Exploring blood as symbol of guilt in 'Macbeth'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore and analyse the motif of blood in 'Macbeth'.
Key learning points
- Blood is a motif that is associated with guilt in 'Macbeth'.
- Initially, both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's reference to blood reflects their guilt and intact conscience.
- As the play progresses, Macbeth is haunted by blood and guilt.
- Lady Macbeth doesn't see blood as staining and thus rejects her guilt early on in the play.
- At the end of the play, both Macbeth and his wife are consumed by blood and guilt, both appearing helpless.
Keywords
Motif - a recurring idea, image or symbol in a text or piece of art
Impervious - unable to be affected
Consumed - if you are consumed with something, it affects you very strongly
Common misconception
Blood only symbolises violence and bloodshed.
Blood comes to symbolise psychological turmoil and guilt as the play progresses.
Teacher tip
You could also explore how other characters associate Macbeth with blood in 1.2 compared to 4.3.
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 sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does Macbeth see in Act 2, Scene 1 of the play 'Macbeth'?
Q2.In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', what does Lady Macbeth say to reassure Macbeth after the murder of Duncan?
Q3.What symbolic meaning does blood seem to take in 'Macbeth'?
Q4.In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', which character says "out damned spot" and what are they referring to?
Q5.Which sentence uses the word 'consumed' correctly?
Q6.Which quote depicts Banquo’s ghost as being covered in blood in 'Macbeth'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word beginning with 'm' refers to a recurring idea in a literary work?
Q2.What does impervious mean?
Q3.Which sentence uses impervious correctly to describe Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth'?
Q4.In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth acknowledge?
Q5.What does the phrase "Out damned spot" suggest about Lady Macbeth’s feelings of guilt in Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Q6.What is true of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's relationship with guilt by the end of 'Macbeth'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring blood as symbol of 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: Exploring blood as symbol of 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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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.