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Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 1, Scenes 1-4

I can explain what happens in Act 1, Scenes 1 to 4 of ‘Macbeth’, including considering my initial impressions of the main character, Macbeth.

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Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 1, Scenes 1-4

I can explain what happens in Act 1, Scenes 1 to 4 of ‘Macbeth’, including considering my initial impressions of the main character, Macbeth.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The supernatural is a key theme of the play
  2. At the start of the play, Macbeth is presented as a brave warrior
  3. The current Thane of Cawdor is plotting to betray King Duncan
  4. The witches prophecy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then King
  5. The witches prophecy that Banquo's sons will become kings

Keywords

  • Ambition - If you have ambition, you have desire and determination to achieve success.

  • Regicide - If you kill your monarch, you commit the crime of regicide.

  • Jacobean - ‘Macbeth’ was first performed in 1606 when James I was King of England (1603-1624). The people he ruled were called Jacobeans.

  • Prophecy - A prophecy is a prediction of what might happen in the future.

  • Thane - Thane is an old Scottish term for a noble warrior. In ‘Macbeth’, Macbeth is Thane of Glamis at the start of the play.

Common misconception

Macbeth is a Jacobean.

'Macbeth' is set in 11th century Scotland. However, it was first performed in 1606 in front of a Jacobean audience.

Consider whether watching these first four scenes would aid student understanding.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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.
'Macbeth' is a play. Which of the following are features of plays?
Correct answer: dialogue
Correct answer: designed to be performed
divided into chapters
Correct answer: divided into acts
Correct answer: stage directions
Q2.
What was William Shakespeare famous for writing?
Correct answer: sonnets (poems)
Correct answer: plays
Correct answer: narrative poems
pamphlets
articles
Q3.
Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616. He experienced life under two monarchs. Which monarchs?
Queen Victoria
King Edward VII
Correct answer: Queen Elizabeth I
Correct answer: King James I
Queen Anne
Q4.
'Macbeth' is a tragedy. Which of the below are also considered Shakespearean tragedies?
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Correct answer: Othello
Correct answer: Hamlet
The Tempest
Correct answer: Romeo and Juliet
Q5.
'Macbeth' is a tragedy. Which of the following are features of Shakespearean tragedies?
the supernatural
Correct answer: the death of the hero
marriage
Correct answer: the rise and fall of a character
mistaken identity
Q6.
'Macbeth' starts with terrible weather - thunder and lightening - and three witches. What inferences could we make about this opening?
It is designed to make us laugh
It is designed to make us think
Correct answer: It is designed to scare us
Correct answer: It is designed to signal the supernatural themes
It is designed to signal it is a play about a hero

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the Act from 'Macbeth' to the plot points.
Correct Answer:Act 1,Macbeth is told he will be King by three witches

Macbeth is told he will be King by three witches

Correct Answer:Act 2,The Macbeths commit regicide

The Macbeths commit regicide

Correct Answer:Act 3,Macbeth is an unhappy monarch

Macbeth is an unhappy monarch

Correct Answer:Act 4,Macbeth asks the witches for further prophecies

Macbeth asks the witches for further prophecies

Correct Answer:Act 5,Macbeth is killed

Macbeth is killed

Q2.
Match the first four scenes of 'Macbeth' to their plot points
Correct Answer:Act 1, Scene 1,The witches prepare to meet Macbeth

The witches prepare to meet Macbeth

Correct Answer:Act 1, Scene 2,An account of Macbeth's bravery in battle; Macbeth promoted

An account of Macbeth's bravery in battle; Macbeth promoted

Correct Answer:Act 1, Scene 3,The witches give the prophecies

The witches give the prophecies

Correct Answer:Act 1, Scene 4,Previous Thane of Cawdor killed

Previous Thane of Cawdor killed

Q3.
If you kill your monarch, you commit the crime of .
Correct Answer: regicide, Regicide, Regicide., regicide., 'regicide'
Q4.
In Act 1, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth' what are we told about Macbeth's actions in the recent battle?
Correct answer: he used his sword to 'carve' through the enemy
he killed the Thane of Cawdor to get his title
Correct answer: he displayed an enemy's head on battlements as a warning
he was distracted as he was 'rap't' by the witches prophecies
Correct answer: he cut an enemy soldier in half
Q5.
What do the witches' prophesy in Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth'?
that Banquo will be King
Correct answer: that Macbeth will be King
Correct answer: that Banquo's children will be Kings
Correct answer: that Macbeth will be promoted to Thane of Cawdor
that they will meet with Macbeth
Q6.
After receiving the prophecies in Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', how does Macbeth act?
He kills the Thane of Cawdor so he can get promoted
Correct answer: He has a number of asides which reveal his interest in the throne
He immediately decides to commit regicide
Correct answer: He is described as 'rap't' by the prophecies by Banquo
He tries to find the witches again