Exploring character in "Macbeth"

Working in a small group choose one of the following characters and make notes in answer to these questions. Make sure that you give evidence for your answers in the form of references to the play or quotations.

1. Lady Macbeth
2. Macduff
3. Banquo
4. Lady Macduff
5. The witches

• What do we know about this character's personality and attitude?
• Does this change during the course of the play? Explain.
• Does the character reveal things about another character through his or her actions, dialogue or by comparison.
• What do we not know about the character and his or her thoughts, feelings or motivations?

Send your notes to Mrs Grehan by email by the end of the lesson and they will be collated on the class blog. We will discuss in class tomorrow.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

The play is called “The Tragedy of Macbeth”.

What is at the heart of that tragedy? Revisit the concept of the tragic hero, both in general and as it relates to Macbeth.

Are Shakespeare's tragic heroes 'fatally flawed'? Discuss - Jstor

www.jstor.org/stable/41556463

MACBETH AS TRAGIC HERO - JStor

www.jstor.org/stable/27795368

Explore all of the contributing factors in Macbeth’s downfall. Now write a paragraph giving your own thoughts and feelings about Macbeth at the end of the play and what you see as the heart of his tragedy.

Week 2 Homework

Write a page in which you reflect on the use of the “Fair is foul, foul is fair” motif in Act 1.

What do you understand this apparent paradox to mean?  Trace its overt use - use quotations to do this - but also use it to reflect on the characters. For example, how does it affect your view of Macbeth who is introduced as brave and noble?

Publish to your blog by 4 pm Thursday this week.