus on their other, greater prediction that he will be king. Act I, Scene IV Macbeth and Banquo reach King Duncan's castle and Duncan praises Macbeth for his loyalty and valor. He also embraces Banquo and thanks him for his courage during the rebellion. He announces that he has decided to visit Macbeth's castle at Iverness, and that he has chosen his son, Malcolm, to be the Prince of Cumberland and therefore, the next king of Scotland. Macbeth proposes that he leave early for his castle to make sure everything is perfect for the King's arrival and Duncan happily approves. But Macbeth is really only concerned with the King's choice of successor. Ambitious thoughts begin to race through his mind, Macbeth finds himself lusting after the crown: "Stars, hide your fires/Let not light see my black and deep desires”. Act I, Scene V Lady Macbeth is reading a letter sent by her husband, reporting all of the strange events he has witnessed. She learns of the prophecy of the Witches and that one prediction has already come true. Lady Macbeth is ecstatic and she fixes her mind on obtaining the throne for Macbeth by any means necessary. Lady Macbeth feels that her husband is simply "too full o' the milk of human kindness" to kill King Duncan. When a messenger arrives with word that Duncan plans to visit Inverness, she is overjoyed that the opportunity to murder the King has presented itself so soon. She summons all the evil spirits to ensure that no pleadings of any man will come between her and her monstrous deed: Macbeth arrives at the castle and Lady Macbeth is ready to tempt him to join her in murder. She subtly hints at STUDENT HANDOUT D American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 10 SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY (CONTINUED) her intentions: "Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower/But be the serpent under it. He that's coming/Must be provided for..." Macbeth dodges the matter at hand and tells her that they will speak further on the subject. Lady Macbeth confidently assures him, "Leave all the rest to me". Act I, Scene VI Duncan arrives at the castle with his sons, and Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, and others in his party. Lady Macbeth is the first to greet Duncan and his court. She welcomes them gracefully to her humble abode. He again expresses his love for Macbeth and they all move behind the castle walls. Act I, Scene VII Macbeth is alone in a dining room in the castle contemplating the results of acting on his desires. Lady Macbeth enters and Macbeth tells her that he has changed his mind: "We will proceed no further in this business". Lady Macbeth refuses to accept Macbeth's decision, she calls him a coward and accuses him of not loving her. Her cunning words work well on Macbeth and she turns his mind back to thoughts of murder. However, he is still undecided and he asks her "If we should fail?". Her response to her husband's doubts: "We fail! But screw your courage to the sticking place/And we'll not fail" convinces him once and for all -- they will proceed with the murder of the King. Act II, Scene I The night falls over the castle at Iverness. Banquo comments to his son, Fleance, that it is as black a night as he has seen. Banquo is having trouble sleeping, for the prophecy of the Witches is foremost on his mind. Banquo meets Macbeth in the courtyard and he tries to bring up the subject of the Witches but Macbeth refuses to discuss them or their predictions. He bluntly replies "I think not of them", and bids Banquo goodnight. Macbeth goes to an empty room and waits for his wife to ring the bell, signaling that Duncan's guards are in a drunken slumber. Macbeth's mind is racing with thoughts of the evil he is about to perform. Suddenly, a bell rings out. Macbeth braces himself and utters these final words: I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell. Act II, Scene II Lady Macbeth has drugged Duncan's guards and she waits in her chamber for Macbeth to commit the murder. Macbeth returns, his hands dripping in blood of his victims. The two whisper about the deed and Macbeth nervously recounts the cries each man made before he stabbed them. Lady Macbeth tells him to "consider it not so deeply". Lady Macbeth insists that he go wash his face and hands and place the daggers that he has so carelessly brought back with him in the hands of the guards. Macbeth refuses to return to the scene of the crime and so Lady Macbeth goes instead. Lady Macbeth comes back with hands equally bloody. They hear a knock at the castle doors and Lady Macbeth again