Planning and writing the 'against' section of Macbeth's soliloquy
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan and write the ‘against’ section of Macbeth’s soliloquy.
Key learning points
- Macbeth is a highly conflicted character.
- A soliloquy occurs when a character voices their thoughts and feelings aloud.
- Soliloquies are written from the first person perspective.
- The opening of this soliloquy outlines Macbeth's dilemma.
- The character's confusion can be illustrated through the use of rhetorical questions and exclamations.
Keywords
Soliloquy - an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play
First person perspective - the 'I/we' perspective
Internal conflict - a struggle within a person's mind over a problem or question
Rhetorical question - a question asked to the reader that does not expect an answer
Common misconception
Pupils could get carried away with using Shakespearean style language and use it too frequently, taking away from them showing their understanding of the character of Macbeth.
Use your shared writing section to exemplify only using a few words or phrases to give it a 'Shakespearean feel'. Remind pupils that we still want to include different sentence types to achieve text flow.
Teacher tip
You could use the model in Learning Cycle 2 to read to the pupils after defining a soliloquy in Learning Cycle 1 so they have a feel of what they will be writing early on in the lesson. Alternatively, you could give it to a pupil and ask them to 'perform' it to the class.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How is a soliloquy different to a monologue?
Q2.Shakespeare mainly writes his plays in which of these?
Q3.Iambic pentameter follow which rules?
Q4.What is a sonnet?
Q5.When might a character deliver a soliloquy?
Q6.Which of these adjectives would you use to describe Lady Macbeth?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these sentences are written in the first person perspective?
Q2.What internal conflict is Macbeth facing?
Q3.Which of the following is a rhetorical question?
Q4.Which of the following words might Shakespeare have used in his plays?
Q5.Which of the following is an exclamatory sentence?
Q6.What happens after Macbeth decides that he will not kill King Duncan?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning and writing the 'against' section of Macbeth's soliloquy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning and writing the 'against' section of Macbeth's soliloquy, 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.