Reading Warm Up Macbeth Act V Scene 3 & 4

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Reading Warm Up Macbeth Act V Scene 3 & 4

There are traditions that all actors observe. They never wish each other "good luck" before a performance; instead they say "break a leg." Inside theater, they do not whistle, nor do they utter the word Macbeth.

During a production of Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Macbeth, everyone in the cast and crew refers to the work as the "Scottish play," or just "the play." They call Macbeth "the king," and Lady Macbeth is always "the queen." Quoting from the play is avoided, as is using any sets, costumes, or props that were part of a previous production of Macbeth. Anyone who breaks these rules is exiled from the theater.

Outsiders may perceive this behavior as ridiculous, seeing it as childish or petty, but actors believe that strange accidents confirm that it is best not to violate the custom. The fact that documented disasters are associated with the Scottish play makes some performers nervous.

For example, after Macbeth premiered on August 7, 1606, the boy actor who played the queen died backstage. Since then, many an actor frets about problems that could be brought on by a slip of the tongue. Stories of illness, fires, bad reviews, falling lights, people caught in snares created by tangled ropes, broken props, and stage weapons that inflict wounds are legendary. These mishaps are all said to have occurred because someone disregarded tradition.

Naturally, there are other explanations for an ill-fated production. Some of the action in Macbeth is set on a murky heath, forcing actors to navigate a dark stage. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks around scenery. Malcolm's army has to hew and carry branches, creating opportunities for injuries. There is also plenty of sword fighting. With all of these elements, it is likely that something could go wrong during Macbeth, no matter what anyone says or does not say.

1. Highlight the words that tell who would be exiled. Then, explain what it would mean for an actor to be exiled from the theater.

2. Highlight the word that is a clue to the meaning of perceive. Then, explain how you perceive the behavior that is described.

3. Highlight the word that is a clue to the meaning of petty. Then, describe something you would call petty.

4. Highlight the words telling what the accidents seem to confirm. Then, tell what might confirm the opposite.

5. Highlight the words that tell what the actor frets about. Then, explain what frets means.

6. Highlight the word that suggests what snares do. Then, describe what snares are usually used to do.

7. Highlight the word that is a clue to the meaning of murky. Then, describe a place or thing that is murky.

8. Highlight the word that tells what the army has to hew. Then, name some people who often hew such things.