12 Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy
Drama Related Literary Terms
|
Some of Shakespeare's most well known lines come from this play...Fair is foul, and foul is fair...
Witches—1.1.12 Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Witches—4.1.10–11 Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?
Macbeth—2.1.44–45 Out, damned spot, out, I say! Lady Macbeth—5.1.37 |
Macbeth Workshop Resources:
|
Link to the Literature |
Paraphrase 1
The more thoroughly you read, the less you will struggle with Shakespeare's language. The button below links to a pdf of the Captain's speech from Act I scene i. Compose a sentence by sentence paraphrase. Replace pronouns with names. Identify figurative language and explain the literal meaning. Make sure to replace the following words/phrases with more modern ones.
|
Shakespeare's Use of Advanced Literary Devices
chiasmus: two corresponding pairs arranged in a parallel inverse order
“… all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!” “Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!” --The Witches, 1.3.71-72 anaphora: the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
“Thrice to thine and thrice to mine and thrice again to make up nine”--the Witches, 1.3.36-37. |
paradox: A statement that seems to be contradictory but that might be true when considered from a particular perspective.
“fair is foul, and foul is fair.” —the Witches, 1.1.12 metonymy: the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant
“…might yet enkindle you onto the crown” --Banquo 1.3.134 |
Macbeth Videos
The Banquet Scene
This is the scene where Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost. When done well, this is a very dramatic scene that reveals much about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's characters. This scene also provides examples of several of the characteristics of tragedy. |
Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy
Your notes on the fourteen characteristics of a Shakespearean tragedy can be broken down into a five step cycle. 1. Good 2. Evil 3. Chaos 4. Death 5. Re-assertion of Evil |
Learn from the Professionals
The videos below are from the Roman Polanski version of Macbeth. The first one portrays Act III, scene iii, the same scene your groups acted out today. The second video is the famous banquet scene (Act III, scene iv). This is the best version, so it is worth watching. (Ignore the Portuguese subtitles.)
The videos below are from the Roman Polanski version of Macbeth. The first one portrays Act III, scene iii, the same scene your groups acted out today. The second video is the famous banquet scene (Act III, scene iv). This is the best version, so it is worth watching. (Ignore the Portuguese subtitles.)
Act III, scene iiiAfter viewing the professionals, think about what you would have your group do differently. Be prepared to discuss tomorrow.
Complete the Socrative 4e782668 to show your understanding. |
Act III, scene ivAfter viewing the professionals, think about how it enhanced your understanding of the scene. Be prepared to discuss tomorrow.
Complete the comprehension questions. |
60 Second Macbeth
With groups of 5/6, create a 60 second version of the Act you've been assigned. Use the handout to guide your efforts. Bonus points will be awarded for accurately using your vocabulary words in your script. You will submit your video to me on Monday (2/22) at the start of class. Any videos not submitted by the end of warm up will be penalized 10 points. It must be named with one group member's name and your Act number! |
Critical Analysis: Macbeth |