Exploring Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’: characterisation and foreshadowing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’, commenting on Lady Macbeth’s characterisation and Shakespeare’s use of foreshadowing.
Key learning points
- In Act 2, Scene 2, the audience might interpret some aspects of Lady Macbeth's characterisation as vulnerable
- The exploration of Lady Macbeth's guilt in this scene foreshadows her demise in Act 5
- Act 5, Scene 1 is her final appearance in the play and in it, she is consumed by guilt
Keywords
Diminishes - If something diminishes, it reduces in importance.
Demise - A demise sees the end of something that was previously considered powerful.
Guilt - Guilt is an emotion you feel when you have done something bad to someone else. Guilt makes you feel worried and unhappy.
Foreshadowing - Foreshadowing is a literary device. It gives the reader or audience a hint or indication of what might happen later in the story.
Vulnerability - If you are vulnerable, you are in a position where you could be hurt easily.
Common misconception
Lady Macbeth's rejection of guilt in 2.2 means 5.1's characterisation is inconsistent.
The language in 2.2 foreshadows what is to come.
Teacher tip
Consider watching 5.1 (it is a very short scene) so students can hear the language. 5.1's language has direct parallels in 2.2.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In the run up to the regicide in 'Macbeth', which adjectives best describe how Lady Macbeth feels?
Q2.What happens to Lady Macbeth at the end of 'Macbeth'?
Q3.In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth gives a soliloquy in which she asks spirits to 'stop up the access and passage to remorse'. What feeling is she trying to get rid of?
Q4.In order to commit the regicide in 'Macbeth', Macbeth and Lady Macbeth need to get past King Duncan's guards. How do they do this?
Q5.In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth brutally kills an enemy soldier. How did he feel after this deed and why?
Q6.In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth has a soliloquy. She asks 'thick night' to do two things for her. What are they?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How might you describe the change in Lady Macbeth's characterisation from Act 1 to Act 5 of 'Macbeth'?
Q2.In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', what reason does Lady Macbeth give for not killing King Duncan?
Q3. is a literary device. It gives the reader or audience an indication of what might happen later in the story.
Q4.After the regicide, in Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth orders Macbeth to stop thinking about the regicide: 'These deeds must not be thought After these ways, so it will make us '.
Q5.In Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', why does Lady Macbeth say, 'Here's the smell of blood still.'?
Q6.After the regicide, in Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries, 'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?'. What might this foreshadow?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’: characterisation and foreshadowing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘Macbeth’: characterisation and foreshadowing, 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.
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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: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.