Macbeth

Use these activities to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

ACTIVITY 1: “Wielding Witchcraft”

In this activity, students will reflect on the influence of the three witches in the play and, working in small groups, write and perform a scene in which they visit a character other than Macbeth and change the course of the play.

The three witches wield immense power over the trajectory of the play. Discuss the influence of the three witches on the character Macbeth and the series of events in the play. Where does their power lie? How do they use it? Why do they use it? What other characters could they influence? Imagine a prediction they could make to another character that could change the events that unfold.

PART 1: Write a Scene

• Brainstorm with your group another character whom the witches might visit to change the plot of Macbeth.
• Write a scene in which the witches visit the character.
• Write in the voice of the characters.
• Include details from the setting of the play.

PART 2: Perform Your Scene

• With your group, practice performing the scene.
• Perform the scene for the class, and discuss with them how the visit by the witches altered the outcome of the play.

Teaching Suggestion: A discussion or writing reflection after the performances can extend analysis of characters, motivation, and how the new scenes alter the play.

Differentiation Suggestion: Encourage students who need accelerated challenges to create a set, write in Shakespearean language, or include soliloquies or monologues as well.

ACTIVITY 2: “Competing Perspectives in the News”

In this activity, students will review characters’ perspectives in Macbeth and write two different news articles about events in the play.

While news is supposed to be unbiased, often it is not in the world today. Write about the ending of Macbeth from two different perspectives. Imagine two separate newspapers writing about what happened: the battles, the death of Lady Macbeth, the death of Macbeth, Malcolm becoming king. How might each newspaper view what happened differently? How might the different newspapers represent characters like Macbeth and Macduff in different ways?

PART 1: Write the Articles

• Draft and revise the articles.
• Include a picture for each.
• Write an engaging title for each.

PART 2: Share Your Articles

• Share and read the articles in your class.
• Discuss the examples of bias you notice.

Teaching Suggestion: Studying specific bias examples before students write can provide students with more guidance they can use as models.

• ProCon.org: a site with articles on two sides of issues, demonstrating how people can write about the same topic with different perspectives