Macbeth William Shakespeare Macbeth FACTS ABOUT the CHARACTERS

Saddleback EducationalSaddleback Publishing

STUDY GUIDE STUDY GUIDE

The Timeless Shakespeare Study Guides provide a wealth of reproducible support materials to help students extend the learning experience.

Features include critical background notes H T E B C A M - E D I U G Y D U T S on both the author and the times, character descriptions, chapter summaries, and eight “universal” exercises—focusing on plot, theme, character, vocabulary, important literary terms, and book report structure.

ISBN-13: 978-1-61651-162-3 ISBN-10: 1-61651-162-1 STUDY GUIDE macbeth William Shakespeare Macbeth FACTS ABOUT THE CHARACTERS

Duncan, the King of Scotland; Lady Macduff, Macduff’s wife . a good and honorable man who is To punish Macduff, Macbeth has her murdered by Macbeth and her family murdered

Macbeth, the Scottish Thane Ross, Macduff’s cousin (nobleman) of Glamis and a general in Lennox, a thane, loyal to Duncan Duncan’s army Seyton, Macbeth’s aide Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife Siward, an English earl . He helps Banquo, a thane and a general in Malcolm in the fight against Macbeth Duncan’s army . A friend of Macbeth’s, he is later murdered by him Young Siward, Siward’s son . He bravely faces Macbeth in a duel and is Fleance, Banquo’s son . He escapes killed when his father is murdered The Three Witches, supernatural Malcolm, Duncan’s eldest son and beings who tell Macbeth and Banquo heir about certain events that will occur in Donalbain, another son of Duncan’s the future Macduff, a thane, loyal to Duncan

SUMMARIES BY ACT ACT 1 Scotland is at war . Near a battlefield, They also tell Banquo, another general, three witches meet during a storm . that he will be the father of many kings . They plan to greet Macbeth, one of the Later, King Duncan, his sons Malcolm Scottish generals, before the setting of and Donalbain, along with Banquo and the sun . Meanwhile, a soldier comes to other lords, go to Inverness, Macbeth’s King Duncan with a report about the castle, for a visit . In her wish to be battle . He speaks of Macbeth’s great queen, Lady Macbeth encourages her bravery on the field . To reward Macbeth husband to kill Duncan . for this, Duncan gives him the title Thane of Cawdor . That evening, the ACT 2 three witches use this title when they While Duncan is sleeping, Macbeth greet Macbeth . They surprise him by kills him . Lady Macbeth smears the predicting that he will soon be king . drugged and sleeping guards with

6 TIMELESS SHAKESPEARE LITERARY GLOSSARY aside lines spoken by an actor that the conclusion the resolution of all plot other characters on stage supposedly conflicts, bringing a story to a close cannot hear; an aside usually shares That play’s conclusion was very the character’s inner thoughts with the satisfying. Every conflict was audience resolved. Although she appeared to be calm, dialogue words spoken by the characters the heroine’s aside revealed her inner in a novel or play terror. Amusing dialogue is an important element of most comedies. backstage the part of the theater where actors prepare to go onstage, where drama a story, usually not a comedy, scenery is kept, etc . especially written to be performed by Before entering, the villain impatiently actors in a play or movie waited backstage. The TV drama about spies was very suspenseful. cast the entire company of actors performing in a play event something that happens; The entire cast must attend tonight’s a specific occurrence dress rehearsal. The most exciting event in the story was the surprise ending. character a fictional person or creature in a story or play figurative language colorful wording Mighty Mouse is one of my favorite not meant to be taken literally, but to cartoon characters. form a colorful, sharp picture in the mind climax the outcome of the main conflict of a play or novel A “screaming” headline may be set in large type, but it makes The outlaw’s capture made an exciting no sound at all. climax to the story. introduction a short reading that comedy a funny play, film, or TV show presents and explains a novel or play that has a happy ending The introduction to Frankenstein is My friends and I always enjoy a in the form of a letter. Jim Carrey comedy. motive the internal or external conflict the struggle between characters, force that makes a character do forces, or ideas at something the center of a story What was that character’s motive Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde illustrates for telling a lie? the conflict between good and evil.

8 Shakespeare Plays 31 CHARACTER STUDY: ______(TITLE OF PLAY)

name ______date ______

Review the Glossary definition of character . Then name two important characters from the play you just read . Write a brief description of each .

1. Character: ______

Description: ______

2. Character: ______

Description: ______

3. Which character did you find most interesting? ______Explain why . ______

4. Describe the main conflict this character faces . ______

5. How is this conflict finally resolved? ______

6. Does the plot’s outcome make the character happy or unhappy? ______Explain how . ______

7. What information in the play helped you understand this character? Write three lines of dialogue or description . ______

8. On the back of this sheet, write a sentence telling how you and the character are alike . Then write another sentence telling how the two of you are different .

name ______date ______

1. Review the Glossary definition of conflict . Then describe one example of a conflict in this play . ______2. Review the Glossary definition of figurative language . Then find two examples in the play and write them on the lines . ______3. Select your favorite short lines of dialogue from the play . Write them on the lines . ______4. Describe the setting of the play . When and where does the story take place? ______5. Review the Glossary definition of motive . Explain the motive, or driving force, behind the main character’s actions . ______6. Review the Glossary definition of climax . Then describe the outcome of the play’s main conflict . ______7. Think about a major event in the play . What was the main character’s point of view about that event? Explain how the playwright revealed that character’s point of view . ______

name ______date ______

Imagine you are a theater critic for a newspaper . Your job is to tell your readers about the play you just saw . Before you write your review—which will contain both fact and opinion—you must take notes . Use this form to gather the information you will use in your article . ______

1. Imagine that you attended the gala opening-night performance . Name a fictional theater, and describe how the audience reacted to the play . ______

2. What type of play is this? (Examples: comedy, tragedy, mystery, action, etc .) Name more than one type, if appropriate . ______

3. Describe the main character in two or three sentences . Use meaningful details . ______

4. Describe two or three supporting characters . Explain each character’s relationship to the main character . ______

5. Write one or two lines from the play as examples of powerful description . (Hint: Look for vivid sights, sounds, smells, or feelings .) ______