Writing Strategies: Macbeth Prompts

Ms. Taylor’s English Class, VVCS 2018-2019

Macbeth Writing Prompts-Choose one to write a five-paragraph essay.

Discuss the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from Act 1 to the end of the play.

Is Lady Macbeth more responsible than Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan? Is Lady Macbeth’s character more evil than her husband and, if so, why?

Examine Macbeth's mental deterioration throughout the play. 

The three witches told Macbeth his fate. Did the events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the witches’ prophesy or because of the choices he made?

What caused Macbeth to fall: Fate or Free Will? Explain the role of free will in the play.  

If Macbeth were put on trial today, would he be innocent of murder by reason of insanity? How about Lady Macbeth?

A tragic hero is a protagonist, usually of noble birth or high-standing, who brings about his own downfall by a choice brought on by a character flaw. Tragic heroes have several other common features: they undergo meaningful suffering, learn from their mistake somehow, and arouse pity or fear in the audience through their demise. Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Explain why or why not.

Macbeth: Choose a Writing Prompt

Discuss the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from Act 1 to the end of the play.

Is Lady Macbeth a Villain or a Victim? 

 Is Lady Macbeth more responsible than Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan? Is Lady Macbeth a more evil character than her husband and, if so, why?

 Examine Macbeth's mental deterioration throughout the play. 

 

The three witches told Macbeth his fate. Did the events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the witches’ prophesy or because of the choices he made?

What caused Macbeth to fall: Fate or Free Will? Explain the role of free will in the play.  

If Macbeth were put on trial today, would he be innocent of murder  by reason of insanity? How about Lady Macbeth?

A tragic hero is a protagonist, usually of noble birth or high-standing, who brings about his own downfall by a choice brought on by a character flaw. Tragic heroes have several other common features: they undergo meaningful suffering, learn from their mistake somehow, and arouse pity or fear in the audience through their demise. Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Explain why or why not.

Summer Bump Not Slump: Midsummer Shakespeare Festival At Your House

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140379/

Summer's here and the time is right...for a Midsummer Shakespeare Festival at your house.

And maybe you can also go to an outdoor amphitheatre or playhouse if you are very lucky, as I am going to see Othello at the Old Globe in San Diego next week (Another reason to visit San Diego.)

 

 

Julius Caesar (1953)  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045943/

 

 

 

 Romeo and Juliet (1968) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063518/

 

 

 

 

 

Macbeth (6 Oct. 2010) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570337/

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Merchant of Venice (2004)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379889/ 

 

 

 

  Othello (1995)  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114057/

 

 

 

 

Much Ado About Nothing (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2094064/

Where's Hamlet? Here--with poor Yorick.

Hamlet (2009) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1449175/  

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/

This is also an excellent resource for further insight into Shakespeare that can inspire new Shakespearian thespians.

 

Summer Bump Not Slump: Midsummer Shakespeare Festival At Your House

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140379/

Summer's here and the time is right...for a Midsummer Shakespeare Festival at your house.

And maybe you can also go to an outdoor amphitheatre or playhouse 

 

 

Julius Caesar (1953)  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045943/

 

 

 

 Romeo and Juliet (1968) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063518/

 

 

 

 

 

Macbeth (6 Oct. 2010) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570337/

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Merchant of Venice (2004)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379889/ 

 

 

 

  Othello (1995)  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114057/

 

 

 

 

Much Ado About Nothing (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2094064/

Where's Hamlet? Here's Hamlet...and poor Yorick.   Hamlet (2009)  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1449175/  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/ This is also an excellent resource for further insight into Shakespeare that can inspire new Shakespearian thespians.

 

Summer Bump Not Slump: Midsummer Shakespeare Festival At Your House

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140379/

Summer's here and the time is right...for a Midsummer Shakespeare Festival at your house. And maybe you can also go to an outdoor amphitheatre or playhouse if you are very lucky, as I am going to see Othello at the Old Globe in San Diego next week (Another reason to visit San Diego.)

 

 

Julius Caesar (1953)  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045943/

 

 

 

 Romeo and Juliet (1968) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063518/

 

 

 

 

 

Macbeth (6 Oct. 2010) 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570337/

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Merchant of Venice (2004)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379889/ 

 

 

 

  Othello (1995)  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114057/

 

 

 

 

Much Ado About Nothing (2012)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2094064/

Where's Hamlet? Here's Hamlet...and poor Yorick.   Hamlet (2009)  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1449175/  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/ This is also an excellent resource for further insight into Shakespeare that can inspire new Shakespearian thespians.

 

I Don't Have Time To Teach Shakespeare...but look what's on PBS!

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/

You can give the kids a taste of William with this  PBS series.

There are interviews with current stars preparing for roles or reflecting on past performances. PBS online offers the plays as part of the Great Performances series.

Get creative with your assignments--Shakespeare is better seen than read, anyway; and certainly you can take some time out for the Bard in some size, shape or form. Make it a for reward day.

Henry IV and Henry IV Jeremy Irons

The first two episodes involve actors' insights and comments, premiering January 25, 2013:

MacBeth with Ethan Hawke and the Comedies with Joely Richardson.

