Hello, welcome to your lesson today on Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of "Macbeth" through the lens of guilt.

I'm Miss Sutherland and I'll be teaching you today.

Our learning outcome for today is to explore Act 1, Scene 3 of "Macbeth" through the lens of guilt.

And we have three key words for today's lesson.

They are usurp, violate, and treachery.

Usurp means take a position of power illegally or by force.

So in "Macbeth," Macbeth usurps the throne.

He takes the king's place by force, by killing the king.

Violate, violate means to break or act against something.

So we could say that Macbeth in committing regicide violates his moral compass.

He violates his sense of right and wrong.

He goes against his conscience.

And treachery.

Treachery means betrayal of trust.

So Macbeth is presented as a very treacherous individual in the play because he not only kills the king who he is related to, who he hosts his house, and who he ought to be loyal to, but he also kills his good friend Banquo.

So Macbeth commits a lot of treachery in this play.

So there are your three key words.

I'll give you a moment to pause the video and reread them, reflect upon them now.

Off you go.

Great, we'll be revisiting each of these words in today's lesson.

Let's move on to look at our learning cycles then.

In this lesson we'll be first exploring guilt in Act 1, Scene 3.

We'll be looking at how we can, how we can view this, this scene through the lens of guilt.

We'll be looking at how guilt is relevant in this scene.

And in the second learning cycle, we'll be writing about Macbeth's guilt in Act 1, Scene 3.

So let's start by exploring guilt in Act 1, Scene 3 then.

I first want to start off by discussing.

If you were told you would achieve a goal or dream of yours, what would you feel? Pause the video and discuss.

You may have said you would feel excitement, intrigue, eagerness, or shock, and potentially you'd feel those things because you would be very thrilled at hearing that you were going to achieve what you'd always dreamed of.

Now, this question is really important to consider when we read Act 1, Scene 3 of "Macbeth." Because in that scene, Macbeth is told he will become king.

What's an amazing thing to be told? It really ought to please him because of his ambitions, but I want you to keep an eye on how Macbeth reacts to such good news, and that's going to help us really see how guilt is relevant in this scene.

So let's now read Act 1, Scene 3 from "Macbeth." And we're going to focus on lines 49 to 143.

As you read this section of the text, I want you to discuss the following, what observation does Banquo make about Macbeth in lines 49 to 50? Do you think this is a normal reaction to good news? Why do you think Macbeth reacts in this way to hearing he'll become the king? Which of Macbeth's lines might suggest he feels guilt? And lastly, why might Macbeth be feeling guilty at this point of the play? So pause the video, get reading and discuss those important questions on the screen there.

Off you go.

Great discussions there.

Let's go through what you may have said.

So on line 49 to 50, Banquo says to Macbeth, "Why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?" In other words, Banquo is asking Macbeth, "Why do you look so fearful after hearing such good news that you will receive these titles, that you'll receive such power? Why on earth do you look scared and fearful and frightened?" The next question is, do you think Macbeth's reaction to good news is normal? Well, based on what we've discussed before, that one ought to be excited or intrigued about hearing that they will achieve their ambitions.

Potentially Macbeth's reaction is a bit odd.

Why does he immediately turn to fear? Now let's discuss bullet point three.

Why does Macbeth react with such fear? Maybe Macbeth's mind immediately turns to something sinister.

Perhaps that's why he has a face painted with fear upon hearing he'll, he will receive the title of King.

And lastly, why might Macbeth be feeling guilty at this point of the play? Potentially Macbeth, again, as we've said, could be having sinister thoughts about how he might achieve that title and perhaps that's why he feels guilt already, because he thinks he'll have to do something quite sinister, quite brutal in order to achieve that position of king.

Let's zoom in now to what Banquo says to Macbeth after the witch's prophecies.

He says, "Why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?" We've just mentioned how Banquo is questioning why Macbeth looks worried and anxious rather than shocked and excited about hearing good news.

Discuss why might Macbeth's initial reaction to hearing he would become king, be that of fear.

We've briefly touched on it, but why do you think he feels such fear at hearing he'll become king? What do you think is going on in his mind? Pause the video and discuss.

Despite receiving good news, Macbeth appears fearful instead of shocked or amazed.

His fear could indicate that Macbeth has previously thought about usurping the king's position and may have even considered regicide.

He could be fearful because he already knows he will violate the natural order and corrupt his own sense of morality in order to become king.

Now that's one interpretation of why Macbeth feels such fear upon hearing the witch's prophecy that he'll become king.

Perhaps it shows his guilt at considering the act of regicide this early on.

Now let's zoom into signs of guilt in Macbeth's soliloquy.

Macbeth says, "Why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair?" He says, "And make my seated heart knock at my ribs." Now he's describing Duncan's murder, "Whose murder is yet but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man." So these are things Macbeth says immediately after hearing the witch's prophecies.

