If something diminishes, it reduces in importance.

A demise sees the end of something that was previously considered powerful.

Guilt is an emotion you feel when you have done something bad to someone else. Guilt makes you feel worried and unhappy.

Foreshadowing is a literary device. It gives the reader or audience a hint or indication of what might happen later in the story.

If you are vulnerable, you are in a position where you could be hurt easily.

Exploring Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’: characterisation and foreshadowing

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.

Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

How might you describe the change in Lady Macbeth's characterisation from Act 1 to Act 5 of 'Macbeth'?

She was frightened by the screeching owl and left his chamber.

In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', what reason does Lady Macbeth give for not killing King Duncan?

{{ }} is a literary device. It gives the reader or audience an indication of what might happen later in the story.

After the regicide, in Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth orders Macbeth to stop thinking about the regicide: 'These deeds must not be thought After these ways, so it will make us {{ }}'.

She enjoys having Duncan's blood on her hands.

She trying to reassure Macbeth by showing she also has blood on her hands.

She's telling the Doctor why she feels unwell.

In Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', why does Lady Macbeth say, 'Here's the smell of blood still.'?

The quantity of blood after Duncan's brutal murder.

Macbeth will be convinced there is blood on his hands for the rest of the play.

Lady Macbeth's pre-occupation with the idea of bloody hands in 5.1.

After the regicide, in Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries, 'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?'. What might this foreshadow?

In the run up to the regicide in 'Macbeth', which adjectives best describe how Lady Macbeth feels?

We don't find out; after Act 5, Scene 1, she is never mentioned again.

She is killed when the English army storm the Macbeths' castle.

What happens to Lady Macbeth at the end of 'Macbeth'?

In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth gives a soliloquy in which she asks spirits to 'stop up the access and passage to remorse'. What feeling is she trying to get rid of?

Macbeth kills Duncan when the guards are asleep.

In order to commit the regicide in 'Macbeth', Macbeth and Lady Macbeth need to get past King Duncan's guards. How do they do this?

Confident in his ability to use this prowess to kill Duncan.

Guilty for displaying the head on the battlements for all to see.

In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth brutally kills an enemy soldier. How did he feel after this deed and why?

To not allow the heavens to see her commit the regicide.

To hide the knife wound she makes in King Duncan.

In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth has a soliloquy. She asks 'thick night' to do two things for her. What are they?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Adult supervision required

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

Exploring Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’: characterisation and foreshadowing

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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