The Characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Ah...our third and final blog for Macbeth.  Now that you've finished the play, evaluate either Macbeth or Lady Macbeth's character.  What type of person was he/she at the beginning of the play?  How was he/she at the end?  In what ways did his/her character change and how much affect did the sin have on his/her life?  Hypothesize what he/she could have done differently to avoid distruction and when in the play he/she should have done it.  Also write a personal response--what did you learn from the character and his/her trials?  Spiritually (from a Christian viewpoint), how could you avoid their pitfalls? 

Here's the last we see of Lady Macbeth.  As you watch it, think about how much her character has changed since the beginning of the play.  How much has sin in her life affected her?

 

Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene. 

 

Remember to post your comment and respond to one other classmate.

Macbeth--here we go!

Welcome to our English classes' Macbeth blog! Weekly, I'll be posting different questions and tidbits of information for you. You'll be required to respond to my posting and one of your classmates. When you respond, be sure to include your actual name (the one we use in class--no pseudonyms!) and the name of the person to whom you're responding. Make sure your responses are thoughtful and that you thoroughly answer the questions (remember, this is for a grade)! Also, show proper "netiquette" by being respectful to others and remember--this is an educational blog! Your postings need to relate specifically to our classwork.

Remember, if you need help understanding the play, go to  http://nfs.sparknotes.com/macbeth/ to see a side-by-side reading of each act and scene.

Alright, any questions? Let's begin.

Question #1--Read Psalm 119:9-16  at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20119&version=NIV.  How does a person stay on the "path of purity"?  What specific actions does the passage suggest one should do?  Is it easy to do these actions?  Why or why not?  What hinders you from staying on the "path of purity" and how do you deal with it?

In light of this, describe Macbeth's character in Act I. What kind of man is he? What are his characteristics? How and why do you think he fell off the "path of purity"?  List at least two characteristics with quotes from the dialogue to support your answers (cite Act, scene, lines--i.e. I, ii, 63-65). For a list of character traits, you can download a list of emotions from http://www.sba.pdx.edu/faculty/mblake/448/FeelingsList.pdf.

Macbeth's Themes, Symbolism and Imagery

Now that you've been reading Macbeth and seeing different themes, symbols and images emerge, share two of them with us.  Identify two themes or symbols or images, cite where they are found in the play (Act, scene, line--i.e. II, iii, 35), and discuss their significance in the play.  How does Shakespeare show the themes through characters, setting and plot?  What are we to learn from those themes today?  What Biblical morals does Shakespeare express through his themes?  What scriptures come to mind?  How do the symbols and imagery further the development of the plot, characters and themes?  How does Shakespeare's use of symbolism and imagery enhance your reading and viewing experience? 

Here's a symbolic image from Macbeth to spark your imagination.


What do you think this represents?  (Just think about it; no need to post a response to this picture.)