Coleridge once wrote about Shaespeare's drama that "the interest in the plot is always . . . on account of the characters, not vice versa." What do you think he meant? Do you agree based on your experience of MACBETH? Support your answer.
What would be gained or lost by omitting Malcolm's lengthy test of Macduff (4.3)? Support your response. Act 3, Scene 1: Macbeth meets with two murderers, but three take part in Banquo's murder in Scene 3. Some think that the third murderer is Macbeth. Is this plausible? Would that help explain his behavior at the banquet? Support your answer. NOTE: You may also want to make some inferences about why Teller and Posner leave the third murderer out if their production. Thriftless ambition . . . ~ Ross in Macbeth 2.4.28-29 How might what Ross says about the ambition of Malcolm and Donalbain be applied to Macbeth?
In Act 2, scene 3, what evidence do you see of Scottish nationalism or the lack thereof?
What do Macbeth's and Banquo's asides to each other after hearing the witches' prophecies reveal about each man?
Without the witches' prediction, do you think Macbeth and Lady Macbeth would be satisfied with their place in life? Explain why?
Characterization through physical traits:
What is the effect of the supernatural elements that Shakespeare has included in the opening act? |