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Year 11
Edexcel

Conceptualising guilt in 'Macbeth'

I can understand the concept of guilt and begin to reflect on its significance in 'Macbeth'.

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Year 11
Edexcel

Conceptualising guilt in 'Macbeth'

I can understand the concept of guilt and begin to reflect on its significance in 'Macbeth'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Guilt is an uncomfortable feeling with the purpose of aligning one with their moral compass.
  2. The theme of guilt is central to 'Macbeth'.
  3. Shakespeare exposes the destructive force of guilt in 'Macbeth'.
  4. Shakespeare may have centered the play on guilt to warn against regicide and treachery.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Conceptualising guilt in 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a conscience?
part of the brain that contributes to decision making
an external influence that forces people into accepting their morals
Correct answer: someone's inner moral sense of right and wrong
Q2.
How might we define guilt?
feeling resentment that you do not have someone else's achievements
being embarrassed about being foolish
Correct answer: feeling uncomfortable having done something wrong
Q3.
In which scenario might someone feel guilt?
winning a prize for excellent homework
falling over in front of other people
Correct answer: not being there for a friend in need
Q4.
In the play 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth initially feel guilty about?
being a fearless and brutal soldier
betraying his wife
Correct answer: thinking about committing regicide
Q5.
Which monarch was on the throne at the time 'Macbeth' was written?
Queen Elizabeth I
Correct answer: King James I
King Edward I
Q6.
What is 'regicide'?
betraying one's good friend
overthrowing the government
Correct answer: killing a monarch

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', what haunts Macbeth that could symbolise his guilt?
a bloody dagger
a vision of his own death
Correct answer: Banquo's ghost
Q2.
How does Lady Macbeth's guilt manifest itself in 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: she sleepwalks
Correct answer: she hallucinates blood on her hands
she publicly admits to committing the murder of Duncan and Banquo
Q3.
What is not a likely purpose of the emotion of guilt?
to help people reconnect and repair relationships
Correct answer: to drive someone to commit more wrongdoings
to realign someone with their moral compass
Q4.
In 'Macbeth, what effect does guilt have on Macbeth?
Correct answer: it leads him to commit more violent actions
it makes him repent and cease committing his heinous crimes
it repairs his relationship with Lady Macbeth
Q5.
Why might Shakespeare have chosen to centre 'Macbeth' around guilt?
to expose the conscience as a made up construct, in line with his religious view
to show how much power guilt can give to those bold enough
Correct answer: to warn against regicide and thus please King James I
Q6.
We could describe 'Macbeth' as a play.
treacherous
Correct answer: cautionary
redeeming