Elements of Fiction in Macbeth
Before we get into, think about these
Elements of Fiction in
Macbeth
Mr. Coronel
Grade Levels: 11-12
Content Standards
 Content standards covered for this lecture:
 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL11-12. 3) Analyze the
impact of the author’s choices regarding
how to develop and relate elements of a
story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how
the action is ordered, how the
characters/archetypes are introduced and
developed)
 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL11-12. 4) Determine the
meaning of words and phrases as they are
used in the text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact
of specific word choices on meaning and
tone, including words with multiple meanings
or language that is particularly fresh,
engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare
as well as other authors)
Jonathan Coronel
6/23/2019
questions:
 Why do you think we read Shakespeare today?
 Shakespeare wrote plays, but what kind of stories did he tell with them?
The Language of Shakespeare
 Objective:
 Studying English involves the culmination of
various analyzing techniques. For this lecture,
we will be discussing the elements of fiction,
and how these elements can be found in
Macbeth.  Shakespeare wrote in what is called “Early Modern English”
 The Elements of Fiction are the building blocks
of all storytelling, so possessing a fundamental  “Early modern English,” or EME, was not very different from our current
understanding of them will help students in
their academic career. “Modern English”
 Students will utilize gathering, analyzing, and
communicating skills for this lecture.
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Elements of Fiction in Macbeth 6/23/2019

The Language of Shakespeare cont. Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare

 Shakespeare used a mix of words, both old and new words.

 Shakespeare’s words were understood by the lowest peasants and the  Unlike the Historical plays like Henry III, Henry IV, and Henry V, Shakespeare
highest nobles. wrote many plays of fiction.
 This gave Shakespeare’s the capabilities to be spread by all, no matter the social  For this lecture, we will focus on his works that are based on fiction as they
class. will tie closer to what we will be discussing.

The Language of Shakespeare cont. Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare:

Setting
• What does setting provide?
 During Shakespeare’s time, everyone was in love with English.
 No grammar, punctuation, or spelling rules! • A setting affects the plot by giving environmental context.
 The language evolved as new words were made up • This can provide historical context.

• What is a background considered in Fiction?

 Shakespeare’s language reflected his freedom and
enthusiasm over experimentation. • The backdrop for the action.

 Many popular sayings used today are from Shakespeare,

some people just don’t know it!
 “Neither here nor there”- Othello and the Merry Wives of Windsor
 “Send him packing”- Henry IV, Part I
 “Wild-goose chase” – Romeo and Juliet

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Elements of Fiction in Macbeth
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare:
Setting cont.
 Macbeth is set in 11th-century Scotland.
 The play opens right after Macbeth leads King Duncan’s forces to victory.
Background details
established by this opening:
• Time: 11th Century
• Place: Scotland
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare:
Character
 Traits- Personal qualities of a
character
 Example: Happy, friendly, selfish,
angry.
 Motivation- a reason for a
character to do something.
 Example: Listening to someone
else over themselves.
Jonathan Coronel
 Main Characters:
 Protagonist: Main character in the
story. The events of the story
revolve around them.
 Antagonist: A character that
represents opposition or is against
the main character.
6/23/2019
Defining a type of Character- You try!
 With a partner, discuss the following questions:
 Why do you think the setting is important?
 Since the play opens with a battle, what does that scene tell us about Macbeth?
 Which character(s) in Macbeth you believe are a Protagonist or Antagonist.
Remember:

 Protagonist- Story centers around them.
 Antagonist- They work against the Protagonist
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare: Plot
 Although there are hundreds of thousands of unique tales of fiction out in
the world, they all follow the same formula.
 The following modern day features follow this same formula:
 Star Wars
 Game of Thrones
 Avengers: Infinity War + Endgame
 Harry Potter
 The list goes on!
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Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare: Plot Now you discuss the plot in Macbeth!
Five Parts of plot
1.Exposition: The
Beginning, Characters,  With a partner, discuss which events in Macbeth represent the following
Setting & Problem laid out elements of plot:
2.Rising Action-  1.Exposition: The Beginning, Characters, Setting & Problem
Complications arise with laid out
the problem, The Plot
Thickens!  2.Rising Action- Complications arise with the problem, The
3.Climax- Highest point
Plot Thickens!
of interest/suspense,  3.Climax- Highest point of interest/suspense, a.k.a. the Turning
a.k.a. the Turning Point, Point, the outcome is decided
the outcome is decided  4. Falling Actions- events that follow the climax and end in
4. Falling Actions- events resolution
that follow the climax and
end in resolution  5.Resolution- The ending, loose ends are tied up, everything
5.Resolution- The
comes together
ending, loose ends are
tied up, everything comes
together

Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare: Plot Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare:

Style
 Conflict- The problem the main character faces. There are four different types, a Style- How the author writes; The techniques and literary devices they use
story may have more than one. to tell stories. Why do they use them?

1. Character v. Character – External Conflict Examples:

2. Character v. Nature – External Conflict  Foreshadowing- A hint to the future, a change in setting

3. Character v. Society – External Conflict

 Flashback- A brief return to the past, a change in setting
4. Character v. Self – Internal Conflict
 Suspense- A feeling of tension the author creates

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Elements of Fiction in Macbeth 6/23/2019

You try to identify any hints of Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare: The

Foreshadowing or Suspense in Macbeth
 In a group, discuss and come up with at least 1 example of Foreshadowing
AND Suspense in Macbeth.
 Write down your answers in complete sentences.
 Please note, Macbeth does not contain any flashbacks.
Tip: Think about the
Hurly Burly scene. Do
the witches
Make a prediction?
How do they affect the
plot?
Author’s Purpose
 An author writes for many reasons. An author may give you facts or true information about
a subject. Some authors write fiction stories or stories that are not true. They write these
stories to entertain you. Other authors may write to persuade or to try to get you to do
something.
 Examples of reasons why Author’s write Stories:
 Commentaries on society
 Historical parallels
 Lessons in life
 Personal stories
 Moral stories

The Hero’s Journey Call to

Adventure
Return
(gift of the
goddess
Culminating Activity/ Question -
or coming
back with
Supernatural Aid
Writing Activity
 Joseph Campbell’s The prize)
Hero’s Journey is a common  Why do you think Shakespeare wrote Macbeth?
template involving the
journey of a main character
in any tale. Does Macbeth’s  By yourself, in at least 10 sentences, and in your own words, discuss why you think
journey fit well with this Threshold Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
Atonement
Guardian(s)
template?  Consider the following elements of fiction for your answers:
 Themes- What symbols come up often in Macbeth? Why do they matter and how do
they contribute to the story?
 Characters- What do characters do to each other in Macbeth? What motivates them?
 Setting- Since the play takes place in 11th-century Scotland, what is Shakespeare trying
Challenges to tell us with this? Can the events of Macbeth take place in modern-day?
Transformation and  Author’s Purpose: Commentaries of society, Historical parallels, Lesson’s on life, Moral
Temptations stories

Abyss
(death &
rebirth)

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Elements of Fiction in Macbeth 6/23/2019

Culminating Activity/ Question - Group

discussion and Presentation.
 Recall the “Hero’s Journey.”
 Do the events in Macbeth fit in the “Hero’s Journey” template?

 Instructions:
 In groups of 5, discuss the “Hero’s Journey” template and identify each event in
Macbeth fits in the template.
 After identifying which scenes go where on the template, you will present your
findings to the class. Explain the reason why each scene goes where you think it
goes. (IE: “I believe the scene where _________ in Macbeth is the supernatural aid
because___________”)

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