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Year 11
AQA

‘Macbeth’: the witches’ prophecies in Act 1, Scene 3

I can explain how A1, S3 illustrates Macbeth’s early desire for power.

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Year 11
AQA

‘Macbeth’: the witches’ prophecies in Act 1, Scene 3

I can explain how A1, S3 illustrates Macbeth’s early desire for power.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In Act 1, Scene 3, Macbeth is presented as being more interested in the witches’ prophecies than Banquo
  2. Act 1, Scene 3 can be used as evidence that Lady Macbeth cannot be solely blamed for manipulating her husband
  3. Whilst Macbeth is clearly conflicted early in the play, it is clear the witches’ prophecies excite him

Keywords

  • Perturbed - To be perturbed means to be disturbed by an idea, showing concern.

  • Intrigued - Someone who shows great interest in an idea is intrigued.

  • Receptive - If you are receptive to an idea, you are willing to listen to it and perhaps take it on board.

  • Culpable - If you are culpable of a crime, you are guilty or responsible.

  • Susceptible - If you are easily influenced by a particular idea or person, you could be described as being susceptible.

Common misconception

Pupils believe Lady Macbeth is solely responsible for the downfall of her husband.

When discussing Macbeth's intrigue in the prophecies, challenge pupils to question whether Lady Macbeth is responsible at this point.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: ‘Macbeth’: the witches’ prophecies in Act 1, Scene 3, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This might be a great opportunity to prepare a class debate on the culpability of each of the Macbeths, discussing who is the most responsible for their downfall.
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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 serious crime
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

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.
Which characters are the audience first introduced to in Act 1, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Macbeth and Banquo
Correct answer: The witches
King Duncan and his men
Q2.
In 'Macbeth', what do the witches prophesise for Macbeth?
Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth will become king.
Correct answer: Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then king.
Macbeth's sons will be king.
Q3.
In 'Macbeth', apart from the witches, who else plants the idea that Macbeth should kill Duncan?
Correct answer: Lady Macbeth
Banquo
Macduff
Q4.
Which of the following sentences uses the verb 'to be intrigued' correctly?
Macbeth was a very intrigued character throughout the play.
The prophecies created a lot of intrigued.
Correct answer: Macbeth was intrigued by the witches' prophecies.
Q5.
In 'Macbeth', who else do the witches say will be king?
Correct Answer: Banquo's sons., Banquo's son., Banquo's sons, Fleance, Fleance.
Q6.
In 'Macbeth', which of the following could not be argued as being Macbeth's hamartia? Select all that apply.
Correct answer: his ambition
his strength
Correct answer: his desire for the crown
Correct answer: he is easily influenced by external pressures
his loyalty to all others

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Select all the characters who you argue could be responsible for the murder of King Duncan in 'Macbeth'.
Correct answer: The witches
Correct answer: Macbeth
Banquo
Correct answer: Lady Macbeth
Q2.
In 'Macbeth', match the adjective that could be used to describe Macbeth to the example from the text.
Correct Answer:Perturbed,The prophecies make Macbeth's hair stand on end.
tick

The prophecies make Macbeth's hair stand on end.

Correct Answer:Intrigued,Macbeth is more interested in the prophecies than Banquo.
tick

Macbeth is more interested in the prophecies than Banquo.

Correct Answer:Susceptible,Macbeth is influenced by the witches' prophecies.
tick

Macbeth is influenced by the witches' prophecies.

Q3.
Which word, beginning with 'c', could be used in this sentence: "By showing his intrigue towards the witches' prophecies, Macbeth is as equally as his wife in the murder of Duncan."
Correct Answer: culpable, Culpable, culpable., Culpable.
Q4.
In 'Macbeth', which of the ideas below is not useful in justifying the idea that Macbeth is equally as guilty as his wife in the murder of Duncan?
Macbeth is intrigued by the witches' prophecies.
Correct answer: Lady Macbeth emasculates her husband.
Macbeth is considers murder before speaking to Lady Macbeth
Macbeth kills Duncan, but Lady Macbeth hides the daggers.
Q5.
In 'Macbeth', which of the following quotations demonstrate Macbeth was perturbed by the witches' prophecies? Select all appropriate responses.
“Why do I yield to that suggestion?”
Correct answer: “Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair”
Correct answer: “My seated heart knock at my ribs”
Q6.
In 'Macbeth', which of the following quotations demonstrates Macbeth was intrigued by the witches' prophecies?
Correct answer: “Why do I yield to that suggestion?”
“Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair”
Correct answer: “My seated heart knock at my ribs”