Exploring the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1, ‘Macbeth’
I can write two analytical paragraphs exploring the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1 of ‘Macbeth’.
Exploring the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1, ‘Macbeth’
I can write two analytical paragraphs exploring the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1 of ‘Macbeth’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In Jacobean England, women had very little power
- The female characters in Act 1 of 'Macbeth' can seem unconventional in their behaviour
- Arguably, this unconventional behaviour doesn't prevent them from reinforcing the status quo
- Lady Macbeth could be interpreted as a dutiful wife
Keywords
Dutiful - If you are dutiful, you fulfil your duty. You do this with obedience and devotion.
Conventional - If you are conventional, you follow accepted norms or standards.
Unconventional - If you are unconventional, you do not follow accepted norms or standards.
Outsider - Being an outsider is an important idea, particularly to Shakespeare. An outsider is a character who is not accepted by society.
Status quo - The status quo is the term for accepted standards and rules by which a community lives.
Common misconception
The only argument about Lady Macbeth involves her being subversive.
Characters can be interpreted in different ways. Your role is to construct a strong argument, not the 'right' argument.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Exploring the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1, ‘Macbeth’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Exploring the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1, ‘Macbeth’, 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 need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The witches start the play.
Lady Macbeth dominates the dialogue in 1.7.
The witches seem to predict, perhaps control, the future.
The witches have no place in society: they are outsiders.
Lady Macbeth seeks power for her husband, not for herself.
Lady Macbeth has to be a dutiful subject to King Duncan.