Introduction to Macbeth and Shakespeare part II

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• Leerjaar 4

Why we read Macbeth

Watch the film Why should we read Macbeth. While watching, take notes in order to be able to name at least one timeless or universal/ubiquitous/omnipresent theme conveyed in Macbeth.

Vocabulary

politically precarious

rowdy audience

ensuing bloodbath

universality of death and futility of life

Themes conveyed in Macbeth

Themes conveyed in Macbeth

guilt                                          reality and appearances

abuse of power                   kingship

loyalty & betrayal               politics and morality

good & evil                            universality of death & futility of life

fate & free will

violence

AS YOU LIKE IT  a comedy by W. Shakespeare

All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,

Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;

And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel

And shining morning face, creeping like snail

Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,

Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,

Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,

In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,

                          UNIVERSAL SHAKESPEARE

With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

Full of wise saws and modern instances;

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts

Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;

His youthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide

For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishness and mere oblivion;

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything

Question 1: Watch a mini biography of William Shakespeare and answer the following question: What is Shakespeare's legacy? (structure your answer in a short paragraph)

Question 2: Watch a short film about The Globe Theatre and answer the following questions: 1. How is the stage of The Globe structured? 2. Why does The Globe have the round shape?

Question 3: Why study Macbeth? Why do we still speak about Macbeth? Why has Macbeth still been performed and read? Structure your answer in a short paragraph.