Macbeth Post-Reading Options

Below you will find a list of assignments that all relate to the reading of Macbeth.  They have been designed and organized to appeal to the different strengths of individuals.  You will choose TWO of the following assignments to complete, but no more than one from any category.  They will be marked on how well they relate to the novel, how they meet the requirements of the assignment, and their creativity/effort.

Intrapersonal

Write an Obituary:  Imagine you are a newspaper reporter in Scotland. You have just heard that the King of Scotland has been murdered. Your editor has asked your department to prepare an obituary for King Duncan.  The obituary will be around 200-400 words, it will include a catchy title, and it will include one quote from the book from another character specifically about King Duncan (cited correctly - act, scene, lines - I, IV, 5-8).  Make sure to include proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and interesting sentences. Use the following website to help you write your obituary - http://www.obituaryguide.com/template.php

Letter to Macbeth: Suppose you are a close friend of Macbeth’s and are aware of his state of mind. What would you say to him to give him some hope? Write Macbeth a letter advising him not to despair. If you think Macbeth is a hopeless cause, give reasons why.  Write the letter in proper format and include lots of details to help show your understanding of his character.  Use the following website to help you with your letter - http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1083/lettersamples.pdf

Found Poem: Using words and/or phrases found in the play, create a found poem that relates to some of the themes of the play.  Poems should be 12-18 lines in length.  To write it, go through the play and make a list of words and/or phrases that could be used.  Arrange the words and/or phrases into new, original sentences to create your found poem.

Logical

Lady Macbeth's Timeline: Create Lady Macbeth’s scrapbook of important events throughout the play. Be sure to include pictures, details of the events, and an explanation or journal-like thoughts about each event.  Present the timeline in an interesting and appealing format.

Character Web: Make a spider map or other web showing the relationships between the characters in Macbeth. For each character, include “branches” with the character’s personality, motivations, and fate (i.e. is killed by murderers hired by Macbeth).

Interpersonal

Diary Entry: Write a diary entry from either Macbeth or Lady Macbeth's point of view.  When writing your entry, provide your character's thoughts on important events from the play and the relationships they have with others. Respond to each event as the character would respond based on their traits in the play.  You will then pretend you are the chosen character and read this entry to the class while staying in character.

Macbeth Murder Trial: Pretend that Macbeth survives and is put on trial for the murder of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s family. If he is found guilty of first degree murder, he will be beheaded. What can Macbeth say in his defense? Which witnesses can the defense or prosecution bring in? Write a closing argument for Macbeth's defense and present it to a jury of your peers.

Musical/Visual

Macbeth Soundtrack: Choose music to compile a soundtrack for the play.  Create a list of 7-10 songs you would choose which could represent characters, events, themes, and/or moods from the play.  For each song, provide a thoughtful explanation detailing how it is connected to the play.

Comic Strip Scene: Choose an important scene or act from the play and depict it in comic strip format.  There are many comic strip creator programs for free on the web.  Use one of these programs to create your comic strip.  Include important events and dialogue from your chosen scene/act in the comic strip.

Important Images: Draw or use a computer program to create a drawing/painting which depicts a key moment or image from the play.  Include lots of detail and creativity in your drawing/painting.  In addition, you have to write a paragraph explaining why you chose the image you did, how your drawing/painting represents the image, and why it is important to the play.

Kinesthetic

Act It Out: Choose an important scene to perform and record.  This can be done as a group, as long as all members contribute equally to the performance.  In your performance, you can use your books to help you, but you should not rely on them too much.  Include props, costumes, sets, and whatever else is needed to create an effective performance.  In addition, before recording your performance, record yourself explaining why you chose to act out the scene that you did and why it was so important to the play.