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Exploring the motif of light in 'Macbeth'

I can explore the significance of the motif of light in 'Macbeth'.

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Year 11
Eduqas

Exploring the motif of light in 'Macbeth'

I can explore the significance of the motif of light in 'Macbeth'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In 'Macbeth', Shakespeare repeatedly uses the motif of light alongside the themes of innocence, guilt and sin.
  2. Macbeth initially wants darkness to conceal his sin from God, demonstrating his guilt.
  3. Shakespeare uses light imagery to describe the macrocosm, suggesting the wider repercussions of Macbeth's guilt.
  4. As the play progresses, Macbeth's alignment with darkness may show his moral compass becoming tainted.
  5. The light imagery associated with the murder of Banquo could represent the murder of innocence.

Keywords

  • Microcosm - a society or place that has the same characteristics with something larger than it

  • Macrocosm - the whole of a complex structure, especially the world or the universe

  • Dunnest - thickest, murkiest

  • Tainted - contaminate or pollute something

Common misconception

Light is only referenced and significant in Macbeth's 'Stars, hide your fires' soliloquy taken from Act 1, Scene 4.

If we look closely at what could be considered 'minor' scenes in the play, we can begin to build a clear and nuanced idea of the motif of light throughout.


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

Learning Cycle 2 offers a good opportunity to comment on the structure of the play. You can consider how the motif of light has developed over the course of the play and how this links to Macbeth's change in character.
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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
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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 regicide?
the murder of one's kinsman
Correct answer: the murder of a king
rejection from God
Q2.
What did Jacobeans believe about regicide?
that it was acceptable as it was the only way to secure great power
that it could win you honour
Correct answer: that it was the worst sin someone could commit
Q3.
In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', why does Macbeth decide to have Banquo murdered?
Macbeth is worried that Banquo will usurp his place on the throne.
Macbeth hates how much his wife loves Banquo.
Correct answer: Macbeth is worried that Banquo's sons will usurp his place on the throne.
Q4.
What is a moral compass?
Correct answer: someone's sense of right and wrong
a devil that sits on one's shoulder and tells a person to commit sins
a section of the bible that tells you how to get into heaven
Q5.
Which sentence uses the word 'tainted' correctly?
"Happy memories tainted my chilhood."
"The book is tainted with pages."
Correct answer: "Her lies tainted our relationship."
Q6.
How is Banquo used as a device in 'Macbeth'?
Banquo can be seen as Duncan's foil.
Correct answer: Banquo can be seen as Macbeth's foil.
Banquo can be seen as an archetype of a knight in shining armour.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
"Stars hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires." This quote from Act 1, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth' could reflect ...
Macbeth embracing sin and hell.
Correct answer: Macbeth wanting to shield his sin from God and remain innocent.
Macbeth's lack of guilt.
Q2.
Across Act 1, Scene 4 and 5 of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth …
use the motif of light to signal their innocence.
show remorse for plotting to kill the king.
Correct answer: use the motif of light to signal their guilt.
Q3.
During the Jacobean era, what did people believe about society?
that regicide was an acceptable way to gain more power.
that the microcosm and macrocosm were unrelated.
Correct answer: that the lives of men would be reflected in the wider universe.
Q4.
What is significant about the Old Man’s description of the world in Act 2, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: It shows how darkness in Macbeth's psyche is reflected in wider world.
It shows people turning against Macbeth.
It shows that the patriarchy has fallen.
Q5.
By Act 3, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', how has Macbeth’s relationship with darkness and light changed?
Correct answer: By Act 3, Scene 2, Macbeth seems to fully embrace darkness and sin.
By Act 3, Scene 2, Macbeth begs God for forgiveness.
By Act 3, Scene 2, Macbeth has eradicated darkness from his conscience.
Q6.
As Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' progresses, darkness comes to reflect …
Correct answer: Macbeth's moral deterioration.
Macbeth's increasing innocence.
Macbeth's uncertainty.