Task: For each of the Acts below, choose a scene (any scene) fill in your understanding of the setting, background and characterization. By background I mean information and topics the actors should really know if they are to give a good performance. I've indicated in a general way the sort of background information you’d need for Act III. Yours, of course, will be much more specific. Post your responses in the portfolio section of your blog.
Act I, Scene I
Setting: The setting is outdoors, due to the thunder, lightning and rain. You get a feel that it's in a private area where there's not many/ no people around. Most likely an area that has a scary feel to it, for instance a grave yard or a forest with many dead trees.
Background: Some background you may know is witchcraft, and the fact that during the Elizabethan era people believed that witches were the cause of unlikely and horrendous events.
Characterization: For this particular scene, the characters should be aware of the witches and how gruesome and manly looking they are. They are responsible for numerous series of acts that take place. The witches will also have weird voices, long chins, and lots of warts (the stereotypical look).
Act II, Scene 2
Setting: The setting for this scene is in Macbeth's castle, which is dark gloomy, and you have a weird feel in it. Also very quite.
Background: Aristotle's tragedy, Scottish backgrounds, and the great chain of being. You may know this and realize Macbeth breaks the great chain of being.
Characterization: For this particular scene, the characterizations are Macbeth being nervous as well as Lady Macbeth. Both also being very tired. Lady Macbeth is also very harsh in this scene, most likely a sign of nervousness and exhaustion.
Act III, Scene 2
Setting: In Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's castle. In this scene they are in their chamber, which is candle lit.
Background: Backgrounds for this scene are Scottish class, role of women in Elizabethan life and theatre.
Characterization: The maid is in a hurry and quickly replying to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is very shakey in this scene, she's showing support for Macbeth, but she's nervous for what will happen to them. Macbeth is also nervous, but he doesn't really show it in his face.
Act IV, Scene 2
Setting: The setting for this scene is at Macduff's home, which would be some sort of castle. Lady Macduff realizes that Macduff has fled to England.
Background: The background for this scene is Scottish background, also the history/ role of women in the Elizabethan Era. The role of women in the Elizabethan Era was to get married to a man and rely on their income for the rest of their life. Lady Macbeth comes to realize that she won't be able to get a job and feed her family properly since Macduff fled.
Characterization: For this particular scene, the characterization is that Lady Macduff is very caring due to her caring for her family. Lady Macduff is also being impatient and rude towards Ross due to her wanting to know why Macduff fled leaving everything behind. Macduff's son is very loving and hyper just like any other child of that age. Ross (the messenger) wants to convince Lady Macduff to leave as well.
Act V, Scene I
Setting: In Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's castle. Night time as the Doctor watches Lady Macbeth as she sleep walks. There is also a storm outside while this is happening, storms are usually a sign of something bad happening or bound to happen. So, something possibly may happen to Lady Macbeth.
Background: Study of doctors and their beliefs in the Elizabethan Era, also women in this Era.
Characterization: The doctor is worried while observing Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth would be in her night gown, holding a candle, and sleepwalking. She also starts talking to herself, and starts rubbing at her hands. She has an angry face as well as an angry tone whilst this is happening.
Act I, Scene I
Setting: The setting is outdoors, due to the thunder, lightning and rain. You get a feel that it's in a private area where there's not many/ no people around. Most likely an area that has a scary feel to it, for instance a grave yard or a forest with many dead trees.
Background: Some background you may know is witchcraft, and the fact that during the Elizabethan era people believed that witches were the cause of unlikely and horrendous events.
Characterization: For this particular scene, the characters should be aware of the witches and how gruesome and manly looking they are. They are responsible for numerous series of acts that take place. The witches will also have weird voices, long chins, and lots of warts (the stereotypical look).
Act II, Scene 2
Setting: The setting for this scene is in Macbeth's castle, which is dark gloomy, and you have a weird feel in it. Also very quite.
Background: Aristotle's tragedy, Scottish backgrounds, and the great chain of being. You may know this and realize Macbeth breaks the great chain of being.
Characterization: For this particular scene, the characterizations are Macbeth being nervous as well as Lady Macbeth. Both also being very tired. Lady Macbeth is also very harsh in this scene, most likely a sign of nervousness and exhaustion.
Act III, Scene 2
Setting: In Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's castle. In this scene they are in their chamber, which is candle lit.
Background: Backgrounds for this scene are Scottish class, role of women in Elizabethan life and theatre.
Characterization: The maid is in a hurry and quickly replying to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is very shakey in this scene, she's showing support for Macbeth, but she's nervous for what will happen to them. Macbeth is also nervous, but he doesn't really show it in his face.
Act IV, Scene 2
Setting: The setting for this scene is at Macduff's home, which would be some sort of castle. Lady Macduff realizes that Macduff has fled to England.
Background: The background for this scene is Scottish background, also the history/ role of women in the Elizabethan Era. The role of women in the Elizabethan Era was to get married to a man and rely on their income for the rest of their life. Lady Macbeth comes to realize that she won't be able to get a job and feed her family properly since Macduff fled.
Characterization: For this particular scene, the characterization is that Lady Macduff is very caring due to her caring for her family. Lady Macduff is also being impatient and rude towards Ross due to her wanting to know why Macduff fled leaving everything behind. Macduff's son is very loving and hyper just like any other child of that age. Ross (the messenger) wants to convince Lady Macduff to leave as well.
Act V, Scene I
Setting: In Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's castle. Night time as the Doctor watches Lady Macbeth as she sleep walks. There is also a storm outside while this is happening, storms are usually a sign of something bad happening or bound to happen. So, something possibly may happen to Lady Macbeth.
Background: Study of doctors and their beliefs in the Elizabethan Era, also women in this Era.
Characterization: The doctor is worried while observing Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth would be in her night gown, holding a candle, and sleepwalking. She also starts talking to herself, and starts rubbing at her hands. She has an angry face as well as an angry tone whilst this is happening.
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