Macbeth part 1

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• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Today

Why Macbeth

Discussion

Read part 1

Discuss

Comprehension

Homework

What's next

Reading Shakespeare's Macbeth

Assignment: essay - what would you have done?

Grammar: conditionals (will help you with the essay)

Conditionals test: 12th April

Essay test: 19th of April (or both on the 12th?)

         Macbeth

Vocabulary - film

Conflated - made up of a combination of different elements

Precarious - not safe, strong, or steady

Flops - to fail completely

Prophesize - predicting something based on mystical knowledge

Universality - includes everyone

Futility - uselessness

Why should you read Macbeth?

1. Why should Macbeth’s name never be uttered? What does this remind you of (in modern literature)?

• Superstition -> Saying 'Macbeth' in a theatre will immediately bring you bad luck.
  
• Voldemort in Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings/…
  
• According to folklore, the play's history of bad luck began at its very first performance (circa 1606) when the actor scheduled to portray Lady Macbeth died suddenly and Shakespeare was forced to replace him.
  

2. Why is Macbeth also called ‘The Scottish play’?

• speaking the name Macbeth inside a theatre = the Scottish curse
  
• Play is set in Scotland.

Before we read

                        Language

Thane - Scottish word for lord

Cawdor - a place in the Highlands (north) of Scotland

 Thane of Cawdor - Lord of Cawdor

Discuss

What do you think the witches mean when they say 'you will be less lucky than Macbeth, but more lucky.'?

Comprehension p16

1 Why did the King of Norway fight against Duncan?

2 How did Macbeth feel after the battle?

3 Why was the king pleased with Macbeth?

4 How did Duncan reward Macbeth?

5 Describe the three witches

6 Why were Macbeth and Banquo so astonished at Ross's message?

Homework - due  Feb

Imagine you are Banquo. Read this part of a letter from a friend. Write a letter in 120-180 words in an appropriate style.

The letter:

Tell me about your meeting with the witches.

What were they like?

Did they tell you anything about the future?