Macbeth Act 1 -- First Thoughts

What do I know about Macbeth so far?  Well lots, as I have been teaching this play for over 9 years now!  But to pretend I just started reading the play, I know that it takes place in Scotland, many hundreds of years ago.  I also know that it is one of Shakespeare's "Tragedies" and that there will be violence, death, and much heartbreak.

After reading the first act, I know that Macbeth is being told the future by these three weird witches, who tell him that he will quickly rise in the ranks until he becomes King!  This has intrigued me very much, as I am interested in how this will all plan out. 

Normally, I am a little nervous studying Shakespeare as the language can be a little hard to decipher.  I know that there are many opportunities to watch movies based on the plays, or to even go and see a play version of Macbeth.  I've always heard that Shakespeare is meant to be watched, not read, but thats not going to hold me back from reading the whole play, usually while watching a movie version so I can keep track of the characters, the events and what everyone means when they are speaking.

I am excited and anxious about this play and what I will learn!

Macbeth Act 1 - Destiny?

I think the three witches are essential to the play.  They have setup the entire plot of the play from the very beginning by 'predicting' what is going to happen later in the play.  Either the play goes along with exactly what they have predicted, or they will be proven useless, as none of their predictions will have come true.

However, we learn right away in Act 1 that their first prediction is already coming true!  Macbeth, soon after being told he would become the "Thane of Cawdor", actually becomes the Thane of Cawdor!  King Duncan bestows this title on Macbeth for his valiant bravery in battle, helping win the day!  So, already, we can tell that the witches are special and can see into the future.

Now, what I am concerned about is if Macbeth decides that he doesn't need to worry about the Witches and their predictions, and instead, just live a comfortable life as the Thane of Cawdor.  Can Macbeth avoid his destiny to become King one day?  Can he change the future, or is this his destiny?  Can any of us really change our destiny?  Is Destiny different from Fate?  I am very interested to see how this will all play out!  I have a feeling that the three witches are playing with Macbeth, and using him like a puppet to do their bidding.

Macbeth Act 1 - Character profile!

For this third part of Act 1, I have picked Banquo to create a character profile:

Banquo

So far, in the play, I know very little about Banquo.  I know that he is a good friend of Macbeth's and that they were both victorious in a battle with the Irish.  It is on their way back from this battle that Banquo and Macbeth run into the weird sisters (witches) and they are told the strange riddles about their future.  Apparently Banquo won't be King like Macbeth will be, but instead Banquo's sons will be king!

I think Banquo will have a strong part to play in this story.  He obviously is important to the plot and to the resolution of the play.  I hope that Macbeth and him are able to solve these strange riddles from the witches, as I am very interested in seeing how this will all pan out.

So far his character seems good, in that he is a good, loyal fighter for King Duncan, and he is a good loyal friend to Macbeth.  He is also a valiant warrior, and someone that can be trusted.  He wants to know more from the witches "If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak then to me"(I.iii.58-60)

I think that Banquo will be the "voice of reason" in the play.  He will be the one who will try and keep Macbeth in line, to keep him honest.  He will be the character that Macbeth will be compared to. Overall, so far, I like Banquo and think he is a good character to connect with.  I look forward to learning how he does throughout the rest of the play.

Macbeth Act 2 - Tweeting their thoughts!

What is going on inside Macbeth's mind during Act 2? 

Here is an example twitter account I have made that demonstrates what I think would be going through Macbeth's mind during Act 1.

Want to see the full twitter account?  Check it out here: https://twitter.com/MacbethVLN

Macbeth Act 3 - Presentation of "what is going on"?

Macbeth - Whats going on? on Prezi

This is an example prezi presentation of what I am expecting from you.  I have only done Act 1, while you are expected to produce a presentation that captures all the events, actions, characters from the first 3 acts, explaining exactly what is going on to someone who has never read the play before!

Macbeth Act 4 - Riddle this Image!

Here is one image I've created for one of the riddles in Act 4 that the Witches tell to Macbeth.  For your assignment, you need to create 3 separate images to visually show what the riddle means.

This image visually depicts the riddle "Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth. " (IV.i.79-81)"

The three witches have riddled that none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.  This riddle is very mis-leading as everyone in this world is "born of woman", as woman are the only gender that can actually carry a new baby to term (yet).  Macbeth interprets this as 'invicibility' as he will never be harmed as everyone was born of women.  This images shows this arrogance, as Macbeth, on the right, is fighting a whole bunch of women, all born from the top woman, and he is not afraid, as he has his sword up, and he is ready to fight.  However, what Macbeth quickly learns that this was a trick, and the riddle should have said "no one will harm you that was born naturally", but yet, Macbeth learns that Macduff was born 'unnaturally' and was born by cesarean section, where he was surgically cut out from his mother's womb, not born naturally as most people are, therefore Macduff was "not of woman born". 

Here is another option that you can use to create your images: Pixton.com comics!

Macbeth Act 5 Youtube speech

Macbeth Act 5 Speech