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Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 3, Scenes 1 to 3

I can explain what happens in Act 3, Scenes 1 to 3 of ‘Macbeth’, focusing on the character development of Macbeth.

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New
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Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 3, Scenes 1 to 3

I can explain what happens in Act 3, Scenes 1 to 3 of ‘Macbeth’, focusing on the character development of Macbeth.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The witches prophesied that Banquo's children would be kings in Act 1, Scene 3
  2. Macbeth, now King of Scotland, is paranoid about Banquo and his son, Fleance
  3. Macbeth arranges to have Banquo and Fleance murdered
  4. The murderers kill Banquo, but Fleance, his son, escapes
  5. Neither Macbeth nor Lady Macbeth seem to enjoy their status as monarchs

Common misconception

Macbeth is solely worried about Banquo and Fleance in this scene.

Macbeth's focus is Banquo and his son, but his language reveals his worries about the regicide, his soul and his immediate future.

Keywords

  • Legacy - A legacy is something that is passed on following someone’s death. This could be money, property or a title.

  • Barren - If something is barren, it is unproductive or infertile - cannot produce offspring or children.

  • Sceptre - A sceptre is a long stick made of metal. A sceptre is an object which is given to monarchs. It is meant to be a symbol of their power.

  • Metaphor - A metaphor is a literary device which describes something by comparing it to something else.

  • Scorpion - A scorpion is a small creature with eight legs and a tail filled with poison that can sting you.

Consider how in 3.1 three main characters speak to each other, but also have private, scared and hushed conversations. Consider the staging and atmosphere, and whether showing or creating this staging in a classroom would support understanding.
Teacher tip

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 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.
Match the four scenes of Act 2 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Act 2, Scene 1,Macbeth hallucinates a dagger and commits regicide.

Macbeth hallucinates a dagger and commits regicide.

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

Macbeth regrets regicide; Lady Macbeth frames the guards.

Correct Answer:Act 2, Scene 3,The porter's scene; regicide revealed.

The porter's scene; regicide revealed.

Correct Answer:Act 2, Scene 4,Macbeth crowned; Duncan's sons flee Scotland.

Macbeth crowned; Duncan's sons flee Scotland.

Q2.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', what do the witches tell Banquo?
'The charm's wound up'.
'You shall be king'.
'Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!'
'Fair is foul and foul is fair'.
Correct answer: 'Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.'
Q3.
In 'Macbeth', what is the name of Banquo's son?
Malcolm.
Correct answer: Fleance.
Macduff.
Lennox.
Donalbain.
Q4.
Which of the below, all taken from 'Macbeth', are metaphors?
'Your children shall be kings'.
Correct answer: 'Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness'.
Correct answer: 'Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't'.
'Is this a dagger I see before me?'
'Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done't'.
Q5.
Why is Macbeth considered a 'noble' Thane in Act 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: He fights loyally for King Duncan.
He is ambitous.
He has a good relationship with his wife.
Correct answer: He is a powerful warrior.
He kills the Thane of Cawdor.
Q6.
Who does Macbeth describes as his 'partner of greatness' in Act 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Duncan.
Banquo.
The witches.
Correct answer: Lady Macbeth.
The Thane of Glamis.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the scenes from the first half of Act 3 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 1 Part 1,Banquo and Macbeth are suspicious of each other.

Banquo and Macbeth are suspicious of each other.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 1 Part 2,Macbeth arranges Banquo and Fleance’s murder.

Macbeth arranges Banquo and Fleance’s murder.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 2,Macbeth hides his plans from Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth hides his plans from Lady Macbeth.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 3,Banquo is murdered; Fleance escapes.

Banquo is murdered; Fleance escapes.

Q2.
In Act 3 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. What does this event reveal about Macbeth?
He is a noble warrior.
He can now be happy.
He is still under Lady Macbeth's control.
Correct answer: He is a paranoid ruler.
Correct answer: He is no longer the noble Thane of Act 1.
Q3.
In Act 3, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries about Banquo's sons because the witches prophesied that Banquo's sons would be kings. Macbeth says the witches 'put a sceptre in my grip'.
Correct Answer: barren, 'barren', Barren, barren., 'Barren'
Q4.
In Act 3, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries about Banquo's sons because the witches prophesied that Banquo's sons would be kings. Macbeth says 'for Banquo's issue have I my mind.'
Correct Answer: filed, 'filed', Filed, filed., Filed.
Q5.
How does Lady Macbeth feel as monarch in Act 3 of 'Macbeth'?
Happy.
Correct answer: Unhappy.
Correct answer: Isolated.
Feminine.
Legacy.
Q6.
In Act 3, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth says describes how she feels as monarch: ' had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content'.
Correct Answer: Nought's, nought's, 'nought's', noughts, Noughts