external influences are factors beyond a characters control which may affect their decisions or behaviour.

susceptible means you are liable to be influenced by something.

emasculation is the act of depriving a man or his masculine strength or role, making him feel less masculine.

people who are vulnerable are exposed to harm, either physically or emotionally.

revolutionary can mean dramatic change or being engaged in political revolution.

'Macbeth': exploring the external feminine influences in the play

English

In 'Macbeth: a tragic hero', pupils become more critical of Macbeth, analysing the role he plays in his own downfall. In 'Macbeth & masculinity: the struggle for power', pupils explore how Macbeth's insecurity surrounding his masculinity is his hamartia.

Macbeth and masculinity: the struggle for power

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which word, beginning with v and meaning being exposed to the possibility of harm, would fit in this sentence? Macbeth is {{ }} to the witches prophecies.

Not everyone believes in the supernatural.

Banquo's son is not king by the end of the play.

Why would some people argue that the witches were not supernatural beings and just mischief making outsiders?

Which word, beginning with **s** and similar to **vulnerable**, fits in this sentence? Macbeth's insecurities surrounding his lack of patrilineal line means he is {{ }} to Lady Macbeth's emasculation

"Too full of the milk of human kindness."

"Tis the eye of childhood, that fears a painted devil."

Select the **two** quotations which are an example of Lady Macbeth's emasculation of her husband.

Lady Macbeth gets angry at her husband for breaking a promise.

Lady Macbeth questions her husband's masculinity.

Lady Macbeth targets her husbands insecurities about his lack of male heir.

Which of the following is the **most** sophisticated inference about why Lady Macbeth's manipulation is successful?

Characters who challenge gender roles are punished by the end of the play.

The play is a warning against defying the natural order.

In Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare has created an unconventional female character.

Throughout the play, characters defy the natural order.

Select **two** reasons below as to why Shakespeare might be described as a defender of the status quo.

Which of the following is **not** an external influence that contributes to Macbeth's downfall?

Complete the sentence by adding either *a conventional* or *an unconventional* in the gap. Lady Macbeth is {{  }} depiction of an 11th Century Gaelic woman.

"For brave Macbeth, - well he deserves that name."

Which **three** quotes are said by Lady Macbeth in an attempt to manipulate her husband?

Complete this sentence: The first character we see contemplating committing crimes is {{ }}

Select **three** adjectives which best describe Lady Macbeth's behaviour in the **first half** of the play.

Which of the words below means, 'the act of making a man feel like less of a man?'

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz