Today, we worked with Mr. Matt Daniels of Milwaukee Shakespeare Theatre. Mr. Daniels is an actor and director here in town, and he led us through the first three scenes of Macbeth, where we encounter the witches, Macbeth and Banquo, and the fascinating prophecy the witches give the soldiers: Macbeth, already Thane of Glamis by inheritance, is told he will be Thane of Cawdor and King, too. Banquo, though destined not to be king, is told he will be father of kings. 
We did a series of warm up exercises, from stretching out the muscles of our necks to practing our elocution of consonants, and then we did a cold reading of the first two scenes. Once we understood the plot, Mr. Daniels had us choose words and gestures that we thought captured the essences of these characters. He had us first speak and then shout these terms and act out the gestures so that we felt the meaning of the play rather than just read it. Then acted a few portions out. Using our chosen words, we also created whispered soundscapes for the actors, adding to the tension of the witches' actions.
Our discussions and actions helped us to understand that both the witches and these hardy Scottish generals are comfortable with violence and revenge: the witches prefer to meet in violent weather, have control over nature, and conspire to torture a man at sea for 81 weeks, just because his wife would not share chestnuts. Macbeth and Banquo conquer not one, but two armies in a day, and bathe in the blood of their enemies with great relish. These are creatures who are not squeamish, do not balk, and seem to know no fear. Or do they?
YOUR HOMEWORK:
Write a few sentences in answer to the following question: How does Macbeth feel about and what does he think about what the witches tell him? You'll want to look at the same scenes we looked at today.
I'd also like you to write up questions about confusing lines, works, markings and syntax. There is plenty left over from these first three scenes that I am sure you do not understand. For instance, What is the difference between I and I'? Bring your questions with you to class.
An important thing to note at the outset: we're not going to understand everything about this play as we go, and you SHOULD experience uncertainty as we make our way through. Ask questions. Say "slow down!" when you're lost. Come in for help.
We did a series of warm up exercises, from stretching out the muscles of our necks to practing our elocution of consonants, and then we did a cold reading of the first two scenes. Once we understood the plot, Mr. Daniels had us choose words and gestures that we thought captured the essences of these characters. He had us first speak and then shout these terms and act out the gestures so that we felt the meaning of the play rather than just read it. Then acted a few portions out. Using our chosen words, we also created whispered soundscapes for the actors, adding to the tension of the witches' actions.
Our discussions and actions helped us to understand that both the witches and these hardy Scottish generals are comfortable with violence and revenge: the witches prefer to meet in violent weather, have control over nature, and conspire to torture a man at sea for 81 weeks, just because his wife would not share chestnuts. Macbeth and Banquo conquer not one, but two armies in a day, and bathe in the blood of their enemies with great relish. These are creatures who are not squeamish, do not balk, and seem to know no fear. Or do they?
YOUR HOMEWORK:
Write a few sentences in answer to the following question: How does Macbeth feel about and what does he think about what the witches tell him? You'll want to look at the same scenes we looked at today.
I'd also like you to write up questions about confusing lines, works, markings and syntax. There is plenty left over from these first three scenes that I am sure you do not understand. For instance, What is the difference between I and I'? Bring your questions with you to class.
An important thing to note at the outset: we're not going to understand everything about this play as we go, and you SHOULD experience uncertainty as we make our way through. Ask questions. Say "slow down!" when you're lost. Come in for help.
gahhh!!! I keep clicking on the book below but it won't let me look inside. Lies!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete