Macbeth, part 8

The Story So Far: Three witches (or "Weird Sisters", if you want to be politically correct about it) have told Macbeth that he is going to be king. Macbeth tells his wife this, and they decide to be all proactive about this and kill the current king, Duncan. Because why not?

The dagger speech is one of the most famous speeches from Macbeth. I've assembled a video compilation of some of the more prominent filmed versions of it.

Also, in case you missed it, yesterday I put out a call for people to submit videos of themselves reciting a line or two from the  Crispin's Day speech from Henry V, as part of my 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt special. The response has been really great. I've assigned all the lines already, but since so many people want to be involved, I'm assigning them all a second time, because the more the merrier. So, if you'd like to be involved, e-mail me at goodticklebrain AT gmail DOT com and I'll give you a line! 

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Upcoming: A 600th Anniversary Crispin's Day Special!

October 25 will be the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, the centerpiece of Shakespeare's Henry V. I'm very excited. You might recall that last year I put together this supercut of the Crispin's Day speech, featuring all the filmed Henry Vs I could find. 

I'd like to do something similar this year, but featuring YOU, my faithful readers. So, if you'd like to participate in the Good Tickle Brain 600th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Agincourt, get in touch with me! Here's how it will go:

1. I will assign you a couple lines from the Crispin's Day speech. Sorry, you can't choose which ones, because then everyone would be doing the "band of brothers" bit and there would be no one to say "Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester". (Frankly, I love those lines, but I realize they're not exactly the glamorous quotable bit.)

2. Film yourself reciting those lines. This doesn't need to be a fancy production. If you've got a smartphone, you've got a video camera in your pocket. Just make sure the sound works, so I don't get a clip of you saying "thrrs drrr urrs crrrld thrrr frsst urrff Crrrsprrrn".

3. Send the video to me (goodticklebrain AT gmail DOT com). Also include how you would like to be credited: real name, pseudonym, Twitter/Tumblr handle, anonymous, whatever).

4. I will then put together all the videos I receive into a super SUPER Crispin's Day supercut. 

Please send me your videos by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, so I have some time to put everything together!

Don't hold your manhood cheap whiles any speaks that recorded little bits of video with us upon St. Crispin's Daaaaaaay! 

Macbeth, part 7

Let's see... Duncan has arrived at the Macbeths' castle... there's murder in the air.. what are we missing?

Oh yes! A soliloquy!

Lessons you should take away from this:

1. Don't argue with Lady Macbeth.

2. Seriously, don't argue with her. She's going on about bashing a baby's brains out. She has some serious issues.

It is implied that Lady Macbeth had a baby in the past, but there is no sign of a Macbeth-ling running around the castle. Many productions nowadays like to run with the idea that it died in childhood, leaving the Macbeths childless and bereft. The Fassbender Macbeth (which I haven't seen because it's not out here yet, grumble grumble) apparently opens with the hypothetical child's funeral. 

Tune in next week when the Macbeths finally get their hands dirty! ....no, seriously, they get their hands dirty. 

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 6

Duncan and the royal posse have finally arrived at the Macbeth's castle!

All credit to Lady Macbeth, she actually doesn't give away anything in this scene. No murdery double entendres, no whispered asides in which she reveals her bloody intentions. Nope, she plays the gracious hostess very solidly. 

Tune in on Thursday, as we board the train to Murderville!

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 5

Let's check in on Lady Macbeth and see how she is processing news of the witches' prophecy...

...so, not exactly in a calm and rational manner, then.

Tune in next week as we wrap up Act 1 of "A Stick Figure Macbeth"!

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 4

When we last left our anti-hero, Macbeth was on his way to see King Duncan, having just been told by some random witches that he will be king himself one day. 

Play it cool, Mackers. Take it down a notch.

Tune in on Thursday, when we'll pop over to Inverness and meet Mrs. Macbeth!

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 3

Let's get back to the witches! I always find it interesting that the witches aren't actually in the play very much. Their presence dominates the play, but they actually only have three scenes (four, if you count the perpetually-cut Hecate interlude). 

The witches have this whole "let me tell you about the horrible things I've done since we last met" section at the beginning of this scene, which is mostly notable for containing one of my favorite obscure quotes. 

Everyone likes to blame Lady Macbeth for the whole unpleasant "murder" business, but really Macbeth is right there thinking it from the very start.

Tune in next week for more Macbeth antics!

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 2

We've met the witches, now let's meet the king!

I've always loved the "unseamed him from the nave to the chops" line (a.k.a. split him open from his bellybutton to his chinny-chin-chin). It's just so wonderfully brutal and unnecessarily gory. It really sets the tone for the whole play, as does the profusely bleeding soldier who reports on it.

Tune in on Thursday, when we'll check back with the witches! Also be sure to check out all my other Macbeth comics.

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30