a central idea that the writer intends the audience to engage deeply with

a dramatic work originally intended for the stage

a ruler who holds supreme and hereditary power over a state or territory, often referred to as a king or queen

Understanding themes, characters and plot in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

English

In 'Macbeth', pupils learn about character, plot and theme in a Shakespearean play for the first time. In 'Shakespeare's ’Romeo and Juliet’: Diary and Narrative Writing', pupils will learn how Shakespeare explores multiple key themes throughout a single play.’

In 'The Highwayman: Narrative Writing', pupils developed their understanding of how to create atmosphere and engage the reader using figurative language. In 'Shakespeare's ’Macbeth’: Narrative and Soliloquy Writing', pupils will use figurative language to write a narrative based on Shakespearean tragedy and convey characters' thoughts and feelings through soliloquy writing.

Shakespeare's 'Macbeth': narrative and soliloquy writing

What adjectives are appropriate to describe the character of Macbeth?

How does Macbeth feel after the death of Duncan?

What are the causes of Macbeth’s tragic downfall?

Macbeth will have a child soon with Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth will become the King of Scotland.

Macbeth will **never** become the King of Scotland.

What is the prophecy that drives Macbeth to kill Duncan?

Order the key themes as they unfold in 'Macbeth' in chronological order. 

Macbeth becomes fixated on becoming king.

Macbeth attempts to eliminate threats to his reign.

Lady Macbeth begins to suffer from guilt-induced madness.

Match the key events to their brief descriptions.

True or false? Shakespeare's works often have recurring ideas or concepts.

What abstract noun would best fit the blank in the following sentence? 'Macbeth’s overwhelming desire for __________ leads him to commit terrible acts.'

What is the year of William Shakespeare's **birth**?

Where did William Shakespeare spend most of his **professional** career?

Which monarch was ruling England during most of Shakespeare's lifetime?

staging the performances of young children's plays

staging the performances of William Shakespeare's plays

staging the performances of tragedies only

What was the Globe Theatre mainly used for?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Understanding themes, characters and plot in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.