'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.
'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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Divine Right of Kings is the belief that a monarch is chosen by God; that a monarch is God’s representative on Earth
- Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before he commits regicide
- After the regicide, Macbeth worries he will no longer be able to pray or sleep
- Whilst Macbeth is preoccupied with the blood on his hands, Lady Macbeth is not
- Blood is a symbol for feelings of guilt in ‘Macbeth’
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.
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'.
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).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
The witches prepare to meet Macbeth.
An account of Macbeth's bravery in battle; Macbeth promoted.
The witches give the prophecies.
Previous Thane of Cawdor killed.
Lady Macbeth hears of the prophecies.
Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan then goads Macbeth to regicide.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Banquo and Fleance meet in the pitch black.
Macbeth pretends he hasn’t thought about the witches.
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger.
Macbeth regrets regicide; Lady Macbeth frames the guards.