A porter is employed to carry the bags of passengers or guests.

If you equivocate, you speak in an ambiguous way that allows you to conceal the truth.

‘Macbeth’ was first performed in 1606 when James I was King of England (1603-1624). The people he ruled were called Jacobeans.

The Gunpowder Plot was a failed attempt to kill King James I in 1605.

Setting is the location where an event takes place. In literature, setting can tell us something about the story or characters.

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4

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.

Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Demand that Malcolm be made King, as his father's heir.

Argue that Macbeth committed the regicide.

After the regicide in Act 2 of 'Macbeth', what do King Duncan's sons do?

Match the scenes from Act 2 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.

King James I sanctioned equivocation in his court.

King James I ascended the throne after committing regicide.

There was an assassination attempt on James I in 1605.

Jacobeans believed equivocation was a way to become closer to God.

Equivocation was a tactic sanctioned by the Catholic Church when on trial.

Why would the inclusion of regicide, and ideas about equivocation, be topical for 'Macbeth's' first Jacobean audiences?

A bird of prey is eaten by a weaker bird.

After Macbeth's regicide in 'Macbeth', a number of unnatural events occur. What are they?

That the porter knows about the regicide.

That the porter wants Macbeth to go to hell.

In Act 2, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth' the porter pretends to be the gatekeeper of hell as stands at the entrance of the Macbeths' castle. What does this suggest?

If you {{ }}, you speak in an ambiguous way that conceals the truth.

Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan to the castle.

Lady Macbeth goads Macbeth into regicide.

Macbeth hallucinates a dagger and commits regicide.

Lady Macbeth frames the guards; Macbeth regrets the regicide

Match the final three scenes of Act 1 of 'Macbeth' and the first two scenes of Act 2 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points

In Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', King Duncan appoints the heir to the throne should he die. What is the name of his heir?

He is suspicious of Lady Macbeth and wants to keep an eye on her.

Banquo told him of the prophecies so he is suspicious of Macbeth.

It is meant as an honour to the Macbeths following Macbeth's bravery in battle.

The witches lead Duncan to the Macbeths' castle.

Lady Macbeth invites him so she can kill him more easily.

In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', why does King Duncan decide to stay with the Macbeths?

In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that when he heard Duncan's guards praying, he couldn't join in and that the word 'Amen {{ }} in [his] throat'.

That monarchs are God's representatives on Earth.

That to challenge a monarch is to challenge God's authority.

That Macbeth should be punished because he committed regicide.

King James I (King when 'Macbeth' was first performed) wrote a book about The Divine Right of Kings. What are the main ideas in this book?

Lady Macbeth won't let him pray as she is devoted to 'spirits'.

Kings don't need to pray to God because they are God-like.

He hallucinates the vision of the guards saying this to him.

Prayer is a means of communication with God; he has destroyed this relationship.

The witches have cast a spell on him so he can no longer pray.

After committing the regicide in Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries that he will never be able to pray again. Why is this one of his worries?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

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

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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