If something is precarious, it is insecure or unstable.

If you are malevolent, you want to do harm to others.

Something stable is secure or solid. It is the opposite of something precarious.

If someone is invincible, they can’t be defeated or killed.

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 4, Scenes 1 to 3

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

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Macbeth seeks the witches; they give further prophecies.

Lady Macduff and her son are killed by hired murderers.

Malcolm and Macduff prepare an army to overthrow Macbeth.

Match the scenes from Act 4 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.

He asks Lady Macbeth to come to see the witches with him.

He doesn't mind if the witches have to destroy things to tell him his prophecies

He decides to kill Macduff's family - a woman and child.

He puts his trust in witches, not his subjects or wife.

He asks the witches to make Scotland stronger; he no longer feels he is able to.

How does Act 4, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth' show Macbeth's increasing desperation?

"None of Scotland born Shall harm Macbeth."

"You can't be harmed 'until' Birnam wood come to Dunsinane."

"Leave Dunsinane for Birnam wood 'until' it's safe."

In Act 4, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', the witches give Macbeth three further prophecies. What do they say?

In Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macduff hears of his wife and child's murder by Macbeth. Malcolm tells him "let grief Convert to {{ }}".

In Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macduff describes Scotland. He calls it "O nation {{ }}."

In Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macduff describes Macbeth. He calls him a 'tyrant {{ }}'.

The witches were involved in his ascension to the throne.

Lady Macbeth is monarch too, and it should just be Macbeth.

In 'Macbeth', why is Macbeth's reign over Scotland unnatural?

Banquo tells him to, suspecting Macbeth of regicide.

He wants to escape the responsibility of being King.

He is scared that the person who killed his father will also kill him.

In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', why does Malcolm, King Duncan's eldest son, flee to England?

Ask the witches for more information about his reign.

At the end of Act 3 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth decide to do?

On the night King Duncan was killed in 'Macbeth', Lennox says the weather was terrible: "the earth Was feverous and did {{ }}."

A tyrant is someone who uses their power morally.

A tyrant is someone who uses their power in an unjust way.

A tyrant is someone who uses supernatural power to get what they want.

A tyrant is a character in a play who does evil things.

In Act 3, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lennox and a Lord talk about Macbeth. They describe him as a 'tyrant'. What is a tyrant?

In Act 3, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth complains that he has no legacy as Banquo's sons will become kings. He says the witches put a "Barren {{ }} in my gripe."

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

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