Introduction
William Shakespeare's Macbeth is one of the most recognized and studied plays of all time. Written in the 1600s, Macbeth explores a variety of topics and themes that are applicable to modern society. Understanding these themes and the effects they play on different characters is vital to fully understanding the depth of Shakespeare's work. Please be sure to read through ALL SECTIONS prior to starting your work. This will help aid in your FULL understanding of your task, process, and goals for this assignment.
Task
Students will identify two major themes from Act I and Act II of Shakespeare's Macbeth. In addition to identifying two major themes, students will need to demonstrate their understanding of how these themes connect with characters within the play. Students will need to write a short response essay that meets the following criteria:
1. Two paragraph minimum per theme (4 paragraphs in total)
2. Identify theme and describe one instance where the theme is applicable to the action in the play.
3. Identify how each theme effects at minimum one character
4. Students must use textual evidence to support their responses.
Process
Process:
1. View the "Summary Video" below. Start to write down several themes that are mentioned throughout the video.
2. Read through Acts I and II of Macbeth using the "No Fear Shakespeare" link below.
3. Students will need to annotate as they read along in a separate notebook. This will aid the process in your short response. Be sure to identify textual evidence that supports your findings of major themes and how they effect your certain characters.
4. If you are seeking additional content, you may use the "Macbeth Commentary" link for extra information regarding this play.
5. After reading and annotating Acts I and II, decide which two major themes you will select based on your notes from the summary video and your readings of Act I and II. Students are encouraged to create a Double-Entry Journal Entry to help organize their ideas.
6. Write your short essay responses for each theme (see criteria for each response under "Task").
Resources:
1. Summary Video of Macbeth
2. https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/macbeth/page_2/ (No Fear Shakespeare Translation)
3. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbethscenes.html (Macbeth Commentary)
Evaluation
Learning Advice:
Students should make a Double-Entry Journal. Students will divide their paper into two columns (draw a vertical line down the middle of your paper). Students will write their textual evidence on the left hand side of the sheet. On the right hand side, students will write in their own words why they selected this evidence (what theme does it address, how does it connect characters to a theme, etc.). It is suggested that you have two separate pages of Double-Entry Journals that has only one theme per page to keep your thoughts organized.
Short Responses Rubric:
100 TOTAL Points
Short Response has two major themes - 10 Points
Short Response has textual evidence - 30 points
Short Response provides adequate reasoning that supports their evidence - 30 points
Short Response connects each theme with at minimum one character - 30 points
Conclusion
Now that your assignment is complete you should be able to identify two prominent themes from Macbeth and how these themes effect at minimum two characters. Many of these themes effect many of Shakespeare's characters. However, each character responds to these themes in a wide range of ways. This diversity in the characters responses creates a rich piece of literature that is applicable to everyone's personal life and also the modern world around them.