1. Discuss in detail how Shakespeare adapts one of his main sources for Macbeth – Holinshed’s The Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (on Canvas). What key events, character traits or motivations, quotations, etc. does he directly thieve/borrow from his source? What does he alter, exclude or expand? Why? What is the impact of these choices? Select specific, well-synthesized examples of Shakespeare’s adaptation of his source for your discussion.
2. One of the main sources for Antony and Cleopatra is North's translation of Plutarch's Parallel Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans. Compare the excerpt I have provided on Canvas from the "Life of Marcus Antonius" in Parallel Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans to Shakespeare's famous barge speech by Enorbarbus in 2.2. What diction, imagery and thematic ideas does Shakespeare borrow? What changes does Shakespeare make to the description of Cleopatra on the Nile and what is the impact of these? How (and why) has Shakespeare adapted this passage from his source material?
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