EA 190: Discussion Questions Week 3 A. Major characters in Macbeth: choose one of the following to answer. 1. Trace the development of Macbeth’s character over the course of the play, listing page numbers and lines. 2. Trace the development of Lady Macbeth’s character over the course of the play, listing page numbers and lines. How does Lady Macbeth understand herself as a woman? How is gender (masculinity) related to ruthless ambition in her mind? What are the key moments for her decision-making process? When do things start changing for her? How is she related to the witches? Does she have a choice or is she fated? B. Minor Characters in Macbeth: choose one of the following to answer 1. How do the witches function in Macbeth? Are they a source of evil or do they simply reflect an evil that already exists in Macbeth’s heart? 2. Duncan, Malcolm, Macduff, Edward the Confessor: how are each of these minor characters used to contrast Macbeth? B. Imagery in Macbeth: Choose one of the following kinds of imagery to analyze. How does the imagery function in the play to support the development of theme, mood, and/or character? SIGN UP HERE by April 17 at 10 pm. Weather imagery, especially as a sign that social relations have been disturbed. Animal imagery (ravens, owls, horses etc.). Blood imagery (in war, relating to guilt). Play imagery -- look for places where Macbeth seems to be describing his situation as if he is a character in a play. Why would he think of himself this way? Clothing (indicating new rank or status, mental state etc.) Hallucinations – how do they function in the play? Are they real or simply projections of the character’s imagination?
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