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Year 11
AQA

'Macbeth': exploring the theme of internal conflict

I can create a detailed essay plan about how Macbeth is a conflicted character.

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Year 11
AQA

'Macbeth': exploring the theme of internal conflict

I can create a detailed essay plan about how Macbeth is a conflicted character.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Act 3 is an important scene as it signifies a shift in Macbeth’s behaviour and his relationship with his wife
  2. Tormented by guilt and fear, he plots Banquo’s murder without informing Lady Macbeth
  3. The relationship between Macbeth and his wife becomes particularly estranged during Act 3, Scene 4
  4. Arguably, Macbeth is in conflict with both himself and his wife in Act 3
  5. Thesis statements should present an overarching argument

Keywords

  • Tormented - Some who feels tormented is experiencing severe physical or mental suffereing.

  • Deteriorating - If something is deteriorating it is becoming progressively worse.

  • Estranged - When a relationship is described as being estranged it is means there is no longer closeness between the couple.

  • Paradoxical - A situation that is paradoxical is self contradictory or made up of two opposite elements.

Common misconception

Thesis statements have to be very general.

Thesis statements can be specific, but they should offer opportunity to consider different interpretations.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'Macbeth': exploring the theme of internal conflict, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Prepare examples of thesis statements and topic sentences from other pieces of analytical writing students have covered on different texts.
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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
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.
In 'Macbeth', why is it decided that Banquo must die?
Banquo has guessed Macbeth murdered Duncan.
Correct answer: The prophecies said Banquo's sons will become king.
Banquo has proven himself to be disloyal.
Q2.
In 'Macbeth', who decides to murder Banquo?
Correct answer: Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth together
Q3.
In 'Macbeth', how is Banquo killed?
Correct answer: Macbeth orders murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.
Banquo is murdered at Macbeth's banquet.
Banquo is killed in battle against Macbeth.
Q4.
In 'Macbeth', who or what does Macbeth see sitting in his seat at the banquet?
Correct Answer: Banquo's ghost., Banquo's ghost, the ghost of Banquo
Q5.
What does deteriorating mean in this context: "Macbeth's mental state was deteriorating as his ambition consumed him."
Showing remarkable improvement and resilience.
Correct answer: Gradually becoming worse or declining in quality, condition or mental state.
Maintaining a stable and unchanging state over time.
Q6.
What does tormented mean in this context: "Macbeth was tormented by guilt and visions of his misdeeds."
Engaged in a continuous state of contemplation or meditation.
Repeatedly subjected to physical punishment or torture.
Correct answer: Experiencing severe mental or emotional anguish, distress or suffering.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Complete this quotation from 'Macbeth': "O' full of is my mind."
Correct Answer: scorpions, Scorpions.
Q2.
Complete the quotation from 'Macbeth': "We have scorched the not killed it.”
Correct Answer: snake, snake.
Q3.
In 'Macbeth', which adjective can be used to describe the Macbeth's relationship in Act 3? This word means that the relationship lacks closeness.
Correct Answer: estranged, estranged., Estranged.
Q4.
In 'Macbeth', why could Act 3 be described as a shift? Select all appropriate answers.
Correct answer: Macbeth's mental state deteriorates due to his guilt.
Correct answer: Macbeth becomes more dominant in his relationship with his wife.
Macbeth starts to become more courageous again.
Correct answer: Lady Macbeth stops making decisions for Macbeth.
Macbeth begins to feel undefeatable.
Q5.
In 'Macbeth', which quotation implies the Macbeths are becoming more estranged?
“Affliction of these terrible dreams”
Correct answer: “Be innocent of the knowledge”
"Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me!"
Q6.
In 'Macbeth', which quotation implies Macbeth is in conflict with himself?
Correct answer: “Affliction of these terrible dreams”
"You lack the season of all natures, sleep"
“Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that / Which might appal the devil”