Download Macbeth PP Slides

The Scottish Play
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Assessment of
prior knowledge
Objectives:
• To revise prior knowledge
of Shakespeare
• To learn about Shakespeare and the
theatrical context of Macbeth
William Shakespeare
What do you know about Shakespeare? Jot down
anything you know about him.
William Shakespeare
Click the picture above to
watch a short film about
Shakespeare
Over the coming weeks we
will be studying the play
Macbeth but before we
read the play we need to
find out a little bit about
Shakespeare and the
Elizabethan theatre.
By the end of today’s
lesson you should be a
Shakespeare specialist.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in
Warwickshire in 1564. His father was a glove maker and his
mother, Mary Arden, was the daughter of a local landowner.
Shakespeare was educated in Stratford's grammar school and
married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway, daughter of a farmer.
William and Anne had a daughter in 1583 and twins in 1585.
Shakespeare was an actor with the Lord Chamberlain's
Company, which was renamed the King's Company in 1603
when James I became king. Shakespeare's poetry was first
published in 1593, records don’t appear of Shakespeare's
plays until 1594. His earliest plays include 'Henry VI' and
'Titus Andronicus'. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'The
Merchant of Venice' and 'Richard II' which all date from the
mid to late 1590s. Some of his most famous tragedies were
written in the early 1600s including 'Hamlet', 'Othello', 'King
Lear' and 'Macbeth'. His later plays date from 1608 onwards
and include 'The Tempest'.
Shakespeare spent the last five years of his life in Stratford
and he died there on 23rd April 1616.
The Theatre
The first ‘modern’ theatre as we
know it was built at Shoreditch
in 1576. Before this time plays
were performed in the courtyard
of inns, or sometimes, in the
houses of wealthy families.
However, hosts had to be careful
about which plays they allowed
to be performed as anything that
was controversial or political was
likely to get him in trouble with
the king.
The theatre in Shakespeare’s
time had an unsavoury
reputation. London authorities
refused to allow plays within the
city, so theatres opened across
the Thames in Southwark,
outside the jurisdiction of the
local authority.
The theatrical context
Elizabethan theatres could hold several
thousand people, most standing in the
open pit before the stage, though rich
nobles could watch the play from a chair
set on the side of the stage itself.
Performances were held in the afternoon,
because there was no artificial lighting.
Women were permitted to attend plays
but often prosperous women would wear a
mask to disguise their identity. However,
no women performed in the theatres.
Female roles were generally performed by
young boys.
Click on the pictures to get an idea of
the Elizabethan theatre experience
Check your understanding
1.When was Shakespeare writing his plays?
2.What was a trip to the theatre like at this time?
3.Which were published first, Shakespeare’s plays
or poems?
4.Name three of Shakespeare’s plays?
5.Why were London’s theatres situated on the
south bank of the river Thames?
6.When did plays take place? Why at this time?
7.What were women not allowed to do in the
theatre? How did companies overcome this?
Plenary
When you have
finished discuss your
answers with the rest
of the class.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 2
Language and context
Getting things in
perspective
Objectives:
• To introduce Shakespeare’s
language
• To learn about the social
and historical context of Macbeth
Shakespeare Insults
Shakespeare’s language is incredibly vibrant. His use of words is what made his plays
great, however when you read Shakespeare for the first time it can all seem a little
confusing. To help us get to grips with the language and have some fun try creating a
Shakespearian insult from the lists below:
artless
base-court
apple-john
bawdy
bat-fowling
baggagebe
slubbering
beef-witted
barnacle
bootless
beetle-headed
bladder
churlish
boil-brained
boar-pig
cockered
clapper-clawed
bugbear
clouted
clay-brained
bum-bailey
craven
common-kissing
canker-blossom
currish
crook-pated
clack-dish
dankish
dismal-dreaming
clotpole
dissembling
dizzy-eyed
coxcomb
droning
doghearted
codpiece
Shakespeare insults
To make an insult simply
combine one word from
each column.
For example..
Thou art a
beslubbering,
bat-fowling
baggage!
Witchcraft
In the modern world we have scientific knowledge to explain
why natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and
droughts take place. However in Shakespeare’s time, there
was no such science and so people invented all sorts of
explanations to explain why bad things happened. One of
the ways they accounted for the unexplained was the idea of
witches. In Elizabethan England hundreds of thousands of
women were tortured and executed in Europe because they
were accused of witchcraft. They were blamed for accidents,
misfortunes and disasters of all kinds. People thought that
witches could see into the future, cast spells, cause storms
and bad weather and disguise themselves as other
creatures such as cats.
In Scotland between 1590 and 1680 (the time when
Shakespeare wrote Macbeth) approximately 4400 ‘witches’
were executed. The most well known case is that of the
North Berwick witches in 1590-92. They were accused of
attempting to murder King James I by placing a wax image
of him in a fire. The witches were arrested, interrogated by
James I himself and executed.
Click on the
witch to
watch a short
film about
witches in
mediaeval
Europe
King James I
James I was the king of England when Macbeth was written. The case of
the North Berwick witches had frightened the king and he wrote a book on
the subject entitled ‘Deamonologie’ and appealed to parliament to pass
the following act in 1563 which was still a part of English law until 1951!
“if any person shall use any invocation or conjuration of any evil or
wicked spirit; 2. or shal, covenant with, entertain, employ, feed or
reward any evil or cursed spirit to or for any intent or purpose; 3. or
take up any dead man, woman or child out of the grave, - or the skin,
bone, or any part of the dead person, to be employed or used in any
manner of witchcraft, sorcery, charm, or enchantment; 4. or shall use,
practice, or exercise any sort of witchcraft, sorcery, charm or
enchantment; 5. whereby any person shall be destroyed, killed,
wasted, consumed, pined, or lamed in any part of the body; 6. that
every such person being convicted shall suffer death.”
Witchcraft and Shakespeare
1. Why did people believe that witches were responsible for
misfortunes and disasters in the C17th?
2. Name three supernatural powers that people thought
witches had.
3. How many witches were executed in Scotland between
1590 and 1680?
4. Who were the North Berwick witches?
5. Who was on the English throne during the writing of
Macbeth?
6. What was the king’s feelings about witchcraft?
7. What happened to the majority of women accused of
being a witch?
Plenary
When you have
finished discuss your
answers with the rest
of the class.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 3
Dramatic Conventions
Macbeth
Objectives:
To learn about the features of a drama
text.
To Read Act 1, Scene i and learn how
Shakespeare creates atmosphere and
establishes setting in the opening scene
What is Drama?
Drama texts are written for actors who play the
characters and perform the dialogue and action.
Drama scripts are used for plays, radio performances,
television and films and each type of script contains
different features. Read the opening scene of
Macbeth on the following slide.
Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 1
SCENE I. A desert place.
Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches
First Witch:
When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch:
When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won.
Third Witch:
That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch:
Where the place?
Second Witch:
Upon the heath.
Third Witch:
There to meet with Macbeth.
Stage Script - Macbeth
First Witch
I come, Graymalkin!
Second Witch
Paddock calls.
Third Witch
Anon.
ALL
Fair is foul, and foul
is fair: Hover through
the fog and filthy air.
Exeunt
Performance
Click on the link below to watch a film version of
Macbeth, Act I, Scene i
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1_I36qHDts
What features can you identify?
Act 1, Scene 1
SCENE I. A desert place.
Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches
First Witch:
When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch:
When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won.
Third Witch:
That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch:
Where the place?
Second Witch:
Upon the heath.
Third Witch:
There to meet with Macbeth.
Features of a stage play
A play is set out very differently from a novel or a
poem and contains different features. Could you
explain what these features are? Complete the
sentences below.
Stage Directions …
Characters …
Dialogue …
Deducing directions
Read the opening scene again then complete the sentences
below. Think about how an atmosphere of disorder is created.
12th April 10
Act 1, scene i
The opening scene contains a number of words that
suggest violence and chaos…
There are also many opposites and contradictions…..
The way the witches speak …
The scene is set……
Shakespeare is creating an atmosphere of….
Plenary
When you have
finished feedback your
answers to the rest of
the group.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 4
Enter Macbeth
Enter Macbeth
Objective:
• To learn how Shakespeare
uses stage directions, dialogue and
action to create characters
• To begin analysis of how Shakespeare
presents the character of Macbeth
Stage directions, dialogue, action!
Can you match up the word with its correct definition?
Stage directions
What the character
says
Dialogue
What the character
does
Action
notes telling an actor
how to look, move and
behave
Stage directions, Dialogue, Action!
Can you match up the word with its correct definition?
Stage directions
What the character
says
Dialogue
What the character
does
Action
notes telling an actor
how to look, move and
behave
Macbeth
Read the captain’s report of the battle in I,ii. What
words/phrases are used to describe Macbeth?
Macbeth
Macbeth is introduced to the audience by the captain in I, ii,
but he does not appear until I, iii. Read up to the end of I, iii
the answer the following questions:
1. What is Macbeth told by the witches?
2. What do the witches say to Banquo?
3. What does Macbeth ask the witches in this scene?
4. How does Macbeth feel after the events of I, iii?
5. What is Banquo’s reaction to the witches?
6. What news is delivered by Ross?
7. What are the reactions of Macbeth and Ross
to the news?
So fair and foul a
day I have not seen
Inner thoughts
Look at how Macbeth and Banquo are presented to the audience in
this scene. Find quotations from I, iii then explain what is revealed
about their characters through the dialogue.
Quotation
Character
Speak, if you can: Macbeth
what are you?
I neither beg nor
fear/Your
favours nor your
hate
What is revealed
Macbeth is curious and wants to speak
with the witches. His use of
commands and questions suggests an
authoritive character
Macbeth
Write a paragraph explaining
how Shakespeare presents
the character of Macbeth to
the audience.
You could use some of the
sentence starters on the
next slide to get you up and
running.
12th April 10
Macbeth
My first impression of
Macbeth is that he is a…
Macbeth
What are your first impressions of Macbeth? Below are a few sentence
starters to help with your paragraph:
12th April 10
Macbeth
Macbeth is introduced to the audience in act one …
Macbeth is described as …
In I, iii we begin to see another side to Macbeth, he is …
Shakespeare gives the audience an immediate insight into Macbeth’s
character here…
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 5
Banquo’s letter
Banquo’s letter
Objective:
• To learn how Shakespeare
uses dialogue to build imagery, setting
and atmosphere
• To begin analysis of how Shakespeare
presents the character of Banquo
The weird sisters
Using the description provided by Banquo in I, iii, draw
and label the three witches.
Banquo’s letter
Imagine you are Banquo. Following the events of Act 1,
scene 3 you decide to write a letter to a friend about
what happened.
You will need to include:
•What the witches looked like
•What they said to you and Macbeth
•Macbeth’s reactions and behaviour
•Your thoughts and feelings about the predictions and the
future
Plenary
When you have
finished read your
letter to the rest of
the group.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 6
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Objective:
• To develop understanding of Lady
Macbeth’s character
• To read I, v and write a paragraph
about Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Read Act One, Scene Five.
What is your first impression of Lady Macbeth?
Writing about texts
You should always, when writing about any text, use the
P.E.E formula. Make a point, find some evidence and then
explain the evidence in detail.
Point, Evidence, Explain
Look at how Lady Macbeth is presented to the audience in Act one
through the use of stage directions, dialogue and action. Find
examples from Act One, Scene Five then explain what they reveal
about her character.
Point
Evidence
Lady Macbeth thinks ‘I fear thy nature; It
that her husband is
is too full o' the milk of
too good a man to
human kindness .’
murder Duncan.
Lady Macbeth calls
upon evil spirits to
help her in her
wicked plan.
There are
similarities between
Lady Macbeth and
the witches.
‘fill me from the crown
to the toe top-full of
direst cruelty’
Explain
Lady Macbeth knows that her
husband is an honest and loyal
man; it will not be easy to
persuade him to murder the
king.
Don’t forget to explain yourself
Use the information from the table to write 5 points about
Lady Macbeth. Add a quote and explanation for each point.
For example
Lady Macbeth …
she says:
this shows that she is...
Plenary
Read your paragraph about
Lady Macbeth to the rest of
the group.
Do they agree or disagree with
your opinion of her?
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 7
To kill or not to kill?
To kill or not to kill?
Objective:
• To develop understanding of the
characters of Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth
• To begin a mind map of the themes
explored by Shakespeare in the play
The Murder
In Act 1, Scene 7 Macbeth decides to cancel the plan to kill
Duncan but his wife persuades him to change his mind.
What are the arguments for and against killing Duncan?
We should murder Duncan because…
We should not murder Duncan
because…
The tale of the tortoise and the
hare
Do you remember the tale of the tortoise and
the hare? Click below to remind yourself…
Click
me!
No! No!
Click me!
What is the message of the story of the
tortoise and the hare?
Theme
Like the story of the tortoise and the hare many
texts will explore a subject or issue that the writer
wants the audience to think about. This is called
the theme.
Themes are many and varied and can include subjects such as:
Love
War
Prejudice
Growing up
What do you think the theme(s) of Macbeth could be?
Macbeth themes
What themes does the play explore? Create a
mind map to show how Shakespeare covers a
variety of themes in Macbeth.
good &
evil
power
Macbeth
ambition
order &
chaos
Plenary
Complete your mind map for
homework
These could be displayed in the
classroom.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 8
Macbeth’s Diary
Macbeth’s diary
Objective:
• To develop understanding of the
relationships between Lady Macbeth,
Macbeth and Banquo
• To assess understanding of character
and plot through diary writing
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo
Complete the Venn diagram with words which describe the characters of
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo. Where the circles overlap you can
place words which apply to more than one character.
Macbeth
brave warrior
suspicious
Lady
Macbeth
Banquo
Macbeth’s diary
Read up to the end of Act one.
Think about what has happened so far. What would
Macbeth think and feel about the events of the play so
far?
Imagine that you are Macbeth writing a diary about the
events of Act One.
You should include:
•the battle
•the witches’ predictions
•thoughts about Duncan
•feelings for your wife
•your hopes and fears for the future
Plenary
Read out your diary entry to a partner
then ask them the following questions:
What is good about it?
How could I improve it?
