English 10 Adapted

Wow! We have been moving so fast! Please send me your memoir/comic strip as soon as possible! I need to mark them in time for our report cards!

Today we're starting on Macbeth. We'll do some reader's theater, then we'll look a little more deeply into some ideas behind the play.

We will use NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE to read Macbeth.

Reader's theater is an activity in many English classes where students take turns reading out loud. This will be a measurement of participation in this class. We will read a ways into Act 1, then finish up to Act 2, scene 2 today.

Shakespeare's plays are divided up into Acts and Scenes. His plays have have 5 acts, and several scenes in each act.

Please do #1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8

After we finish reading about Shakespeare, we'll begin the play :)

Read up to the end of ACT 2 SCENE 2.

Act One 

1. What is the point of the first scene literally and in reference to the whole play? 

2. What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald? 

3. Who is sentenced to death? 

4. What do the witches predict in I.iii for Macbeth? For Banquo? 

5. What news does Ross bring Macbeth? 

6. Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth's new title. He is, however, leery. What does he say about the motives of the "instruments of darkness"? 

7. Malcolm describes Cawdor's last moments before execution. What is Duncan's reply? 

8. Macbeth says, "Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires." What are Macbeth's desires? 

9. After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him? 

10. What is Lady Macbeth's "prayer" to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming"? 

11. What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? 

12. What are Macbeth's arguments to himself against killing Duncan? 

13. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? 

14. What is Lady Macbeth's plan? 

Act II 

1. What is Macbeth's lie to Banquo about the witches' predictions? 

2. What is the signal Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth to let him know that she has taken care of the guards (grooms)? 

3. What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself? 

4. After Macbeth kills Duncan, he goes to Lady Macbeth and is concerned about not being able to say "Amen." What is her advice to him? 

5. Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying, "Macbeth does murder sleep." What does Lady Macbeth then tell him to do? 

6. Why won't Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime?