Appearance versus reality is an important theme in literature. If how things appear is different to reality, there is disorder.

If you emasculate someone, you deprive them of their masculine role or identity.

If your power is legitimate, it is legal and valid.

If something diminishes, it reduces in importance.

Act 3, Scene 4, ‘Macbeth’: Macbeth’s fears, and Lady Macbeth’s diminishing power

English

In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils focus on the role that Lady Macbeth plays in the downfall of her husband. In 'Macbeth: A Tragic Hero', pupils become more critical of Macbeth's own decisions, evaluating whether he could be considered a tragic hero.

In 'Othello', pupils explore the role that Desdemona played in her husband's downfall. In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils analyse the impact of Lady Macbeth's manipulation.

In this unit, pupils read and analyse 'Macbeth' by focusing on the role of Lady Macbeth in the tragedy. They start by reading the full play, before moving on to a close analysis of key characters and themes. They then zoom in on Lady Macbeth and develop an essay on her as a Machiaevellian villain.

Shakespeare: first reading

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', who can see Banquo's Ghost?

Macbeth welcomes his subjects for a feast.

Macbeth has a private conversation with murderers about Banquo and Fleance.

The murderers reveal that Fleance escaped. He is distressed.

Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost as the feast begins. He is distressed.

Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth to make him stop shouting and trembling.

Lady Macbeth sends everyone away from the feast because she can't calm Macbeth.

Macbeth resolves to go and see the witches.

Starting with the first plot point, order the events of Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth'.

It reveals Macbeth's complete isolation - he trusts no-one but the witches.

Lady Macbeth suggests he should go, showing she is powerful, not him.

The witches are evil and untrustworthy, not people a monarch should trust.

The witches are going to reveal he will lose his power.

He says he sees them when his guests are there, revealing his illegitimacy. 

In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth resolves to go and see the witches. Why could this decision be seen as a turning point for Macbeth's grip on power?

In 3.4 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth when he is visibly distressed seeing Banquo's ghost. She exclaims, '{{ }} itself!' at his behaviour.

Which adjectives best describe Lady Macbeth's language in Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth'?

He has to send their guests away from the feast.

She has to send their guests away from the feast.

She isn't able to convince him to kill Banquo's ghost.

He continues to fear Banquo's ghost until he disappears.

She doesn't help him come to any decisions; instead he seeks the witches.

In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', how do we know that Lady Macbeth's emasculating language is ineffective in modifying Macbeth's behaviour?

Banquo openly doesn't support Macbeth's reign.

The witches' prophesy that Banquo will be king.

The witches tell Macbeth, 'Beware Banquo'.

The witches' prophesy that Banquo's children will be kings.

In 'Macbeth', why does Macbeth want to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance?

An illegitimate monarch - his authority is not valid.

A monarch who promotes his subjects when deserved.

A legitimate monarch - his authority over Scotland is valid.

In 'Macbeth', Duncan and Macbeth are very different types of monarchs. Match Macbeth's qualities as King, and Duncan's qualities as King.

He asks for a promotion and it is granted because of his abilities in battle.

He is promoted by Duncan following his prowess on the battlefield.

The Scottish Thanes consider him as a good contender for the throne.

Lady Macbeth manipulates Duncan into promoting her husband.

In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth is praised and promoted. Why?

'I have given suck, and know How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me'

'look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under't'

'Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it'

'yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness'

'When you durst do it, then you were a man'

In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', which quotation best shows how Lady Macbeth emasculates her husband?

'of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen'

'be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed'

Which quotations from Act 1 of 'Macbeth' best shows the close relationship the Macbeths have?

He is worried everyone will find out it was him.

He knows there is no reason to commit the regicide apart from his ambition.

He realises there will be consequences to his actions.

In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth has a long soliloquy in which he contemplates regicide. Why is he hesitant about committing this act?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz