Macbeth, Part 7: Analyzing a Production Answers

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 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? The spirits that knowAll mortal consequences have pronounced me thus:‘Fear not, Macbeth; no man that’s born of womanShall e’er have power upon thee.’ Then fly, false thanes,And mingle with the English epicures:The mind I sway by and the heart I bearShall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 3 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth is alternating between instructing Seyton to ready him for battle and ordering the doctor to cure Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking. A stage direction has been added before the doctor’s last line.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. [To Doctor.] Doctor, the thanes fly from me.[To SEYTON.] Come, sir, dispatch. [To Doctor.] If thou couldst, doctor, castThe water of my land, find her disease,And purge it to a sound of pristine health,I would applaud thee to the very echo,That should applaud again.—[To SEYTON.] Pull’t off, I say.—[To Doctor.] What rhubarb, cyme, or what purgative drug,Would scour these English hence? Hear’st thou of them?Doctor. Ay, my good lord; your royal preparationMakes us hear something.Macbeth. [To SEYTON.] Bring it after me.I will not be afraid of death and bane,Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane.[DOCTOR looks perplexed by Macbeth’s request and stealthily sidles away.]Doctor. [Aside.] Were I from Dunsinane away and clear,Profit again should hardly draw me here.

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 8 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth and Macduff are fighting each other. At another location, the leaders of the rebel army are evaluating the progress of the battling forces at the castle. A stage direction has been added in the middle of the excerpt.Retreat. Flourish. Enter, with drum and colours, MALCOLM, SIWARD, ROSS, the other Thanes, and Soldiers.Malcolm. I would the friends we miss were safe arrived.Siward. Some must go off: and yet, by these I see,So great a day as this is cheaply bought.Malcolm. Macduff is missing, and your noble son.[ROSS approaches SIWARD with head slightly bowed and a somber expression.]Ross. [To SIWARD.] Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier’s debt:He only lived but till he was a man;The which no sooner had his prowess confirm’dIn the unshrinking station where he fought,But like a man he died.Siward. Then he is dead?Ross. Ay, and brought off the field: your cause of sorrowMust not be measured by his worth, for thenIt hath no end.

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 3 of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth has just heard the reports about the large English army, and he has called upon Seyton, his chief servant, to discuss what he has heard. The stage direction regarding Seyton’s entrance has been expanded.Enter SEYTON. He bows and respectfully addresses MACBETH.Seyton. What is your gracious pleasure?Macbeth. What news more?Seyton. All is confirm’d, my lord, which was reported.Macbeth. I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack’d.Give me my armour.Seyton. 'Tis not needed yet.

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

Which statement describes an example of a costume in a play?

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

Review the photo. This scene from a 2004 production of Macbeth shows Macbeth reacting to the appearance of Banquo’s ghost.Photo by Manuel Harlan (c) RSC

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