This page is for class members’ comments and discussion.
Rules for comments:
“Do not upon every trifle make an action of revenge, or of defence. Yet be the cause never so just, go not with him neither further nor suffer him to fight if possible it may be by any means to be otherwise ended and will him not to enter into so dangerous an action, but leave it until necessity requires it. . . Therefore fly all rashness, pride and doing of injury . . . think not yourself invincible, but consider that often a very wretch has killed a tall man, but he that has humanity, the more skillful he is in this noble science, the more humble, modest and virtuous he should show himself both in speech and action, no liar, no vaunter nor quarreller, for these are the causes of wounds, dishonor and death.”
ADMONITIONS to the Gentlemen and Brave Gallants of Great Britain against Quarrels and Brawls by George Silver, Gent., 1599.
Spencer,
I have noticed the same myself. I’m not sure why there is such a substantial difference in the number of scenes, but less scenes could be due to a less intricate plot. For instance, although A Midsummer Night’s Dream has more intertwining plots (the lovers, the mechanicals, the court, and the fairies), they come together, and there is less needed scene change. Macbeth, however, is jumping between villains and kings who are killing and being killed all over the place. I believe that sort of action requires more scene change.
Clarissa
I was wondering why some plays have a high number of scenes per act (Macbeth, with about 8 scenes per act) and others like Midsummer and Julius Caesar have 1 or 2 scenes per act.
Does anyone know?
Thank YOU, Lydia. The class was a pleasure to teach. It really was my favorite class of all the classes I’ve taught — thanks to you and the other students!
Michael
Thank you so much Dr. Fox for having this class for us! 🙂
Thanks Dr. Fox, Now I know what my next Netflix movie will be!
Thanks for the help.
Hi Abe
I think that Titus Andronicus is generally considered to be Shakespeare’s goriest play. But gore is in the mind of the director: just about any of the tragedies can be staged (or filmed) to make them especially gory (or not). Roman Polanski’s 1971 film of Macbeth is extremely gory, and my own production of that play at Long Beach City College was pretty gory as well. My guess is that the new film of Coriolanus, directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes, will be pretty far up there on the goriness scale.
I was wondering what you considered to be Shakespeare’s goriest play?
Hi Sandra
i asked the students to memorize 4 to 6 lines from a speech in either Macbeth or Midsummer. I also asked the students to be prepared to discuss their final projects.
Hi Dr. Fox,
So sorry we missed your class last week but looking forward to this week. Haven’t seen anything posted for homework from last week though… can I assume there was none?
Sandra
Hi Sandra
Please don’t stress — though I really appreciate the effort! The assignment was to draw a scene (a specific moment) from Midsummer (and to note the line of the play spoken at the time). I would prefer to think of it as being staged rather than filmed, but it’s certainly okay to imagine it as a film instead. The amount of detail is entirely up to Rachel and Elizabeth. And cutting and pasting is perfectly all right — in fact, I suggested using a collage if people wanted to do that.
If you would like more help, please send me an email or give me a call.
Thanks.
Michael
WOW… this weeks assignment for the storyboard is proving to be very tough for Elizabeth and Rachel! We have lots of paper in the bin, not a lot in the “let’s keep” pile and a whole lot of frustration lol. If I may ask… the assignment was to draw a scene from the play based on it being on the stage or in a movie? How much detail is required and would cutting and pasting be considered “cheating”? You certainly got us all thinking this week Dr. Fox!!! 🙂
After watching Macbeth on Netflix streaming we wanted to watch A Midsummer Nights Dream also. We found a 1968 version on streaming and a 1981 BBC version on Amazon instant that were very different in feel and performance. Interestingly enough Elizabeth and Rachel both liked the 1968 version best! There is another later version starring Michelle Pfieffer but there is a charge for that one so we haven’t seen it. We love seeing how the actors portray the characters and how differently we feel about them based on the way they look or perform.
I wanted the girls to read the play before we watched it so that they can get some perspective on how they feel about it before being influenced by “acting”. So far we have only read (and watched) the homework assignment but we are enjoying it immensely and the girls thought Act 1 Sc 2 especially hilarious. I know that the girls are understanding and remembering the play because they were very indignant when certain phrases were omitted from the 1981 version.
Looking forward to reading (and watching) the rest of the play 🙂
Sandra Swingler
Sandra, thank you so much for the reference. I’ve been looking for a really good version to watch. And guess what… This version is available instant streaming on Netflix!
Thanks, Sandra!
Here are some links re: Patrick Stewart’s Macbeth:
http://bardfilm.blogspot.com/2010/10/watch-patrick-stewarts-macbeth-in-its.html
http://video.pbs.org/video/1604122998/
http://theater.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/theater/reviews/15macb.html
Well!!!! After reading the entire play, Elizabeth, Rachel and I have just finished watching “Macbeth” with Patrick Stewart taking the lead role. It was a 3 hour performance and totally riveting….we only took breaks out of ultimate necessity lol. If you haven’t seen this particular version of the play we can HIGHLY recommend it. It is set in a 40’s era but the language is totally authentic to the original writing. It made the play so much easier to understand with the actors expressions and emphasis on certain words and phrases.
BRILLIANT absolutely BRILLIANT!
The party was so fun!! There was a lot of food!
Dr Fox-
Your new page (Create Your Own Shakespeare) is fabulous!
AWESOME job putting together the site!
Clarissa
Hello everyone…
This is the first part of an animated summary of Macbeth on youtube. It’s kind of cheesy, but fun for younger siblings and people who are into comic strips.
When part one is done, it automatically takes you to part 2, and then part 3.
It’s roughly 20 minutes:
enjoy!
; )
Clarissa
I found it interesting that Macbeth, who was a real king of Scotland, reigned just before the time of the Battle of Hastings (a.k.a the Norman Conquest).
Hello CHEP Shakespeareans!
I have added a new page to the website. It’s called Create Your Own Shakespeare!
It’s about the very different ways that Shakespeare has been interpreted and performed over the years.
Check it out!
I’m having a great time reading Macbeth right now. I love how dramatic it is!
What does everyone else think?
It may be a semantic thing, but I would prefer to redefine “argument” as “debate.” I’m constantly telling these 2 not to “argue,” so they have a specific definition of that word in mind…
Actually, Clarissa, I don’t mind large scale arguments. I think some big arguments would be great! You’re right, though, about avoiding bad language or getting nasty.
I see. Thank you for explaining!
Because, Audrey, some people can say rude things on discussion pages, and Dr. Fox wants to avoid large scale arguments or bad language. These comments are particularly interesting because they were taken from a Medieval Document of rules for dueling.
Hope that helps you understand!
~ Your big sister = )
Hi Audrey
The “Rules for Comments” are really meant to be more humorous than serious. On the other hand, I do want to keep the comments civil and friendly, even when there is disagreement. In other words, feel free to duel, but duel nice.
Michael
Um. . . Why do you have the ‘Rules for Comments’?
ATTENTION SHAKESPEAREANS!
We will be doing some ACTING tomorrow, so please be sure to read or reread the Notes on Acting Shakespeare and the Reading Shakespeare’s Poetry sections of this website — and be sure bring your copy of Macbeth to class tomorrow!
Thanks!
Michael
Hi Joe
The next class (Wed., April 13) is at CHEP South.
Dr. Fox
Where will the next class be held? My friends and I got different locations.
Joe
Hi Clarissa
I did not understand Act 1 and it gave me a hard time. Thanks for the summary; it was very helpful. I can’t wait for class tomorrow.
Max
I have added the next week’s assignments to the Class Outline. Under each week’s section, you will see the assignment for the following week.
For this Wednesday’s class (Week 3) the assignment is:
Read the website pages on Acting Shakespeare and on Reading Shakespeare.
Bring your sonnet in to class (if you’d like, you can read it, or perform it, for the class).
Read Act I of Macbeth.
Thanks!
