Macbeth: Teachers Edition

Introduction

Macbeth is a classic play written by William Shakespeare in the early 1600s. This is one of his most well-known tragedies. Understanding his works also helps us understand the history of the time period, as he was highly influenced by Elizabethan culture: the politics, the arts, religion, and the people, in general. Macbeth is well-known and has been reproduced in many formats throughout the centuries since it was written. Film versions have ranged from a classic in 1948, which was true to the original text, to more modern films in 1971, 1978, to a more modern version in 2007, starring Sam Worthington. What can we learn from a play written so many centuries ago? Throughout this lesson, students will learn the various lessons Shakespeare attempted to portray in his story of star-crossed lovers and how these lessons are still relevant today.

Lesson Plan Format

Shakespeare as a man, poet, and writer is significant. He was highly influenced by what was happening around him in Elizabethan England. During each session, students will read portions of the play, look at historical context for what was written, delve into the various controversies that surround William Shakespeare and how these relate to his writings and the world today.

Students should have a copy of Macbeth to read and work with. If they do not, the following online resources can be used to read the text. Also, encompassed here are books and online resources the teacher can use in presenting the lessons:

Books:

Shakespeare, William, and Eugene M. Waith. The Tragedy of Macbeth;. New Haven: Yale UP, 1954. Print.

Shakespeare, William, and A. R. Braunmuller. Macbeth. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1997. Print.

Shakespeare, William, Burton Raffel, and Harold Bloom. Macbeth. New Haven: Yale UP, 2005. Print.

Shakespeare, William, and Alan Durband. Macbeth: Modern English Version Side-by-side with Full Original Text. Woodbury, NY: Barron's, 1985. Print.

Websites:

Macbeth: Entire Play. Macbeth: Entire Play. MIT n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012. .

The Complete Text of Macbeth: Scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth. The Complete Text of Macbeth: Scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2012. .

Writer’s Journal

Writers have been using journals to keep track of daily activities, their thoughts, their inspirations, and their life questions for as long as there has been the written word. Journals can be used for free-writing or to facilitate classroom discussion. They can be a way for students to discover what they know and don’t know about a subject. Journals are also perfect for students who may be too shy to speak their thoughts and opinions aloud.

These journals will be used to answer specific writing prompts, complete class and homework assignments, including drawings and writings, and also for a way to communicate with their teacher any questions that may arise as they work through the lessons.

Standards

Common Core State Standards for ELA

From NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English)

Retrieved from: http://www.ncte.org/standards

Grade 9-12 Common Core Standards – ELA: http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf

Use your state and district standards to align these common core

standards with your lesson plans.

Sample Rubrics

General Rubrics:

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/

http://www.rcampus.com/indexrubric.cfm

http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

Writing Rubrics

http://www.rubrics4teachers.com/writing.php

http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/writing/

Graphic Organizers

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/

http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/graphic_organizers.htm

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/graphic-organizers/printable/6293.html

Resources Needed

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Internet Access

Writing Journal

Pens/Pencils

PosterBoard

Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils

Glue/Adhesive

Sample Schedule

Day/Session 1

Biography/Historical Context

Day/Session 2

Narrative/Structure/POV of Macbeth

Day/Session 3

Characters and Character Development

Day/Session 4

Themes/Symbols/Figurative Language

Day/Session 5

What Makes it a Great Book?

Day One: Shakespeare Biography & Historical Context

Objective

Students will gain a better understanding of Macbeth if they understand the life of William Shakespeare and the era he grew up in. They will be able to see and understand how history affected Shakespeare’s writing and the controversy surrounding his life and works. Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Elizabethan England as well as how Shakespeare’s influence still reaches us today.

For today students should read Act I of Macbeth.

Discussion Questions/Writing Journal Responses

(Prewrite) What do you know about Macbeth? When you hear the name William Shakespeare, what comes to mind? For this assignment just write everything you know (or think you know) about Shakespeare and Macbeth. Also, write down any questions you may have.

Thinking about what you’ve learned about William Shakespeare: his upbringing, his writings, his education, etc., what do you think happened during those ten lost years?

In the Elizabethan era, plays were not considered satisfactory literature or even praiseworthy reading material. Based on what you’ve learned about history during this time, why do you think that is?

Starting with Shakespeare’s birth what where the main events of his life, and how do you think they influenced his writings?

The Globe. What is the significance of it? When did it come into play? How does it compare to theatres today? Include an illustration with your response, making sure it is labeled properly.

Given the discussion on blank verse and iambic pentameter, find examples of this in Romeo and Juliet. How did Shakespeare’s writing style change written language as it was known during Elizabethan England? Give some examples for comparison.

When was Macbeth first written; when and where was it first performed; and who were the performers?

What was Shakespeare’s influence in writing this play? Remember, everything Shakespeare did has a purpose, what was the point of this?

Take the main characters you’ve met so far in the play and write down what you think about them. Do you like them? What part do you believe they will play in the remainder of the story? Give examples of what you think – use quotes from the play.

