Articles for Guided Research Papers

Well, there's bad news and good news. (^_^)

First, the bad news: I cannot get access to all of the articles provided in class to post online. However, the good news is that I can provide you with temporary access to these five files. Click on them to read online, download, or print.

Bernad - The Five Tragedies in Macbeth
Kirsch - Macbeth's Suicide
Mushat Frye - Macbeth's Usurping Wife
Ramsey - The Perversion of Manliness
Tromley - Macbeth and His Porter

Again, photocopying the articles at school is also an option. Just let me know if you'd like to borrow any to copy at lunch.

Resources for Writing Guided Research Papers

The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue College is an excellent resource for everything you could ever want to know about writing clearly, using research well, and learning MLA format. I relied heavily on their website throughout my B.A. degree.

For the upcoming research paper, you'll find these two sections most helpful:

• Using Research
• MLA Formatting and Style Guide
  

Words, Words, Words: Macbeth, Act IV

This word cloud for Macbeth, Act IV shows the most important words in the act. In a word cloud, the more frequently a word is used, the larger it appears in the image. You can see at a glance what the characters are talking about most often.

Take a close look at the image and share your impressions in the comments. (Click on it to see a larger version.) You might want to use these questions to guide your response.

What predictions can you make for Act IV based on this image?

Why are the names that appear largest mentioned so often? Who do you think is talking about them? What might happen with the characters you see here?

What ideas are most important?

How would you describe the atmosphere and mood of this act based on the word cloud?

How might the key themes of Macbeth be developed in this act?

Are there any words that surprise or confuse you in the word cloud? How do you think they might be used?

Please submit your comment before 11 pm on Sunday night (March 18). Remember to attach your name to your comment so that I can give you credit for your insights!

Downloadable Macbeth Audio

If you're interested in having Macbeth audio on your own computer or mp3 player, you can download this 1966 radio production from BBC:

Macbeth (1966) - BBC

It's a little over the top sometimes, but hearing it aloud as you read along often makes it much easier to understand, even if the version is a bit corny.

Manga Macbeth Glossary

Check this out! There are a few graphic novel and manga versions of Macbeth available. I haven't yet found any that you can access online, but I did find this glossary of tricky words and phrases. The nice thing is that it has the speaker's picture next to it, which might help those of you who are more visual in your learning.

http://www.mangashakespeare.com/glossary/MACBETH_Glossary.pdf

Make-up Test

What: make-up test on Macbeth introductory notes
Who: students who were absent Friday or made an appointment with me for a retest
When: at the lunch bell (no later than 12:10); the test should take 30 to 40 minutes
Where: Room 312
Why: an opportunity to dazzle me with your understanding!

*** Remember to bring your lunch

Monday: Act 1, Scene 7 Performance

"A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come."

Brad Butland and Kate Cooper Butland of Hubcity Theatre Company will join us Monday morning for a dramatic rendering of Act 1, Scene 7! They brought years of acting experience to playing the parts of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in last summer's Shakespeare in the Park production of Macbeth.

Please demonstrate respect and appreciation for our guests by:
- preparing for their visit by reading the scene and answering the questions (1,2,4,7)
- arriving BEFORE the bell
- giving them your full attention at all times
- making thoughtful contributions to the discussion and Q&A session

Assignment:
In order to get the most out of our time with them, please submit a question for Brad and/or Kate in the comments below. (Remember to attach your name to the question so that I will be able to give you credit for it.)

You might ask about their development of character and relationship, changes or challenges they encountered in rehearsing the roles, the justification for their acting choices, or their perspectives on themes relevant to the scene.

I am looking for questions that give evidence of your ability to think critically by delving below the surface into motivations, justifications, inferences, and connections.

Deadline:
To receive credit, you must submit your thought-provoking questions no later than 11:00 pm Sunday night. I'm looking forward to hearing what you're wondering about the scene and the performance.

This is all very exciting!