Shakespeare Closely Read

Claudio and his friends, falling for Don John's deception, accuse Hero of infidelity.  Hero faints, and supposing her to be dead her accusers depart.  The friar advises Hero's family and friends to let out that she is dead. Benedict and Beatrice declare their love for each other, and Beatrice has Benedict challenge Claudio to avenge Hero.

Don John's plot to slander Hero and break up her impending marriage appears successful, but the night Watch overhears a confession by Don John's henchman.

Benedict and Beatrice's friends contrive to bring them together by pretending to know that they secretly love each other.

Claudio believes that the Prince has betrayed him by wooing Hero for himself, but it is all straightened out; the marriage of Claudio and Hero is set.  The company then determines to have Benedick and Beatrice fall in love with each other - a seemingly impossible task. There is, however, a hint that the two were lovers in the past: "I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one. Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice."

We start the delightful Much Ado About Nothing. While the Kenneth Branagh version is highly recommended, a free production (by a Texas Shakespeare company) can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgTsb2GGtjA

Burnam Wood came to Dunsinane, but Macbeth still holds hope of prevailing since he cannot be killed by anyone of woman born.  Until he meets Macduff, from his mother's womb untimely ripped.  The end.  Of Macbeth.

The Macbeth's descend into madness.  Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, delivers her "Out damn spot" speech, and commits suicide.  Macbeth depends wholly on the witches' prophecies.  Learning of Lady Macbeth's death, he gives the "out brief candle" speech on the shortness and futility of life. 

"It is a tale

Macbeth is now the epitome of nihilism.

Some memorable lines from the Weird Sisters: "Eye of newt and toe of frog,"

"Something wicked this way comes."

"for none of woman born

"Macbeth shall never vanquished be until

Macbeth has Banquo murdered, but Banquo's son, Fleance, escapes.  Banquo's ghost appears! Hecate chides the Weird Sisters.

With Lady Macbeth urging him on, Macbeth kills King Duncan and they frame two servants.  When the king's body is discovered, Macbeth kills the two servants, supposedly in a rage at what they had done.  Duncan's sons flee, rightly suspecting Macbeth.  Macbeth turns his attention to Banquo.