Favorite Idea

From Macbeth:

The plot is determined by the Acronym of Macbeth

Masculinity
Ambiton
Cruelty or Corruption
Blood
Elements (as in supernatural)
Tyranny
Hallucinations

The plot is about a modern couple fairly resembling the characters and story of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; but if not then at least their relationship and the problems within it.Each Letter of the Acronym marks a different scene that reveals more about their lives and their crumbling relationship and marriage. E.g. Masculinity could reveal a scene where the wife is clearly more powerful over the husband and it shows his lack of masculinity within their relationsship. Or e.g. Corruption could mean cheating on either side of the relationship to show the demoralization and fraud of the marriage.
Between each scene a person will walk on with a sign saying what the scene is about marking what the audience must look for in order to make sense of the story. Flashbacks and flash forwards could be included in the story.

Idea on Shakespeare retold

In rank order:

1) Macbeth - I feel this play contains the most themes in order to create a new spontaneous idea out of for our our devised play. Plus I really like the complexity of the some of the characters and the male and female relationships throughout the play, especially Macbeth's and Lady Macbeths.

2) The Tempest - One of my ideas for The tempest for a devised piece is very different than all the rest and is combined with a current musical so it is very creative and could involve comedy. Furthermore, Miranda has always been one of my favourite characters as well as the unforgiving hopelessness of the fools an Caliban.

3) A Midsummer Nights Dream - This has always been one of if not my favorite Shakespeare play but because I have studied it, performed it and read it so much I feel like I should try something new. However, I have a very weird, yet creative 'Shakespeare retold' idea that could if executed right could work very well, however it may be slightly limiting and therefore that is why it is low ranking.

4) King Lear
Apart from the fierceness of Reagan and Goneril, King Lear doesn't really appeal to me in terms of plot. I feel there is less action and no tremendous climax in terms of the play as a whole, however King Lear's speech could be determined as this. I am not very interested in using King Lear as a stimulus and therefore haven't developed any idea's from this play and is why it is ranked last.

Themes/Motifs in Macbeth

• Destruction
• Violence
• Murder
• Deceit
• Spite/Hatred
• Power (lust of)
• Witchcraft and disillusions/Hallucinations 
•  Blood

Synopsis of MacBeth

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/summary.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramamacbeth/1drama_macbeth_plotrev1.shtml

The play opens as three witches plan a meeting with the Scottish Noble man Macbeth, who at that moment is fighting in a great battle. When the battle is over, Macbeth and his friend Banquo come across the witches who offer them three predictions: that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and that Banquo's descendants will become kings.

Banquo laughs at the prophecies but Macbeth is excited, especially as soon after their meeting with the witches Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, in return for his bravery in the battle. He writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is as excited as he is. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that King Duncan is on his way to their castle and she invokes evil spirits to help her slay him. Macbeth is talked into killing Duncan by his wife and stabs him to death. No-one is quite sure who committed this murder and no-one feels safe, but Macbeth is crowned king.

Now that Macbeth is king he knows the second prediction from the witches has come true, but he starts to fear the third prediction (that Banquo's descendants will also be kings). Macbeth therefore decides to kill Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong - Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth then thinks he is going mad because he sees Banquo's ghost and receives more predictions from the witches. He starts to become ruthless and kills the family of Macduff, an important lord. Macbeth still thinks he is safe but one by one the witches' prophecies come true, Lady Macbeth cannot stop thinking about Duncan, becomes deranged and dies. A large army marches on Macbeth's castle and Macbeth is killed by Macduff.

Own Synopsis

• Macbeth, a Scottish noblemen, after winning a great battle come across three witches with his friend Banquo.
• The three witches offer them three predictions in chronological order: Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor, King of Scotland, and Banquo's sons will become kings and that 'none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" and then finally "Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinaine Hill shall come against him." 
• Shortly after Macbeth is made King of Cawdor in return for his Bravery in the battle and become rather excited. He writes to his Wife, Lady Macbeth.
• Lady Macbeth believes to make the prophecy come true, they mist kill Duncan, the King and convinces Macbeth to do so.
• Macbeth is crowned King.
• Macbeth starts to fear the 3rd prediction as evidence shows the first two came true. The Witches also prophesied that ' He tries to kill Banquo and his son but his son escapes. 
• Macbeth begins to think he is going mad and kills Madcuff's family (a lord).
• Lady Macbeth is driven mad by what she has done and dies by 'self and violent hands'. It is not specified.
• An army marches to the Castle where Macbeth lives and he is killed by Madcuff because he was in fact born by Cesarean and therefore not 'woman born'.