demands that Macbeth wash up and go to bed, for they must pretend that they have been sound asleep the entire night. Act II, Scene III The knocking at the south entrance grows louder and more frequent. A porter walks slowly to open the doors, STUDENT HANDOUT D American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 11 SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY (CONTINUED) pondering what it would be like to be the door-keeper of hell. Macduff and Lennox are at the doors, arriving to visit King Duncan. Macbeth comes down to greet the two noblemen. He has fully regained his composure and pretends that their early morning knocking has awakened him. Macduff proceeds to the King's chambers while Lennox tells Macbeth about the fierce storm they encountered on their journey to Inverness. In the howling wind they heard 'strange screams of death'. Macduff re-enters, screaming that the King has been slain. He rings the alarm bell while Macbeth runs to King Duncan's quarters. Macbeth reaches the guards who have been awakened by the bell. Before they can proclaim their innocence Macbeth kills them and reports to Macduff that he has murdered Duncan's assassins in a fit of fury. Lady Macbeth pretends to collapse in a shock and while the rest of the men tend to her, Malcolm whispers to his brother, Donalbain. The brothers are not as easily deceived as the others and they know their lives are in grave danger. "There's daggers in men's eyes" Donalbain adds, and they agree to flee Scotland. Malcolm will go to England and to be extra cautious, Donalbain will go to Ireland. Act II, Scene IV In this brief transition scene an old man reports to Ross the strange omens that have coincided with Duncan's murder. Macduff enters and tells Ross that since the King's two sons have fled Scotland, they are presumed to be the masterminds behind their father's murder. As a result of their treachery their claim to the throne is forfeit and Macbeth will be named the new King of the Scots. Act III, Scene I Act III opens at the royal castle on the day of a great feast to celebrate Macbeth's coronation. Banquo is the first to enter the great dining hall. The prophecy of the Witches races through his mind and he begins to believe that Macbeth himself was responsible for the fulfillment of the Hags' prediction. He thinks upon his own destiny as foretold by the Witches. If Macbeth is now king, Banquo is sure to father future kings. A trumpet sounds and King Macbeth and his Queen enter the hall with Lennox, Ross, and a long parade of servants. Macbeth is very concerned with Banquo's activities for the day and asks him where he plans to go before dinner begins. Banquo tells him that he and his son, Fleance, are going to ride on the vast castle grounds in the afternoon but he assures Macbeth he will not miss the feast. Macbeth orders everyone to take the afternoon for himself and be 'the master of his time' until seven that evening when the banquet will commence. Everyone rushes off, except Macbeth and a servant. He asks the servant to bring in two men that have been waiting at the palace gate. Alone for a brief moment Macbeth reveals his plan to have Banquo and Fleance murdered while they are out riding. The servant returns with the men whom Macbeth has commissioned to kill Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth gives them some final instructions and sends them on their way. Act III, Scene II In another room in the castle, Lady Macbeth orders a servant to find her husband. Macbeth enters and she tells her husband to be happy and enjoy his feast. Macbeth informs her that he has decided to kill Banquo and Fleance. She asks for details but, Macbeth will not tell her any more. Act III, Scene III The two murderers set out to find Banquo and Fleance, riding on the palace grounds. A third murderer joins them, sent by Macbeth to ensure the killing is carried out according to plan. They hear horses approach. It is Banquo and his son, walking toward the stables, talking about the fun of the day. Night has fallen early and they carry a lit torch. The First Murderer attacks Banquo but before he dies he cries out to Fleance to run away as fast as he can. In the scuffle the torch goes out and Fleance successfully escapes into the dark countryside. The murderers know that they have left incomplete the more important task of killing Banquo's son, but they nonetheless head to the castle to report Banquo's death to Macbeth. Act III, Scene IV The banquet is underway in the great hall of the royal palace. Amidst the revelers Macbeth sees the First Murderer and as