Exploring the motif of sleep in 'Macbeth'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse the motif of sleep in regards to Macbeth's guilt.
Key learning points
- Sleep is a motif in 'Macbeth' associated with innocence.
- Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer with lack of sleep (insomnia) and nightmares.
- Insomnia is associated with guilt in the play.
- Insomnia might be considered a punishment that either God or the conscience inflicts.
- We can use discourse markers to help us trace different uses of a motif across a text.
Keywords
Insomnia - difficulty falling or staying asleep
Repressed - describes a feeling that you do not express
Manifestation - an object that embodies something abstract
Assuage - make an unpleasant feeling less intense
Common misconception
Students may be familiar with the function of sleep, but less aware of the symbolism and connotations.
Whilst sleep is vital for healing and serves a restorative function, it also symbolises innocence and vulnerability.
Teacher tip
You could spend some time unpicking the finer details of the sleep motif. For example, is it significant that Duncan is murdered whilst sleeping? Why is it that Lady Macbeth sleep walks whereas Macbeth only experieces insomnia?
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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.After Macbeth commits regicide in the play 'Macbeth', he can no longer do what in Act 2, Scene 2?
Q2.What is true of sleep?
Q3. What happens to Lady Macbeth by Act 5, Scene 1 o? 'Macbeth'?
Q4.In what state is Duncan murdered in 'Macbeth'?
Q5.What is a discourse marker?
Q6.What is Macbeth troubled by in Act 3, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What word beginning with 'i' means having trouble falling and staying asleep?
Q2.Why does Macbeth say he will sleep no more after committing regicide in 'Macbeth'?
Q3.In 'Macbeth', Macbeth cannot sleep, this means he can't gain ...
Q4.In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', what could provide an interesting religious interpretation of Macbeth's insomnia?
Q5.Why is it important to use discourse markers when writing about motifs in a text?
Q6.What is a repressed feeling?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring the motif of sleep in 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring the motif of sleep 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.