We completed our examination of ACT I today by exploring how Shakespeare inverts traditional gender roles . We first studied Macbeth's hesitancy to murdering Duncan . Nina astutely noted the comparison to Brutus' soliloquy in "Caesar" wherein Brutus internally debates whether to join the conspiracy. We continued to parse the play's metaphors . Here, Macbeth acknowledges he has no cause to "spur" him on other than ambition and that if he "vaults too high" he will fall. Nina practiced writing a quote analysis and we examined the metaphor's reference to both horse vaulting and Aristotle's theory of the tragic fall . We then examined Lady Macbeth's soliloquies and actions and noted how Macbeth is dominated and manipulated by his forceful wife who emasculates him with insults and assumes the traditional male role as she calls upon the spirits to "unsex" her. After reviewing Nina's study guide answers to Act I, we watched a performance of Act I recorded at the Kennedy Center . We discussed the director's interpretation of various scenes ,especially of the witches.