Some say that Shakespeare wasn’t certainly Shakespeare. Some way he stole all these writings and then published them under his name. Others believe it was multiple people working together and using this assumed name. Still others believe it was a nobleman who didn’t want his friends and family to know he was writing such crass material. What do you think and why? Find proof to back up your thoughts.

Homework Assignments

Links

Globe Theatre History

http://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-globe-theatre.htm

BBC Video History of the Globe

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/shakespeare-and-the-globe-theatre/3342.html

Globe Theatre Pictures

Elizabethan England

http://www.bardweb.net/england.html

Foreshadowing Essay: You’ve read the Act I of the play. The tragedy of "Macbeth’ is alluded to throughout Act I. In an essay (2-3 pages) define foreshadowing and find the areas in Act 1 where both Macbeth’s actions foreshadow what is to come for him and his wife. What does this tell us about each character so far in the play? Give examples to back up your thoughts.

Design Time: Design your own Globe Theatre! You can use whatever materials you would like to create your 3D replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Each section must be labeled correctly. Along with your replica, please provide a description of each section: names, what they were used for, who used them, and any other facts you may have found compelling (will be 1-2 pages in length).

Biography: Get to know Queen Elizabeth – the woman the Elizabethan Age was named after. Write a 3-4 page biography on the woman who influenced a nation. This will NOT just be a recap of her life – how did her decisions affect England during her reign and for years after? Make sure to give your insights and back up what you state. Use MLA formatting throughout.

Timeline: Create a timeline of historically significant events during Elizabethan England, carefully adding in Shakespeare’s own timeline. Make sure you complete it in two different colors so that overlaps and patterns can emerge. Once you’ve completed it, look for patterns and write a 1-2 page essay on what you see – how did they affect one another?

Gaming: Take the facts you have learned about Shakespeare and Elizabethan England and create a board game. You must have at least 20 questions about each (so 40 total) – more is acceptable, but not less. Your game must have a clear beginning, purpose, path (how it’s played/directions) and a clear way to win/end. You can create something straightforward like SORRY© or something as complex as Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit. You will need pictures, poster board (or cardboard), markers, glue, crayons, etc. Don’t forget to write out the directions.

Art Fair:This was a terrific time of writing, painting, and history. Find pictures of the art that speaks to you. Create a poster and/or collage of what you like. You must have at least 10 images. For each image, you will write 1-2 paragraphs (4-6 sentences each paragraph) about why you chose that piece.

Day 2: Narrative, Structure, and Point of View

Objective

In today’s lesson/session students will learn about narratives, how they are structured, point of view, and how each relates to Macbeth. Each plays a strong role in how Shakespeare shares the point of his play. Journals will be used to facilitate class discussion; homework will further critical thinking skills and application skills, as well as helping students learn to see Shakespeare’s relevance today.

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, a narrative is a story, or a representation in art of an event or story. Structure is the action of building or something that is arranged in a definite pattern of organization. Lastly, point of view is the position from which something is considered or evaluated.

Students are expected to read Act II of the play for this section.

Discussion Questions/Writing Journal Responses

What is the difference between reading this play and reading other works you’ve come across? Think of at least 3 things and describe them. Use your notes and books if need be. Also, if you have any questions about these differences, write them down, as well.

Thinking about narratives and how they tell a story, but that they can also represent something else in order to tell about an event, what do you believe is the purpose behind Shakespeare’s Macbeth? Use information you’ve learned about Shakespeare, Elizabethan England, and what you have read thus far.

The literal meaning behind structure is building. Structure for literary works also refers to how it was built and the purpose of putting the written word together the way the author did. It implies a deliberate set up of each word and line in the play. What is your opinion about this? Did Shakespeare write deliberately?

Whose point of view is Macbeth written? Why is this relevant? What would it be like if someone else told the story?

It’s time to look at the remaining characters. At this point, you’ve met all the main characters in the play. What do you think about those you’ve just met? Have any of your opinions of other characters changed? Don’t forget to explain your answers and give examples.

Homework Assignments

Links

Shakespeare and Narrative – to offer example

http://www.ashgate.com/pdf/samplepages/narrating_the_visual_in_shakespeare_intro.pdf

Play Structure – Example from Hamlet

http://www.folger.edu/documents/lesson3-handout1.pdf

Point of View Breakdown

http://staff.fcps.net/tcarr/shortstory/pointofview.htm

Elizabethan Clothing

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-clothing.htm

Elizabethan Masks

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-masques.htm

Family Tree:Using a poster (or your computer), create a family tree for both, Romeo and Juliet. Make sure each person is labeled and shows their relationship to others. Include servants (of importance) as well, i.e. the Nurse.

Clothing: If you were a character in Macbeth, what would you wear? Create an outfit for your character; include a short essay (1-2 pages) on the type of clothing you would wear for the time period.

Mini-Autobiography: Think about your life for a moment. Now, think about the life of Macbeth. Are there any similarities?