Macbeth, Part 7: Analyzing a Production Answers

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 3 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth is claiming that he does not care about the rebels who are on their way to try to dethrone him. A new stage direction has been added to describe Macbeth’s actions after his entrance.Enter MACBETH, Doctor, and Attendants. MACBETH paces back and forth across the room.Macbeth. Bring me no more reports; let them fly all:Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane,I cannot taint with fear. What’s the boy Malcolm?Was he not born of woman

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. The doctor and a gentlewoman are discussing Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking. A new stage direction has been added to describe the doctor’s actions.Doctor. I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?Gentlewoman. Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.Doctor. [Looking pensive and writing on a notepad.] A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual performances, what, at any time, have you heard her say?

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Then, review the photo, which shows this scene being acted out in a 2011 production of the play. While sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth kneels as she attempts to wash away an unseen spot from her hands.Lady Macbeth. Out, damned spot! out, I say!—One: two: why, then, 'tis time to do’t.—Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.Photo by Ellie Kurttz (c) RSC

Question is locked

Review the photo. This scene from a 2007 production of Macbeth shows Lady Macbeth urging Macbeth to leave his murder weapons behind after he kills King Duncan.Photo by Stewart Hemley (c) RSC

Review the photo. This scene from a 1999 production of Macbeth shows Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after they are crowned king and queen of Scotland.Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale (c) RSC

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 5 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Then, review the photo, which shows this scene being acted out in a 2007 production of the play. Siward is at the front of the stage, and Malcolm and Macduff are on either side behind him.Malcolm. Now near enough: your leafy screens throw down.And show like those you are. You, worthy uncle,Shall, with my cousin, your right-noble son,Lead our first battle: worthy Macduff and weShall take upon 's what else remains to do,According to our order.Siward. Fare you well.Do we but find the tyrant’s power to-night,Let us be beaten, if we cannot fight.Macduff. Make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath,Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death.Photo by Hugo Glendinning (c) RSC

Review the photo. This scene from a 1946 production of Macbeth shows a meeting of the three witches.Photo by Angus McBean (c) RSC

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 3 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Then, review the photo, which shows the scene being acted out in a 2011 production of the play. Seyton, Macbeth’s chief servant, dresses Macbeth in his armor to ready him for battle as the leaders of the rebel army look on in the background.Macbeth. Throw physic to the dogs; I’ll none of it.[To SEYTON.] Come, put mine armour on; give me my staff.Seyton, send out.Photo by Ellie Kurttz (c) RSC

Review the photo. This scene from a 1938 production of Macbeth shows Hecate expressing disapproval to the witches for neglecting to include her when meeting with Macbeth.Photo by Ernest Daniels (c) RSC