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Exploring Good and Evil: the Case of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth by Joanna Johnson, M.A. Overview Setting the Stage: To Think About... Is there such a thing as evil? Good? Are we born good or evil (or somewhere in-between?) or do we become so, over the course of our lives? What brings about such changes? Are some people essentially evil, or do they become evil? Why and how so? Who takes responsibility for actions of an individual? Even though Lady Macbeth does not commit any of the crimes in Macbeth firsthand, is she as guilty of wrongdoing as Macbeth himself? What kinds of morals do Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have? Is a belief in destiny or fate reason to act in a pre-determined way? Does deciding to take a course of action mean that we have to remain on that course, even as it seems to be turning out to be the wrong one? Does crime become less shocking the more it occurs? In other words, do you think Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are less troubled by their actions as the play moves on, or do you think they remain unperturbed? Introduction In this lesson students will consider the ethical situations that arise in the play Macbeth and consider the extent to which character is responsible for actions, or whether actions form character. Students will consider responsibility for one's own actions, and consider the way in which one evil act can often pave the way for a succession of such acts. Once we have made a poor decision, then does it seem easier to continue making more poor decisions? Is there such a thing as evil? Are people essentially evil, or do they become evil? Why, and how so? Who takes responsibility for the actions of an individual? To what extent is Lady Macbeth as guilty or evil as Macbeth? Is Macbeth totally without any ethics or morals? If not, what kinds of morals does he have? Why is killing "acceptable" in some cases, and not in others? To what extent, if any, should the witches who prophesy Macbeth's fortunes take responsibility for the wrong-doings; in other words, is a belief in destiny or fate reason to act in a pre-determined way? Students will also be asked to consider parallels in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's actions to situations in more contemporary society, for example, the regimes of Duvalier and Trujillo in the Caribbean, Pol Pot, Idi Amin (a recent film the students may well be familiar with is The Last King of Scotland), Robert Mugabe, and Saddam Hussein.

Exploring Good and Evil: the Case of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth

by Joanna Johnson, M.A.

Overview

Setting the Stage: To Think About...

Is there such a thing as evil? Good?

Are we born good or evil (or somewhere in-between?) or do we become so, over the course of our lives? What brings about such changes?

Are some people essentially evil, or do they become evil? Why and how so?

Who takes responsibility for actions of an individual? Even though Lady Macbeth does not commit any of the crimes in Macbeth firsthand, is she as guilty of wrongdoing as Macbeth himself?

What kinds of morals do Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have?

Is a belief in destiny or fate reason to act in a pre-determined way?

Does deciding to take a course of action mean that we have to remain on that course, even as it seems to be turning out to be the wrong one?

Does crime become less shocking the more it occurs? In other words, do you think Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are less troubled by their actions as the play moves on, or do you think they remain unperturbed?

Introduction

In this lesson students will consider the ethical situations that arise in the play Macbeth and consider the extent to which character is responsible for actions, or whether actions form character.

Students will consider responsibility for one's own actions, and consider the way in which one evil act can often pave the way for a succession of such acts. Once we have made a poor decision, then does it seem easier to continue making more poor decisions?

Is there such a thing as evil? Are people essentially evil, or do they become evil? Why, and how so?

Who takes responsibility for the actions of an individual?

To what extent is Lady Macbeth as guilty or evil as Macbeth?

Is Macbeth totally without any ethics or morals? If not, what kinds of morals does he have?

Why is killing "acceptable" in some cases, and not in others?

To what extent, if any, should the witches who prophesy Macbeth's fortunes take responsibility for the wrong-doings; in other words, is a belief in destiny or fate reason to act in a pre-determined way?

Students will also be asked to consider parallels in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's actions to situations in more contemporary society, for example, the regimes of Duvalier and Trujillo in the Caribbean, Pol Pot, Idi Amin (a recent film the students may well be familiar with is The Last King of Scotland), Robert Mugabe, and Saddam Hussein.