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Creativity Under Duress in Education? pp 361–381Cite as

Embodying Macbeth: Incantation, Visualization, Improvisation, and Characterization

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Part of the book series: Creativity Theory and Action in Education ((CTAE,volume 3))

Abstract

This chapter discusses the author’s teaching of English methods to students who will themselves teach students how to study Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Drawing from a Shakespeare toolkit for educators, this creativity scholar explains the six-step process based on drama pedagogy strategies used in her high school English methods course. The drama activities, known as Role Work, are titled Ensemble-building, Battlefield Visualization, Slow-motion Battle-Group Improvisation, Word Carpet Guided Tour, Writing in a Role, and Role on a Wall. The Ensemble-building Activity speaks to the role of superstition and the Three Witches’ incantations. The Battlefield Visualization, Improvisation, Word Carpet Guided Tour and Writing in a Role activities speak to dialogic meaning-making where students co-construct a battlefield scene by listening, speaking, and reflecting. The Role on the Wall activity speaks to depicting Macbeth’s character in a visual way. The strategies are explained and included are guiding questions and tables to scaffold instruction as well as English candidates’ pictures, writing samples, and responses to the strategies. The Common Core State Standards are addressed and ideas for a culminating project. In conjunction with the process-based drama strategies, described are a three-step approach involving action, thought, and writing, with class discussion of the activities. By entering the play’s action through motion and emotion, students can experience characters’ thoughts and feelings.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA

    Mary Beth Cancienne

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  1. Mary Beth Cancienne
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Correspondence to Mary Beth Cancienne .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Blacksburg Campus, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Carol A. Mullen

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Cancienne, M.B. (2019). Embodying Macbeth: Incantation, Visualization, Improvisation, and Characterization. In: Mullen, C.A. (eds) Creativity Under Duress in Education?. Creativity Theory and Action in Education, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90272-2_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90272-2_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-90271-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-90272-2

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