This program is part of a series of lesson ideas provided by Gill Chesney-Green from Derbyshire in the UK.  (Thanks a plenty Gill! - Kim Flintoff - Webmaster)

Teacher's notes :           MACBETH

For drama work that will get the class thinking about how to approach Shakespeare and to think of it making meaning in a variety of contexts.

Get the class in groups of three and ask them to imagine the three witches on the heath and to play it straight.  Ask them to think about what sort of witches they are, however, whether they are old crones, young women or a mixture or each type. Do they all come to the place at once? Are they around a cauldron or are they doing some other sort of ritual? Do they appear out of the mist from various places? Might they begin as boulders which change into witches or a combination? Remember, modern audiences aren’t frightened by witches as in Shakespeare’s time and we can’t just rely on them ‘being there’ to disturb the audience. 

Have the script extracts on paper for each member of the class.
 

First Witch:  When shall we three meet again, 
 In thunder, lightning or in rain?

Second Witch: When the hurly-burly's done
 When the battle's lost and won.

Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun.

1st Witch: Where the place?

2nd: Upon the heath.

3rd Witch: There to meet with Macbeth.
 

The final word, 'Macbeth' can be said by the group of three, in unison, if they wish. How does this extract finish? Do they freeze as if in a photograph? Do they move away silently as if drifting out into the mist?

When the class has tried the extract you may wish them to show their versions. Ask the class to comment on the sort of atmosphere that is created by each piece.

Afterwards, go to each group and ask them to try to reconstruct the same scene in one of the following styles:

•  Nannies meeting in a park
•  I.R.A. terrorists
•  Mafia members
•  Children in a playgroup
•  Guards on duty at Buckingham Palace
•  Spies
•  "Ladies of the Night" at their usual corner (older groups)
•  Racing drivers at a pit-stop
•  Ballet dancers (great with lads who have a sense of  humour)
•  British tourists abroad (looking for the sun?)

Obviously, if anyone can think of any better than these I will be very grateful for suggestions.