Understanding the context of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'
I understand who William Shakespeare was and know some of the key features of his literary style.
Understanding the context of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'
I understand who William Shakespeare was and know some of the key features of his literary style.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- William Shakespeare was a renowned English playwright, poet and actor.
- Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616.
- Shakespeare's plays were written at a time when the theatre was an important form of entertainment.
- Shakespeare wrote at least 39 plays that can broadly be grouped into tragedies, comedies and historical plays.
- Shakespeare's plays centre around complex themes and intricate plot structures.
Keywords
Playwright - a person who writes plays
Theatre - a form of art that involves live performances by actors on a stage in front of an audience
Play - a dramatic work originally intended for the stage
Monarch - a ruler who holds supreme and hereditary power over a state or territory, often referred to as a king or queen
Common misconception
Shakespeare's plays are too difficult to understand or inaccessible due to the language used.
Many of Shakespeare's themes, emotions and characters resonate universally across time.
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
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
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Exit quiz
6 Questions
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