2. Talk about the character, the settings, and the plot. Where does this take place and what is the weather like? How does Macbeth behave in battle? How does Duncan view this behavior? How does the battle end? What pronouncement does Duncan make at the end of the scene? Keep the discussion crisp. The goal here is familiarize students with the scenes.
3. Divide the students into small groups. Have each student draw a trapezoid on a piece on white paper to represent a stage, and then have them mark read and front stage entrances. Give the students buttons to represent their characters. Have them reread 1.2 and move their characters around inside the box as they see fit, based on the scene’s dialogue. Students should note their movements on a piece on lined paper, referring to line numbers as needed. Circulate as students do this activity. Let students make their own decisions about the scene, but urge them always to use the script as their authority. If they get stuck prod them with questions such as the following:
• When and how do the various characters move as the Captain delivers his lines?
• Who stands closet to Duncan? Why?
• Does any character move as he speaks? How and where?
• Do any characters touch? When? How?
• In what direction does the Captain exit (after line 48), and from where do Ross and Angus enter (after line 48)?
• What is the mood?
• How does the scene end, and how do the characters exit: Together? Separately? Who leads? Why?
4. Have groups get together and demonstrate their staging choices to one another.
5. Show the students the three other versions of scene 2 and let them compare their choices with the film director.
6. Journal Entry 2
With all of the fighting and drama and major action going on in these first scenes, why do you think that Shakespeare starts this play with three witches on a bleak moor?
Homework Collected: None
Homework Given:
Macbeth Journal #2Persuasive Research Paper: Research check day, February 24th,
1st Draft Due: March 10,
Research Portfolio Due: March 17,
2nd Draft Due: March 24,
Final Paper Due: March 31,
Reflection Paper Due: April 14
Handouts given out: None
To Read:
Macbeth, Act I scenes 1-3
