Exploring the presentation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 3 of ‘Macbeth’
I can explore Act 3, Scene 4 of ‘Macbeth’, with a focus on Macbeth’s fears and Lady Macbeth’s diminishing power.
Exploring the presentation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 3 of ‘Macbeth’
I can explore Act 3, Scene 4 of ‘Macbeth’, with a focus on Macbeth’s fears and Lady Macbeth’s diminishing power.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dramatically, Act 3, Scene 2 mirrors Act 1, Scene 5, with a murder being plotted.
- However, roles have been reversed and Macbeth seems to be in control in this scene.
- Both characters appear uneasy during this scene; power and status have not led to happiness.
- Mirroring Lady Macbeth's "unsex me here", Macbeth seems to want to rid himself of "his bond" with humanity.
Keywords
Parallels - If a scene or character parallels another, it means they are similar in some way. The slight differences will help us notice something new.
Mirrors - If a scene or character mirrors another, it reflects what has come before. The slight differences will help us notice something new.
Personify - When you personify something, you give something non-human human characteristics.
Humanity - Humanity is the quality that people possess which makes them kind, compassionate and connected to their fellow humans.
Common misconception
The murder of Banquo and Fleance (attempted) is the same as the murders that have preceded it.
Macbeth doesn't tell Lady Macbeth his plan, he hires murderers rather than doing it himself, and Fleance is a child.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Exploring the presentation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 3 of ‘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 presentation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 3 of ‘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 sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required