1. The Macbeth Murder Mystery: Write a short story in which the narrator is a detective who has been asked to investigate the deaths of Duncan, Banquo, and Lady Macduff. What are your hunches? And what evidence do you have to go on? You do not have to come to a conclusion.
2. The People v. Macbeth: Imagine that Macbeth does not die at the end of the play but is instead put on trial, and you are his defense attorney. Write your opening statement in this court case and present it to the class. Your class may choose to continue this exercise into a full court hearing with witnesses and expert statements.
3. Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot: Find out as much as you can about the Gunpowder Plot, the reign of James I, and the earliest performance of Macbeth. Design a colourful but accurate display for your classroom.
4. “Light thickens, and the crow makes wing to the rooky wood”: Devise a theatre lighting plan for any one act from Macbeth, which will help to bring out the atmosphere of the play and enhance the supernatural and symbolic elements of the drama. (To approach this task, rule three columns on a page. In one column, show the Act and scene; in the next, indicate the line from the text on which the lighting is to change from one state to another; in the third, indicate the lights you would use. For example: Act I, Scene 7, Line 1; “If it were done . . . ”; Single spotlight on Macbeth. Act I, Scene 7, Line 27; “How now”; lights full up.
