'Macbeth': the importance of kingship
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write in a clear and concise manner about the role of kingship in 'Macbeth'.
Key learning points
- King Duncan is based on a historical figure, although Shakespeare made his Duncan a more sympathetic figure.
- Shakespeare uses Duncan as a construct, acting as a poignant warning against regicide.
- Embedded quotations and noun appositives support make writing clear and succinct.
- Modal verbs and tentative adverbs indicate that not all inferences are commonly held.
Keywords
Civil war - a civil war is a war that is fought between citizens of the same country
To usurp - to usurp means to take a position of power illegally or by force
Usurper - a usurper is someone who takes power illegally or by force
Poignant - something that makes people feel sadness or regret can be described as poignant
Treacherous - someone who is treacherous is guilty of betrayal or deception
Common misconception
Pupils often get mixed up between a noun appositive and a relative clause.
The relative pronoun 'who' could lead to pupils trying to add too much extra detail about a character, a noun appositive encourages brevity.
Teacher tip
When reading the model answer in Task B, draw pupils' attention to inferences about Duncan that may not have already been covered in the lesson. E.g. "Duncan acts decisively to protect the status quo."
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select the adverbs from the list below.
Q2.Which of the following conjunctions should not be used to compare differences between characters?
Q3.Select the synonyms for treacherous?
Q4.In 'Macbeth', how was King Duncan murdered?
Q5.In 'Macbeth', why was Lady Macbeth unable to murder King Duncan herself? Select the best response.
Q6.Select the most complex inference below about the significance of Malcolm ending the play 'Machbeth' as king.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select the sentence which has most effectively embedded a quotation.
Q2.Select the sentence which uses a noun appositives.
Q3.Why did Shakespeare choose to make the historical Duncan older in 'Macbeth'? Select the best response.
Q4.Which word, beginning with 'u', fits in the following sentence: 'The treacherous Macbeth plots to King Duncan and take his crown.'?
Q5.Whilst the fictional Duncan in 'Macbeth' is murdered in his sleep, how did the historical Duncan die?
Q6.Which of the statements below best explains the purpose of King Duncan's narrative arc.
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Macbeth': the importance of kingship, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Macbeth': the importance of kingship, 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 4 English lessons from the Macbeth and masculinity: the struggle for power unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.