View a recorded or live version of Macbeth. You will analyze the production in
the following areas: Note: each of these areas will be a separate and distinct section with a clear heading in
your essay.
Costumes
What can you tell about the time period of the costumes? Are there specific costumes that convey meanings
about specific characters?
Choose three characters’ costumes and describe them in detail. (Each character’s costume will be a
subheading in your analysis.) Include details such as color, style, and any defining characteristics about these
particular costumes. Make sure you address the following question: How does each costume affect your
Is there something particularly unique about the setting or the stage backdrops?they If you view a stage
production, what is unique about the backdrops? Are they elaborate? If the movie is a theater stage that has
been filmed, what is unique about the setting? Are there elaborate backdrops in the filmed production? If you
are viewing a movie that is filmed outside, how does the setting affect your understanding of the play?
In addition to your discussion of the setting of the production overall, include three individual discussions of the
settings of three separate scenes. (Each of these settings will be a subheading in your analysis.) What unique
choices did the director make about these scenes? How did the setting of the scene affect the way the
characters moved/responded to their surroundings? How did the setting of the scene affect your understanding
of it?
Props
Describe the use of props overall. Was the production such that they had all of the props the characters would
need in the real world? Were the props very minimal instead?
Choose three specific props to discuss. (Each prop will be a subheading in your analysis.) What was unique
about each of these props? How did each prop affect your understanding of the scene or the character’s
actions?
Artistic interpretation of three of the characters
Choose three characters from the production that you think were portrayed particularly well. (Each character
will be a subheading in your analysis.) What was unique about each portrayal? What was your favorite scene
with this character? Why? How did the actor/actress enhance your understanding/perspective of the character?
Music/Sound and Lighting
Analyze either the music or the sound and the lighting in the production. Each will be its own subheading. Was
there music used in the production? If not, focus on the sound–the sound effects in the production. Also
discuss the lighting in the production. How did each of these affect or enhance your understanding of the
production?
Specific analysis of Macbeth’s “dagger” soliloquy
Examine the “dagger” soliloquy in both the production you viewed and the Daniel Mays version you viewed in
Lesson 3.1:
Which version of the soliloquies did you prefer? Why?
Select two elements of the soliloquies to compare/contrast. For example, you might focus on props, volume,
facial expressions, or tone and explain how this unique aspect enhanced/detracted from each version.
Unique aspects of this production
Choose two other things from the production to discuss. For example, you might consider the following
questions:
What symbolism was evident in the play? How were these symbols used to enhance the production?
How was the supernatural portrayed in the production? How did this affect the production and/or the audience
experience?
What other elements of the production were significant and affected the viewer experience?
Sample Solution
