ENG3U
Macbeth – Act I, sc.iii
At the beginning of this scene the reader/audience becomes reacquainted with the three witches.
1. What are the three witches planning to do, and why are they planning it in the first place?
2. What does the witches’ plan tell the reader/audience about the collective personality of the witches? (In other words, do the witches use their powers for good or evil purposes?)
In this scene the reader/audience meets Macbeth for the first time and when they do Macbeth says something that should sound very familiar.
3. What does Macbeth say and why should it be familiar to the reader/audience?
(HINT: Act I, sc.i – the last few lines)
In this scene Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches.
4. How do the witches greet Macbeth when they first meet him? (What three titles do they greet him by?)
5. When Banquo asks the witches for information about his future, what three predictions do the witches have for him?
After the witches disappear, Banquo and Macbeth laugh about what the witches have told them. As the two friends are joking around, Ross enters the scene.
6. What information does Ross have for Macbeth?
7. When Macbeth is given this information what sinister thoughts begin to enter his mind?
Macbeth – Act I, sc.iv
1. Using a more traditional text of Macbeth, find the Elizabethan translation of the following line:
a) “There’s no way to read a man’s mind by looking at his face.”
TRANSLATION:______
b) Explain what is meant by these lines (put in your own words).
______
3. After King Duncan thanks Macbeth and Banquo for their loyalty, who does Duncan name as his successor?
______
b) How does Macbeth react upon hearing this news?
______
RAFTS Assignment #2: Letter to Lady Macbeth
Put yourself in Macbeth’s shoes and write a letter to Lady Macbeth (Macbeth’s wife) about the encounter with the witches and the meeting with King Duncan.
Your letter should not focus heavily on the recent battle (you will demonstrate your understanding of the battle in RAFTS assignment #1).
Your letter should include the following:
- A description of how the witches looked
- What the witches said to both you (Macbeth) and Banquo
- How you (Macbeth) and Banquo first reacted to the news
- How Ross informed you (Macbeth) that you (Macbeth) had been appointed the new Thane of Cawdor
- What thoughts are running through your (Macbeth’s) mind after you (he) find out that one of the witches predictions has come true
- What thoughts are running through your mind when Malcolm is named Duncan’s successor
- The news that Duncan is coming to your (Macbeth’s) castle for a banquet
This assignment must be submitted by the end of class on Fri. Dec. 3/10 Use the marking scheme below to guide you in your writing.
K/U – Identifying the who, what, where, and when of the assignment
0-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7-----8-----9-----10
T/I – Interpreting Macbeth’s thoughts throughout the experience with the witches and the meeting with Duncan
0-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7-----8-----9-----10
C – Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Word Choice (Diction), Sentence Structure
0-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7-----8-----9-----10