inconspicuously as possible he walks over to speak with him. The First Murderer tells him that the blood Macbeth sees upon his face is Banquo's and that Fleance has escaped. Macbeth is unhappy with the news that Fleance remains alive but he focuses on the good news of Banquo's death and decides to take his STUDENT HANDOUT D American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 12 SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY (CONTINUED) place at the dinner table. But Macbeth's seat is already occupied. It is Banquo's ghost, and Macbeth is horrified. Before his stunned guests he begins to speak to what they believe is an empty chair. Lady Macbeth tells the guests that Macbeth is suffering from stress and when the ghost disappears Macbeth regains his composure. He says that he has a "strange infirmity" and quickly calls for more wine and toasts the "general joy of the whole table". Unfortunately, Macbeth decides to mention Banquo specifically in the toast which prompts the reappearance of Banquo's ghost. Macbeth again reacts to the spirit, much to the bewilderment of his guests. Lady Macbeth bids the guests an abrupt goodnight and shuffles them out of the hall. When they are alone Lady Macbeth tells him that his lack of sleep is causing him to hallucinate. Macbeth insists that he must consult the three Weird Sisters to find out what dangers lie in wait. Act III, Scene V Thunder crashes overtop a lonely heath where the Witches are gathered. Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, scolds the Hags for not including her in their meetings with Macbeth. Hecate tells them that they must reassure Macbeth when he comes to visit for she knows that security "Is mortals' chiefest enemy". Act III, Scene VI In a room in the palace, Lennox and another lord discuss the deaths of Duncan and Banquo. Lennox now suspects Macbeth has committed the murders. The lord also suspects Macbeth and he tells Lennox that Malcolm has the support of Edward, King of England, and that Macduff has since sided with Malcolm and is gathering an army as they speak. They hope Malcolm and his troops return as soon as possible to help the Scottish rebels overthrow Macbeth. Act IV, Scene I In the center of the cave a cauldron boils and around it the Witches gather in anticipation of Macbeth's arrival. Macbeth enters and the Witches agree to show him what the future has in store. Amidst crashes of thunder three apparitions appear. The first is an armed head, summoned to warn Macbeth that Macduff is coming back to Scotland to ruin him. The second apparition is a bloody child and it tells Macbeth that no man born of a woman can do him harm. The third apparition is that of a child wearing a crown and holding a tree. It tells Macbeth that: "Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until/Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill/Shall come against him" .Macbeth is secure that the third apparition's prophecy will never be, for 'who can impress the forest?' or 'bid the tree unfix his earth-bound roots?'. Macbeth's confidence is restored, but one question remains: what of Banquo's prophecy? He asks the Witches if Banquo's descendants will still rule Scotland and in response they summon a vision of eight kings. The kings pass over the stage in order; the last holding a glass. Banquo's ghost follows behind them and Macbeth flies into a rage at the Witches who have revealed his worst fear. Lennox enters the cave and Macbeth is worried that he has seen the Witches. But Lennox has seen nothing. He tells Macbeth that there are horsemen outside come to report that Macduff has sided with Malcolm, who is gathering an army of English soldiers. Macbeth decides that he must kill Macduff and his whole family as punishment for his betrayal. Act IV, Scene II The scene turns to Macduff's castle where Lady Macduff is livid because her husband has left her and their son to go to England. Ross tells her to remain calm, reminding her that Macduff is wise and noble and would not leave lest it was of utmost importance. Ross leaves and in her anger, Lady Macduff tells her son that Macduff is dead. A knock at the door interrupts their conversation. It is a messenger who has somehow learned of Macbeth's plan to have Lady Macduff and her son murdered. He begs her to flee at once and he runs from the castle in terror. Lady Macduff, sure she has done nothing wrong, hesitates to leave. This SUTDENT HANDOUT D American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 13 SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY (CONTINUED) delay is costly indeed for the murderers arrive and burst through the heavy wooden doors. They tell her that her husband is a traitor and one of the murderers grabs her son and stabs him, killing him instantly. Lady Macduff runs screaming from the castle but the murderers chase her down and slay her. Act IV, Scene III Macduff has arrived at King Edward's palace in England. Malcolm however, is distrusting of Macbeth because he feels that Macbeth, who was himself once noble and trustworthy, has corrupted everyone around him. Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to him and Scotland by pretending to be a greedy and base prince who will 'cut off the noble's from their land' when he gains the Scottish crown. When Macduff morns openly for his country that has one evil ruler and another in wait, Malcolm confesses that his words were only to test Macduff's commitment to him and Scotland. Ross comes from Scotland with the horrible news that Macbeth has murdered Macduff's family. Macduff is utterly destroyed by the foulness of the deed. Malcolm implores Macduff to turn his anguish into anger: "be this the whetstone of your sword: let grief/Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it" . Macduff vows revenge and they leave to gather their troops and head for Scotland. Act V, Scene I Lady Macbeth is left alone in the castle at Dunsinane to brood over the atrocities Macbeth has committed at her command. Her guilt and fear follow her even in dreams, and she begins to walk in her sleep. Her Gentlewoman calls for a doctor who watches for two nights but does not see Lady Macbeth come out of her chamber. But on the third night he observes Lady Macbeth walking down the hall with a lantern, rubbing her hands violently. She reveals the events of that gruesome night and utters one of the most famous lines in all of literature: "Out, damned spot! out, I say!". The murder of Macduff's family and Banquo also weigh heavy on her mind: "The thane of Fife had a wife; where is she now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean?" .The Doctor is horrified to know the truth and he refuses to report to anyone what he has just seen and heard for fear that his own life will be in jeopardy. Act V, Scene II The action moves to the countryside near Dunsaine where the rebels, led by Lennox and Angus, await the English army that will soon arrive. They make plans to meet at Birnam Wood and Cathiness. One of the soldiers tells the others that Macbeth is hold up in the royal castle preparing for the attack. Act V, Scene III Macbeth is in his war room awaiting Malcolm and his troops. Because of the three apparitions Macbeth is confident that he will be victorious and he refuses to hear the reports from his generals. The Doctor comes in and Macbeth asks anxiously about his wife. The Doctor tells him that she seems troubled and cannot rest. Macbeth orders the Doctor to cure her: "Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased/Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow?" The Doctor replies, "Therein the patient/Must minister to himself". Macbeth rejects his useless answer and calls for his armor. Act V, Scene IV Malcolm orders his men to each cut a branch from a tree from Birnam forest to provide camouflage as they attack the castle. Malcolm's command to carry the boughs signals the true end of Macbeth for Birnam Wood is moving toward Dunsinane. STUDENT HANDOUT D American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 14 SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY (CONTINUED) Act V, Scene V On the castle walls Macbeth waits, sure that Macduff and Malcolm will die of famine before they can penetrate his defense. A cry is heard from within the castle. Seyton goes to investigate and, when he returns, he tells Macbeth that his wife is dead. With the news that he has lost his precious lady, Macbeth resigns himself to the futility of life. A messenger enters and reports that he has seen an amazing sight -- the woods are moving toward the castle. Macbeth is at first unbelieving and slaps the messenger, calling him a 'liar and slave!'