The Legend of Macbeth as a Cursed Production

1
The Legend of Macbeth as a Cursed Production

• Kennedy Feltman
• Shannon Cottingham
• Sam Tatro
• Jennifer Rees
• Ms. Reeve
• English 12, Period 5

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About the Curse

• The curse of Macbeth is the misfortune that
  happens during the production of the play.
• The theory goes that Shakespeare included actual
  black magic spells through the presence of the
  weird sisters.
• Those who mention the plays name in the theatre
  risk having evil brought down on them.

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Superstition 1

• The first superstition is that it is bad luck to
  say Macbeth in a theatre, except during rehearsal
  or performance. If you say Macbeth three times,
  then it curses the theatre FOREVER!

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How to Cure the Curse of Superstition 1

• Leave the room, close the door, turn around three
  times, say a dirty word (or spit), then knock on
  the door, and ask to be let back in.
• If you cant do these things, then you simply
  quote from Hamlet Act I, Scene IV Angels and
  Ministers of Grace Defend Us!

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Superstition 2

• The second superstition is that the play itself
  is cursed, and brings bad luck to cast and crew.

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Creepy Background Information

• In the first production of Macbeth, the boy
  playing Lady Macbeth became feverish and died
  backstage.
• During much of the play, lighting is low.
• The bulk of the scenes take place at night or in
  the dark or fog.
• Every play production includes something going
  wrong, including actors, costumes, and equipment.
  
• Abraham Lincoln was reading passages from Macbeth
  with friends, and within a week he was
  assassinated.
• In 1942, three actors died and the set director
  committed suicide.
• David Learys 1971 production was plagued with
  two fires, and seven robberies.

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Works Cited

• "Curse - Macbeth." Curse - Macbeth. N.p., n.d.
  Web. 23
• Oct. 2013.
• Ross, Stewart, Tony Karpinski, Victor G. Ambrus,
  and
• Kenneth Branagh. Shakespeare and Macbeth The
• Story behind the Play. New York, NY Viking,
  1994.
• Print.
• Spurgeon, Caroline F. E. Shakespeare's Imagery,
  and What It Tells Us,. Cambridge, Eng. UP,
  1935.
• Print.
• "What's the Story on the Curse of Macbeth?" The
• Straight Dope. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.