The Legend of Macbeth as a Cursed Production

The Legend of Macbeth as a Cursed Production Kennedy Feltman Shannon Cottingham Sam Tatro Jennifer Rees Ms. Reeve English 12, Period 5

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 theatre risk having evil brought down on them.

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 theatre FOREVER!

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 can’t do these things, then you simply quote from Hamlet Act I, Scene IV: “Angels and Ministers of Grace Defend Us!”

Superstition #2 • The second superstition is that the play itself is cursed, and brings bad luck to cast and crew.

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 Leary’s 1971 production was plagued with two fires, and seven robberies.

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.