Michael
wow! lovin’ the new pics
Joe
Lidnesy:
In the comment “Can anyone else understand this play?” are you saying that you understand it,but can anyone else? Or are you asking if anyone can understand it? Dr. Fox wrote a comment implying that you’re having a bit of a tough time understanding it. If that is the case, here’s a synopsis of Act 1:
The play takes place in Scotland. Duncan, the king of Scotland, is at war with the king of Norway. As the play opens, he learns of Macbeth’s bravery in a victorious battle against Macdonald—a Scot who sided with the Norwegians. At the same time, news arrives concerning the arrest of the treacherous Thane of Cawdor. Duncan decides to give the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth.As Macbeth and Banquo return home from battle, they meet three witches. The witches predict that Macbeth will be thane of Cawdor and king of Scotland, and that Banquo will be the father of kings. After the witches disappear, Macbeth and Banquo meet two noblemen Ross and Angus, who announce Macbeth’s new title as thane of Cawdor. Upon hearing this, Macbeth begins to contemplate the murder of Duncan in order to realize the witches’ second prophecy.
Macbeth and Banquo meet with Duncan, who announces that he is going to pay Macbeth a visit at his castle. Macbeth rides ahead to prepare his household. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth informing her of the witches’ prophesy and its subsequent realization. A servant appears to inform her of Duncan’s approach. Energized by the news, Lady Macbeth invokes supernatural powers to strip her of feminine softness and thus prepare her for the murder of Duncan. When Macbeth arrives, Lady Macbeth tells him that she will plot Duncan’s murder. When Duncan arrives at the castle, Lady Macbeth greets him alone. When Macbeth fails to appear, Lady Macbeth finds him is in his room, contemplating the weighty and evil decision to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth taunts him by telling him that he is a wimp for hesitating. She then tells him her plan for the murder, which Macbeth accepts: they will kill him while his drunken bodyguards sleep, then plant incriminating evidence on the bodyguards.
Hope that helps!
Clarissa
This is a fascinating documentary series about Shakespeare and his lifetime. If you have Netflix, you can get it free streaming, and I’m sure that those of you who don’t have Netflix can seek it out at the library. This is the description, from http://www.Netflix.com:
In Search of Shakespeare
(2003) PG
This series aims to establish a chronology of the life of preeminent scribe William Shakespeare. The Bard’s adventures during the 16th century and his inspiration for his work are performed in part here by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Genre: Biographical Documentaries, TV Documentaries, PBS Documentaries
This show is: Cerebral
Format: DVD and streaming
Clarissa
I like the new Macbeth page.
Those are really cool and gorry pictures.
Hi Everyone,
I have added a new Macbeth: Questions page to the Approaching Shakespeare website. It also includes links to some other websites that I think might be helpful.
The questions are things you might want to think about when reading the play — and things we might want to talk about in class (or here on the Discussion page). Check it out!
Also, if you find other websites that are helpful, please post them here on the Discussion page so everyone can use them!
Thanks!
Can anyone help out Lindsey?
Hi Joe
Thanks for the question. In general, we will not be reading the plays together. I would like everyone to read each play on his or her own before the class. However, I do expect that we will be reading aloud and even performing some parts of the plays as a group (with a little bit of time in class to rehearse). For example, I want to have the class perform the opening witches’ scene (and perhaps more) on Wednesday. And I do hope that you and everyone else will give their opinions — although I would prefer to think of it as participating in the discussion!
Dr. Fox
Are we going to be reading the shakespeare material as a group, or are we supposed to read it individually and give our opinion in class?
Joe
Can anyone else understand this play?
Lindsey
Dr. Fox,
Act 1 of ”Macbeth” is amazing! My mom, Rachel and I just finished reading Act 1 this morning and we can’t wait to see if Macbeth and Lady Macbeth get away with King Duncan’s murder. Lady Macbeth is really quite a scary woman and she doesn’t have any patience at all does she. I wonder if Macbeth says he will kill Duncan more for her or for his promised throne? She really makes him feel small and unmanly by making fun of him. I just think that’s mean!
See you on Wednesday!
Elizabeth S.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
Dr. Fox
I wanted to let you know that your website is very helpful and cool. I liked the pictures to go along with the theme of each part. I also enjoyed reading everyone else’s comments.