February 1 Richard II with Derrick Jacobi and Henry IV and Henry V with Jeremy Irons.

Lastly, David Tennant and Hamlet and The Tempest with Trevor Nunn the director.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/video/

These plays will stream for you at the Shakespeare Uncovered site. What wealth we have.

MacBeth with Patrick Stewart.

Hamlet with David Tennant.

King Lear Ian McKellan

The Globe theatre, London

And a fun app--Which Shakespeare Character Are You? I'm Rosalind.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/blog/which-shakespeare-character-are-you/

Here are a couple recent articles.

'Shakespeare Uncovered' explores the bard, his life

http://www.cp24.com/entertainment-news/shakespeare-uncovered-explores-the-bard-his-life-1.1129568

THIRTEEN’s Shakespeare Uncovered,
A Six-Film Series Telling the Stories Behind Shakespeare’s Greatest Plays
http://www.pbssocal.org/shakespeare

The Raven: Movie Review

The movie "The Raven," is superior to expectations. The screenwriting is so eloquent, its almost Shakespeare; the actors have caught genuine humanity rather than a superficiality that would have come easily with this subject. All the details of costuming and creativity of filming truly add to the tone and mood of Baltimore in the 1840's. And it was filmed in Hungary and Croatia. Good job Eastern Europeans!

Poe and Emily.

John Cusack presents Edgar Allen Poe as the intelligent, distraught individual that history describes. But he is not frenetic; the activity is in his mind and from his pen. The characters created for this story are so genuine, you feel that you could look them up in Wikipedia. Emily is so caught up in the courtly beauty of Edgar's poetry, she really loves him. He is truly attractive to her.

Old School Graphic Novel

If you have been fortunate enough to have a sound public school background in literature, you will recognize references to Poe's stories, poems, and some Shakespeare, too. MacBeth appears. And for Poe scholars, I think you will be satisfied with references to his life, including his mentioning West Point, and his final words.

1858 illustration, "The Raven"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raven

http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/tell-tale-heart.html

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/annabel-lee/ 

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/POE/cask.html "The Cask of Amontillado."

http://poestories.com/read/pit "The Pit and the Pendulum."

Masque of the Red Death, illustration 1919

 http://www.online-literature.com/poe/36/  "The Masque of the Red Death."

I am guessing Poe could also be sarcastic, and the screenwriters gave him a great line. When someone mentions the serial killer is using Poe's ghastly stories as inspiration, Poe quips, "If I'd known that would happen, I'd have written more erotica."

 As for the 'R' rating, it is well-earned. Don't take middle-schoolers. Maybe Juniors and Seniors in high school. This is not a supernatural tale, and life is scarey enough without viewing what a demented mind can do to another human on a huge, bloody screen. A 45-foot swinging pendulum is not something you need in your dreams when you're 13 years old.

Here is some of the music by Lucas Vidal written for the movie. It is interesting. Even some sort of techno, I think. Incidental music also included a nocturne by Chopin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqVM55fLjPc&feature=related

I took this pic at the Tower of London. Who knew ravens liked french fries?

The Raven: Movie Review

The movie "The Raven," is superior to expectations. The screenwriting is so eloquent, its almost Shakespeare; the actors have caught genuine humanity rather than a superficiality that would have come easily with this subject. All the details of costuming and creativity of filming truly add to the tone and mood of Baltimore in the 1840's. And it was filmed in Hungary and Croatia. Good job Eastern Europeans!

Poe and Emily.

John Cusack presents Edgar Allen Poe as the intelligent, distraught individual that history describes. But he is not frenetic; the activity is in his mind and from his pen. The characters created for this story are so genuine, you feel that you could look them up in Wikipedia. Emily is so caught up in the courtly beauty of Edgar's poetry, she really loves him. He is truly attractive to her.

Old School Graphic Novel

If you have been fortunate enough to have a sound public school background in literature, you will recognize references to Poe's stories, poems, and some Shakespeare, too. MacBeth appears. And for Poe scholars, I think you will be satisfied with references to his life, including his mentioning West Point, and his final words.

1858 illustration, "The Raven"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raven

http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/tell-tale-heart.html

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/annabel-lee/ 

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/POE/cask.html "The Cask of Amontillado."

http://poestories.com/read/pit "The Pit and the Pendulum."

Masque of the Red Death, illustration 1919

 http://www.online-literature.com/poe/36/  "The Masque of the Red Death."

I am guessing Poe could also be sarcastic, and the screenwriters gave him a great line. When someone mentions the serial killer is using Poe's ghastly stories as inspiration, Poe quips, "If I'd known that would happen, I'd have written more erotica."

 As for the 'R' rating, it is well-earned. Don't take middle-schoolers. Maybe Juniors and Seniors in high school. This is not a supernatural tale, and life is scarey enough without viewing what a demented mind can do to another human on a huge, bloody screen. A 45-foot swinging pendulum is not something you need in your dreams when you're 13 years old.

Here is some of the music by Lucas Vidal written for the movie. It is interesting. Even some sort of techno, I think. Incidental music also included a nocturne by Chopin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqVM55fLjPc&feature=related

I took this pic at the Tower of London. Who knew ravens liked french fries?