Transcript Playwrighting 101

Playwrighting 101
Structure and Function in Macbeth
Act I, scene i – “The Witches”
Set the mood (scary, foreboding).
Introduce the Supernatural
(the Wëird Sisters).
Establish Macbeth as a pawn
(if you wish).
Act I, scene ii – “Setting the Scene”
Establish the plot and certain key characters.
Introduce Macbeth
(heroic: valiant, loyal, skillful, cold-blooded, fatedisdaining)
Introduce Duncan
(good king: inspiring loyalty and rewarding good
service)
Introduce Malcolm (king’s son, weak fighter)
Act I, scene ii (Continued)
Introduce Banquo
(Macbeth’s right-hand and comrade-in-arms)
Foreigners and mercenaries
(Their presence indicates that there was no popular
support for the rebellion.)
Thane of Cawdor
(Traitor. His title goes to Macbeth.)
Act I, scene ii – (Continued)
“Bellona’s Bridegroom”
(Probably not Macbeth, despite what your textbook
suggests. This is a matter of some debate in the
Shakespearean community. How about Macduff,
who is, after all, the Thane of Fife?).
Act I, scene iii – “First Encounter”
First Steps in Macbeth’s Transformation
(The “Stairway to Hell”)
“So fair and foul a day. . .”
Under their influence, or just simpatico?
“Why do you start, and seem to fear. . .”
Initial, gut reaction
[Also, provides a ‘close-up’ on Macbeth]
“Your children shall be kings. . .”
The first “equivocation”
Act I, scene iii – (Continued)
“This supernatural soliciting. . .”
Assessing the situation
“If chance will have me king. . .”
Waiting, for now
Banquo – a loyal, concerned friend
“That, trusted home. . .”
Act I, scene iii – (Continued)
Prophecies
Macbeth : establish a linkage (Glamis – Cawdor-King)
Banquo: will become a distant threat
Act I, scene iv – An Unforeseen Obstacle
This is the first scene set in a castle
(“Civilization” as opposed to the Wilds)
Death of Cawdor
“A careless trifle. . . “
“An absolute trust. . .”
More deception from Macbeth
“The service and loyalty I owe. . .”
Act I, scene iv – (Continued)
The succession established
Macbeth takes another step
“In my way it lies. . .”
Act I, scene v – Lady Macbeth
(Establishing the Relationship)
The letter
“My dearest partner of greatness”
100% on board
“[Thou] shalt be/ What thou art promised”
Doubts about Macbeth
He “lacks the illness should attend it [taking the
throne]” Your book calls it “wickedness”. It’s more
complex than that.)
Act I, scene v – (Continued)
She means to convince him
“Hie thee hither. . .”
“Unsex me here” Soliloquy (Fair turns Foul)
A direct appeals to the Forces of Darkness
Take away her womanly nature
No “remorse”
Mother’s milk turned to poison
A (brief) glimpse of a passionate relationship
Act I, scene v – (Continued)
Time to act!
“Never/ Shall sun that morrow see”
Can Macbeth disguise his emotions?
“Look like the innocent flower. . .”
Macbeth’s last word
“We will speak further”.
Act I, scene vi – Poor, good Duncan
Function: A little breather
Between the horrible actions of scene v and scene vii
Poor, trusting Duncan
“This castle hath a pleasant seat. . .”
Dissembling Lady Macbeth
Act I, scene vii – The Die is Cast
Part I: Reasons not to kill the king
The key: “We but teach/ Bloody Instructions. . .”
“We will proceed no further. . .”
Part II: Macbeth knuckles under
What doesn’t work
“Such I account thy love”
“Art thou affeared?”
Act I, scene vii – (Continued)
What starts to work
“I have given suck. . .”
What does finally work
“When Duncan is asleep. . .”
The End Result
“I am settled and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.”