Act 3, Scene 4, ‘Macbeth’: Macbeth’s fears, and Lady Macbeth’s diminishing power
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore Act 3, Scene 4 of ‘Macbeth’, with a focus on Macbeth’s fears and Lady Macbeth’s diminishing power.
Key learning points
- Act 3, Scene 4 sees the Macbeths hold an important feast
- Macbeth sees Banquo's Ghost
- As in earlier scenes, Lady Macbeth could be interpreted as trying to emasculate her husband
- However, Macbeth appears less susceptible to her emasculation
- Lady Macbeth appears to lose control over her husband
Keywords
Appearance versus reality - Appearance versus reality is an important theme in literature. If how things appear is different to reality, there is disorder.
Emasculate - If you emasculate someone, you deprive them of their masculine role or identity.
Legitimate - If your power is legitimate, it is legal and valid.
Diminishes - If something diminishes, it reduces in importance.
Blunt - If your speech is blunt, it is direct.
Common misconception
Banquo's ghost is definitely a figment of Macbeth's imagination.
It's up to directors whether Banquo's ghost should appear on stage; an actor could play this part, or Macbeth could be scared of nothing.
Teacher tip
Consider watching this scene so students can explore how having Banquo's ghost appear, or not appear, effects the characterisation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Macbeth', why does Macbeth want to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance?
Q2.In 'Macbeth', Duncan and Macbeth are very different types of monarchs. Match Macbeth's qualities as King, and Duncan's qualities as King.
An illegitimate monarch - his authority is not valid.
A monarch who kills his subjects.
A monarch who is fearful and paranoid.
A monarch who promotes his subjects when deserved.
A meek and virtuous monarch.
A legitimate monarch - his authority over Scotland is valid.
Q3.In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth is praised and promoted. Why?
Q4.In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', which quotation best shows how Lady Macbeth emasculates her husband?
Q5.Which quotations from Act 1 of 'Macbeth' best shows the close relationship the Macbeths have?
Q6.In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth has a long soliloquy in which he contemplates regicide. Why is he hesitant about committing this act?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', who can see Banquo's Ghost?
Q2.Starting with the first plot point, order the events of Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth'.
Q3.In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth resolves to go and see the witches. Why could this decision be seen as a turning point for Macbeth's grip on power?
Q4.In 3.4 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth when he is visibly distressed seeing Banquo's ghost. She exclaims, ' itself!' at his behaviour.
Q5.Which adjectives best describe Lady Macbeth's language in Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth'?
Q6.In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', how do we know that Lady Macbeth's emasculating language is ineffective in modifying Macbeth's behaviour?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Act 3, Scene 4, ‘Macbeth’: Macbeth’s fears, and Lady Macbeth’s diminishing power, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Act 3, Scene 4, ‘Macbeth’: Macbeth’s fears, and Lady Macbeth’s diminishing power, 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.