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Year 11
AQA

'Macbeth' Act 2 Scene 1: the dagger hallucination

I can use Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 1 to justify my opinions on Macbeth.

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Year 11
AQA

'Macbeth' Act 2 Scene 1: the dagger hallucination

I can use Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 1 to justify my opinions on Macbeth.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Act 2, Scene 1 is could be seen as crucial in creating the idea that Macbeth is influenced by the supernatural and evil
  2. Macbeth does recognise the dagger as a hallucination - counter evidence that he is being influenced by the supernatural
  3. Macbeth uses the hallucination as justification for killing Duncan
  4. A dagger is symbolic of treachery - representing betrayal at close range

Keywords

  • Hallucination - The experience of seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling something that does not exist is called a hallucination.

  • Soliloquy - A soliloquy is a speech in a play that the character speaks to themself or to the audience, rather than to the other characters.

  • Subsequent - Subsequent means when something comes after something else or a result of something else.

Common misconception

Students become over-reliant on the quotation: "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"

Draw attention to other quotations which both illustrate Macbeth can see a dagger, but also demonstrate the flaws in his character.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'Macbeth' Act 2 Scene 1: the dagger hallucination, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

During learning cycle 2, you could ask pupils whether they agree with Jun or Izzy. Stage a debate where pupils have to use quotations from A2, S1 as evidence.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Macbeth', Macbeth sees a vision of which weapon, shortly before killing Duncan?
Correct Answer: Dagger, Dagger., dagger, dagger., a dagger
Q2.
Put the following events of Act 1 and Act 2 of 'Macbeth' in order.
1 - Macbeth and Banquo hear the prophecies. Macbeth is excited.
2 - Macbeth tells his wife he cannot kill Duncan.
3 - Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband.
4 - Macbeth hallucinates seeing a dagger.
5 - Macbeth believes the hallucination was a sign to kill Duncan.
6 - Macbeth murders Duncan in his sleep.
Q3.
In 'Macbeth', why does Macbeth choose to kill King Duncan? Choose all that apply.
Correct answer: Macbeth does not want to disappoint his wife.
Macbeth is afraid of the witches.
Correct answer: Macbeth is ambitious and wants to be king.
The prophecies told Macbeth he must kill Duncan.
Q4.
A sentence which starts a paragraph, clearly outlining the purpose of your paragraph is called a...?
Correct Answer: topic sentence, topic sentence., Topic sentence., Topic sentence
Q5.
What does embedding a quotation mean?
Using quotations throughout an essay.
Selecting quotations effectively.
Correct answer: Inserting quotations into your writing at appropriate moments.
Q6.
What does subsequent mean in the following sentence? "Subsequent to Duncan's murder, Macbeth's guilt intensified."
Correct answer: Following in time or order; occurring or coming after something else.
Having a strong desire to succeed or achieve a goal.
In a state of rest or inactivity.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Identify which sentences correctly embed quotations. Select any correct answers.
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger. "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"
Correct answer: Macbeth hallucinates a dagger: "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"
Correct answer: Hallucinating, Macbeth queries, "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"
Q2.
Select everything you would expect to see in a good topic sentence. Select all appropriate answers.
Correct answer: The writer's name.
Correct answer: A clear argument.
Correct answer: Reference to the part of the text you are discussing.
Language devices you are going to analyse.
Conjunctions to justify your inferences.
Q3.
A is a speech in a play that the character speaks to themself or to the people watching, rather than to the other characters.
Correct Answer: soliloquy, soliloquy., Soliloquy, Soliloquy.
Q4.
In 'Macbeth', which of the following quotations can be used to justify the idea that the hallucination of the dagger is the work of the supernatural?
Correct answer: “The handle toward my hand?”
"Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going”
"Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”
Q5.
In Macbeth, which of the following quotations can be used to justify the idea that the hallucination of the dagger is the result of Macbeth's own thoughts and desires?
“The handle toward my hand?”
"Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going”
Correct answer: "Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”
Q6.
In 'Macbeth', what is the significance behind Macbeth hallucinating and seeing a dagger, rather than a sword?
A dagger hints at his fear of combat and weakness.
The dagger represents his ambition and lust for power.
Correct answer: The dagger represents cowardly betrayal.