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Year 5

Analysing a scene in the build-up of 'Macbeth'

I can identify the reasons Macbeth considers for and against killing Duncan.

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New
New
Year 5

Analysing a scene in the build-up of 'Macbeth'

I can identify the reasons Macbeth considers for and against killing Duncan.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A play script is the written form of a play.
  2. Audiences can draw inferences and make conclusions about a character based on their words, expressions and actions.
  3. Vocabulary can be generated to precisely describe a scene for the reader.
  4. Shakespearean characters often experience internal conflict.
  5. Macbeth's decision making is influenced by his wife and his desire for power.

Common misconception

Pupils might find the concept of 'manipulation' difficult to understand.

You could provide pupils with a context that they might understand, for example, imagine a friend doesn't want to take someone else's packed lunch, but you want them to. How could you manipulate them? What could you say to convince them?

Keywords

  • Soliloquy - a speech in a play where the character speaks to himself or herself

  • Internal conflict - a struggle within a person's mind over a problem or question

  • Suspense - the feeling of excitement or nervousness that you have when you are waiting for something to happen

  • Manipulate - to control something or someone to your advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly

Another activity, if time, is putting the pupils into two groups and getting them to stand either side of you. You are 'Macbeth'. One line of pupils will convince you to kill Duncan by saying reasons for killing him and the other line will convince you not to by saying reasons against killing him.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a protagonist?
an ongoing disagreement or argument
a central idea that the writer intends the audience to engage deeply with
Correct answer: the leading character or one of the major characters in a narrative
Q2.
How does Macbeth react to the witches' prophecies?
Correct answer: They spark an interest in him; could he be the king?
He doesn't think they are real - they are a figment of his imagination.
He is jealous of Banquo because he wants his own sons to be kings.
Q3.
Order these events.
1 - The three witches plan to meet Macbeth on the heath.
2 - The witches meet Macbeth and Banquo on the heath.
3 - The witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then the king.
4 - Macbeth is told he has been made Thane of Cawdor.
Q4.
What is a theme?
Correct answer: a central idea that the writer intends the audience to engage deeply with
the leading character or one of the major characters in a narrative
a conclusion drawn from information and evidence in a text
Q5.
What does Macbeth do before he rides home with King Duncan?
He returns to see the witches on the heath and he asks them to leave him alone.
Correct answer: He writes to his wife 'Lady Macbeth' to tell her about the witches' prophecies.
He does nothing and he tries to forget about the witches.
Q6.
Match each character trait of Macbeth to the correct piece of evidence from the play.
Correct Answer:determined,always thinking of how he can get what he desires

always thinking of how he can get what he desires

Correct Answer:guilty,he tries to stop himself having evil thoughts

he tries to stop himself having evil thoughts

Correct Answer:brave,not afraid of the witches

not afraid of the witches

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Macbeth has gone back to his home in Inverness. Who is staying with him and Lady Macbeth?
the three witches
Correct answer: Duncan and his men
Banquo and his sons
Q2.
Act I, Scene vii starts with a soliloquy from Macbeth. What is a soliloquy?
a feeling of excitement or nervousness
stage directions that tell the actors what to do
Correct answer: a speech in a play where the character speaks to himself or herself
Q3.
Why does Macbeth have an internal conflict?
Correct answer: He can't decide whether to kill King Duncan or not.
He can't decide whether to tell Lady Macbeth about the witches' predictions.
He can't decide whether to tell Duncan what the witches told him and Banquo.
Q4.
How would you describe Lady Macbeth?
kind
Correct answer: ruthless
Correct answer: manipulative
gentle
motherly
Q5.
What reasons are there for Macbeth not to kill Duncan?
Correct answer: He wants to be loyal.
He wants to please Lady Macbeth.
He is ambitious.
Correct answer: He has just been made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan.
Q6.
How does the end of Act I leave the audience in suspense?
They have just seen Duncan being killed!
Correct answer: They don't know what will happen next. Will Macbeth kill Duncan, or won't he?
They are scared of the witches.