Why might Macbeth be feeling so guilty at this point of the play based on what you've read from his soliloquy? Pause the video and discuss.

Macbeth may be feeling guilt because his mind and body have become wrapped with thoughts of regicide at just one mention of his becoming king.

These thoughts are not in line with how a noble kinsman and subject of the king should act.

So perhaps Macbeth acknowledges that regicide would completely go against his moral compass being so close to the king, and being someone who ought to be loyal to the king.

And that is why he feels guilt at just the thought of committing such act.

I want you to discuss now how is historical context particularly relevant to why Shakespeare may expose Macbeth's guilt this point of the play.

So by historical context we mean what's may have been going on in Jacobean England.

We also mean what's rules and principles were there in mediaeval Scotland when this play was set.

Pause the video and discuss how is historical context particularly relevant at this point of the play when exploring Macbeth's guilt? Pause the video and discuss.

Let's go through what you may have said.

So as you, so you could have touched on mediaeval Scotland and the Jacobean era to answer this question.

So mediaeval Scotland.

In mediaeval Scotland, the feudal system existed.

The feudal system was a system in which loyalty to one's king was paramount.

It was absolutely important and necessary.

The kings relied on the loyalty of their thanes to maintain power and protect the kingdom.

And loyalty to kin and clan was ingrained in the fabric of society.

So this information is really powerful in helping us understand why Macbeth's guilt is so powerful at this point of the play.

Macbeth's guilt is so clear and obvious potentially because he is violating the principles of the feudal system in even contemplating regicide.

And another piece of historical context from the Jacobean era, which helps explain Macbeth's sense of guilt in this scene is The Great Chain of Being, which argues that God created a hierarchy and natural order for everything on earth.

The monarch sits at the top of this hierarchy, the monarch's power comes from God and the God-given power means monarchs shouldn't be challenged at all.

To challenge the monarch is to challenge, disobey, and anger God, and disrupt natural order.

So again, for Macbeth to even contemplate regicide completely violates the principles of The Great Chain of Being as well.

So even in contemplating the act of regicide in Act 1, Scene 3, Macbeth would be breaking the rules of Mediaeval Scotland and of the Jacobean era, which may explain why Shakespeare, why Shakespeare depicts him having so much guilt.

And here it is on the screen once more for you.

In entertaining thoughts of regicide, Macbeth is violating two important social structures which ought to dictate conduct.

Thus it is clear to see why Shakespeare depicts him as being overwhelmed with guilt.

Let's check your understanding now of what we've just talked about.

Why might Shakespeare depict Macbeth as overwhelmed with guilt in Act 1, Scene 3? Pause the video and answer that question.

Shakespeare might depict Macbeth as overwhelmed with guilt in Act 1, Scene 3, because Macbeth is violating two important societal codes of conduct in contemplating regicide.

He is violating the rules of the feudal system and the divine right of kings.

I now want you to complete a close reading of the following quotes.

How might the imagery in each of these quotes reflect Macbeth's guilt over thoughts of regicide? Pause the video and complete a close reading of the quotes now, off you go.

Brilliant effort there.

Let's go through what you may have said.

"Why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair?" You may have said that Macbeth here is questioning how his conscience could allow him to become rapt with thoughts of regicide.

The prefix in the verb unfixed has connotations of undoing, reversing and disrupting the fixed social order of Jacobean society.

Hence, this image is extremely unnerving and evokes guilt for contemplating this act.

Let's move on to, "And make my seated heart knock at my ribs." Seated heart could symbolise Macbeth's conscience and knocking suggests thoughts of, and knocking suggests thoughts of treachery are shaking his moral compass.

This could also reflect a conflict between Macbeth's sense of morality, "seated heart" and ambition which "knocks" at the throne and is willing to disrupt the natural order.

"Against the use of nature." As a subject and kinsman of Duncan.

Macbeth recognises that regicide would violate his own sense of morality, human nature, and natural order of society according to the feudal system and divine right of kings.

This quote foreshadows Macbeth's supernatural punishment to follow.

And lastly, "Whose murder is yet but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man." Whilst Macbeth tries to reassure himself the murder of Duncan is merely imaginary at this point, the vivid imagery of usurpation and his extremely disturbed state of mind could suggest he has already decided to commit the act.

His turmoil in this scene could reflect an already guilty conscience.

Well done in analysing those really vivid and important quotes from Macbeth's soliloquy.

We've now looked at how "Macbeth's" Act 1, Scene 3 soliloquy could depict a strong sense of guilt.

Now let's move on to writing about Macbeth's guilt in Act 1, Scene 3.

Here are two ideas about Macbeth's reaction to the witch's prophecies.

Aisha says, "When Macbeth questions why he yields to that suggestion, Shakespeare depicts him as a character who is potentially ruthless in his ambition." Jacob says, "Macbeth's heart 'knocks' at his ribs, this could illustrate how the witch's prophecies unnerve him.