Elizabeth J
Thank you, Georgia, for your honest response to reading the play. Macbeth is certainly dark. You could say that it is a play about darkness — perhaps even a cautionary tale about the power of darkness (or what Yoda calls the “dark side of the Force”) to overcome our better natures. It is very close in this sense to the early morality plays we discussed, in which the powers of darkness and light, heaven and hell, battle for the soul of Everyman (and the winner depends on the choices that Everyman makes). You might want to ask yourself who or what is the real villian of the play. You might also notice that the play is in some ways strikingly similar to the comedies of Arden Forest, where magical things happen. Even in the comedies (and Midsummer in particular), the Forest has it’s dark side.
This will make for a great discussion! We should also ask ourselves why we — meaning our culture — love plays and stories (and of course films) that feature murder, betrayal, and revenge!
A frank admission…
I most definitely have an easier time with the comedies, but after reading Act I of MacBeth, I think it is because I wouldn’t be overly fond of this material even in modern english. I tend towards comedies and documentaries, and books with light hearted, likeable characters, and avoid anything with a lot of dark characters.
So here is an opportunity to stretch myself! I am challenging myself to see if I can say “I enjoyed reading MacBeth” by the time I am done with it!
Remember to use this site as a place to (positively) vent if you are struggling! Don’t feel like you can only post about how fabulous Shakespeare is!
I have started reading “Macbeth” now. I think it’s pretty interesting. I’m glad, Clarissa, that your mom chose these editions because I can read what words and phrases mean, and therefore understand what’s going on. 🙂
Max,
Here is one website that has some info about what we do and don’t know about Shakespeare’s “lost years.” Hope it helps:
http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/william-shakespeare-lost-years.htm
Dr. Fox,
Your class is terrific!
Margaret
At the beginning of Macbeth (pages XV – XXIV), there are some very interesting and helpful notes on Shakespeare’s Language and Life. They are a good way to assist your understanding of the whole play, and have helped my sister, my mom, and myself to decipher the language of Macbeth.
Let’s see who answers this first… = )
Clarissa
Thank you so much, Sandra!
As one of your more “mature students” I wanted to tell you how much fun I had in your class today. I only wish it had been so entertaining, enlightening and enjoyable when I visited Shakespeare 30+ years ago.
I am especially thrilled to see my children Elizabeth 9 and young Rachel 7, get so involved and energized by you and your dynamic class.
We love it!
Sandra (mommy) Swingler
Michael,
thanks so much for having this class! It’s helping me learn things about Shakespeare and Europe during his lifetime that, of course, I never knew before! 🙂
I thought so. = )
I want to let everyone know that Spencer was correct about the date of the first printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440.
Thank you, Max!
This really is a great site and I really love the class. How would we find out about Shakespeare’s life or if possible about the lost years?
Thank you, Craig! I really enjoy working on it.
this must have taken you a long time to make this website! cool!!!
Lindsey and Clarissa: Thank you both very much! I justed added a new page (that I’m still working on) on Shakespeare’s poetry.
Class:
Is anyone here doing something on Shakespeare for the CHEP expo?
That could be possible, if you’re up at 26 minutes past midnight. ; ) Unless your computer does it automatically.
I can’t wait until class on Wednesday!
Clarissa
Clarissa: It might be because the time noted for the comments are when they are approved, rather than when they are actually posted.
Dr. Fox,
I thought your class was very fun. I learned alot about Shakespreare that I didn’t know. I can’t wait until Wednesday. I think that this website is really cool and i enjoy looking at it and reading post. I look forward to learning more interesting facts about Shakespeare and how to preform his work.
Lindsey
Your class was wonderful, Dr. Fox! I can’t wait until the next class, when we talk about sonnets. = )
One note: it appears as though the date and time that the comments were posted is messed up, or my computer isn’t reading them properly. The site claims that Spencer is up at 26 minutes past midnight tonight and that you are replying to comments at 8:22 tonight. So, either something is up with the times, or you and Spencer time travel.
See you next Wednesday!
Clarissa
Thank you, Spencer.
I really enjoyed having you in my class and I look forward to more, too!
Dr. Fox,
I really enjoyed your class, today, and look forward to more!
And since brevity is the soul of wit,
I shall bid thee farewell for now.
Spencer