Thursday, February 09, 2006

Y9: Essay plan for half-term homework
Remember: you can use the 'comments' tab to ask me a question if you get stuck!
What is the audience’s first impression of Macbeth from the report of the Wounded Captain in Act 1 Scene 2 of Macbeth?

-this essay is your assessment for Reading and Writing for Half Term 3-

Introduction- tell them what you’re going to say

· Use your summary of the plot to outline the story so far (you only need the first bullet point!)
· Say that you intend to analyse the report of the Wounded Captain and Duncan’s response to it to find the first impression Shakespeare wants to give of Macbeth.

Main part- say it

· All must… (Level 4.2-4.8)
-use three quotation sandwiches- use your index of quotes.
-you must, to get Level 4, say what the quotes tell us about Macbeth.
-Key Words: loyalty, bravery, honour, fearsome warrior.
-Key descriptor for Reading at Level 4: ‘you are beginning to use quotations to support your views’

· Most should… (Level 5.2-5.8)
-use three quotation sandwiches- use your index of quotes.
-you should, to get Level 5, comment on the effects of words and phrases in your quotes- does Shakespeare use rhetorical questions? Simile? Metaphor? Personification? How do these techniques help us to understand what Macbeth is like?
-Key Words: loyalty, bravery, honour, fearsome warrior.
-Key descriptor for Reading at Level 5: ‘you are beginning to “read between the lines” for implied meanings.’

· Some could… (Level 6.2-6.8)
-use three quotation sandwiches- use your index of quotes.
-you could, to get Level 6, give different two different interpretations of the same line- for example, does Macbeth sometimes sound too good to be true? Should we take all the Captain’s statements about him at face value?
-Key Words: loyalty, bravery, honour, fearsome warrior.
-Key descriptor for Reading at Level 6: ‘You understand different layers of meaning…’



Conclusion- tell them what you’ve said

· Answer the question- what are the audience’s first impressions of Macbeth?
· Why do you think Shakespeare introduces us to Macbeth’s reputation and has characters talk about him before he actually brings him onto the stage so we can see for ourselves? An intelligent response to this gets you a Level 7: ‘You evaluate different layers of meaning and comment on their significance and effects.’

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fred |Smith

Sir, I'm stuck with my essay I need a quote about

4:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Donna Whitehead
when you are talking about the play Macbeth do you underline it

5:23 AM  
Blogger gareth.davies@sawtrycc.org.uk said...

Yes- if you're typing, you put the name of the play in italics. The underlining is to show it would be in italics if you were typing- it's difficult to write in italics! The point is that it distinguishes between Macbeth the play and Macbeth the character.

9:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

kelly louise burke

sir i am stuck with my conclusion i dont know how to make it a 5.8 as well

5:55 AM  
Blogger gareth.davies@sawtrycc.org.uk said...

The key things for a 5.8 are to make sure you look at implied meanings- that you 'read between the lines'of your quotations. For example, when the bloody captian says that Macbeth and Banquo were, 'As cannons over-charged with double cracks;' (I.2.37) he means that, like cannons, they are fiery and dangerous- but think about it further. 'over-charged' sounds like they are too explosive, too powerful- they might end up blowing up in the faces of their own side, like a cannon with too much gunpowder. In Macbeth's case, of course, this is exactly what happens. That's a level 6 comment- actualy, a few of those will get you level 7!

As for a conclusion, it's just a question of summing up your points and giving an idea of why Shakespeare decided to let the audience har about macbeth before he actually comes on stage- maybe it's abou establising that Macbeth has fame and a reputation as a fearsome, loyal soldier, maybe it's to portray him as 'too good to be true' and when we actually do meet him it's a bit of a disappointment.

9:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Natalie Cooper
helloo there sir. Please would you be able to tell me who said this quote -
"Dismayed not this of our captains Macbeth and Banquo"
(1/2/34)
If not, I'll have a quick look tomorrow and write it in.

9:47 AM  
Blogger gareth.davies@sawtrycc.org.uk said...

Natalie- that'll be King Duncan in reply to the bloody captain!

11:41 AM  

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