ENGL 339: Shakespeare Dr. Debora B. Schwartz English Department, California Polytechnic State University Macbeth: Video Questions Review General Instructions for Personal Responses to the Required Video Screenings. All video video analysis assignments are to be submitted to the appropriate Blackboard Discussion Board.  For each video analysis, you will answer each of three questions TWICE: once for yourself, prior to seeing the video, based upon your informed understanding of the play; a second time after screening the video, when you will answer the same questions about the film you have screened (choosing one of the versions on reserve for ENGL 339 in the Kennedy Library).  Organize your Personal Response to the required video so that YOUR answers to the three video question (labelled by question number and the word "me") are followed by your write-up of how the Director of the required film might have answered the same questions (labelled by question number plus the word "video").  The organization of your Personal Response will be: 1a &b (me) ; 1 a&b (video); 2 (me); 2 (video); 3 (me); 3 (video).  As you write up these questions, take care to state your interpretation clearly (it is your thesis) and support it textually (cite specific textual passages with act, scene and line numbers). For the video, cite specific non-textual details from the video screened and allude to at least one key speech or scene which the director may have been thinking of when making these choices about how to film the play. Remember that you must answer the two-part general question for any Shakespeare video AND the two specific questions for each play TWICE:  once based on your OWN informed understanding of the text, PRIOR to seeing the video.  Then ask yourself the SAME questions about the version of Macbeth which you have screened (be sure to identify it clearly by Director's Name and year produced).  The second time, answer the questions as you the director would, based upon your attentive viewing of the video and informed knowledge of the text. General Questions to answer prior to screening ANY Shakespeare video:  1a) What is the central issue in this play? (What is it really about?) Upon what speeches/textual passages is my (or is the director's) understanding of this issue and its central importance based?  1b) What non-textual details would I use (or are used in the video) to get this message across? Consider the contributions of director, actors, set and lighting designers, costumers, choreographers, musicians, cinematographers, etc. -- NOT elements common to ANY production of the play (such as plot lines or speeches that are in the script regardless of the director's interpretation).  Specific video questions for Macbeth: 2) Is Macbeth is to blame for his fate?  (Are the Witches' prophecies binding?  How influential is Lady Macbeth?)  3) How would you handle the supernatural elements (the Weird Sisters, Banquo's ghost, the spirits who make prophecies)?  How should these elements be understood? Click here for Macbeth Study Questions Click here for information on Tragedy   Contents of this and all linked pages Copyright Debora B. Schwartz, 1996-2010 Return to ENGL 339 Home Page Send me mail!