Macbeth by William Shakespeare Directed by Paul Mason Barnes

2010 – 2011 SEASON

macbeth by William Shakespeare Directed by Paul Mason Barnes

CONTENTS 2 The 411 3 A/S/L & RMAI 4 FYI 5 RBTL 6 HTH 7 IRL 8 F2F 10 B4U 12 SWDYT?

MAJOR SPONSORS: At The Rep, we know that life moves fast— WELCOME! The desire to learn, insatiable when awakened, can okay, really fast. But sometimes lie dormant until touched by the right teacher or we also know that the right experience. We at The Rep are grateful to have the some things are opportunity to play a role supporting you as you awaken the worth slowing down desire for learning in your students. for. We believe that live theatre is one of those pit stops worth making and are excited that you are going If Shakespeare did, indeed, write the soap operas of his to stop by for a show. To help you get the most bang for time, Macbeth is the one that best speaks to the issues of your buck, we have put together WU? @ THE REP—an young people. Peer pressure, destructive self-involvement, IM guide that will give you everything you need to know to violent solutions to problems, betraying friends and breaking get at the top of your theatergoing game—fast. You’ll find trust—these are issues that your students face to varying character descriptions (A/S/L), a plot summary (FYI), degrees on a regular basis. Macbeth vividly shows them a biographical information (F2F), historical context (B4U), downward spiral that ends in disaster for all. It is a and other bits and pieces (HTH). Most importantly, we’ll wonderful opportunity for your students to observe the have some ideas about what this all means IRL, anyway. escalating consequences of bad choices and to discuss how one can “stop the madness.” It would be a good idea to take a minute on the bus to give your students these quick theatre etiquette reminders: • This show has an intermission; there will be time for bathroom breaks before the show and partway through. • The actors can hear the audience and appreciate the laughter, gasps and quiet attention to action. However, The Teacher’s talking, moving around and eating is very distracting Lounge to others and can dampen the energy of what is happening on stage. In an effort to make our educational materials more • Pictures, phone calls and texting are not allowed at any accessible to students and easier for time during the performance. educators to incorporate into the Live theatre won’t allow your students to take a passive classroom, our study guide is written in a student-oriented role—they must work with us to create the experience which format. We hope that you will circulate this guide among takes the learning deeper. Our unique ability to fuse words your students in the weeks preceding your visit to The and images onstage allows your students to explore new Rep, encouraging them to browse it before and after ideas as well as excites their imaginations. We will do our class and as time allows, using it as a launch point for part so your students will be stirred to understandings and both pre- and post-performance discussions.You may also self-awareness while delving into new and familiar worlds. want to visit our website, www.repstl.org, for additional You are doing your part by using The Rep to extend your information including educational games, activity intellectual and aesthetic curriculum. Thank you! suggestions and behind-the-scenes information. Any materials, either from this guide or from our website may be reproduced for use in the classroom. As always, we appreciate your making live theatre a part of your classroom experience and Marsha Coplon welcome your feedback and Director of Education questions.

Show Me Standards: CA 2, 3, 5, 7; FA 2, 3, 4, 5; SS 2, 6 and Illinois Learning Standards: 1, 2, 5, 15, 16, 18, 25, 27. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble—watch out LADY MACBETH is Macbeth’s wife and for the THREE WITCHES or the WEIRD supporter of his grand ambitions. She does SISTERS! While you can never be sure what feel, however, that Macbeth is often too nice is actually in their cauldron, you can rest of a guy to actually pursue his dreams ... assured they’re cooking up trouble! perhaps she can help him along? As the King of Scotland, DUNCAN is always As a dear friend of Macbeth and fellow great on the lookout for traitors and tyrants. He general, BANQUO recognizes that Macbeth seems to have taken a particular liking to may be acting a little strangely lately, but Macbeth (and his military successes) as of what’s a best bud to do? late. MACDUFF, the Thane of Fife, also smells MALCOLM and DONALBAIN are both something amiss with Macbeth. In this sons of Duncan, with Malcolm being heir to time of war, he had best watch out for the throne. With all these traitors running his family—LADY MACDUFF and his around, it’s best for these two to watch their children! backs! It always seems like ROSS, LENNOX, Originally an honored general in Duncan’s ANGUS, MENTEITH and CAITHNESS army and Thane of Glamis, MACBETH seems (all Scottish Thanes) are hanging around, to have larger, more royal aspirations. He whether they’re with royalty or military men. seems to be acting a little weird since he visited with the Three Witches. FLEANCE is Banquo’s son. As no one seems safe, even the son of a great general needs to beware.

