In the following lessons, you will read and study the classic Shakespearean play Macbeth.
You will answer questions and learn about this Play’s key elements.
You will play game quizzes reviewing this play’s content.
You will complete a 3 minute timed quiz after each lesson.
Finally, you will complete a 30 minute timed quiz assessing your acquired learning for this course.
Play elements in a ‘nut-shell’…
Plot: a tragedy about a Scottish general whose ambition, spurred by witches’ prophecies and his wife’s encouragement, leads him to murder the rightful King Duncan resulting in near madness followed by his eventual downfall
Setting: 11th century Scotland at King Duncan’s castle, Macbeth’s sombre castle at Inverness, the Witches’ heath and on Dunsinane Hill battlefield
Themes: ambition, tyranny, guilt, occultism, morality, illusion, destiny
Major Characters
Duncan: the amiable and trusting King of Scotland who is about to be assassinated; father to sons Malcom and Donalbain
Macbeth: Duncan’s dangerously ambitious and fearlessly deceitful general who plots to murder Duncan and seize his throne
Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s ambitious and controlling wife who spurs her husband into killing Duncan
Banquo: Duncan’s devoted general who fails to act upon his suspicions of Macbeth
Fleance: Banquo’s son who ‘somehow’, according to the witches prophesies, might become the next ruler of Scotland
Malcom: the subtle and dutiful heir to the Scottish throne
Donalbain: the second heir next in line to the Scottish throne and Malcom’s prudent, supportive brother
Macduff: a noble, fearless fighter in Duncan’s army and Malcom’s supporter committed to thwarting Macbeth ‘at all costs’
Lady Macduff: Macduff’s luckless, caring wife who berates him for his absence from his family
The Weird Sisters: the three witches who deceivingly prophesize Macbeth’s downfall
