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'.
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'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shakespeare wrote 'Macbeth’ as a play script.
- The opening scene of ‘Macbeth’ is a powerful introduction that sets the tone and mood for the entire play.
- The scene sets a tone of darkness and uncertainty, foreshadowing the tragic events that unfold as the play progresses.
- ‘Macbeth’ is written in Early Modern English, which was used from approximately the 15th century to the 17th century.
- 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.
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Exploring characters and setting in the opening scene of 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Exploring characters and setting in the opening scene of 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the Shakespeare's 'Macbeth': narrative and soliloquy writing unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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