Blog 18: Female Roles in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Now that our reading of the tragic drama, Macbeth, is complete, we are able to take a more critical eye to aspects of theme, characterization, and plot. Perhaps one of the most glaring observations about the play is the limited influence of female roles. In fact, the two main female characters, Lady Macbeth ad Lady Macduff, are only referenced in terms of their husbands. This detail is very telling of the time period in which Shakespeare wrote and the time period the story takes place.

Visit the following website and read up on Shakespeare's treatment of Gender Roles in Macbeth:

"Gender and Sexuality in Shakespeare's Macbeth: A Reversal in Gender Roles" (Thacker)

Do you agree/ disagree with some of the article's analysis? Choose a quotation from Thacker's writing and argue for or against it.

Use the following website below to fill in your class worksheet and make deeper connections between Shakespeare's relationship with Anne Hathaway and his representation of females in Macbeth:

"In Search of Shakespeare" (PBS)

"The Marriage of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway"

[One paragraph response- 5 points, posted by 1.18.10; Worksheet handed in at the end of the period - 6 points]

Blog 17: Act V Study Guide Questions

Answer the following Act V questions based on your reading from the past two days. You may work with a partner, but your responses should be original. Complete sentences and use of textual support is required [at least two quotations]. Posted: Fri., 1.15.10, beginning of class

Act V, scene ii

1. What does Angus say about the men that Macbeth commands?

2. How is the "plant" metaphor started in Act I, sc. iv, by Duncan, continued in this scene?

Act V, scene iii

1. What are Macbeth's troops doing? Why does he remain so confident?

2. How does Macbeth acknowledge that Scotland is suffering?

Act V, scene iv

1. Who is Siward? What is his opinion of the king?

2. What tactical strategy does Malcom implement? What is its purpose and why is it significant to the play?

Act V, scene v

1. How does the sound of the woman's cry affect Macbeth?

2. Who dies in this scene? What are the main ideas of Macbeth's soliloquy after this event?

3. What does Macbeth now recognize about the prophecies? How does his realization relate to the play's central theme?

Blog 16: Story Time Macbeth Style

Act III: Story Time

The witches, ghosts, and characters in Shakespeare's Macbeth are sinister and frightening. Suppose you are invited into an elementary classroom to share the play Macbeth with all of the kids.

How would you hold the "story time" without giving the children nightmares? Write an adaptation [another version] of the events in the play, which include the scarier aspects of the play: Macbeth, the witches, and the ghosts.

Post this story to your own blog, and then critique another classmate's version for appropriate content.

Ex. "Melissa, wonderful start to this children's version of Macbeth. I like the details, but I feel some of the characters need to be less scary for five-year olds. Maybe instead of the characters carrying swords, they can hit each other with twizzlers? Just a thought!

Scariness Level: 3 [out of 5] Accurate telling of events: 4 [out of 5] "

[15 Points, Posted by 1.08.09, Writing Grade]

Blog 15: New Year's Premonitions

Banquo cautions his war comrade Macbeth about the Three Weird Sisters' [Witches] premonitions: "The instruments of darkness tell us truths;/ Win us with honest trifles, to betray's/ In deepest consequence..." (Act I, scene iii, lines 123-125). Here Banquo clearly states his position on the Witches' statements. Explain in a few sentences what Banquo means with these lines for their futures.

In this post, also consider what you believe for your future in the year 2010. Premonitions are similar to New Year's Resolutions in that they have an element of self-fulfilling prophecy. One sort of resolution has to do only with oneself. You might decide to lose weight, to stop eating candy, to exercise more, or watch less TV. Other resolutions might involve family or friends. You could resolve to be more patient with your little brother or more helpful to mom. Some resolutions are about school and the outside world, such as getting to class on time or trying for better grades. Make one goal for each New Year's Resolution category: Personal Improvement, Family and Friends, and School and the Outside World.

[Two-Three Paragraph Minimum, 10 Points, Posted by 1.05.10]