In Christianity, salvation means you are delivered from sin and its consequences. The opposite of salvation is damnation.

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

If something is a symbol, it represents or expressed an idea. In 'Macbeth', blood is a symbol of guilt.

If language echoes previous language in a text, it means it is similar. The slight differences help us notice something new.

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

Lady Macbeth's feelings of guilt in ‘Macbeth’

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

In 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries about his salvation. What word means the opposite of salvation?

At the beginning of Act 5 of 'Macbeth', what do the Doctor and Lady Macbeth's servant see Lady Macbeth doing?

"My hands are of your colour but I shame To wear a heart so white"

"all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand"

In 5.1 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth's language echoes that of Macbeth in 2.2. Which quotation most closely echoes Macbeth's "Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?".

After the regicide in Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries that he will never sleep again, saying "the {{}} sleep".

In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth warns Macbeth against giving in to feelings of guilt. She says, "You do unbend your noble strength, to think So {{}} of things."

To show the repercussions of subverting the status quo.

To show the repercussions of being a woman.

To show the repercussions of committing regicide.

To show the repercussions of angering King James.

To show the repercussions of being a monarch in Scotland.

At the end of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth is presented as consumed by guilt. Why might Shakespeare have presented her in this way?

She supports Macbeth in the final battle.

We are not told; she doesn't appear after 3.4.

In 'Macbeth', what happens to Lady Macbeth at the end of the play?

In 2.2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth feels guilty about the regicide. He worries that an "ocean" won't clean the blood from his hands. Lady Macbeth responds with, "a little {{ }} clears us of this deed".

In Act 2, after killing King Duncan, what is Macbeth worried he will no longer be able to do?

A device whereby we are given a hint of what will happen later in the character.

A device whereby we are given a hint of what will happen earlier in the story.

A device whereby we are given a hint of what won't happen later in the story.

A device whereby we are given a hint of what has happened in the story.

A device whereby we are given a hint of what will happen later in the story.

Which is the correct definition of foreshadowing?

"These deeds must not be thought...it will make us mad"

Which of these quotation from Lady Macbeth in Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth' foreshadows her demise in Act 5, Scene 1?

Because monarchs were men and it was a patriarchal society.

Because people had tried to kill King James I.

Because Macbeth has just been promoted: it's ungrateful.

Because monarchs were thought to be appointed by God.

Because Lady Macbeth goaded Macbeth into it so it wasn't a brave decision.

Why would the first Jacobean audiences of 'Macbeth' consider regicide the worst crime you could commit?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz