Shared Document Lesson
Description of Topic
Shakespeare’s Macbeth can be a complex and confusing play in itself with its layers of symbolism and themes. However, when historical context is added, the various layers can be seen all at once and as a rounded whole. Exploring the history and culture of the time gives clarity to Shakespeare’s writing of the play. This lesson serves as an introductory point to historical context, allowing students to collaborate on a document outlining four areas of historical context that directly affect the creation and execution of the Scottish play.
Goals/Concepts
By the end of this activity, students will be able to (partially from Ohio’s Learning Standards):
- Analyze how Shakespeare’s point of view and perspective influenced his writing of Macbeth (RL.9-10.6)
- Analyze how Shakespeare alludes to and transforms source material from Scottish history and other works for his writing (RL.9-10.9)
- Research and delineate details about the historical context surrounding Shakespeare’s Macbeth
- Collaborate effectively with classmates by delegating tasks and completing a collaborative Google Doc
Description of Collaborative Document
Students will be broken up into groups of four and shared a document that they will then share with each other. They will decide on one of the four categories listed in the document to research. Students will be given time in class to research, starting with Google Scholar. When finished, they will be asked to help other members of their group to finish. By the end of class, students should have a completed document with all four areas adequately covered.
Spreadsheet Lesson
Description of Topic
Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a brilliant example of how someone’s guilt and obsession can turn into madness as that guilt and obsession is actively fed. King Macbeth’s downward spiral starts from the very beginning with Shakespeare’s masterful word choice. With close attention, the reader notices how Shakespeare indirectly illustrates Macbeth’s growing paranoia and insanity.
Goals/Concepts
By the end of this activity, students will be able to (from Ohio’s Learning Standards):
- Analyze how King Macbeth develops over the course of a text (RL.9-10.3)
- Critically evaluate Shakespeare’s word choice has an impact on the development of a character (RL.9-10.4)
This activity also engages students’ close/critical reading skills in that they must read with a purpose and actively seek out information as they read, instead of in a passive nature. After completing the spreadsheet, students should be able to analyze the data and observe how King Macbeth’s insanity increases as the play progresses simply through Shakespeare’s word choice.
Description of Data
Students will compile the data using the exact lines from the play. They will mark the act, scene, and line(s) in the first column, transcribe the actual quote in column 2, describe the context of the lines in column 3, evaluate the madness level of the quote in column 4, and rationalize their score from column 4 in column 5.
Jared Pyles 