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Year 11
AQA

‘Macbeth’: writing nuanced responses about the role of masculinity in the play

I can write an extended essay about the role of masculinity in 'Macbeth'.

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Year 11
AQA

‘Macbeth’: writing nuanced responses about the role of masculinity in the play

I can write an extended essay about the role of masculinity in 'Macbeth'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. An evaluative thesis should be used to centre your argument.
  2. Topic sentences should be used to support your thesis.
  3. Word classes, semantic fields or language device analysis are required to analyse Shakespeare’s purpose, in detail.
  4. Context should be interwoven and selected to support your argument.
  5. Conclusions should have a razor sharp focus on the writer's message.

Keywords

  • Construct - a construct is something which has been carefully crafted by the author for a specific reason or message

  • Foil - a foil is a character who contrasts with another to highlight their differences

  • Chivalric code - the chivalric code is an informal code of conduct that many men agreed to live by. It included honour, honesty and loyalty

  • Patrilineal - a patrilineal society bases lineage or ancestry from the male descendants

  • Hamartia - hamartia is a character’s fatal flaw

Common misconception

Pupils believe that all exam questions need unique ideas and responses.

When looking at the question in the first learning cycle, ask pupils if they can use ideas/arguments from previous 'Macbeth' essays.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: ‘Macbeth’: writing nuanced responses about the role of masculinity in the play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Consider previous essays pupils have written for you, what are the links to this question? Have a clear exemplar to share with them e.g. 'In the essay we wrote about Lady Macbeth we explored her impact. How could we use ideas from that essay here?'
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Teacher tip
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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
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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 Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', which of the following could not logically be described as Macbeth's hamartia?
his hubris
his bloodlust
Correct answer: his bravery
his insecurities surrounding masculinity
Q2.
Which of these is not a value of the chivalric code?
honour
honesty
loyalty
Correct answer: intelligence
Q3.
Complete this sentence: In 'Macbeth', is used as a foil to Macbeth as his connection with his grief contrasts with Macbeth's hyper-masculine rejection of emotion.
Correct Answer: Macduff
Q4.
Which of the following sentences demonstrates the correct use of the word 'emasculation'?
Lady Macbeth emasculation her husband.
Correct answer: Arguably, the emasculation of Macbeth leads to his downfall.
Macbeth's hamartia was his emasculation.
Macbeth's most noble quality was his emasculation.
Q5.
Which quotation below best illustrates that Macduff is a more well-rounded man than Macbeth in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?
"Bleed, bleed, poor country!"
"Tyrant, show thy face!"
"Macduff was from his mother's womb untimely ripped."
Correct answer: "But I must also feel it like a man."
Q6.
Fill in the blank: Arguably, Macbeth's hamartia is the insecurities he feels about his lack of line in 'Macbeth'.
Correct Answer: patrilineal

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a thesis statement?
Correct answer: A sentence in your introduction that signifies your overarching argument.
Each paragraph opens with a thesis statement that outlines your argument.
A sentence in your conclusion that summarises your argument.
Q2.
Select the words you would expect to demonstrate when offering a deeper analysis in your writing.
Correct answer: evaluative
conventional
Correct answer: nuanced
Q3.
Arguments should have a razor sharp focus on the writer's .
Correct Answer: message, purpose, intention, intentions
Q4.
A is a character who has been created by the writer for a specific purpose.
Correct Answer: construct
Q5.
Match each character from 'Macbeth' to the reason they act as a foil to Macbeth.
Correct Answer:King Duncan,illustrates the values of a good leader.
tick

illustrates the values of a good leader.

Correct Answer:Banquo,illustrates the values of a loyal ally.
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illustrates the values of a loyal ally.

Correct Answer:Macduff,illustrates the values of a noble warrior.
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illustrates the values of a noble warrior.

Q6.
Select the criteria of an essay where a pupil uses deeper analysis.
Correct answer: An evaluative or critical thesis.
Correct answer: Analysis of language, form and structure is interwoven and supports each other.
Conventional interpretations of characters and theme.
Correct answer: Context is highly selective and used to support arguments.