When a monarch (King or Queen) reigns over a country, it means they rule that country.

A tyrant is someone who uses their power in an unjust way.

If your power or status is illegitimate, it is not legal or valid.

A monarch’s court is made up of loyal and noble followers (subjects). It is the centre of power.

A hallucination is when you see, smell, taste, touch or hear something that appears to be real, but is only in your mind.

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 3, Scenes 4 to 6

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

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murder.

Match the scenes from Act 3 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.

In Act 3, Scene 6 of 'Macbeth', Lennox and a Lord characterise Macbeth as a '{{ }}'.

In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', who does Macbeth hallucinate during his public feast?

That he will try and fight Banquo's ghost.

That he wants to see the three witches again.

That he wants Lady Macbeth to "pour spirits" in his ear.

At the end of Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth reveal, thus undermining his reign over Scotland?

In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth says of his Thanes, "There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant {{ }}".

In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth realises that "I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as {{ }} as go o'er".

Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murders.

Lady Macbeth is unhappy and isolated from Macbeth.

Match the first three scenes of Act 3 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points

In Act 1, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', King Duncan appoints his heir (the person who will be King after him), securing the future stability of Scotland. Who does he name as his heir?

Lady Macbeth relying on "spirits" to "unsex her".

Macbeth engaging with the witches' prophecies.

King Duncan staying at the Macbeths' castle.

'Macbeth's' first audiences were Jacobean. Which of the following moments in the play would a Jacobean audience have seen as unnatural and wrong?

She suggests he would be a better King than Duncan.

She says that Banquo would have done it, had he promised her.

In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', how does Lady Macbeth goad Macbeth into regicide, even though he has decided against it?

In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth goads Macbeth into regicide saying, 'When you durst do it, then you were a...'

In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth talks about Duncan's good qualities as a King. What does he say they are?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz