10
QuizLong Text

Drama: Act I - Macbeth

Question 10 • Common Core ELA 12

Why do the stage directions in Act I of The Tragedy of Macbeth make no detailed references to lighting and sets? Explain your responses.a. In Shakespeare’s day, plays did not have artificial lighting or elaborate sets. b. In Shakespeare’s day, the acting companies could not read.c. Shakespeare put all his stage directions at the very end of the play, not in Act I.d. Shakespeare wanted to leave the lighting and sets up to future generations of directors.

Answer

Answer:

a, Explanation: In Shakespeare’s day plays were performed in daylight because their was no artificial lighting, and sets were kept to a bare minimum. Choice b is incorrect because most performers clearly had to be able to read to learn their roles. Choice c is incorrect. No such section of stage directions exists. Choice d is incorrect. Shakespeare wrote his plays for performance in his own time and would not have omitted valuable instructions for some future generations’ benefit.

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