New
New
Year 5

Exploring characters and setting in the opening scene of 'Macbeth'

I can use the authentic play script to understand what is taking place in the opening scene of 'Macbeth'.

New
New
Year 5

Exploring characters and setting in the opening scene of 'Macbeth'

I can use the authentic play script to understand what is taking place in the opening scene of 'Macbeth'.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Shakespeare wrote 'Macbeth’ as a play script.
  2. The opening scene of ‘Macbeth’ is a powerful introduction that sets the tone and mood for the entire play.
  3. The scene sets a tone of darkness and uncertainty, foreshadowing the tragic events that unfold as the play progresses.
  4. ‘Macbeth’ is written in Early Modern English, which was used from approximately the 15th century to the 17th century.
  5. A play script includes dialogue, stage directions, character descriptions, instructions for props and sound effects.

Keywords

  • Early Modern English - refers to the stage of English language used from approximately the late 15th century to the late 17th century

  • Play script - the written version of a play

  • Scene - a sequence of continuous action in a play, film, opera or book

  • Stage direction - an instruction in a play script indicating the movement, position or tone of an actor or the sound effects and lighting

Common misconception

Play scripts dictate every aspect of a performance down to the smallest detail.

Actors and directors have creative freedom to interpret the text, bringing their own insights and ideas to the characters and scenes.

Encourage pupils to read Act 1 Scene 1 many times to engage deeply with the text and context. Encourage them to imagine the scene on stage and how the setting might impact the audience's perception.
Teacher tip

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).

Lesson video

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
What category of play is 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: tragedy
comedy
historical
Q2.
In which setting does the majority of the action in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' take place?
a Welsh castle by the sea
a bustling modern city
a haunted forest in Norway
Correct answer: various locations within Scotland
Q3.
Which theme could be argued to be most central to Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?
love
loyalty
Correct answer: power
Q4.
What does the term 'prophecy' refer to in the play 'Macbeth'?
a magical potion
Correct answer: a prediction of future events
a secret code
a religious ritual
Q5.
What is the main cause for Macbeth's growing paranoia?
the witches' prophecy
Lady Macbeth's ambitions
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship
Correct answer: the murder of King Duncan
Q6.
How does Macbeth meet his end in the play?
He dies in a battle with Lady Macbeth.
Correct answer: He is executed by Macduff.
He dies of old age.
He accidentally falls off a cliff.

6 Questions

Q1.
What is Early Modern English?
It is the form of English language used exclusively in Shakespeare's plays.
It is the modern form of English language we use today.
Correct answer: It preceded the modern form of English language we use today.
Q2.
What is the term used to describe the detailed instructions written in a play script?
dialogue
acts
Correct answer: stage directions
stage lighting
Q3.
What eerie setting sets the tone for Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
a stormy night by the seashore
a dark, deserted castle
a moonlit clifftop
Correct answer: a desolate heath
Q4.
How do the three witches in Macbeth generally appear to others in the play?
young maidens
Correct answer: old hags
noblewomen
royalty
Q5.
What does ‘malignant’ mean in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
loud and brash
Correct answer: evil in nature
pleasant in nature
playful
Q6.
What does ‘hurly-burly’ mean in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: disordered chaos
peaceful and calm
organised and quiet