Today’s Macbeth Schedule

Today’s Macbeth Schedule • Review Act 1 Sc. 1-2 • Listen to Act 1 Sc. 3 • Watch Act 1 Sc. 1-3 • Head to Library for ISU Selection

Macbeth Act 1 Scenes 1-3 Film: 0:00 – 16:30

Character List • 3 Witches • Duncan (King of Scotland) • Malcom (King’s Son) • Captain (of King’s Army) • Lennox (Scottish Nobleman) • Ross (Scottish Nobleman) • Macbeth (Thane of Glamis/Cawdor) • Banquo (General of King’s Army) • Angus (Scottish Nobleman)

Scene 1 • Thunder and lightning crash above a Scottish moor • Three haggard old women, the witches, appear out of the storm. • In eerie, chanting tones, they make plans to meet again upon the heath, after the battle, to confront Macbeth • As quickly as they arrive, they disappear

Scene 2 • King Duncan of Scotland asks a wounded captain for news about the Scots’ battle with the Irish invaders, who are led by the rebel Macdonwald • The captain, who was wounded helping Duncan’s son Malcolm escape capture by the Irish, replies that the Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo fought with great courage

Scene 2 Cont’d • As the captain is carried off to have his wounds attended to, the thane of Ross, a Scottish nobleman, enters and tells the king that the traitorous thane of Cawdor has been defeated and the army of Norway repelled. • Duncan decrees that the thane of Cawdor be put to death and that Macbeth, the hero of the victorious army, be given Cawdor’s title.

Scene 3 • Three witches appear and talk about what they have been doing (up to no good) • The third witch cries that Macbeth is coming. • Macbeth and Banquo come upon the witches and shrink in horror at the sight of the old women

Scene 3 Cont’d • Banquo asks whether they are mortal • He also wonders whether they are really women, since they seem to have beards like men. • The witches hail Macbeth as Thane of Glamis (his original title) and as Thane of Cawdor • Macbeth is baffled by this second title, as he has not yet heard of King Duncan’s decision.

Scene 3 Cont’d • The witches tell Banquo that he is lesser than Macbeth and greater and that his kids will sit the throne • After the witches leave, Banquo and Macbeth are baffled • Ross and Angus come into the scene and explain to Macbeth that he has been made Thane of Cawdor (the witches prophecy comes true) • Macbeth then wonders if the prophecy will continue and he will become King • Macbeth whispers to Banquo that, at a later time, he would like to speak to him privately about what has transpired

Roman Polanski’s Film Version • Roman Polanski's pregnant wife and several of his friends were all senselessly murdered by members of the Charles Manson cult • He quit his current film project and sank into deep psychological depression, blaming himself for the tragedy • After months of grieving, he set to adapting Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth, but major Hollywood studios refused to finance it • It is important to note that it is not a word for word translation of the original play

ISU Selection • When you have chosen a book you can: • Start reading your book quietly • Read your book and begin to work on your proposal (Due September 18th) • Review the Macbeth Study Questions for Act 1 Sc. 1-3

Today’s Macbeth Schedule