READ MORE ABOUT IT We encourage you to explore the following books and websites for more information.

Shakespeare, Shakespeare, William. The http://absoluteshakespeare. William. Macbeth: Complete Pelican Shakespeare. com/ Oxford School Penguin Classics, 2002. Did you Want to know more about the Shakespeare. Oxford like Macbeth? Want to see more? Bard? Check out this website University Press. 2009. Check out Penguin’s complete for info, pictures, quizzes and so You’ve seen the play, now collection of Shakespeare’s work, much more! you can read it and enjoy it at including his plays and poetry. http://www.pangloss.com/ home! With the Oxford School http://shakespeare.mit.edu/ seidel/Shaker/ Shakespeare and its textual notes, Can’t afford the complete works Bullies getting you down? Take you’ll always know exactly what’s of Shakespeare? Go online and the high road and issue your going on in the story. find them at MIT’s website where retorts Shakespearean style. you can read them all, in their entirety!

3 *Spoiler alert* carry out the plan. Lady Macbeth has taken care of distracting the guards, but Macbeth is As the play opens, something is rotten stopped outside the chamber by a vision of a in the state of Scotland. Traitors have been bloody dagger floating in the air before him. banding together against King Duncan and Though it haunts him and seems to foretell the land is locked in the turmoil of war. misfortunes to come, he still enters the Thunder and lightening rain down on three chamber and kills the king. witches as they plot their next meeting— with Macbeth. Afterwards, Macbeth is so shaken he can’t carry out the second part of the Back on the front lines, Duncan and plan—planting the evidence on the king’s his attendants receive a wounded sergeant. guards (thereby framing them). He’s really He shares the good news that Macbeth and losing it now—hearing things and seeing Banquo have triumphed over the traitor things—so Lady Macbeth has to pull it all Macdonwald and the combined forces of together and take care of the guards herself. Norway and Ireland. It seems that finally The bloody pair slips to bed as there is a Scotland can return to normal. knocking somewhere in the castle. After their triumph on the battlefield, Macduff and Lennox arrive at the Macbeth and Banquo discuss the strange castle, and are taken with Macbeth to the weather and the war. They are met on a king’s chambers. Macduff finds Duncan’s heath by the three witches, who share with body, and in a fit of feigned rage Macbeth the two men a series of prophecies. They tell kills the guards before they can tell their Macbeth that in addition to his title of Thane side of the story. The king’s sons, Malcolm of Glamis, he shall soon be Thane of Cawdor and Donalbain, have fled (for their safety), and then King of Scotland. They tell Banquo though their disappearance makes the that he shall father a line of kings though others suspect them as newly turned not be one himself. As the men attempt traitors. Though Macduff privately suspects to question the witches in disbelief, the something isn’t quite right with Macbeth, he witches disappear. Just then, Ross enters and doesn’t say anything when Macbeth is named tells Macbeth the king is delighted with his king. heroics on the battlefield. Ross also shares that as a reward, Duncan has named Macbeth Now that he’s king, Macbeth’s mind the Thane of Cawdor. has not eased. He worries constantly about the witches’ prophecy that Banquo will Macbeth begins to wonder—are the father a line of kings, and immediately seizes witches and their prophecies genuine? He an opportunity to kill him and his son as writes a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth, they return for a banquet (he hires murders informing her of the fortune-telling. She to carry out the deed for him). At the feast begins hatching a plan to help him secure that night, Macbeth makes a scene as he sees the throne, to which he reluctantly agrees. the ghost of Banquo. No one else can see King Duncan can’t seem to get enough the ghost, so it appears Macbeth is insanely of Macbeth, insisting upon visiting for shouting at an empty seat. dinner and staying the night in Macbeth’s Evermore unhinged, Macbeth visits castle. It is on this fateful night that Lady the three witches for further guidance. Macbeth’s plan is put into action—she wants They conjure up three apparitions (ghosts her husband to kill the king. After everyone or ghostlike images) with three pieces of has eaten and Duncan has gone to bed, advice and reassurance for the king. The Macbeth approaches Duncan’s chambers to first apparition tells Macbeth to beware of to gather up forces (including the Earl of Macduff. The next informs him that no man Northumberland’s army) to take Scotland born of woman can harm the king. And back from Macbeth. The army plants itself finally, the third apparition fortells that in Birnam Wood, each soldier camouflaging Macbeth will never lose his kingdom until himself by tying a bough (a branch of a tree) the forest of Birnam Wood marches to high to himself. As they march on Dunsinane Dunsinane Hill against him. Hill, it appears as though Birnam Wood is marching on Dunsinane Hill. Back at Macbeth’s castle, Lady Macbeth has become overwhelmed with Shaken by the fulfillment of the guilt. She stumbles around in a sleepwalking prophecy but not entirely deterred, Macbeth stupor, continually attempting to wash the takes to the battlefield under the assurance blood from her hands. Meanwhile, Macbeth that no man born of woman can harm him. wastes no time in attempting to eliminate As the battle comes to a head, he meets Macduff. Macbeth’s murderers arrive at Macduff, who tells him that he was not Macduff’s castle too late however, as he has born of woman. Rather, Macduff was ripped departed for England, but they do kill his from his mother’s womb (like a modern day wife and children. C-Section). Far too late, Macbeth realizes he has misread the prophecies. The battle ends In England, Macduff and Malcolm with Macduff beheading Macbeth, and the meet to try and figure out what to do throne being restored to Malcolm. next. After Ross shares the news of the slayings of Macduff’s family, they decide

