Conceptualising guilt in 'Macbeth'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the concept of guilt and begin to reflect on its significance in 'Macbeth'.
Key learning points
- Guilt is an uncomfortable feeling with the purpose of aligning one with their moral compass.
- The theme of guilt is central to 'Macbeth'.
- Shakespeare exposes the destructive force of guilt in 'Macbeth'.
- Shakespeare may have centered the play on guilt to warn against regicide and treachery.
- King James I was a patron of Shakespeare's company; guilt may have been used as a device to please the King.
Keywords
Moral - relating to the standards of good and bad behaviour
Conscience - a person's moral sense of right and wrong
Cautionary - serving as a warning
Common misconception
Pupils may only recognise the destructive force of ambition in the play.
It is also possible to consider the destructive force of guilt as central to the play.
Teacher tip
Depending on how recently you have studied 'Macbeth' with your class, you may want to go over a brief recap of plot before the practice task in Learning Cycle 1.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a conscience?
Q2.How might we define guilt?
Q3.In which scenario might someone feel guilt?
Q4.In the play 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth initially feel guilty about?
Q5.Which monarch was on the throne at the time 'Macbeth' was written?
Q6.What is 'regicide'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', what haunts Macbeth that could symbolise his guilt?
Q2.How does Lady Macbeth's guilt manifest itself in 'Macbeth'?
Q3.What is not a likely purpose of the emotion of guilt?
Q4.In 'Macbeth, what effect does guilt have on Macbeth?
Q5.Why might Shakespeare have chosen to centre 'Macbeth' around guilt?
Q6.We could describe 'Macbeth' as a play.
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Conceptualising guilt in 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Conceptualising guilt in '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: the role of guilt unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.