. But Macbeth cannot deceive himself any longer and he vows that if he must die, he will die a valiant soldier in battle. Act V, Scene VI In this very short scene we see Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff gathered with their troops on the plain before Macbeth's castle. They throw down their 'leafy screens', sound the trumpets and wage their assault on the royal palace. Act V, Scene VII Macbeth has left the castle to fight Malcolm's army on the battlefield. Although he has resigned himself to defeat, he remembers the second apparition. Still convinced that he will never meet a man not born from a woman, he regains the hope that it is yet possible for him to escape. He meets young Siward who calls him a liar and challenges him to fight. Macbeth gladly obliges and with his skill as a great warrior easily kills the young man. But the noise of the fight attracts Macduff and he runs to confront Macbeth. Act V, Scene VIII Macbeth, with his newfound hope and determination continues to fight Malcolm's army. Macduff enters, demanding that the "hell hound turn" and fight. Macbeth tells him to leave for he does not want the blood of another Macduff on his hands. Macduff refuses and charges at Macbeth. They fight and Macbeth boasts that he is indestructible: "I bear a charmed life, which must not yield/To one of woman born". Macduff reveals that he was not of woman born, but 'untimely ripped' from his mother's womb. Macbeth realizes that the Witches, in their evil trickery, have only helped in his destruction and he resigns himself to death. Not far away the victorious Malcolm rallies his soldiers. Macduff joins them, carrying the head of Macbeth. He hails the new King Malcolm and the King's promise of restoration bring the play to a close. STUDENT HANDOUT D American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 15 ACTIVITIES AND GAMES PLAY POSTERS - Students create their own colorful, creative posters and explore Shakespeare’s language. - Review the use of imagery in “MacBeth.” Select a few quotations and review them with your students. - Paraphrase the passage and solicit suggestions from your students for visual images that represent and/or support the ideas or subjects mentioned in the quotation. - Instruct each student to choose a quotation from the play that uses very specific imagery, metaphors and/or similes. - Distribute poster board to each student. Each student creates an illustrated poster of his/her quotation. - Hang the posters in your classroom, hold a competition or make a display for parent’s day at school. DONALBAIN’S JOURNAL ! Students examine other perspectives and express themselves through writing. ! Choose a scene from the play such as ACT II, sc iii. Assign various parts to the class and read the scene out loud. ! Breakdown the action, or story, of the scene and discuss the points-of-view of each main character in the scene; Malcolm, Donalbain and MacBeth. ! Assign a journal writing exercise to each student. Have them pick one of the characters listed and tell the story of the scene from their point-of-view in first person singular. Make sure they explore the emotional state of the character and the issues he or she might be wrestling with during this scene. ! Select students to share their entries with the class. FAMILY FEUD î Students use their familiarity with television to explore the social and moral issues of “MacBeth.” î Discuss the major issues covered in the play such as the ambition, political power and fate. î Break up the class into groups of five-six students. Assign an issue to each group. Each group determines who will act as facilitator or interviewer for the group. Other members of the group represent opposing sides of the issue the group has been assigned. The group must create a 3-5 minutes skit in a talk show interview format. Students can choose a specific television program style like MTV’s “TRL,” or “Oprah.” Students must incorporate quotations or phrases from the play into their skit. î Each group presents their skits to the class. Depending on time allowed for the development of the skit, each group can use props, elements of costumes and/or music to enhance the theatricality of their skit. WORD PLAY ó Students explore Shakespeare’s glossary of new words and create their own lexicons. ó Students choose one scene from the play and record definitions for any uncommon words. Then they develop their own list of words and definitions from current pop or rap songs. If possible, see if they can find Elizabethan and modern words that are synonymous. ó Students share a selection of words, new and old, with the class. TEACHER HANDOUT B American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 16 ACTIVITIES AND GAMES Shakespeare’s Mix and Match Insults! Thou... A bawdy brazen churlish distempered fitful gnarling grizzled haughty hideous jaded knavish lewd peevish pernicious prating purpled queasy rank reeky roynish saucy scottish saucy unnmuzzled vacant waggish wanton wenching whoreson yeasty B bunch-backed clay-brainod dog-hearted empty-hearted evil-eyed eye-offending fat-kidneyed