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

a struggle within a person's mind over a problem or question

a question asked to the reader that does not expect an answer

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

English

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

We would be mad to consider such a thing.

Which of these sentences are written in the first person perspective? 

He does not know whether to tell Lady Macbeth about the witches' prophecies.

He does not know whether to tell King Duncan that Lady Macbeth is a traitor. 

He does not know whether to kill King Duncan or not. 

He does not know if he should return home or not. 

What internal conflict is Macbeth facing?

Which of the following is a rhetorical question? 

Which of the following words might Shakespeare have used in his plays? 

Which of the following is an exclamatory sentence?

Lady Macbeth congratulates him on his decision.

Lady Macbeth convinces him to kill King Duncan.

Macbeth has a visualisation of a dagger that he sees as a sign.

Macbeth tells King Duncan to leave immediately for his life is in danger. 

What happens after Macbeth decides that he will not kill King Duncan?

it is not said to another character, but it is spoken to oneself

How is a soliloquy different to a monologue?

Shakespeare mainly writes his plays in which of these?

There are 5 stressed syllables and 5 unstressed syllables. 

a type of poem written in iambic pentameter that also rhymes

a type of stage direction in a playscript 

when they are talking to another character and want to tell them something

when they are experiencing strong emotions such as shock

When might a character deliver a soliloquy?

Which of these adjectives would you use to describe Lady Macbeth?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.