an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play

a long speech by one actor in a play or film

unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter

a style of writing poems in lines of ten syllables with emphasis on the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth syllable

Identifying the features of a soliloquy

English

Understanding the context of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

Understanding themes, characters and plot in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

Exploring characters and setting in the opening scene of 'Macbeth'

Generating vocabulary for the opening of 'Macbeth'

Planning part one of the opening of 'Macbeth'

Writing part one of the opening of 'Macbeth'

Planning part two of the opening of 'Macbeth'

Writing part two of the opening of 'Macbeth'

Peer editing the opening of a narrative based on ‘Macbeth’

Analysing the main character in 'Macbeth'

Analysing a scene in the build-up of 'Macbeth'

Planning and writing the 'against' section of Macbeth's soliloquy

Planning and writing the 'for' section of Macbeth's soliloquy

Planning and writing the closing thoughts of Macbeth's soliloquy

Peer editing a soliloquy based on 'Macbeth'

Performing a soliloquy in character as Macbeth

In 'Macbeth', pupils learn about character, plot and theme in a Shakespearean play for the first time. In 'Shakespeare's ’Romeo and Juliet’: Diary and Narrative Writing', pupils will learn how Shakespeare explores multiple key themes throughout a single play.’

In 'The Highwayman: Narrative Writing', pupils developed their understanding of how to create atmosphere and engage the reader using figurative language. In 'Shakespeare's ’Macbeth’: Narrative and Soliloquy Writing', pupils will use figurative language to write a narrative based on Shakespearean tragedy and convey characters' thoughts and feelings through soliloquy writing.

In this unit, pupils have their first taste of Shakespearean play scripts. They analyse the witches' prologue of this iconic play as a starting point for writing a narrative opening. Pupils investigate the central character, writing a soliloquy based on Macbeth's famous dagger monologue.

Shakespeare's 'Macbeth': narrative and soliloquy writing

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself 

a main character who might say a soliloquy in a play

third person perspective (he / she / they)

Soliloquies are written from which perspective?

they tell them what the stage directions are

they tell them how the characters are feeling at certain points in the play

Why are soliloquies useful for the audience?

5 of the syllables are unstressed and 5 of the syllables are stressed 

The word 'soliloquy' comes from the Latin words 'solus' and 'loqui'. What does 'solus' mean?

Macbeth writes a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth.

Banquo writes a letter to Duncan and warns him about the witches.

Macbeth rides home with Duncan and his men. 

Which of these events happen after Banquo and Macbeth meet the witches on the heath?

She encourages him to kill Duncan so he can become the king. 

She is horrified that Macbeth is thinking of killing the king.

She thinks Macbeth imagined the witches and should ignore their prophecies. 

How does Lady Macbeth react when Macbeth returns home?

He must be a good host and look after Duncan. 

He is ambitious and wants to become king himself. 

He does not want to be known as a traitor. 

Which of the following are reasons why Macbeth feels he **should** kill Duncan?

He is hosting Duncan and he feels he should be protecting him from murderers. 

He wants everyone to think he is ruthless. 

Duncan has been good to Macbeth and he has made him Thane of Cawdor.

Which of the following are reasons why Macbeth feels he should **not** kill Duncan?

The murder has been planned, but it has not been carried out. 

Macbeth has decided he cannot kill Duncan. 

Identifying the features of a soliloquy

Lesson outcome

Content guidance