Sandra+Hill+Macbeth+Project

Macbeth Mock Trial

[|ftthill] Working with the major themes of the play Macbeth, I plan to construct a unit based on a trial that tries to determine the degree of Macbeth's guilt. Was he solely responsible or did he act on his own free will; or, was he a victim of supernatural forces and the evil influence of his wife? The real-world issue has to do with ideas about psychology and justice--about what influenced Macbeth's behavior and how much responsibility should he assume for the murder of King Duncan. The real-world connection is a court trial; saying that his thinking was impaired by the witches' prophesies and his wife's influence, Macbeth may try to get a lighter sentence (such as an insanity plea). by The real-world role of my students will be enacting parts,such as judge, jury, attorney for the defense, attorney for the prosecution, and major characters from the play. The project scenario is the mock trial.

This is what I have so far for **Curriculum Framing Questions**:
 * **Essential Question:** How does literature help us understand our motivations and behavior?  ||
 * **Unit Questions:** What influences Macbeth’s choices? How much influence does fate and supernatural forces have on Macbeth’s behavior? How much responsibility should Macbeth assume for the murder of King Duncan and the tragic events that followed?  ||
 * **Content Questions:** Which of Macbeth’s choices create the tragedy of this play? Who or what influenced these choices? Who or what is most responsible for the murder of King Duncan? What other characters or forces contribute to this monumental crime and the tragic events that follow?   ||