Introduction to Shakespeare

Macbeth Introduction

Act I and

Warm Up 9/10

What is your prior experience with
the works of Shakespeare? What
connotation does his name have
to you?

2

Intro to Shakespeare and Macbeth

◉
For our next unit, we will be reading
Shakespeare’s famous tragedy: Macbeth

◉Today we will delve into some background
information and historical context on both the play and Shakespeare himself.

◉Rather than bore you with a lecture on
Shakespeare that you’ve probably heard a
thousand times, today we will play True or
False with facts on his life and the world he
lived in.

3

Shakespeare True or False!

Or

Kahoot!

4

Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon, the son of a professional “ale taster”.

True

False

Shakespeare married his wife, Anne Hathaway, when she
was 3 months pregnant with their first child.

True

False

The Globe Theater, where Shakespeare’s plays were
performed, stayed open even during the Black Plague.

True

False

Shakespeare had a relative who was executed for plotting
against Queen Elizabeth I.

True

False

Shakespeare has been credited with creating over 3,000
words in the English language.

True

False

All of Shakespeare’s sonnets were written about his wife.

True

False

Shakespeare spent time in jail for tax evasion.

True

False

Shakespeare’s gravestone has a curse that he wrote
himself engraved on it.

True

False

William Shakespeare did not write all of his plays! He took
credit for some of them, when they were actually written
by an anonymous author.

True

False

Macbeth Webquest

◉
To obtain some more background information on the play, you
will now complete a webquest assignment on Canvas.

◉
Make sure you read the instructions and look at each source
carefully to find the answers! You will need to make a copy of the
document to edit it and then submit it on Canvas.

◉
The rest of the time is yours to work!

14

Let’s Look Ahead and Get Our Heads Ready to Read

Do you believe that fate or free will
determines what will happen to us in
life? Essentially, do you believe that we
are destined for certain things before
they happen (fate) or that we are entirely
responsible for our own choices and
their effect on us (free will)? Explain in
the chat!

15

Macbeth Act 1, Scenes 1-3

◉
Today we are responsible for the first 3
scenes of Act 1 of the play.

◉
To get us used to the language of the play
and learn more about the characters, we
will read the first 3 scenes together.
Tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to
work in small groups to read.

◉
We will alternate between reading aloud
and watching a performance of these
scenes. I will pause us after important lines
to discuss and check in for understanding,
so be prepared to speak up (either in the
chat or aloud)!

16

Scenes 1-3 Discussion Board

◉ To reflect on what we’ve read today, please complete

the Act 1 Discussion Board post on Canvas.

◉ Please write in complete sentences and answer all

questions in your response! It should be at least a
paragraph.

◉ As always, please reply to 1 other classmate’s post

thoughtfully in 1-2 sentences (not just “I agree”...).

◉ The rest of the time is yours to work!

17

Warm Up 2/2

Describe the witches from Scenes 1 and
3 in your own words. What do they look
like? How do they speak and act? What
is their effect on other characters?

18

Macbeth Act 1 Scenes 4 and 5

◉Today you will work in groups to read Scenes 4 and 5 of the play.

◉After you read, you will need to complete the Act 1 Discussion Board
post on Canvas independently.

◉Remember to answer each question in your response, which should be
at least a paragraph.

◉Additionally, as always, please reply to 1 other classmate’s post
thoughtfully in 1-2 sentences (not just “I agree”...).

◉Once you finish reading with your group, you may log off and work on
your discussion board post. However, if you want to stay on with your
group as you work, you may do that as well! Just remember that
everyone is required to post on the board independently.

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Reading Groups Google Meet Links

Group 1:

Group 2:

Group 3:

Group 4:

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Macbeth Act 1 Scenes 1-5 Discussion Board

◉
To reflect on what we’ve read today,
please complete the Act 1 Discussion
Board post on Canvas.

◉
Please write in complete sentences and
answer all questions in your response! It
should be at least a paragraph.

◉
As always, please reply to 1 other
classmate’s post thoughtfully in 1-2
sentences (not just “I agree”...).

◉
The rest of the time is yours to work!

21

Warm Up 2/3

What is your first impression of Lady
Macbeth based on her first appearance in
the last scene? How do you imagine she
operates within her relationship with
Macbeth?

22

Macbeth Act 1 Scenes 6

Take about 8 minutes to read Scene 6
independently. It is VERY short, and
essentially is just there to move the plot
along, so don’t spend too much time on
it!

We will briefly discuss what happens
after 8 minutes to make sure we are
ready for the last scene of the play.

23

Scene 7 Class Discussion

◉ As a class, we will take a look

at Scene 7 together.

◉ Just like with Scenes 1-3, I will

frequently pause so we can
discuss and make sure
everyone is on the same page.
Be prepared to share either
the chat or aloud!

24

Bio Poems: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Your task for today is to create a bio-poem.

Let’s take a look at the assignment in Canvas together.

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