Listen carefully to the suggestions.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 9
Lost the plot?
Lost the plot?
Objective:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of Act One
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Macbeth and his friend _____ are returning from a
battle with the _______ where they have just secured a
victory for King ______ when they come across three
_____. The _____ tell Macbeth that he will become
Thane of _____ and _____ of Scotland and say to
Banquo that his _____ will be the future kings of
Scotland.
Almost immediately, the first _____ is fulfilled when
Macbeth is rewarded for his _____ in battle with the
title Thane of _____.
Macbeth sends a _____ to his wife about the witches
predictions. She is excited by the prospect of
becoming ____ and decides to persuade Macbeth to
____ Duncan when he returns home so that they can
take over the throne.
Duncan is invited to _____ castle where Macbeth and
his wife plan to _____ him.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act One by filling in the gaps
Macbeth and his friend Banquo are returning from a
battle with the Norwegians where they have just
secured a victory for King Duncan when they come
across three witches. The witches tell Macbeth that he
will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland and
say to Banquo that his children will be the future kings
of Scotland.
Almost immediately, the first prediction is fulfilled
when Macbeth is rewarded for his bravery in battle
with the title Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth sends a letter to his wife about the witches
predictions. She is excited by the prospect of
becoming queen and decides to persuade Macbeth to
kill Duncan when he returns home so that they can take
over the throne.
Duncan is invited to Macbeth’s castle where Macbeth
and his wife plan to murder him.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Act One
Banquo and Macbeth meet
three witches
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 10
A dagger of the mind
Private and public
Objective:
• To consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the character
of Macbeth
Macbeth and Banquo
Macbeth and Banquo have many similarities but they are also
very contrasting characters. How are they similar yet
different?
Similarities between Macbeth and
Banquo
Both men are distinguished warriors, loyal
to King Duncan at the beginning of the
play.
Differences between Macbeth and
Banquo
Banquo is more light-hearted and casual
in his conversation with the witches.
Both men are given predictions about
their future by the witches.
What key themes of the play could these characters
represent?
Macbeth’s soliloquy
Below is Macbeth’s soliloquy from Act 2, Scene 1. Look at how Shakespeare
uses language here to convey Macbeth’s state of mind.
Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight? or art thou but
A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?
I see thee yet, in form as palpable
As this which now I draw.
Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going;
And such an instrument I was to use.
Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses,
Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still,
And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood,
Which was not so before. There's no such thing:
Macbeth’s soliloquy
Below is Macbeth’s soliloquy from Act 2, Scene 1. Look at how Shakespeare
uses language here to convey Macbeth’s state of mind.
It is the bloody business which informs
Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one halfworld
Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse
The curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder,
Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf,
Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace.
With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design
Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth,
Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear
Thy very stones prate of my whereabout,
And take the present horror from the time,
Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives:
Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.
A bell rings
I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell.
Check your understanding
Complete the questions below to convey your understanding of Macbeth’s
soliloquy.
1. What does Macbeth imagine?
2. Why does Macbeth think he is hallucinating?
3. How does Macbeth interpret this vision?
4. What is the dagger stained with?
5. What time of day is it?
6. What strange and supernatural events does Macbeth refer
to?
7. What decision does Macbeth come to by the end of the
speech?
8. Why has the castle bell been rung?
A Closer Look
Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight? or art thou but
A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?
I see thee yet, in form as palpable
As this which now I draw.
Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going;
And such an instrument I was to use.
Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses,
Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still,
And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood,
Which was not so before. There's no such thing:
Macbeth’s soliloquy contains a number of references to evil and the
supernatural. With a partner highlight words or phrases which refer to
witchcraft, murder and secrecy.
Macbeth’s soliloquy
It is the bloody business which informs
Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one halfworld
Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse
The curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder,
Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf,
Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace.
With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design
Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth,
Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear
Thy very stones prate of my whereabout,
And take the present horror from the time,
Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives:
Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.
A bell rings
I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell.
Writing about texts
When writing about Macbeth remember to use the P.E.E
formula. Make a point, find some evidence and then
explain the evidence in detail.
Is Macbeth evil?
Use the P.E.E. formula to answer the following question:
Why does Macbeth decide to kill Duncan?
Think about the following:
Is Macbeth an evil man?
Is he ambitious and greedy?
Is he easily influenced by others?
Is the murder ‘a crime of passion’?
Does Macbeth suffer from mental illness?
Is he a good man who just makes bad judgements?
Plenary
Read out your work to the rest of
the group.
Discuss how you used the P.E.E
formula when writing about
Macbeth’s soliloquy.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 11
Dramatic irony
Dramatic irony and
theme
Objectives:
To learn how Shakespeare uses
dramatic irony to convey character
and theme
Macbeth and Banquo
Read Act 2, Scene 1 where Macbeth talks to his friend Banquo.
How has the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo
changed? Find evidence to back up your answers
Changes in the friendship between
Macbeth and Banquo
At the start of the play they are good
friends and loyal comrades.
Banquo is concerned by Macbeth’s
reaction to the witches in I, iii
Evidence
The captain’s report in Act I, scene ii
tells us how they fought bravely side by
side for their king.
Look, how our partner's rapt.
Why is the relationship changing?
Dramatic irony
Dramatic irony is a situation in which
the audience has a fuller knowledge
of what is happening in a drama than
a character does.
Shakespeare uses this technique a
number of times in Macbeth to
present character and to explore
themes.
A good example of dramatic irony is
used in Act two, scene two when
Macbeth and Banquo speak.
The use of dramatic irony allows
insight into character and adds
tension to the scene.
Banquo: Who’s there?
Macbeth: A friend.
Dramatic irony
The conversation between Macbeth and Banquo in Act Two
Scene two is full of dramatic irony. Complete the table below
to show your understanding.
Character
Quotation
Macbeth
‘I think not of them’
Banquo
(Duncan) hath been in unusual
pleasure…and shut up in
measureless content.
Macbeth and
Banquo
Banquo: Who’s there?
Macbeth: A friend.
Macbeth
Why this is dramatic irony
Extension Questions
1.Explain how the relationship has changed
between Macbeth and Banquo?
2.What is dramatic irony?
3.Why has the relationship between Macbeth
and Banquo changed?
4.Is Macbeth a good or evil man?
5.Find an example of dramatic irony in Act
II, scene ii and explain its intended effect.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 12
Lady Macbeth and Building Tension
Lady Macbeth and
building tension
Objective:
• To develop knowledge understanding of
Lady Macbeth’s character
• To analyse how tension is created in Act
2, scene 2
Lady Macbeth
Read Act Two, Scene Two. What additional information
can we deduce about her following this scene?
Tension at the start of Act Two
Read up to the end of Act Two, Scene
Two.
Act Two scenes one and two contain lots of
tension, but how does Shakespeare create and
build tension?
Pick out examples of dialogue, action and stage
directions that help Shakespeare build a dramatic
mood in this scene. Plot your findings on a graph
to show how tension is built up.
An example is shown on the following slide…
Climax
Very
tense
Slow
tension
Banquo: A heavy summons
lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep
Enter BANQUO, and
FLEANCE bearing a
Calm
torch before him
Start of Act 2
Draw a graph to show how tension is built up at the start of Act
Two in Macbeth.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 13
Lost the plot?
Lost the plot?
Objective:
• To consolidate knowledge
and understanding of
Act Two
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act Two by filling in the gaps
Macbeth has now decided to kill ____ and walks
towards his room but as he approaches Duncan’s door
he sees an imaginary _____ before his eyes. He follows
the dagger to Duncan’s room where he _____ the king.
Macbeth returns to his _____ with the daggers covered
in Duncan’s _____. ____ _____ sees the daggers and
chastises Macbeth for being foolish. Macbeth _____ to
go back into Duncan’s room to return the knives so Lady
Macbeth takes them from her husband and plants them
on the _____.
_____ arrives at the castle and discovers Duncan’s
_____. Duncan’s sons, _____ and _____, hurry away
from the scene, afraid that they will be _____ of killing
their father.
Banquo proposes a _____ to discuss the situation and at
the end of act two Macbeth goes to _____ where he is
crowned the new _____ of Scotland.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act Two by filling in the gaps
Macbeth has now decided to kill Duncan and walks
towards his room but as he approaches Duncan’s door
he sees an imaginary dagger before his eyes. He
follows the dagger to Duncan’s room where he murders
the king.
Macbeth returns to his bedchamber with the daggers
covered in Duncan’s blood. Lady Macbeth sees the
daggers and chastises Macbeth for being foolish.
Macbeth refuses to go back into Duncan’s room to
return the knives so Lady Macbeth takes them from her
husband and plants them on the servants.
Macduff arrives at the castle and discovers Duncan’s
body. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donaldbain, hurry
away from the scene, afraid that they will be suspected
of killing their father.
Banquo proposes a meeting to discuss the situation and
at the end of act two Macbeth goes to Scone where he
is crowned the new king of Scotland.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Act Two
Macbeth sees an imaginary
dagger outside Duncan’s room
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 14
Act Three
Lady Macbeth and
building tension
Objective:
•To develop knowledge
understanding of Macbeth’s
changing character
Macbeth
Read Act Three, Scene One. How does this scene show
the changing character of Macbeth?
Act Three Scene One
Below is Macbeth’s soliloquy from Act 3, Scene 1. Look at how
Shakespeare uses language here to convey Macbeth’s state of mind.
