Machiavellian is an adjective. It describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways.

If an argument is compelling, it is convincing and persuasive.

Methods are techniques a writer uses. These encompass everything: language, form, structure and characterisation.

Context concerns the circumstances in which a text was written; context helps us to understand the writer’s intentions further.

Feedback is information given to someone to help them improve something.

‘Macbeth’: exploring evidence and including context in an essay on Lady Macbeth

English

In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils focus on the role that Lady Macbeth plays in the downfall of her husband. In 'Macbeth: A Tragic Hero', pupils become more critical of Macbeth's own decisions, evaluating whether he could be considered a tragic hero.

In 'Othello', pupils explore the role that Desdemona played in her husband's downfall. In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils analyse the impact of Lady Macbeth's manipulation.

In this unit, pupils read and analyse 'Macbeth' by focusing on the role of Lady Macbeth in the tragedy. They start by reading the full play, before moving on to a close analysis of key characters and themes. They then zoom in on Lady Macbeth and develop an essay on her as a Machiaevellian villain.

Shakespeare: first reading

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

What is the term we use to describe 'Macbeth's' first audiences?

when every quotation is analysed a word at a time

evidence which supports your topic sentence

analysis of writer's methods exemplified through evidence

Which of the following can make for compelling evidence in an English literature essay?

including the catch all phrase 'at the time'

making sure context is encapsulated in one sentence at the end of each paragraph

placing all your contextual knowledge in one paragraph at the end of your essay

Which of the following could allow for meaningful use of context in an English literature essay?

Lady Macbeth becomes increasingly dominant.

They don't speak after Lady Macbeth 'dashes' their child's brains out.

Lady Macbeth can't endure Macbeth after he kills Duncan.

Macbeth comes to rely on his wife less and less.

How does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth alter over the course of 'Macbeth'?

You should use a quotation in your topic sentence.

You must analyse methods in your topic sentence.

You must use context in your topic sentence.

Your topic sentence should link to the question more obviously.

A student wrote this topic sentence in response to the question, 'Is Lady Macbeth presented as a dutiful wife?'. 'Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as very dominant.' What feedback would you give?

To use the sentence starter, 'This quotation means...' so they can be clear.

To explore the symbolism of blood from across the play.

To analyse each word's connotations in turn.

To contrast this moment with moments from 2.2 when she rejects ideas of guilt.

A student decided to explore the quotation, "Here's the smell of blood still" from Lady Macbeth in 5.1 in order to examine the idea of guilt. What would help make this a compelling piece of analysis?

A {{ }} villain describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways. 

Lady Macbeth chooses to take her own life.

Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth 'What's to be done?' about Banquo.

What happens in Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?

Macbeth is a King. The witches should come to him.

He relies on evil supernatural creatures, not the power of God.

Before they appeared before him by chance, now he actively seeks them.

Witches were believed to be evil and unreliable.

The witches have threatened to kill him if they see him again.

In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth seeks the witches. Why would this have been a shocking moment for the play's first Jacobean audiences?

She doesn't have a plan about what to do about Banquo. Instead, Macbeth does.

She doesn't enjoy being monarch, calling it 'nought'.

Macbeth relies on the witches to support him, not her.

She sees Banquo's Ghost, thus her mind is beginning to deteriorate.

In what ways does Shakespeare use Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth' to signal Lady Macbeth's diminishing power?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision required

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

‘Macbeth’: exploring evidence and including context in an essay on Lady Macbeth

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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