heavy-headed horn-mad ill-breeding ill-composed ill-nurtured iron-witted lean-witted lily-livered mad-bread motley minded muddy-mettled onion-eyed pale-hearted paper-faced pinch-spotted raw-boned rug-headed rump-fed shag-eared shrill-gorged sour-faced weak-hinged white-livered C canker-blossom clot pole crutch cut purse dog fish egg-shell gull-catcher hedge-pig hempseed Jack-a-nape malignancy Malkin malt-worm manikin minimus miscreant mold warp nut-hook pantaloon rabbit-sucker rampallion Remnant Rudesby ruffian scantling scullion snipe waterfly whipateryounker ELIZABETHAN INSULTS (1) Copy the “SHAKESPEAREAN SLURS” chart provided above and distribute to the class. Pick two teams of five students. (2) Each member on each team creates their own Elizabethan insults by choosing one word from each column in the “SHAKESPEAREAN SLURS” chart. Mix n’Match. Words don’t have to come from the same row. For example: churlish(A) lily-livered(B) ruffian(C). (3) Have each team count off One to Five. Play the first round by having the “Ones” step forward, face-off and deliver their insults to each other by saying “Thou art a....(insert insult).” The teacher determines the order that players deliver their insults. The audience determines who wins the round by applause. The winner earns a point for their team. (4) Continue through rounds Two to Five. The teacher declares the winner of that game. Choose more teams for a few more games. TEACHER HANDOUT C American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 17 SURFING WITH SHAKESPEARE • Surf the web for some more information about William Shakespeare and Elizabethan times. Here are a few sites worth visiting: http://www.shakespeare-online.com This is an amazing resource center for teachers, containing the following sites: Teachers’ Guide - Suggested approaches to teaching Shakespeare. Lesson plans - Educational and creative activities relating to Shakespeare studies. Play Synopsis - Scene-by-scene breakdown of the play Links with reviews - Lists and juries all sorts of subject-related websites. Great place to visit for teaching techniques and tools. http://users.50megs.com/zekscrab/Cummings/Shakespeare/i... A comprehensive center for collecting information on Shakespeare, Elizabethan Theater & Shakespeare’s Works. The Complete Shakespeare site. Recommended by British Broadcasting Corporation. Directory of topics as follows: A-to-Z Index - More than 140 Shakespeare-related subjects to choose from. Plot Summaries - Plot summaries of all the plays including link sites. Sonnets - Complete sonnets including analysis and comparisons. Complete Works - Complete scripts in public-domain scripts. Biography - 3,000 word biography of William Shakespeare. Globe Theater - Detailed description of Shakespeare’s theater on the Thames. Illustrations - Paintings, engravings and drawings of Shakespeare’s plays. Today’s Shakespearean Word - Rotating glossary of words coined by the bard. Feudalism & Chivalry - Social studies of the Elizabethan age. Shakespeare Videos - Listing of films about Shakespearean subjects and plays. Search Web for Shakespeare - Fast-loading page enables searches on any topic. • Look up what dentists did during Shakespeare’s time in the A-to-Z index. • Want to know what “fadge” means? Visit “Today’s Shakespearean Word.” • Go to “Shakespeare Video” for hundreds of listings and reviews of films, recordings and videos on Shakespearean texts. http://SparkNotes/... A resource center with reference information on a variety of historical subjects and literary works. The Shakespeare site contains plot summaries, dramatis personae, analysis and discussion questions on every play and sonnet written by the bard. • • If you need a quick summary, this is the place to go, and not just for Shakespeare. An amazing resource for teachers and students. Visit AMAZON.COM and browse the Shakespeare video section, videos have brief descriptions, reviews and young adult ratings. TEACHER HANDOUT D American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 18 WITCHES’ POP QUIZ What type of play is MacBeth? a. History b. Tragedy c. Pastoral d. Folio What is Malcolm’s title? a. Prince of Wales b. Prince of Cumberland c. His Royal Badness d. Thane of Cawdor Who are the Scots at war with at the beginning of the play? a. Danes b. Norwegians c. English d. Irish Why does Lady MacBeth say that she did not kill Duncan herself? a. She doesn’t believe in murder b. He looked like her father c. She doesn’t know how to use a knife d. It is MacBeth’s job Who is the traitor to the Scottish King Duncan? a. Glamis b. Cawdor c. Banquo d. Hamlet Who discovers Duncan’s body? a. MacBeth b. Banquo c. MacDuff d. Lennox In what country does most of the play take place? a. England b. Scotland c. Denmark d. Norway Who is traveling with MacBeth when he first encounters the witches? a. MacDuff b. Malcolm c. Banquo d. Hamlet Who does Duncan name as his heir? a. MacDuff b. Malcolm c. Banquo d. Donalbain How many kings reign in Scotland during the course of this play? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4 What does MacBeth do when he finds out MacDuff has fled to England? a. Yell at his wife b. Kill a servant c. Have MacDuff’s family killed d. Kick a puppy What does Malcolm change the title of Thane to at the end of the play? a. Duke b. Earl c. Prince d. Sirrah STUDENT HANDOUT E American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 19 INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR WE ASKED DENNIS TURNEY, THE DIRECTOR OF “MACBETH,” A FEW QUESTIONS: 1. What is the director’s job? In directing a play, I seek to interpret the play based on the author’s purpose for writing it. What does he or she want the audience to think about? Then my job is to guide the actors on the stage in a truthful presentation of the story. 2. How did you edit Shakespeare’s original script for this production? This play was easy to cut because it is already a short play. I just cut it in terms of keeping the focus on the journey of the Macbeth character. He’s the character the audience must be able to follow for the play to work. I also added a “chorus” role, who fills in the gaps of scenes that I had to cut. 3. How long did you rehearse with the actors? The total rehearsal period lasts for about 6 weeks. This is pretty lengthy, but necessary in a play where time must be allotted not just for text work and blocking, but also numerous fight scenes. 4. Why do you like Shakespeare’s play, “MACBETH” ? It is dark and it is suspenseful. No one can create an image like Shakespeare and the image of evil in this play really makes you wonder what’s out there in the dark. And it makes you wonder what would you do if evil came “knocking” at your door. 5. What are the themes of “MACBETH”? For me, the play deals with the question of destiny and what role we play in our own fate; And also how “equivocation” is used in the downfall of people. To equivocate is to conceal the truth in double meaning. In this play, characters equivocate by using truths to disguise evil purposes. My theme for the play comes from a quote by William Penn: “Equivocation is half-way to lying, and lying the whole way to hell.” 6. How does “MACBETH” relate to modern times? For me, the play will always be relevant in any time because it deals with the constant struggle we all have within us, to choose what is right and good, or to choose what is wrong and evil. 7. How did you stage the fight scenes? It starts with an idea for what kind of fights you want. For me, I wanted them to be brutal, like animals. So, this calls for something not real fancy, but more primitive. The idea is taken by a fight choreographer, who much like a dance choreographer, guides the actors through a series of moves, which they then rehearse, just as they would lines in a scene. 8. How is your production different from other productions? The main things are that we have very limited sets, costumes and sound. Also, we are a company of seven, so all of the actors except Macbeth play multiple roles. One actor plays 5 roles in this production. 9. In closing, is there anything you would like to say to the students? Without an audience, there is no play. So, we welcome you as a very important part of this production, and we thank you for your pains! STUDENT HANDOUT F American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide 20 STUDENT RESPONSES How does reading Shakespeare’s play compare with seeing a production? What did you think about this shortened version? Explain your view. What did you like about this production and why? What didn’t you like about this production and why? Did you have a favorite character, or scene, and why? Describe the difference between attending live theater and watching a movie? Would you recommend this show to your friends, why? STUDENT HANDOUT G American Globe Theatre Macbeth study guide AGT FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGMENTS American Globe Theatre thanks our 2010/2011 contributors of our Shakespeare-for-Schools Program: (1)The Axe-Houghton Foundation (2) The Friars Foundation (3) Department of Cultural Affairs (4) New York State Council on the Arts (5) Michael Tuch Foundation 21