Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ms. Maria Radman-Favre-----Macbeth Research Paper-----English Department
Macbeth Research Paper:
In a 3-4 page paper, research one of the following topics, and obtain your information by consulting websites (some are listed below), books and/or journals.
Your paper should cite (this means that inside the body of the paper you should refer to, and quote from your sources) at least three sources from which you have obtained your information.
The when you are finished you need to complete a Works Cited page. This page is a bibliography.
Look to the end of this assignment under the “How to Write a Works Cited Page” for information as to the correct format for writing it.
TOPICS
Choose one
Research the views on witchcraft, magic and superstition held by people in Shakespeare’s day.
How do you think these views influenced the play?
What superstitions are connected with the play
What are the traditional methods of counteracting the “curse” on the play?
How would this information influence your decisions about producing the play?
Websites that provide information:
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-witchcraft-and-witches.ht
Research the social and political structure of Medieval Scotland.
What is a Thane?
What power did that title hold?
What was the traditional way for the next king to be chosen in Medieval Scotland?
What were the attitudes of the Elizabethans toward the Scottish?
What was the history of the relationship between these two countries?
What were the English perceptions of Scottish men?
Scottish women?
How did those attitudes change when James I became king?
Websites that provide information:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thane
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/macbeth.shtml
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/DuncanandMacbeth.htm
or
King James I was the patron of Shakespeare’s company, which was known as the King’s Men.
· How might the writing of the play been influenced by the interests of King James I?
What were the responsibilities and expectations of a subject toward his/her king?
What are the qualities of a good king?
What are the qualities of a tyrant?
What are the qualities of a traitor?
Websites that provide information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/james_i_king.shtml
http://scottishhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/macbeth_104057
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A4455434
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/macbethfaq.html
or
Research the history of theatrical productions of Macbeth.
· Who have been the great Macbeths and Lady Macbeths, and what has distinguished their performances?
Websites that provide information:
http://www.rsc.org.uk/picturesandexhibitions/action/viewExhibition?typeid=plays-infocus&exhibitionid=8§ionid=5
http://www.rsc.org.uk/picturesandexhibitions/action/viewExhibition?typeid=plays-infocus&exhibitionid=8§ionid=8
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A78882
Other on-line resources:
An on-line study guide for the play produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company:http://www.rsc.org.uk/macbeth/teachers/home.html
An on-line study guide for the play produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater:http://www.chicagoshakes.com/main.taf?p=2,29
Learn more about Shakespeare’s life and times at the following websites:
http://ise.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/homepage
http://www.rsc.org.uk/learning/11.aspx
http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/elizabethanengland.html
