1. Talk about how Macbeth was portrayed in this first scene.
2.Turn judge a book on its head. Write about one quality or possession that you have that really represents you.
3. Pass out script for 1.3.1-112. Tell students that they will read, in turn, one line of text. (Many times the line will end in the middle of a thought.) Tell students to listen for and note any words, phrases, or ideas they don't understand. After the reading, ask students to point out words they don't know. Ask if others can explain the meaning of the words.
4. Give a brief explanation of Elizabethan constructions using overhead.
5. Go around the room again (in the opposite direction so students will be reading different lines), only this time have each student read until she encounters a long pause (colon, semicolon) or full stop period, question mark, exclamation point). Ask after the reading: "What's going on here: Who are these people? What clues do you get about them and about the action?" (If there is time)
6. Try another round, this time letting each student read until the passage indicates a change in the character who delivers the lines, whereupon the next student in the circle begins reading. As students read, they should try to use their voices to convey the mood or emotion suggested by the words. Ask questions that are more specific: "What do the witches look like and what is the 'charm' they refer to? What predictions do the witches make for Macbeth and Banquo, and how do these men receive them? What news do Ross and Angus bring Macbeth and Banquo?"
6. Assign two students to each part (Witches 1, 2, and 3, Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, Angus. Get one "cast" up on its feet and up in front of the class. Ask these students to read the script aloud. Then ask the second cast to do the same. As each cast reads, try some variations:
Cast One: Macbeth and Banquo are confident men who eagerly follow Witches 1, 2, and 3 around the room, hungry for news. The witches avoid their pursuit, finally vanishing.
Cast Two: Turn out the lights and have Macbeth and Banquo enter looking fearful. They jump in fright when the witches appear. The witches' pursuit of them causes them to retreat coweringly.
6. If time permits, do the scene a third time with student suggestions.
7. Ask which variation worked best and why. Explain that tomorrow's lesson will deal with the play from the beginning and provide background information that will lead to a better understanding of the significance of this scene's events.
SSR
Homework collected: Keep all Macbeth assignments and hand in as one portfolio at the end!!
To Read: Macbeth 1.3
Argument Paper Due Dates