To be thus is nothing;
But to be safely thus.--Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety. There is none but he
Whose being I do fear: and, under him,
My Genius is rebuked; as, it is said,
Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me,
And bade them speak to him: then prophet-like
They hail'd him father to a line of kings:
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
Act Three, Scene One
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so,
For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace
Only for them; and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man,
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!
Rather than so, come fate into the list.
And champion me to the utterance! Who's there!
Macbeth’s soliloquy coveys his increasing paranoia. With a partner
highlight words or phrases which show:
•That Macbeth is afraid of Banquo
•That Macbeth feels inferior to Banquo
•How Macbeth feels about being king
•What Macbeth plans to do next
A mind to murder
In Act Three, Scene One Macbeth plans to have Banquo and
his son, Fleance murdered. Why does Macbeth plan to kill his
former friend and his friend’s son?
Reason
Explain Macbeth’s actions
Greed and
power
The witches predicted that Banquo’s children will rule Scotland in the
future. This is a threat to Macbeth’s power and his legacy.
Evil
Macbeth finds it difficult to resist the temptation of evil acts…
Fear
Macbeth feels threatened by Banquo because…
Ambition
Although Macbeth is now king he remains unsatisfied…
Fate
Macbeth believes…
Plenary
Write a paragraph
explaining why Macbeth
orders the murder of
Banquo and Fleance.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 15
A Marriage made in hell?
A marriage made
in hell
Objective:
•To develop knowledge and
understanding of the
developments in the
relationship between
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
Read Act 3, Scenes 1 and 3. How has the relationship
between Macbeth and his wife changed?
Act One
Act Three
Macbeth is dominated by his wife and
influenced by her feelings and ambitions.
Why is the relationship changing?
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
In Act Three we begin to see a change in the relationship between Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth. Until now Macbeth had been dominated by his wife but now she
appears to have less influence on his actions and behaviour.
Read the quotations below. What do they reveal about their relationship?
Lady Macbeth Macbeth
How now, my
lord? Why do you
keep alone?
Be innocent of the
knowledge, dearest
chuck
What it suggests
Plenary
Write a paragraph
explaining how and why the
relationship between
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
has changed in the first
three acts.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 16
The Banquet
The Banquet
Objective:
•To consolidate knowledge of
the plot
•To develop understanding of
the character of Macbeth
The banquet scene
Read Act Three, Scene Four then answer the questions below.
1. Why does Macbeth feel so insecure as king?
2. Explain what happens when the murderers attack Banquo and his
son.
3. What happens during the banquet?
4. Do you think what Macbeth sees is real? Explain your answer.
5. How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth in this scene?
6. What would Macbeth’s guests think as they left Macbeth’s castle
that evening?
7. What does Macbeth decide to do next?
Watch this scene by clicking here
In the hotseat
Split into groups of four. Each member of the group must assume the
identity of a character from the play (either Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, a
murderer or a guest at the banquet) or a questioner. The questioner will
put forward a series of questions about the events of the play to each of
the characters. Characters must respond to the questions in detail and in
role, showing a depth of understanding of the character being portrayed.
Some ideas for questions are included on the next slide.
This weak
minded
foolishness
makes us look
ridiculous!
Who might say that?
That was the
strangest
evening…
I must destroy
everything in
my way..
Ideas for questions
The following are merely suggestions or starting
points. Questioners should listen closely,
challenge the characters responses and draw out
detailed answers from the other members of the
group.
1. How were you feeling when the banquet began?
2. How did you feel when Macbeth began to shout and
scream?
3. How did you feel when Lady Macbeth sent everyone
home?
4. What were your thoughts and feelings at the end of the
scene?
Plenary
One or more groups could perform
their hot seating to the class.
Audience members could ask
questions to the characters.
Consider what you have learnt about
the play from studying this scene.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 17
Lost the plot?
Lost the plot?
Objective:
• To consolidate knowledge
and understanding of
Act Three
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act Three by filling in the gaps
Macbeth is now king of Scotland but feels _____. He
remembers the witches prophecy that stated that
Banquo’s _____ would become kings.
To protect his power and his legacy Macbeth hires two
men to _____ Banquo and his son _____ but the plan
goes wrong. Banquo is killed but _____ escapes.
Later that night Macbeth hosts a _____ in his castle but
at the start of the feast one of the _____ appears and
tells Macbeth that they killed Banquo but Fleance
escaped.
During the banquet the _____ of Banquo appears and
sits in Macbeth’s seat. Only Macbeth sees the ghost
and he is very _____ by what he sees. In his fear and
rage he almost reveals the secret of his _____ to his
guests but Lady Macbeth makes ____ for him and sends
the guests away.
Macbeth decides that he will revisit the ___ and
continue to eliminate all opposition to his _____.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Act Three by filling in the gaps
Macbeth is now king of Scotland but feels insecure. He
remembers the witches prophecy that stated that
Banquo’s children would become kings.
