Exploring the supernatural as a symbol of guilt in 'Macbeth'
I can explore how the supernatural has been used to symbolise Macbeth's guilt and divine retribution in 'Macbeth'.
Exploring the supernatural as a symbol of guilt in 'Macbeth'
I can explore how the supernatural has been used to symbolise Macbeth's guilt and divine retribution in 'Macbeth'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are haunted by supernatural phenomena after committing crimes.
- Perhaps Lady Macbeth and Macbeth suffer such supernatural punishment due to the extent of their "unnatural deeds".
- A common Renaissance belief was there were no limits to God's vengeance.
- In the Renaissance, people believed that the conscience was a tool imposed by God to inflict punishment.
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's hallucinations can be read as a symbol of their guilt as well as divine retribution.
Keywords
Conjure - make something appear from nowhere
Vengeance - action against someone to punish that person
Retribution - punishment imposed for purposes of repayment for the wrong committed
Impervious - unable to be affected by
Common misconception
Students may have only perceived the hallucinations in the play as summoned by the witches.
We can read the same elements of the play through many different lenses. All interpretations are valid.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson. An extract and model answer used in the lesson are also available in the additional materials.
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
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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