How does Lady Macbeth undermine Macbeth in Act 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how Lady Macbeth undermines Macbeth in Act 1 of ‘Macbeth’.
Key learning points
- Macbeth has a powerful reputation as a brave and noble warrior
- Macbeth values the chivalric code
- Lady Macbeth weaponises the chivalric code to get what she wants
- Arguably, her emasculation leads to Macbeth committing regicide, perhaps to defend his courage and masculinity
Keywords
The chivalric code - The chivalric code was a set of standards for knights to follow. The chivalric code is explored in lots of old stories, poems and songs.
Weaponise - If you weaponise something, you exploit a value someone cares about in order to harm them.
Honour - If you have honour, you care about doing what is right. You are honest and have integrity.
Values - Your values are your beliefs, ideals that are important to you.
Undermine - If you undermine someone, you make them feel less confident.
Common misconception
Lady Macbeth doesn't value loyalty.
Lady Macbeth does value loyalty, but loyalty to herself and her ambitions, not the chivalric code.
Teacher tip
Fully interrogate Lady Macbeth's 'thou wouldst be great...'. Shakespeare characterises her as someone who knows her husband utterly and completely, and she uses this intimacy against him.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why does 'Macbeth' begin with Macbeth being called 'valiant', 'brave', 'worthy' and 'noble'?
Q2.In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', why is Macbeth promoted?
Q3.In 'Macbeth', why is Macbeth praised for murder on the battlefield but not for his murder of King Duncan?
Q4.After his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth tell Lady Macbeth?
Q5.How does Lady Macbeth undermine Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth'?
Q6.Lady Macbeth knows Macbeth intimately. What does she see as his character flaws?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.According to the chivalric code, knights should be loyal to which of the following?
Q2.In Act 1, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', the Sergeant says of Macbeth, 'Brave Macbeth, well he that name'.
Q3.In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth undermines Macbeth asking, 'Art thou To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire?'
Q4.In 'Macbeth', the chivalric code is important to Macbeth so...
Q5.Which quotations from Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth' connects Macbeth's courage and bravery to the regicide?
Q6.By the end of Act 1, Scene 7, how has Lady Macbeth distorted Macbeth's values?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: How does Lady Macbeth undermine Macbeth in Act 1 of 'Macbeth'?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: How does Lady Macbeth undermine Macbeth in Act 1 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.