Shakespeare's Macbeth in performance

Aims

This course aims to: 

• make you feel more confident about how to enjoy speaking Shakespeare aloud
• help you realise how the structure of the verse supports the actor and to recognise figures of speech which help the actor to make choices with confidence
• help you become comfortable with the language, which is designed to entertain
• break down the boundaries of Shakespeare being ‘high, elite art’

Course content

Many lovers of Shakespeare’s plays felt rather daunted at the prospect of speaking his words aloud, possibly because they are not accustomed to reading poetry aloud. The main aim of these practical workshops is to help learners to become confident speakers of Shakespeare’s verse and also his prose. We shall see how the verse structure and the imagery, as well as recognising figures of speech help the performer to bring the words off the page and on to the stage. We will be joined by actor David Rintoul during our course sessions. David has extensive experience in performing Shakespeare’s works.

What to expect on this course

I want to remind you that Shakespeare’s work are plays, they are meant to be performed and spoken aloud in front of an audience. We’ll explore key ideas and concepts such as how the witches’ language differs from the speech of other characters in the play. My aim is to work with you at a pace and level that feels comfortable, helping you build confidence — even in areas you may feel unsure about at first. Some of you may be excited to take on a main role, while others may prefer choral speaking. You might even surprise yourself and flourish in a part you didn’t expect to enjoy. Above all, it should be fun! 

In preparation, please read the whole of Macbeth and you will need to bring a copy with you to class. I want you to get a sense of the characters and the various questions that arise for example: the witches; are they really witches? As we place the play in its historical context, we will also consider ideas such as regicide and how, in Shakespeare’s time, killing a king was viewed as an attack on God. You must bring a paper copy of Macbeth so it is easy to follow along and find passages quickly. 

I would also like you to read Hamlet’s speech in Act 3 Scene 2 as this seemingly denotes Shakespeare’s own advice/expectations to the players. In this scene Hamlet is talking to the travelling company who have arrived at Elsinore. We will reference this while working on our own performances as it is full of practical and insightful guidance. Please bring any questions you have — this will be a very interactive class. I welcome your thoughts, queries, and any parts of the text that puzzle you. There is no requirement to memorise lines, as that can feel daunting.

Course sessions

1. The witches meet Macbeth and Banquo
2. Duncan and the succession
3. Lady Macbeth and her first meeting with her husband
4. Planning the murder
5. The Murder
6. The Aftermath of the murder and Banquo’s murder
7. The Banquet
8. The England scene
9. Things fall apart- Lady Macbeth’s madness
10. Macbeth’s final stance

Learning outcomes

As a result of the course, you will gain a greater understanding of the subject and you should be able to:

• speak the blank verse with more understanding and confidence
• explore the passion of the play through awareness of the form and structure of the language
• look at the shifting relationships in the play as the story unfolds

Required reading

Shakespeare, William, Braunmuller, A, R (editor), Macbeth (The New Cambridge Shakespeare), (Cambridge University Press, 2008)
Please read the entire play before the course starts.

Shakespeare, William, Edwards, Philip (editor), Hamlet (The New Cambridge Shakespeare), (Cambridge University Press, 2019) 
Hamlet’s speech in Act 3 Scene 2 only