Analysing a scene in the build-up of 'Macbeth'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the reasons Macbeth considers for and against killing Duncan.
Key learning points
- A play script is the written form of a play.
- Audiences can draw inferences and make conclusions about a character based on their words, expressions and actions.
- Vocabulary can be generated to precisely describe a scene for the reader.
- Shakespearean characters often experience internal conflict.
- Macbeth's decision making is influenced by his wife and his desire for power.
Keywords
Soliloquy - a speech in a play where the character speaks to himself or herself
Internal conflict - a struggle within a person's mind over a problem or question
Suspense - the feeling of excitement or nervousness that you have when you are waiting for something to happen
Manipulate - to control something or someone to your advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly
Common misconception
Pupils might find the concept of 'manipulation' difficult to understand.
You could provide pupils with a context that they might understand, for example, imagine a friend doesn't want to take someone else's packed lunch, but you want them to. How could you manipulate them? What could you say to convince them?
Teacher tip
Another activity, if time, is putting the pupils into two groups and getting them to stand either side of you. You are 'Macbeth'. One line of pupils will convince you to kill Duncan by saying reasons for killing him and the other line will convince you not to by saying reasons against killing him.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a protagonist?
Q2.How does Macbeth react to the witches' prophecies?
Q3.Order these events.
Q4.What is a theme?
Q5.What does Macbeth do before he rides home with King Duncan?
Q6.Match each character trait of Macbeth to the correct piece of evidence from the play.
always thinking of how he can get what he desires
he tries to stop himself having evil thoughts
not afraid of the witches
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Macbeth has gone back to his home in Inverness. Who is staying with him and Lady Macbeth?
Q2.Act I, Scene vii starts with a soliloquy from Macbeth. What is a soliloquy?
Q3.Why does Macbeth have an internal conflict?
Q4.How would you describe Lady Macbeth?
Q5.What reasons are there for Macbeth not to kill Duncan?
Q6.How does the end of Act I leave the audience in suspense?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Analysing a scene in the build-up of 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Analysing a scene in the build-up of 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Shakespeare's 'Macbeth': narrative and soliloquy writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.