Macbeth

How do gender expectations and perceptions intersect with violence in the play? To what extent do characters play into or fight against gender roles?

The weather is an ever-present force in Macbeth. How does the weather reflect the emotional state of the characters? Of the trajectory of the play?

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most violent tragedies. How does the play use violence to reflect thematic concerns? Why does some violence occur offstage? What would change if the violence shown were hidden and vice versa?

Compare and contrast the play’s two female characters, Lady Macduff and Lady Macbeth.

When Macbeth is staged, directors have to make the decision of whether to have the ghost of Banquo actually appear on stage, in essence choosing whether to align the audience with what Macbeth sees or what his guests see. How does the play change with either choice?

Throughout the play, the natural world is in contrast tension with the supernatural world. How is this tension portrayed? How is it resolved

Compare and contrast two or more of the kings in the play (Duncan, Edward, Macbeth, Malcolm) in terms of their ideals, actions, and accomplishments. How these rulers reflect the themes of the play?

Compare and contrast two or more of the families in the play (the Macbeths, Banquo and his son, the Macduffs, Duncan and his sons). How do parents and children relate to one another? How do husbands and wives?