Ambition The State of Scotland The Supernatural In the beginning, Macbeth was a While Macbeth isn’t the most moral Throughout the play, there is an successful guy—winning battles of men, what do you think of the eerie otherworldly influence. From for the royal army and running his world he lives in? In the beginning the onset, thunder and lightening territory as Thane of Glamis—but of the play, traitors threaten the seem to mirror the disorder on when the three witches presented sanctity of the nation. Throughout stage. The three witches conjure him with the prophecy, he began the story, nobody seems to really evil prophecies and apparitions to to chase after larger dreams. Was trust anyone, and when they do tempt Macbeth into wrongdoing. Macbeth wrong to want more than (like Duncan trusting Macbeth) Ghastly images haunt Macbeth he had? Or was the problem with it ends in disaster. In order to throughout the play, punishing how he pursued his dreams? If achieve anything, someone has to him for his ill-begotten ways. What you were Macbeth, what would kill someone else. What does the do you make of the supernatural in you have done differently? Could state of Scotland seem to reflect this play? Do you think things like he still have achieved his dreams for the world of Macbeth? Do you this are real? Or are they just silly? without his extreme means? think leaders should behave this Do you have any superstitions? way? How do you think an ideal Are you afraid of the dark or being leader would carry him or herself? alone? Why?

5 Hurlyburly: noisy confusion or tumult Metaphysical: of or relating to abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, Ere: before cause, identity, time and space Heath: an area of open uncultivated land Compunctious: causing a feeling of with characteristic vegetation of heather and guilt or regret coarse grasses Pall: gloom, heaviness or fear Graymalkin: an old or evil-looking female cat Beguile: to charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way Paddock: (noun) a small field or enclosure where horses are kept or exercised, (verb) to Martlet: a bird depicted on an emblem keep or enclose a horse in such a small field like a swallow without feet or enclosure Surcease: relief or consolation Anon: soon, shortly Quell: put an end to a rebellion or other Kerns: a light-armed Irish foot soldier disorder, typically by use of force; also to suppress Gallowglasses: an elite class of mercenary warriors from the Highlands of Palpable: able to be touched or felt Scotland Hecate: Greco-Roman goddess associated Valor: great courage in the face of danger, with magic and crossroads; the goddess of especially in battle witches Sooth: truth Murther: murder Thane: a man who held land granted Surfeited: to desire no more of something by the king or by a military nobleman, as a result of having consumed or done it in ranking between an ordinary freeman and a excess hereditary noble. Equivocate: to use ambiguous language Sieve: a utensil consisting of a wire or mesh to conceal the truth or avoid committing held in a frame, used for straining solids oneself from liquids, for separating coarser from Scruple: a feeling of doubt or hesitation finer particles, or for reducing soft solids to with regard to morality or propriety of a a pulp coarse of action Prophetic: accurately describing or Parricide: the killing of a parent or other predicting what will happen in the future near relative Corporal: of or relating to the human Jocund: cheeful and lighthearted body Malevolence: having or showing a wish Prologues: an event or action that leads to do evil to others to another event or situation Toil: work extremely hard or incessantly Repentance: feeling or expressing sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing Laudable: deserving praise and commendation Wanton: deliberate and unprovoked Malady: a disease or ailment Harbinger: a person or thing that signals or announces the approach of another was actually a descendent of royalty, and The Tragedy of was a cousin (on his mother’s side) of King Macbeth ... or the Duncan. Because of complicated rules for the passing of the crown, there was some History of Macbeth? dispute over Duncan’s claim to the throne. Even though Macbeth felt he was the you know that Shakespeare wrote rightful heir to the throne, he tragedies (plays in which the hero instead humbly served in his dies at the end), comedies cousin’s royal army. In 1040, (plays in which everything after political tensions ends happily, usually in a between northern Celtic series of weddings), and sentiments (under histories (plays based on Macbeth’s leadership) real historical figures and and southern Saxon events), right? Which influence (with one is Macbeth? Duncan’s favor) came If you go by the title, to a head, Macbeth The Tragedy of Macbeth, killed Duncan on then you would surely the battlefield in call the play a tragedy. It Morayshire. He became doesn’t seem to end well for king and married Gruoch, the play’s namesake, there also descended from royalty. aren’t any weddings in the end, It seemed his right to the and it certainly isn’t based on real throne was finally fulfilled. historical figures or events...or is it? While in the play Macbeth carries on As little of Shakespeare’s work is the with a paranoid blood lust, most of the creation of something entirely new (he real-life Macbeth’s 14-year rule was actually usually adapts or borrows characters and quite peaceful. He was known for his fair and ] Can you name stories from other sources), it should come lawful rule, imposing order and encouraging any other plays as no surprise that Macbeth is in fact based Christianity. He even made a pilgrimage to or movies that on characters who actually lived. Don’t be Rome for a papal jubilee. Macbeth’s end, are based on alarmed, though—while Shakespeare’s work in a similar fashion to the play, came at real-life events? may not always be 100% original in plot, the the hands of Siward, Earl of Northumbria. way he crafts the story is always inventive, Siward’s political interests were aligned with ] What can artistic creative and often a complete re-imagination Duncan’s son, Malcolm (who happened to adaptations of of the source. As such, the real Macbeth be Siward’s nephew), and in 1054 Siward actual events wasn’t exactly the serial killer Shakespeare waged war on Macbeth. Though Macbeth teach us? How? paints him to be. was a brave leader and had quelled two other uprisings, he met his doom on the The real Macbeth (Mac Bethad mac battlefield in 1057. With the campaign being Findlaích) lived from 1005-1057, and was successful, Malcolm was named the new King Mormaer (think chieftain or earl) of his of Scotland. realm, Moray. He was an important man who inherited his title and wealth from his father, Finlay. In fact, unlike in the play, Macbeth