Alternatively, this could depict his excitement." Considering this scene through the lens of guilt allows you to explore an alternative interpretation of the scene, which is important in demonstrating a critical nuanced understanding of a text.

So both Jacob and Aisha do pose really interesting, relevant, and sound interpretations, but we can take it a step further and look at this scene through the lens of guilt to provide a nuanced critical understanding of this scene.

Another part of ensuring a critical and nuanced understanding of a text is to consider the purpose or significance of a character's presentation.

In Act 1, Scene 3, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a ruthlessly and ambitious character, which gives us glimpses into his position as a tragic hero.

This interpretation offers a solid understanding of scene and character, but it does not consider the significance of this presentation.

In other words, it doesn't consider why it's important for us to see Macbeth as a tragic hero.

Now let's take this sentence, "Act 1, Scene 3 presents Macbeth's pervading sense of guilt, warning the audience that mere contemplation of violating moral boundaries and natural order can evoke turmoil." This interpretation offers a reading of the scene that has considered how Shakespeare presents Macbeth, and why it was important for him to present him in this way.

So the second sentence that we've just looked at tells the reader that Macbeth feels a pervading sense of guilt and that Shakespeare presented this guilt to warn the audience not to cross moral boundaries.

So therefore, the second sentence considers the purpose or significance of a character's presentation.

Make sure you also consider the purpose or significance of a character's presentation if you want to write a critical and nuanced understanding of a text.

Let's check your understanding of what we've just talked about then.

What may help you form a critical, nuanced understanding of a text? Pause the video and answer that question now.

Off you go.

Well done if you said, both exploring a scene through an alternative lens, and considering the significance of a character's presentation can help you to form a critical nuanced understanding of a text.

Let's now looking at forming alternative interpretations and a critical nuanced understanding of a text.

So a conventional viewpoint about Acts 1, Scene 3 might be Macbeth is perturbed by the prophecies.

He may be worried about aligning with and trusting the witches supernatural solicitings.

In other words, that's a viewpoint that many people have expressed about this scene.

An alternative interpretation might be Macbeth's perturbation is clearly fueled by guilt.

He feels guilty for allowing himself to become rapt with thoughts of regicide as he recognises he's going against human nature, social order, and his own moral compass.

Now, that sentence ought to allows us to explore this scene from a different perspective to what we may be used to.

And in doing so it helps us form a critical nuanced response of that scene.

Now let's look at the difference between a solid understanding and a critical nuanced understanding.

A solid understanding of Act 1, Scene 3 might be where Macbeth questions why he, "Yields that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair." Shakespeare depicts him as a character revolting ambition as he's willing to kill the king for his own gain.

Again, that's a very solid understanding and one that a lot of people might hold about Act 1, Scene 3.

Discuss now how could you critically consider that same quote through the lens of guilt? And how could you ensure your analysis links sharply to Shakespeare's message and intentions? Pause the video and discuss now.

Off you go.

Now, you may have said that Macbeth's hair is unfixed by the thought of regicide because he is aware that it would violate the natural order because he is aware of how it violates his own sense of moral compass, but also perhaps it unfix his hair because he knows he's going to follow through with it.

And in fact, the phrase "Unfix my hair" is a manifestation of his guilt.

Perhaps not fear, but guilt.

And how could we ensure our analysis links sharply to Shakespeare's message and intentions? Well, for Shakespeare to show Macbeth being so terrified of thoughts of regicide, it would help the audience to see that this is not an act that they would want to commit.

And of course, that links with Shakespeare's purpose of warning against regicide and thus pleasing King James I.

Now, I want you to write a paragraph exploring Macbeth's reaction to the witches' prophecies as a clear depiction of his guilt in Act 1, Scene 3.

You could consider Banquo's early observation about Macbeth's reaction to the fair prophecies, the imagery in Macbeth soliloquy, the historical context of the feudal system, Divine Right of Kings and gunpowder plot, and Shakespeare's relationship with King James I, and how this links to his intentions through writing the play.

Pause the video and get started with that writing task.

Off you go.

Great effort there.

I now want you to reread your work and highlight where you've done the following.

Where have you analysed the imagery in best soliloquy through the lens of guilt? And where have you explored Shakespeare's intentions in presenting guilt as central this early in the play? Pause the video and self-assess your work now.

Off you go.

Great job.

Here's what we've learned in today's lesson.

Macbeth's initial reaction to the witch's prophecies could reflect his guilt at contemplating regicide.

Shakespeare may depict Macbeth's overwhelming sense of guilt because he was violating two important codes of conduct.

Macbeth's soliloquy can be interpreted through a lens of guilt, offering an interesting and alternative interpretation, and nuanced critical understanding of texts include alternative interpretations and consideration of a writer's intentions.

Thank you so much for joining me in today's lesson.

I hope you've enjoyed exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of "Macbeth" through the lens of guilt, and I really hope to see you in another lesson soon.