Lit assignment on Macbeth

Last year, Lesley-Anne studied Macbeth for literature and this seems to be a popular Shakespeare text for sec 3 and 4.  One of the more interesting assignments the kids were tasked to do was to write an original sonnet based on a theme in Macbeth.

As part of the challenge, it had to fulfil the standard requirements of a sonnet, ie:

• 14 lines
• each line with 10 syllables
• ABAB rhyme scheme with last 2 lines a couplet
• Iambic pentameter, meaning each unstressed syllable must be followed by a stressed syllable

 Lesley-Anne chose the theme "Appearance vs Reality" and here's what she came up with.


Concealed within the walls of Inverness
Are dangerous desires and lethal lies
Ambition grows while shrouded in darkness
And martlets cloak the owl's ill-fated cries

A mask of innocence disguised Macbeth's
Intent to execute an evil crime
While Duncan slept and drew his final breath
Up ambition's ladder did Macbeth climb

Although unshaken did Macbeth appear
Throughout his quest to win the regal throne
The only things he gained were guilt and fear
The forest came and he was overthrown

When order hides the chaos and despair
It looks like fair is foul and foul is fair


Lesley-Anne didn't score as well as she'd hoped cos the teacher commented that the reader wouldn't have understood the sonnet if he or she hadn't read Macbeth. All I can say is that the assignments these days are really tough - I wouldn't have been able to come up with much at sec 3.  However, I do feel it's a lot more thought-provoking than merely having to write another analytical essay.  Certainly forces you to dig deep into your imagination and harness your creative juices.

Wish I had lit assignments like these back then, lessons would have been more fun!