The presentation of Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 5 of ‘Macbeth’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Lady Macbeth is presented in Act 1, Scene 5 of ‘Macbeth’.
Key learning points
- Lady Macbeth's behaviour subverts expectations of Jacobean women
- Lady Macbeth summons demonic spirits to 'unsex her’ and allow her to become powerful
- Lady Macbeth doubts Macbeth's abilities
- Lady Macbeth is willing to go to extremes for what she wants
- Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to be deceptive in his quest to become King
Keywords
Ambitious - If you are ambitious, you are determined to succeed in an area of aspect of your life.
Deception - Deception is the means by which you lead someone to believe something that is not true.
Chaste - To be chaste can mean not having any sexual desire or intentions.
Unwavering - If you are unwavering, you don't stop until you complete something. You are determined.
Plotting - Plotting is when, in secret, you plan to do something bad.
Common misconception
Lady Macbeth's 'unsex me' here means she wants to be a man.
Whilst she might want some masculine qualities, there are more implications to this. She could be calling for supernatural qualities too.
Teacher tip
When looking at Lady Macbeth's immediate reactions in LC1, you could compare her reaction to Macbeth's which is arguably more tentative. By contrast, Lady Macbeth immediately launches into actions - 'pour my spirits', 'unsex me'.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', what do the witches tell Banquo?
Q2.Jacobeans believed that a monarch was selected and appointed by God. Then, to challenge the monarch was to challenge which things?
Q3.Which of the following would define a woman as a threat to the natural order in Jacobean England?
Q4.A is a system or ranking whereby things are ordered, with some being above and some below.
Q5.In 'Macbeth', which action shows Macbeth no longer trusts Banquo?
Q6.After hearing the prophecies in Act 1 of 'Macbeth', what is Macbeth's first action?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following was a common expectation of married Jacobean women?
Q2.Academic Suzanne Hull compiled a book in 1983, the title of which summarises the advice that Jacobean women were given about conduct and expectations. It is called 'Chaste, Silent and '.
Q3.Which word best describes Lady Macbeth's ambition to be queen in Act 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Q4.What are the most specific explanations of this quotation, said by Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth': 'Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be. What thou art promised:'
Q5.In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to 'look like the innocent flower, but be the under't'.
Q6.How does Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth' end?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: The presentation of Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 5 of ‘Macbeth’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: The presentation of Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 5 of ‘Macbeth’, 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: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.