Name: ________________________
Mrs. Llanos
English 10 Honors ______
Date: _________________
Macbeth
Renaissance Period
____________
Macbeth
The Time
The Place
The Essential Background
1.11
Llanos 2
Shakespeare
His life:
His plays:
His theater:
Macbeth
Shakespeare’s play:
True history:
Notes about the text:
Llanos 3
Characteristics of a Tragedy
Characteristic
Tragic hero is a
person of importance
in society, often a
king or queen.
Tragic hero exhibits
extraordinary abilities
but also a tragic flaw
that leads directly to
his/her downfall.
A series of casually
related events lead
inevitably to the
catastrophe.
(Usually involves death of
tragic hero, but other
characters may be
involved, including
antagonist.)
Tragic hero
recognizes his flaw
by the end and so
gains the audience’s
sympathy.
Tragic hero meets
his doom with
courage and dignity,
reaffirming the
grandeur of the
human spirit.
Tragic hero comes
to an unhappy or
miserable end.
Comic relief eases
the intensity of the
action (unique to
Shakespearean
tragedies).
Example from Macbeth (include line number)
Llanos 4
Character List: Macbeth
Characters
Relationships, Personality, & Significant Actions
Macbeth: Scottish general ambitious enough to commit
regicide to become king
Lady Macbeth: His wife; ambitious; later remorseful
Banquo: General in Macbeth’s Army, murdered by hired
killers
Fleance: Banquo's son
Duncan: King of Scotland
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Malcolm: Eldest son of Duncan, Prince of Cumberland
Donalbain: Youngest son of Duncan
Macduff: General, dedicated to the good of Scotland
Ross(e): Cousin to Macduff
Lennox: Nobleman, loyal to Duncan
Seyton: Lieutenant to Macbeth
Siward: English Earl (Northumberland), supporter of
Malcolm, general of English forces
Young Siward: Bravely faces Macbeth though he is
killed in battle
Witches: Predict Macbeth's ambitions will soon come
true; later predict his downfall
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Literary Term Log
Conventions & Definition
Verbal Irony
Situational Irony
Dramatic Irony
Comic Relief
Soliloquy
Monologue
Example(s) from Macbeth
Llanos 7
Apostrophe
Aside
Fate
Tragedy
Tragic Hero
Tragic Flaw
Foil
Motif
Theme
Catharsis
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Motifs, Imagery & Symbolism
Motif: a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work
Imagery: words and phrases that create vivid sensory images for the reader
Symbol: a person, place, object, or activity that is itself and also stands for something else
Evidence
I.i.1-2: “When shall we three meet again / In thunder,
lightning, or in rain?”
Darkness
I.iii.123-126: “And oftentimes, to win us to our harm / The
instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us with honest
trifles, to betray’s / In deepest consequence.”
I.v.50-54:
I.v.43-47:
II.i.40-49:
II.ii.60-65:
Blood
II.iii.96-105:
II.iii.111-116:
I.vii.25-28:
Ambition
________
Explanation
Shakespeare casts a pall
of darkness over the play
to call attention to the evil
deeds unfolding and the
foul atmosphere in which
they are taking place.
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Themes
Theme: Central idea conveyed by a work of literature
Thematic
Concept
Things are
not what
they seem
(appearance
vs. reality)
Blind
ambition
Power &
Control
Superstition
& human
behavior
Examples of Thematic Concept
Theme Statement
Llanos 10
Themes
Theme: Central idea conveyed by a work of literature
Thematic
Concept
Impulses &
Desires
Marriage &
Family
Relationships
Revenge for
perceived
wrong-doings
Reason &
Mental
Stability
Examples of Thematic Concept
Theme Statement
Llanos 11
Anticipation Guide
Anticipation Guide Directions: Read each statement and check the appropriate
column based on your beliefs/opinions. Be prepared to defend your position orally or in
writing, along with specific examples to support your assertion.
Agree
Disagree
Statement
1. Behind every great man is a great woman (every great man is supported,
guided, helped and even pushed by a great woman).
2. Witches, demons, and evil spirits exist.
3. Sometimes it is necessary to do something wrong to get what you want.
4. What goes around comes around (karma).
5. Human beings are easily tempted by things they want, even if it’s wrong.
6. If someone feels that the ruler/s of his/her country is destroying the country,
that person should try to overthrow the ruler/s.
7. There are circumstances or events that justify murdering someone.
8. Success is worth any price you have to pay.
9. Your astrological forecast (your horoscope) is a good indicator of how your
day will go.
10. Traitors should be executed.
11. It is wrong to give in to temptation.
12. There is no difference between greed and ambition.
13. There is no such thing as fate. Our actions decide everything.
14. It is right to break my moral code for a loved one, but not for a stranger.
15. If someone predicted that I would one day be in a position of importance
(i.e. the President of the United States), I would wait for it to happen, rather
than try to make it happen.
16. I listen to my conscience.
17. It is possible to do something wrong and not feel guilty for it afterwards.
18. An accomplice is just as guilty as the person who commits a crime.
19. If you kill, you should be killed in return (“an eye for an eye”).
•
Put a star by the statement that you feel the most strongly about.
•
What do you think all of these statements have in common?