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)
 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.
 The Elements of Fiction are the building blocks
of all storytelling, so possessing a fundamental
understanding of them will help students in
their academic career.
 Students will utilize gathering, analyzing, and
communicating skills for this lecture.
Before we get into, think about these
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

 Shakespeare wrote in what is called “Early Modern English”

 “Early modern English,” or EME, was not very different from our current
“Modern English”
The Language of Shakespeare cont.

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

 Shakespeare’s words were understood by the lowest peasants and the
highest nobles.
 This gave Shakespeare’s the capabilities to be spread by all, no matter the social
class.
The Language of Shakespeare cont.

 During Shakespeare’s time, everyone was in love with English.

 No grammar, punctuation, or spelling rules!
 The language evolved as new words were made up

 Shakespeare’s language reflected his freedom and

enthusiasm over experimentation.
 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
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare

 Unlike the Historical plays like Henry III, Henry IV, and Henry V, Shakespeare
wrote many plays of fiction.
 For this lecture, we will focus on his works that are based on fiction as they
will tie closer to what we will be discussing.
 Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare:
Setting
• What does setting provide?
• A setting affects the plot by giving environmental context.
• This can provide historical context.

• What is a background considered in Fiction?

• The backdrop for the action.
 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  Main Characters:
character  Protagonist: Main character in the
 Example: Happy, friendly, selfish, story. The events of the story
angry. revolve around them.
 Antagonist: A character that
represents opposition or is against
 Motivation- a reason for a the main character.
character to do something.
 Example: Listening to someone
else over themselves.
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!
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare: Plot
Five Parts of plot
1.Exposition: The
Beginning, Characters,
Setting & Problem laid out
2.Rising Action-
Complications arise with
the problem, The Plot
Thickens!
3.Climax- Highest point
of interest/suspense,
a.k.a. the Turning Point,
the outcome is decided
4. Falling Actions- events
that follow the climax and
end in resolution
5.Resolution- The
ending, loose ends are
tied up, everything comes
together
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare: Plot

 Conflict- The problem the main character faces. There are four different types, a
story may have more than one.

1. Character v. Character – External Conflict

2. Character v. Nature – External Conflict
3. Character v. Society – External Conflict
4. Character v. Self – Internal Conflict
Now you discuss the plot in Macbeth!

 With a partner, discuss which events in Macbeth represent the following

elements of plot:
 1.Exposition: The Beginning, Characters, Setting & Problem
laid out
 2.Rising Action- Complications arise with the problem, The
Plot Thickens!
 3.Climax- Highest point of interest/suspense, a.k.a. the Turning
Point, the outcome is decided
 4. Falling Actions- events that follow the climax and end in
resolution
 5.Resolution- The ending, loose ends are tied up, everything
comes together
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare:
Style
Style- How the author writes; The techniques and literary devices they use
to tell stories. Why do they use them?

Examples:
 Foreshadowing- A hint to the future, a change in setting

 Flashback- A brief return to the past, a change in setting

 Suspense- A feeling of tension the author creates

You try to identify any hints of
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?
 The Hero’s Journey Call to
Adventure
Return
(gift of the
goddess
Supernatural Aid
or coming
back with
 Joseph Campbell’s The prize)
Hero’s Journey is a common
template involving the
journey of a main character
in any tale. Does Macbeth’s
journey fit well with this Threshold
Atonement
Guardian(s)
template?

Challenges
Transformation and
Temptations

Abyss
(death &
rebirth)
Elements of Fiction in Shakespeare: The
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
Culminating Activity/ Question -
Writing Activity
 Why do you think Shakespeare wrote Macbeth?

 By yourself, in at least 10 sentences, and in your own words, discuss why you think
Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
 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
to tell us with this? Can the events of Macbeth take place in modern-day?
 Author’s Purpose: Commentaries of society, Historical parallels, Lesson’s on life, Moral
stories
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___________”)