Suggested Essay prompts for Macbeth

1. 1972
In retrospect the reader often discovers that the first chapter of a novel
or the opening scene of a drama introduces some of the major themes of the
work. Write an essay about the opening scene of a drama or the first
chapter of a novel in which you explain how it functions in this way. In
your essay do not merely summarize the plot of the work you are
discussing.

2. 1974
    Choose a work of literature written before 1900. Write an essay in which
you present arguments for and against the work's relevance for person in 1997.
Your own position should emerge in the course of the essay. You
may refer to works of literature written after 1900 for the purpose of
contrast or comparison.

3. 1988
Choose a distinguished novel or play in which some of the most
significantevents are mental or psychological; for example, awakenings,
discoveries,changes in consciousness. In a well-organized essay, describe how
the authormanages to give these internal events the sense of excitement,
suspense, andclimax usually associated with external action. Do not merely
summarize the plot

Preparing for the AP Exam

GOALS:

- Study 30 literary elements per week

- Review vocabulary from last semester and previous years

- Do at least one practice essay per week

- Do at least one  practice multiple choice tests per week

- Organize a study session the weekend before the test to get last minute practice and help from peers

Macbeth Test Answers

1. A
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. B
9. A
10.C


1. A
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. A
6. A
7. C
8. C
9. A
10. B

Continued Reading Notes: Macbeth

Opening Scene:
-witches- gross, ugly, beards, gossipy
- practice witch-craft
- symbolize 3 fates of mythology
-Banquo- friend of Macbeth
- related to King James I
-witch foretells that Macbeth will come into power
-Macbeth gets a promotion to Cawdor
-King Duncan- King of Scotland
- great ruler
- impressed by Macbeth because of his success in battle
-witches tell Macbeth he will become king of Scotland
-Macbeth is named Cawdor (original Cawdor sentenced to death for treason)
-Macbeth will meet with the King
- Lady Macbeth- ambitious, wants power
- she wants the witches fortune to come true, power hungry
- wears the pants in the relationship, very masculine
- tell Macbeth to kill King Duncan to become king
- strong, bossy
-Macbeth doesn't want to kill the king, but does want power
-Macbeth stabs the king in his sleep
-He becomes king of Scotland
-Malcom- Duncan's son
- flees to England
- fears that whomever killed his father will kill him next
-Witches' prophecy- Banquo's sons will become powerful
- Banquo doesn't really believe them and doesn't take action like Macbeth
-Macbeth fears that the witches were right and kills Banquo to keep his sons from getting power
-Fleance- Banquo's son, survives
-Banquo's ghost haunts Macbeth at the dinner party
-symbolizes Macbeth's guilt
- Banquo was a good man and his friend
-Macbeth goes to the witches for help
-they say demons are after him
-Mcduff- Scottish nobleman
- knows Macbeth is bad
- wants Malcom to become King
-Lady Mcduff- opposite of Lady Macbeth
- kind, maternal
-Macbeth orders Macduff's wife and children to be killed
- Mcduff is devistated
- Lady Macbeth dies and Macbeth doesn't really care
-"She should have died hereafter, signifying nothing"
-Mcduff, Malcom, and English army invade Scotland
-Lennox, Ross- Scottish nobles
- support English invasion
- hate Macbeth
-Mcduff kills Macbeth at the end of the battle
-Malcom become King of Scotland
- Witches wait in the background

Macbeth Reading Notes

-Evil, dark

-Macbeth- cynical, evil, brutal

-Shakespeare's darkest play

-Written between 1605 ads 1606

-Globe Theater, Black Friar's Theater

-Macbeth- political play

-Changed history to add suspense

-Must understand background and history

-Macbeth- genius, ambitious

-Macbeth- supposed to evoke emotion
- upset people

-Super natural forces