Macbeth and masculinity: the struggle for power
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on pupils' knoweldge of Mabceth from their first reading of the text and their first deep dive. Pupils use their new knowledge about Macbeth's presentation as a tragic hero to develop more nuanced interpretations and think more deeply about what Macbeth's hamartia is in the play. This more nuanced thinking builds towards their final Macbeth deep dive, where they will think about the role that guilt plays in driving the tragedy.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils know the plot of the play.
- Pupils know the main characters in the play and their role in the plot.
- Pupils have a detailed understanding of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's role in their own downfall.
- Pupils can structure arguments clearly, using thesis statements, topic sentences and single paragraph outlines.
- Pupils have memorised numerous quotations from the play and can select them judiciously for evidence.
- Pupils can identify the main motifs of the play - blood, sleep and nature.
- Pupils use the historical and social context of the play to support their analysis.
- Pupils can use tentative language to explore alternative interpretations.
- Pupils can use superlatives to evaluate an author's choice of language or structure.
- Pupils can draw clear conclusions to their arguments.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on pupils' knoweldge of Mabceth from their first reading of the text and their first deep dive. Pupils use their new knowledge about Macbeth's presentation as a tragic hero to develop more nuanced interpretations and think more deeply about what Macbeth's hamartia is in the play. This more nuanced thinking builds towards their final Macbeth deep dive, where they will think about the role that guilt plays in driving the tragedy.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils know the plot of the play.
- Pupils know the main characters in the play and their role in the plot.
- Pupils have a detailed understanding of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's role in their own downfall.
- Pupils can structure arguments clearly, using thesis statements, topic sentences and single paragraph outlines.
- Pupils have memorised numerous quotations from the play and can select them judiciously for evidence.
- Pupils can identify the main motifs of the play - blood, sleep and nature.
- Pupils use the historical and social context of the play to support their analysis.
- Pupils can use tentative language to explore alternative interpretations.
- Pupils can use superlatives to evaluate an author's choice of language or structure.
- Pupils can draw clear conclusions to their arguments.
Literature
Macbeth and masculinity: the struggle for power
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.
7 lessons in unit
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