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Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2

I can explain what happens in Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2 of ‘Macbeth’, including showing understanding of important contextual ideas about The Divine Right of Kings.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2

I can explain what happens in Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2 of ‘Macbeth’, including showing understanding of important contextual ideas about The Divine Right of Kings.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Divine Right of Kings is the belief that a monarch is chosen by God; that a monarch is God’s representative on Earth
  2. Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before he commits regicide
  3. After the regicide, Macbeth worries he will no longer be able to pray or sleep
  4. Whilst Macbeth is preoccupied with the blood on his hands, Lady Macbeth is not
  5. Blood is a symbol for feelings of guilt in ‘Macbeth’

Common misconception

Macbeth actually sees a dagger.

Shakespeare signals the dagger is a hallucination, and that Macbeth is aware it is a hallucination too: 'a dagger of the mind'.

Keywords

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

  • The Divine Right of Kings - The Divine Right of Kings is the belief that a monarch is chosen by God; the belief that a monarch is God’s representative on Earth.

  • Jacobeans - When James I was King of England (1603-1624), the people he ruled over were called Jacobeans.

  • Hallucination - A hallucination is when you see, smell, taste, touch or hear something that appears to be real, but is only in your mind.

  • Symbol - If something is a symbol, it represents or expresses an idea. In 'Macbeth', blood is a symbol of guilt.

Some productions see the dagger physically appear. Some don't. Consider watching differing versions and exploring the effect.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will 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 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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', who is King of Scotland in the world of the play?
Macduff.
Banquo.
Correct answer: Duncan.
Macbeth.
Malcolm.
Q2.
Match the first seven 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.

Correct Answer:Act 1, Scene 5,Lady Macbeth hears of the prophecies.

Lady Macbeth hears of the prophecies.

Correct Answer:Act 1, Scene 6 and 7,Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan then goads Macbeth to regicide.

Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan then goads Macbeth to regicide.

Q3.
In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth asks 'spirits' to fill her with 'cruelty' and 'stop up the access and passage to...'
Correct Answer: remorse, remorse., Remorse, Remorse., 'remorse'
Q4.
In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', why is Macbeth conflicted about committing regicide?
He's not sure if it will please Lady Macbeth.
Correct answer: He feels loyal to King Duncan.
He knows the witches will do it for him.
Correct answer: He desires the crown, but isn't sure that's a good enough reason to kill Duncan.
Correct answer: He's worried he will be found out.
Q5.
In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', in what ways does Shakespeare suggest that King Duncan is a good king?
Correct answer: He promotes those who are loyal to him.
Correct answer: His subjects fight for him.
Correct answer: Macbeth describes him as 'meek'.
He forgives the Thane of Cawdor for his treachery.
Correct answer: He prepares for Scotland's future by saying Malcolm is his heir.
Q6.
At the end of Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', after Lady Macbeth has emasculated Macbeth, Macbeth resolves to commit regicide, stating, 'I am settled, and bend up...to this feat'.
Correct Answer: terrible, 'terrible', Terrible, 'Terrible', terrible.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the scenes from Act 2 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points
Correct Answer:Act 2, Scene 1 Part 1,Banquo and Fleance meet in the pitch black.

Banquo and Fleance meet in the pitch black.

Correct Answer:Act 2, Scene 1 Part 2,Macbeth pretends he hasn’t thought about the witches.

Macbeth pretends he hasn’t thought about the witches.

Correct Answer:Act 2, Scene 1 Part 3,Macbeth hallucinates a dagger.

Macbeth hallucinates a dagger.

Correct Answer:Act 2, Scene 2,Macbeth regrets regicide; Lady Macbeth frames the guards.

Macbeth regrets regicide; Lady Macbeth frames the guards.

Q2.
The Right of Kings is the belief that a monarch is chosen by God; the belief that a monarch is God’s representative on Earth.
Correct Answer: Divine, 'Divine', Divine., divine., 'divine'
Q3.
After committing the regicide in Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth is worried that he will no longer be able to say '...'
Correct Answer: Amen, Amen., 'Amen.', amen, 'amen'
Q4.
In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', what reason does Lady Macbeth give for not committing the regicide herself?
In the end, she was too scared.
She wants Macbeth to do it to prove his love for her.
She never intended to - it was always going to be Macbeth.
She had to entertain Duncan for the evening.
Correct answer: Duncan looked too like her father.
Q5.
In 'Macbeth', what does blood symbolise in the play?
Madness.
Correct answer: Guilt.
Oceans.
Foreshadowing.
Metaphor.
Q6.
In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries 'Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?' How does Lady Macbeth reply?
'Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself?'
Correct answer: 'A little water clears us of this deed'.
'dearest partner of greatness'.
'look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under't'.
'yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full of the milk of human kindness'.