Macbeth: the role of guilt
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Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on pupils' understanding of 'Macbeth' from the second deep dive, 'Macbeth and masculinity: the struggle for power'. In that unit, pupils saw how Shakespeare explored the complex character motivations that drive the plot of the play. They also started to develop increasingly complex and nuanced interpretations of the play. In this unit, pupils expand that thinking by focusing on the wider importance of guilt as a concept in the play. This gives them a richer and more nuanced understanding of the methods Shakespeare uses to present his ideas.
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.
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on pupils' understanding of 'Macbeth' from the second deep dive, 'Macbeth and masculinity: the struggle for power'. In that unit, pupils saw how Shakespeare explored the complex character motivations that drive the plot of the play. They also started to develop increasingly complex and nuanced interpretations of the play. In this unit, pupils expand that thinking by focusing on the wider importance of guilt as a concept in the play. This gives them a richer and more nuanced understanding of the methods Shakespeare uses to present his ideas.
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: the role of guilt
In this unit, pupils learn about the importance of guilt in 'Macbeth'. They first conceptualise guilt within 'Macbeth', before exploring light, the supernatural, sleep and blood as symbols of guilt in the play. They finally write a nuanced and tentative argument about the role of guilt in the play.
7 lessons in unit
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