'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4
I can explain what happens in Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4 of ‘Macbeth’ with a focus on the significance of the porter and the play’s settings.
'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4
I can explain what happens in Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4 of ‘Macbeth’ with a focus on the significance of the porter and the play’s settings.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Act 2, Scene 3 starts with a drunk porter who pretends to be the gatekeeper to hell
- References to regicide and equivocation were topical for Jacobeans because of The Gunpowder Plot
- King Duncan’s murder is revealed in Act 2, Scene 3
- King Duncan’s sons flee Scotland
- The unnatural events in Scotland suggest that Macbeth’s reign is illegitimate
Keywords
Porter - A porter is employed to carry the bags of passengers or guests.
Equivocate - If you equivocate, you speak in an ambiguous way that allows you to conceal the truth.
Jacobean - ‘Macbeth’ was first performed in 1606 when James I was King of England (1603-1624). The people he ruled were called Jacobeans.
The Gunpowder Plot - The Gunpowder Plot was a failed attempt to kill King James I in 1605.
Setting - Setting is the location where an event takes place. In literature, setting can tell us something about the story or characters.
Common misconception
Macbeth is next in line to the throne.
Malcolm has been named Duncan's heir. However, he flees to England and thus Macbeth is crowned King.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 3 and 4, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Lady Macbeth hears of the prophecies.
Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan to the castle.
Lady Macbeth goads Macbeth into regicide.
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger and commits regicide.
Lady Macbeth frames the guards; Macbeth regrets the regicide
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The porter’s Scene.
The regicide is revealed.
Malcolm and Donalbain flee Scotland.
Scotland experiences unnatural weather.