Macbeth Close Analysis Assignment 2015
DIRECTIONS: Read the sample passage analysis of Macbeth, 1.1.1-13. Follow the example as you write a similar analysis for each of the passages listed below. Cite the exact passage being analyzed at the head of each analysis. Then be sure to include:
1. A brief description of the characters and their actions in the passage,
2. the dominant mood of the scene,
3. a discussion of at least two elements of style that contribute to this effect, and the significance of this scene within the immediate context and within the whole play.
Assignment 1 (Due via Turnitin Thursday 3/26 before midnight)
Macbeth’s speech: I.3.140-155.
Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy: I.5.45-61
Assignment 2 ((Due via Turnitin Thursday 4/9 before midnight)
Macbeth’s soliloquy: I.7.1-28.
Macbeth’s speech: II.1.44-74.
Assignment 3 (Due via Turnitin Thursday 4/16 before midnight)
Lennox’s speech: III.6.1-27.
Macbeth’s speech: V.5.20-31
Sample Passage Analysis 1.1.1-13
The setting of this scene features the three witches, the Weird sisters, and it is thundering and lightning. The thunder and lightning contribute darkness and turmoil to the mood of the scene and reflect the ominous effect evoked by the plotting witches. As they plan when and where they will meet with Macbeth, they agree that it will be "when the hurly-burly's done/ when the battle's lost and won" (3-4). This juxtaposition of opposites—lost and won—introduces the sense of ambiguity about what is appearance and reality. More predictions come into play when the third witch says, "that will be ere the set of the sun" (5). Literally it means before the sun sets, and this foreshadows that they will soon interfere with Macbeth’s life. When the first witch asks about the place of their meeting, the answer is "upon the heath" (7), another cryptic statement. The witches are immediately recognized as characters who are an evil force; they are ugly, repulsive, and very mysterious and cryptic. They are even somewhat comical. In this scene, the
1. A brief description of the characters and their actions in the passage,
2. the dominant mood of the scene,
3. a discussion of at least two elements of style that contribute to this effect, and the significance of this scene within the immediate context and within the whole play.
Assignment 1 (Due via Turnitin Thursday 3/26 before midnight)
Macbeth’s speech: I.3.140-155.
Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy: I.5.45-61
Assignment 2 ((Due via Turnitin Thursday 4/9 before midnight)
Macbeth’s soliloquy: I.7.1-28.
Macbeth’s speech: II.1.44-74.
Assignment 3 (Due via Turnitin Thursday 4/16 before midnight)
Lennox’s speech: III.6.1-27.
Macbeth’s speech: V.5.20-31
Sample Passage Analysis 1.1.1-13
The setting of this scene features the three witches, the Weird sisters, and it is thundering and lightning. The thunder and lightning contribute darkness and turmoil to the mood of the scene and reflect the ominous effect evoked by the plotting witches. As they plan when and where they will meet with Macbeth, they agree that it will be "when the hurly-burly's done/ when the battle's lost and won" (3-4). This juxtaposition of opposites—lost and won—introduces the sense of ambiguity about what is appearance and reality. More predictions come into play when the third witch says, "that will be ere the set of the sun" (5). Literally it means before the sun sets, and this foreshadows that they will soon interfere with Macbeth’s life. When the first witch asks about the place of their meeting, the answer is "upon the heath" (7), another cryptic statement. The witches are immediately recognized as characters who are an evil force; they are ugly, repulsive, and very mysterious and cryptic. They are even somewhat comical. In this scene, the