To protect his power and his legacy Macbeth hires two
men to kill Banquo and his son Fleance but the plan
goes wrong. Banquo is killed but Fleance escapes.
Later that night Macbeth hosts a banquet in his castle
but at the start of the feast one of the murderers
appears and tells Macbeth that they killed Banquo but
Fleance escaped.
During the banquet the ghost of Banquo appears and
sits in Macbeth’s seat. Only Macbeth sees the ghost
and he is very disturbed by what he sees. In his fear
and rage he almost reveals the secret of his guilt to his
guests but Lady Macbeth makes excuses for him and
sends the guests away.
Macbeth decides that he will revisit the witches and
continue to eliminate all opposition to his power.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Act Three
Macbeth plans the murder of
Banquo
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 18
Something wicked this way comes
Something wicked
this way comes
Objective:
• To consolidate knowledge
of plot and develop
understanding of character
through Macduff’s diary entry
The witches
Read Act Four, Scene One then answer the questions below.
1. Read the opening stage directions. How does Shakespeare
create atmosphere?
2. What are the witches doing at the start of Act Four?
3. What things do they throw into their cauldron? What do these
ingredients tell us about social values in C17th England?
4. Why does Shakespeare use listing at the start of this scene?
5. How does Macbeth address the witches? What can we deduce
from this?
6. What is Macbeth told by the three apparitions?
7. What has become of Macduff?
8. What does Macbeth decide should be his next course of
action?
Macbeth’s diary
Read up to the end of Act four, Scene three.
In Act four, Scene two, murderers arrive at Macduff’s
castle. They kill his wife and son and in Act four, scene
three Macduff learns that his family have been
slaughtered.
Imagine that you are Macduff, write a diary about the recent
events in Scotland.
You should include:
•Your initial suspicions following Duncan’s murder
•Why you left Scotland for England
•Your thoughts and feelings when the news of your family
is delivered
•Your plan of action
Plenary
Read out your diary entry to a partner
then ask them the following questions:
What is good about it?
How could I improve it?
Listen carefully to the suggestions.
Homework Task?
Where is my mind?
Where is my mind?
Objective:
• To develop knowledge and
understanding of Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Look at your notes about Lady Macbeth from earlier in the play.
How much has she changed over the course of the play?
The Changing Lady Macbeth
By Act Five we begin to see a big change in Lady Macbeth.
How different is she from the character that we first met in
Act One?
At the start of the play
In the final act
Extension Questions
1. What is Lady Macbeth afraid of in the opening scene of Act
Five?
2. There are many images of darkness in 5, i. What does the
darkness represent?
3. Why has Lady Macbeth changed so much?
4. How do we know that Lady Macbeth is wracked with guilt?
5. How has the balance of the relationship with her husband
changed by Act Five?
6. What words and phrases would you use to describe Lady
Macbeth in Act Five?
Plenary
Write a paragraph
explaining how and why Lady
Macbeth has changed so
much over the course of
the play.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 19
Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Castle
Birnam Wood and
Dunsinane Castle
Objective:
• To develop knowledge of the plot
• To understand how Shakespeare
uses character and symbolism to
explore themes
Sleep
Like Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is
suffering from a lack of sleep in Act
5, Scene 3.
Sleep and night appear time and
time again in Macbeth. Why do you
think that is? Why can’t Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth sleep properly?
What do you think sleep could
symbolise throughout the play?
Lady Macbeth is afraid of the dark in Act 5 Scene 3. Why do you
think this is? What could the darkness represent?
Why is Lady Macbeth constantly washing her hands in this scene?
What does the act of washing hands symbolise?
Lady Macbeth’s speech is written in a disjointed style of prose in
Act 5 Scene 3. Why has Shakespeare used this style here?
Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Castle
Read Act Five, Scene Three then answer the questions below.
1. Why is there a doctor at the start of the scene? Who has he
been to see?
2. What is Macbeth’s mood at the start of the scene?
3. As the scene unfolds Macbeth’s hopes of victory in battle are
fading. Pick out words and phrases from the text which
suggest old age, exhaustion, dying.
4. Explain how Shakespeare personifies Scotland in this scene to
convey its current state.
5. What is Macbeth pinning his hopes on in this scene?
6. What does the doctor mean at the end of the scene when he
says ‘(Aside) Were I from Dunsinane away and clear, Profit
again should hardly draw me here’?
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 20
The Battle for Scotland
The Battle for
Scotland
Objective:
• To develop knowledge of the plot
• To understand how Shakespeare
presents Macbeth in the final
scenes of the play
Sequencing
Put the following events of the battle in the correct order:
The messenger reports seeing 10000 soldiers marching towards
Macbeth’s castle
Macbeth is told that his wife is dead
Malcolm is crowned the new king of Scotland
Macbeth kills Young Siward
A messenger reports that Birnam Wood is moving
Many of Macbeth’s soldiers begin to desert
Macduff and Macbeth fight
The doctor talks to Macbeth about Lady Macbeth
Malcolm tells his troops to cut down branches from Birnam wood and
hide beneath them to hide their numbers
Macbeth is decapitated and his head displayed in front of Malcolm’s
army
Macbeth decides that he will fight to the death
Sequencing
The correct order:
The messenger reports seeing 10000 soldiers marching towards
Macbeth’s castle
Macbeth decides that he will fight to the death
The doctor talks to Macbeth about Lady Macbeth
Malcolm tells his troops to cut down branches from Birnam wood and
hide beneath them to hide their numbers
Many of Macbeth’s soldiers begin to desert
Macbeth is told that his wife is dead
A messenger reports that Birnam Wood is moving
Macbeth kills Young Siward
Macduff and Macbeth fight
Macbeth is decapitated and his head displayed in front of Malcolm’s
army
Malcolm is crowned the new king of Scotland
A tale told by an idiot
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Click here to
watch a
performance
of this
soliloquy
A tale told by an idiot
Read Macbeth’s soliloquy again then complete the tasks:
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Can you explain what Macbeth is trying to say in this
speech?
What does Macbeth
mean by this?
Highlight words/phrases
that refer to death
What emotions does
Macbeth experience
here?
Do you think Macbeth
has regrets? Explain
your answer.
How many
words/phrases can you
find which suggest
exhaustion?
The Scottish Times
Imagine you are a
reporter for The Scottish
Times.
It is the day after the
death of Macbeth.
Malcolm has been
crowned king of Scotland.
Write up the full story for
the front page of the
newspaper.
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 21
The Rise and Fall of Macbeth
The Rise and Fall
of Macbeth
Objective:
• To consolidate knowledge of the
plot and how Shakespeare presents
the changing character of Macbeth
over the course of the play
Rise and Fall
Macbeth changes a great deal over the
course of the play but how does
Shakespeare develop Macbeth’s changing
character?
What are the key events that lead to the
change in Macbeth? Plot your findings on a
graph to show how Shakespeare develops
character.
An example is shown on the following slide…
Status
Macbeth is given the
title Thane of Cawdor
Macbeth meets the
three witches
Act 1, Scene 1
Act 5, Scene 6
Plot the graph to portray the rise and fall of
Macbeth
The Scottish Play
Macbeth 22
Lost the plot?
Lost the plot?
Objective:
•To consolidate knowledge of
the plot
The story so far
Complete the summary of Acts Four and Five by filling in the gaps
At the start of Act Four Macbeth goes to visit the
___________ again, and they warn him against
___________, who is the Thane of Fife. They also tell
Macbeth that he can only be killed by someone not of
___________ born, and that he has nothing to fear until
___________ forest comes to Dunsinane. Macbeth is
heartened by this but is disturbed when the witches
show him _____ descendents as future kings.
Macbeth discovers that Macduff has gone to _____, he
orders the ______ of Macduff’s _____ and _______.
Meanwhile Lady Macbeth is acting ___________ and
believes her hands are covered in ___________.
_____ and Macduff raise an army and attack Macbeth’s
castle, camouflaged by ___________ from the forest.
_____ tells Macbeth that he was cut from his mother’s
stomach, and Macduff kills Macbeth then puts his _____
on a _____. ___________ is then crowned king of
Scotland and law and _____ is restored.
The story so far
Complete the summary of Acts Four and Five by filling in the gaps
At the start of Act Four Macbeth goes to visit the witches
again, and they warn him against Macduff who is the
Thane of Fife. They also tell Macbeth that he can only
be killed by someone not of woman born, and that he
has nothing to fear until Birnam forest comes to
Dunsinane. Macbeth is heartened by this but is disturbed
when the witches show him Banquo’s descendents as
future kings.
Macbeth discovers that Macduff has gone to England and
he orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and child.
Meanwhile Lady Macbeth is acting strangely and
believes her hands are covered in blood.
Malcolm and Macduff raise an army and attack Macbeth’s
castle, camouflaged by branches from the forest.
Macduff tells Macbeth that he was cut from his mother’s
stomach, and Macduff kills Macbeth then puts his head
on a spike. Malcolm is then crowned king of Scotland
and law and order is restored.
The Comic Strip
Create a comic strip version of Acts Four and Five
Macbeth visits the witches
and demands to know his
future
The Scottish Play
Macbeth
Links
Useful Links
http://yacapaca.com/py/teacher/assignment/new/step3/subject/16/0/14/
An online Macbeth quiz/game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramamacbeth/macb
ethplotact.shtml
BBC Bitesize Macbeth videos on plot, character and theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9G_CZVAL8
Animated Tales – Macbeth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1lHYvxieB8
Polanski’s Macbeth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGxYMiXfG30&feature=related
Shakespeare retold - Macbeth