- Read the summary of Macbeth and complete the activities underneath.
VOCABULARY
Thane was the title given
to a local royal official in medieval eastern Scotland, equivalent in rank to
the son of an earl
Defeated- derrotar Reward- recompensa Encourage- animar
Though- aunque Lack of- falta de Haunted- torturado
Hire- encargar Manage- conseguir Overthrow-derrocar
In the meantime- mientras Branch- rama Creep up- acercarse con
sigilo
Therefore- por lo tanto Whether- si... Staff- empleados
Deception -engaño Greed- avaricia Sweep up-barrer
Broomstick- escoba Revenge- venganza
SYNOPSIS of 'MACBETH' by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
-Duncan-
King of Scotland
-Macbeth,
Banquo and MacDuff- Thanes of Scotland
-Lady Macbeth
-Three Witches
Macbeth
and Banquo are Scottish generals. They have just defeated a rebellion against Duncan, King of
Scotland, and returning home they come across three witches. They
call Macbeth ‘Thane of Cawdor and king afterwards’, and that Banquo will
be the father to a long line of Kings. Shortly after this, messengers arrive to
tell Macbeth that Duncan has made him Thane of Cawdor, as a reward for
his loyal service in battle. Macbeth tells the news to his wife; Lady Macbeth
is ambitious to do all she can to make Macbeth king. When Duncan stays at
Macbeth’s castle, encouraged by Lady Macbeth’s ambition and strong
personality, Macbeth murders the king. Though some are suspicious of
him, he is made king.
Macbeth begins to suffer from lack of
sleep. He is haunted by the terrible murder he committed, but also still
keen to hold on to his power at all costs. He thinks about what the witches
said: that Banquo will father a line of kings. So Macbeth hires
murderers to kill Banquo. Later that evening Macbeth and the guests at his
castle are sitting down to a banquet; he sees the ghost of murdered Banquo
sitting in his place at the table. Only he can see the ghost, however, and in
case the guests become suspicious, Lady Macbeth manages to distract the guests.
Macbeth is
getting power mad. He goes to see the witches, who tell him first of all, to be
careful about Macduff. However the witches make him feel safe by saying
that he will never be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to his castle, seemingly
impossible. Macbeth decides to kill Macduff, who manages to escape. So
Macbeth has Macduff’s wife and children murdered. Macduff learns of his
families deaths and decides to kill Macbeth and overthrow the cruel
tyrant. Macbeth is beginning to be hated and feared by everyone. In the
meantime, Lady Macbeth, who has gone mad with guilt, commits suicide.
Macduff tells his soldiers each to take a branch
from Birnam Wood to act as camouflage as they creep up on Macbeth's
castle. Therefore the witches premonition comes true, as the wood moves
to the castle. During the final battle Macduff kills Macbeth. Macbeth questions
who we are as humans, our morality and whether our destinies are set. The
biggest lesson to be gained, naturally, is that every action has a consequence.
SYNOPSIS
of 'MACBETH'
by The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company The Pocket
Oxford's
'Macbeth' is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's most famous tragedy,
and it is presented as a play within a play (a popular Shakespearean
technique). Whist Shakespeare is writing his new play, he and his wife Anne
Hathaway are employed to manage a restaurant to earn some extra money. However,
when William and Anne arrive at the restaurant there are no staff - Before
they know it, they are all performing 'Macbeth' themselves, and they have
embarked on a tale of deception, blood and murder. The Pocket Oxford
Theatre Company takes this traditional Shakespearean play, and makes it fun and
relevant to a young, modern audience. Set in current times, using music and
dance, and with the help of the students in the audience, 'Macbeth' becomes an
exciting and educational journey exploring the themes of greed,
corruption and ambition. Welcome to our world.... A Big Mac will never taste
the same again!! We here at The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company would like to
refrain from revealing the rest of the story, in order to keep some elements of
surprise for the students.....! But you may wonder...... How will Macbeth kill
Duncan ? How much blood will Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have on their hands? How
many bodies will the Witches sweep up their broomsticks? And
how will Malcolm get his revenge?
