Macbeth, part 18

THE STORY SO FAR: Macbeth has murdered his way to the throne, but he's unhappy because, according to the weird sisters' prophecy, the throne will eventually pass not to his children, but to Banquo's  children. So Macbeth arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to meet with an "accident". The kind of "accident" that involves sharp, pointy objects.

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If there's something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 17

It's been a while since we had our last murder. Let's fix that.

Don't ask me who the hooded and masked third murderer is. Nobody really knows. He could just be some random thug hired by Macbeth to boost their number, but directors tend to have more fun with him. In Roman Polanski's film adaptation, he's actually the slippery Thane of Ross, cementing his position as Macbeth's henchman-in-chief. In many other productions he's Seyton, Macbeth's loyal servant, sent along to keep an eye on proceedings. Whoever he is, he's not very nice. 

Anyways... bye-bye, Banquo! Tune in next week, when... *flips quickly through play* ...Banquo comes back??? Oooooooo....

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

In other news, I am really excited to have designed some Team York/Team Lancaster bumpers stickers for the American Shakespeare Center's ongoing Wars of the Roses play cycle! You can get them now at the ASC's online gift shop.

Macbeth, part 16

The Story So Far: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have murdered King Duncan and seized the crown. However, they are not happy because it is not their children, but Banquo's children who are prophesied to one day become kings of Scotland. What to do, what to do....

This scene has a couple fun things to watch out for. It's the first time we really see cracks in Lady Macbeth's hitherto formidable armor. She's suddenly very uncertain. Part of this is undoubtedly because Macbeth has been pulling steadily out of her orbit. His refusal here to tell her about his plan to assassinate Banquo is a milestone in their relationship. 

Macbeth also sounds increasingly unhinged in this scene. MURDER DOESN'T PAY, kids. Just keep that in mind.

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 15

What do you get the man who has everything?

DEAD PEOPLE. That's what you get him. 

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Fun fact: Murders are like Lay's potato chips. You can't commit just one. 

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 14

THE STORY SO FAR: Macbeth has murdered Duncan, pinned the blame on Duncan's sons, who have conveniently run away, and has become king. THE END. No... wait... not quite the end...

RUN AWAY, BANQUO.

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Shakespearean Halloween Party II

Tomorrow is Halloween! I hope you have your costume ready. If not, here are some ideas:

In case you want more Shakespearean costume ideas, here are some from last year, plus someone who actually tried out one of my ideas:

I didn't get my act together this year, due to St. Crispin's Day craziness, but next year I'm definitely going to do some sort of Shakespearean costume contest. 

Macbeth, part 13

As Macbeth would say, "twas a rough night"...

Nature often gets upset when bad things happen in Shakespeare's plays. In Julius Caesar there is famously a huge storm that foreshadows Caesar's assassination. Here we get a report of all the horrible and unnatural things that happened the night Duncan was murdered. The weather! Nature's way of telling you if a regicide has or will occur!

Tune in next week, when Macbeth uses his new-found power to become a benevolent and progressive monarch who brings peace and stability to Scotland.

HA HA HA just kidding, that totally doesn't happen.

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 12

The Story So Far: Macbeth and his wife murdered King Duncan in the middle of the night, but now it's morning and Macduff has noticed that King Duncan isn't looking as healthy as he did yesterday, what with all the stab wounds and blood pouring out of him. 

Something to watch for in this scene: everyone is speaking very plainly in the aftermath of Duncan's murder... except for Macbeth. He's gone into full-on flowery speech mode, which makes sense, as he's essentially acting his little black heart out. Only he's definitely trying too hard. 

There's always a question about whether or not Lady Macbeth really faints here, or if she's doing it specifically to distract unwanted attention away from Macbeth. Most productions seem to go with her pretending to faint, and that's personally my favorite interpretation. It's something she would absolutely do. 

In case you've forgotten who these guys are, they're Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, who rather reasonably suspect that they might be next in line... not to the throne, but to getting their throats cut. 

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check out our Crispin's Day speech spectacular, with over 80 people chipping in to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.