a recurring image or idea in a text is called a motif

if you are nurturing you want to care for and protect someone while they are growing

a foil is a character who contrasts with another to highlight their differences

an heir is someone who inherits money, property or a title after a person’s death

the natural order is the belief that there is a natural way the world is ordered, with laws and rules that should be followed

‘Macbeth’: exploring King Duncan and leadership

English

'Macbeth': the importance of kingship

'Macbeth': exploring Banquo and the chivalric code

‘Macbeth’: understanding the significance of a lack of a male heir

'Macbeth': exploring the external feminine influences in the play

'Macbeth': masculinity as Macbeth's hamartia

‘Macbeth’: writing nuanced responses about the role of masculinity in the play

In 'Macbeth: a tragic hero', pupils become more critical of Macbeth, analysing the role he plays in his own downfall. In 'Macbeth & masculinity: the struggle for power', pupils explore how Macbeth's insecurity surrounding his masculinity is his hamartia.

In this unit, pupils analyse the importance of masculinity to Macbeth's downfall. They first explore the role of kingship, the importance of the chivalric code, Macbeth's lack of heir, and the feminine influences on him. Finally, they write nuanced responses about masculinity as Macbeth's hamartia.

Shakespeare: second deep dive

a civil war is a war that is fought between citizens of the same country

to usurp means to take a position of power illegally or by force

a usurper is someone who takes power illegally or by force

something that makes people feel sadness or regret can be described as poignant

someone who is treacherous is guilty of betrayal or deception

the chivalric code is an informal code of conduct that many men agreed to live by. It included honour, honesty and loyalty

an aside is a stage direction where dialogue is intentionally delivered to be heard by the audience, but not the other characters on stage

people show scepticism when they doubt the truth of something

fervour means intense or passionate feeling.

if something is described as apocalyptic it is catastrophic as it is being compared to the end of the world

a patrilineal society bases lineage or ancestry from the male descendants

hereditary means the passing on of traits (or titles and rights) from parents to their children

if you are uncertain or unsure about yourself, you can be described as having insecurities

masculinity is the qualities regarded as characteristic of men and boys

a patriarchal society is one created for, and controlled by, men

external influences are factors beyond a characters control which may affect their decisions or behaviour

susceptible means you are liable to be influenced by something

emasculation is the act of depriving a man or his masculine strength or role, making him feel less masculine

people who are vulnerable are exposed to harm, either physically or emotionally

revolutionary can mean dramatic change or being engaged in political revolution

your children can be referred to as your offspring

a hamartia is a character’s fatal flaw.

bloodlust is an uncontrollable desire to kill or harm others

a façade is a deceptive outer appearance

a construct is something which has been carefully crafted by the author for a specific reason or message

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Shakespeare: second deep dive

Macbeth and masculinity: the struggle for power

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