7 Historians speculate he was born three days who is this guy? earlier (coincidentally St. George’s Day), Just who is William Shakespeare? Such a though no hard evidence exists one way or simple question seems to deserve a simple the other. answer, but just like the theatre and Macbeth, the answer isn’t quite so simple. Growing Up First of all, when you ask the question, Shakespeare was born and grew up in “Who is this guy?” you need to be clear on Stratford-upon-Avon, a market town and who you’re looking for. After all, you may civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. seek the famous football player William He was the third of eight children for John Shakespeare who was a halfback and punter and Mary Shakespeare, and one of only five for Notre Dame. Or maybe you’re looking for that survived to adulthood. Shakespeare’s the man who mapped the uncharted areas of siblings (in order of birth) were Joan, Northern Arabia for England around the turn Margaret, Gilbert, Joan, Anne, Richard and of the 20th century, William Shakespeare. Edmund. Still yet you might be looking for William William’s father was both a savvy and Shakespeare the inventor, who you can industrious man, keen as a businessman thank for the level-winding fishing reel. and good with tanning, leatherwork and And while each of these fellows has a fame whittawering (using white leather to make of his own right, none can stack up to the items like gloves and purses). John was also legend known simply as “The Bard,” or prominent in politics, being one of 14 town William Shakespeare—perhaps the greatest council burgesses (member of governing playwright to ever live (his work has been body). Later on in life, however, John would translated into nearly every language and be mixed up in some shady dealings with is performed more than that of any other wool on the black market, causing him to playwright). lose some standing and his position in the town council. You might assume that since he was the rock star of playwrights, we’d know everything Less is known about Shakespeare’s mother, about The Bard, including his favorite foods Mary Arden. She married John in 1557 and and all the scandals he was involved in. was the youngest daughter of a prominent Unfortunately, however, if we rewind to Warwickshire family. Other than her Elizabethan England (that is, England from inheritance (which was much of her father’s around 1558 to 1603), there was no TMZ, estate), marriage and children, little else is internet or paparazzi, so information about known about Mary Arden. Shakespeare’s life is actually pretty limited. John Shakespeare’s home, located on In fact, there’s even debate as to whether Henley Street about 100 miles northwest of or not he was really the actual author of all London, is believed to be the birthplace and 37 plays and 154 sonnets! What little we childhood home of The Bard. The home still know about him comes from public record— stands today and serves as a museum and registrar records, court records, wills, popular visitor attraction. marriage certificates and his tombstone. Schooling Birth Don’t tell your parents (or your teacher!), While we know that William Shakespeare was but we really don’t have any proof that baptized on April 26, 1564, no one really Shakespeare ever went to school. It’s often knows for sure when he was actually born. presumed and widely accepted that he

8 attended King’s New Grammar School (where all boys in Stratford-upon-Avon went), though we have no conclusive evidence either way. If he did go, his education would have been intensely focused on Latin, grammar and the classics, which would explain his deep knowledge of literature and ability to wield words so well. Don’t tell your parents this either, but we have no evidence that William ever went to college. Marriage Shakespeare's house in Stratford-upon-Avon Because of a bond certificate (posted by two neighbors of the bride—Fulk Sandalls was a part owner of the playing company and John Richardson—noting there were no Lord Chamberlain’s Men. The company impediments to the marriage) we know that became the King’s Men after King James I Shakespeare was married to Anne Hathaway adopted them in 1603. Shakespeare was also on November 28, 1582. William was only 18 known to be an actor in the company, with years old while Anne was 26. many of his works including special direction for actors when such a thing typically did Six months later (May of 1583), Hathaway not exist in scripts. gave birth to their first child, Susanna. Twin children, Hamnet and Judith, were born in Last Will and Testament February 1585, though Hamnet died when he was just 11 years old. Public records indicate that The Bard died on April 23, 1616 (which, ironically, eerily The Lost Years coincides with his suspected date of birth— April 23, 1564). He left his second-best bed After his marriage and children were born, to his wife Anne Hathaway while giving there is little record of what happened most of his estate to his daughter Susanna. in Shakespeare’s life before his theatrical This isn’t actually as bad as it seems, as the success. It is believed he left his family in best bed was always reserved for guests, Stratford to find work in London, returning while the second-best bed was the marriage little until 1609. While he was in London, bed. William Shakespeare’s last words can be legend has it that Shakespeare was a found on his tombstone— schoolmaster and/or that he minded the horses of theatre patrons in London. Only Good friend, for Jesus’ sake, forbear stories support either claim, no real evidence To dig the dust enclosed here; exists. Blest be the man that spares these stones And curst be he that moves my bones. The Playwright Arrives Am I a Shakespeare? It appears that by 1592, Shakespeare had arrived on the theatrical scene as a While there are those who may have the playwright in London. He apparently had same name and claim some ancestral earned enough notoriety to be called “an relation, William’s direct family line ended upstart crow” by fellow (jealous?) writer when his granddaughter Elizabeth died in Robert Greene. By 1594, the “upstart crow” 1670.

9 the scottish play... Break a Leg and other theatrical While it might seem like a good-spirited notion to wish your best friend good luck superstitions before they go on stage, don’t do it! It’s actually bad luck! Actors always wish one Believe it or not, the theatre is a very another good luck by instead saying, “break a superstitious place. Many actors in particular leg.” As with saying "Macbeth," an actor can have a series of superstitions that they are remedy an accidental “good luck” by going very serious about. outside, spinning What do you think around three times, about these beliefs? spitting, cursing and then knocking to be Macbeth, let back in. AKA,The This superstition Scottish Play is also shrouded in Due to various legends mystery and there of injuries and deaths is much debate in its production as to its actual history, Macbeth is origin. Some say it considered a cursed is simply that the play. Actors tend to superstition works in refer to the play as opposite. That is—if “The Scottish Play” wishing good luck instead of by its is bad luck, then title, especially when wishing something they are inside a theatre. To say "Macbeth" bad like breaking a leg should be good luck. while in a theatre or rehearsal space for any Others believe the superstition comes from production is to tempt injury or death of the notion that Elizabethan audiences (or someone in the cast. If an actor does happen audiences from Shakespeare’s time) would to utter the word, one of the "cures" is to bang their chairs on the ground instead of exit the building, spin around three times, actually applauding. It stood to reason that spit, curse and then knock to be allowed if an audience liked the performance well back in. enough, they’d break one of the legs of the chair. Still yet another explanation comes Where does this superstition come from? from Vaudeville, where you wouldn’t be paid Many believe that Shakespeare used actual for a performance if you didn’t get on stage spells for the witches’ chants. For this and complete your act. The side curtains, reason, to speak lines from the play (just called legs, needed to be passed through (or like the title) is bad luck, particularly those broken) in order to get onstage. of the witches. It is also thought that the superstition has arisen from the fact that Whatever you do, don’t presume that anyone there is more swordplay in the show than in performing on a stage wants you to bid him other plays, opening the door for a greater or her “break a leg.” For example, never tell potential for injury to performers. a ballerina to break a leg, it’s considered bad luck! Don’t Whistle While You workers enough light to see and not anger Work ... in the Theatre! them, and it also keeps actors from falling off the stage and injuring themselves. Though it may seem odd, it is considered bad luck for an actor to whistle in a theatre. This superstition isn’t hard to get to the Much like sailors, in the past theatrical bottom of—it’s scary in the dark! And, riggers used coded whistles to communicate quite frankly, the backstage area can be a cues for scene changes. If an actor whistled, hazardous place without some kind of light. it could easily confuse a rigger into changing There is almost always a dimmed or blue the set or scenery, which could not only shaded lamp burning backstage so that actors result in a botched production but an and crew can safely move on and off stage unsafe situation for performers. While today without injury (or running into a ghost!) headsets and cue lights tend to indicate such changes, the superstition persists. Ghosts Along with straight superstitions, theatrical folk also tend to be very afraid of ghosts. In fact, one such superstition is that the theatre should be closed one night a week so that ghosts can have a chance to perform their own plays. You might notice that most theatres are closed (or are “dark,” in theatrical terms) on Mondays. The Loretto-Hilton Center is said to have its own legends involving ghosts, though nothing that seems harmful or mischievous. There are many stories of carpenters and technicians working late at night and sensing The Real Thing an unknown presence, and a few have claimed to even have been aided by ghosts While the line between real and theatrical when working up on the cat walks above is often a blurry one, there are a few the stage. Legends tell of individuals half superstitions about what can and cannot be asleep that have nearly fallen while working, real onstage. It is bad luck to use real money, only to find themselves mysteriously and mirrors, flowers or jewelry on stage. inexplicably grabbed and helped back to a While mirrors have their own superstitions ledge when no one else is around. attached to them outside of the theatre Ghost Light (don’t break one or it’s seven years bad luck!), the beliefs surrounding money and Ever seen a theatre completely dark? Maybe jewelry are actually rooted in something very if you’re in the audience in a blackout after real—fear of theft! The last thing a performer or before a scene you can’t see it, but there is wants to do onstage is find a crucial prop traditionally a light downstage center. There missing! And flowers? Well, many people are is also always some sort of light burning allergic to certain flowers. You certainly don’t backstage. The reasoning is that the light want one of your actors sneezing his or her either wards off ghosts or at least gives way through a performance. “MACBETH: Art not without ambition, but without Two truths are told, The illness should attend it. What thou As happy prologues to the swelling act wouldst highly, Of the imperial theme—I thank you, That would thou holily; wouldst not gentlemen. play false, This supernatural soliciting And yet wouldst wrongly win." Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, ] What does Lady Macbeth think of Why hath it given me earnest of success, Macbeth and his drive (or lack thereof) Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of to be king? How do you think Lady Cawdor. Macbeth feels this success can be If good, why do I yield to that achieved? Is Macbeth capable and suggestion desiring this action? Is Lady Macbeth Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair admirable in her pursuit of her husband’s And make my seated heart knock at success? Or is she devious? my ribs, Against the use of nature? Present fears “MACBETH: Are less than horrible imaginings: She should have died hereafter; My thought, whose murther yet is but There would have been a time for such fantastical, a word. Shakes so my single state of man that To-morrow, and to-morrow, and function to-morrow, Is smother’d in surmise, and nothing is Creeps in this petty pace from day to But what is not day To the last syllable of recorded time, ] After finding out the first part of the And all our yesterdays have lighted fools witches’ prophecy is true, Macbeth is The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief uneasy with what it all might mean. candle! While the first part, becoming Thane of Life's but a walking shadow, a poor Cawdor, has been a reward he deserved, player Macbeth has doubts about whether That struts and frets his hour upon the becoming king can be similarly rewarded. stage When the opportunity to reap rewards And then is heard no more: it is a tale occurs in your life, how do you react? Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Are you paralyzed by the prospect and Signifying nothing." believe you don’t deserve the reward? Are you inspired by the prospect and ] Immediately after hearing about his pursue the dream in earnest? To what wife’s death, Macbeth gives this famous lengths would you go to achieve your speech. How do you think he feels about ends? the death of Lady Macbeth? Does this speech echo feelings of regret? Or do you “LADY MACBETH: think Macbeth is enveloped in his own Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and evil and unable to feel any such remorse? shalt be What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o’the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great;