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Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 5, Scenes 1 to 5

I can explain what happens in Act 5, Scenes 1 to 5 of ‘Macbeth’ with a focus on the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

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Year 10
AQA

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 5, Scenes 1 to 5

I can explain what happens in Act 5, Scenes 1 to 5 of ‘Macbeth’ with a focus on the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In Act 5, Scene 1, Lady Macbeth is presented as consumed by guilt.
  2. Her inability to sleep could symbolise her feelings of guilt.
  3. Her desire to continually wash her hands could symbolise her guilt.
  4. Macbeth prepares for battle but is very isolated.
  5. The English army use branches from Birnam wood as camouflage so they can approach Macbeth’s castle.

Keywords

  • Guilt - Guilt is an emotion you feel when you have done something bad. Guilt makes you feel worried and unhappy.

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

  • Isolated - If you are isolated from others, you are apart from them. You are alone.

  • Camouflage - Camouflage is a disguise used by soldiers to help them blend into their surroundings. This means the enemy won’t see them approach.

  • Tyrant - A tyrant is someone who uses their power in an unjust way.

Common misconception

The imaginary blood on Lady Macbeth's hands could symbolise Duncan's blood.

Symbols represent an idea that doesn't have a physical existence. Guilt is not a physical thing so the object, blood, is used.

There are a range of powerful performances of Act 5, Scene 1. Consider which would bring this scene to life for your students. Could you compare it to Lady Macbeth's soliloquy in 1.5 to explore character development?
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

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.
In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', when Lady Macbeth first hears of the witches' prophecies, how does she respond?
Correct answer: She is excited.
She is wary of trusting the supernatural.
Correct answer: She starts thinking about how to commit the regicide.
Correct answer: She summons evil spirits to help her commit the regicide.
She waits for Macbeth to tell her what he thinks about the regicide.
Q2.
In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', who can Macbeth rely on for support, friendship and love?
Correct answer: King Duncan, who honours him.
Correct answer: His wife, Lady Macbeth.
The witches.
The Thane of Cawdor.
Correct answer: Banquo and other noble Thanes.
Q3.
In Act 4, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', what do the witches prophesy?
That Macbeth will be King.
Correct answer: That Macbeth is invincible until Birnam wood comes to his castle.
That Lady Macbeth will be consumed by guilt.
That Macbeth should beware of Banquo.
That no man can kill him, but a woman could.
Q4.
After the regicide in Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Malcolm flees Scotland for England. Macduff soon joins him. What do they do there?
Overthrow the English King.
Try and become English citizens.
Bring their families to England for safety.
Correct answer: Start to prepare an army to defeat Macbeth.
Try and lure Macbeth to England with promises of promotion.
Q5.
In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', after the regicide, Macbeth worries about the blood on his hands. Lady Macbeth is unworried. She says, "A little water us of this deed.'"
Correct Answer: clears, Clears, clears., 'clears', Clears.
Q6.
In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries about the blood on his hands. There is blood, and he needs to remove it, but this blood is also meant to symbolise which over-whelming emotion?
regicide
desperation
Correct answer: guilt
surprise
anger

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match Lady Macbeth's appearances in 'Macbeth' to their Acts.
Correct Answer:Act 1,Excited by the prophecies; plots the regicide.

Excited by the prophecies; plots the regicide.

Correct Answer:Act 2,Helps commit the regicide including framing Duncan's guards.

Helps commit the regicide including framing Duncan's guards.

Correct Answer:Act 3,Reigns over Scotland as Queen; increasingly isolated.

Reigns over Scotland as Queen; increasingly isolated.

Correct Answer:Act 4,Does not appear.

Does not appear.

Correct Answer:Act 5,Begins the Act: presented as consumed by guilt.

Begins the Act: presented as consumed by guilt.

Q2.
Match the plots points of the first five scenes of Act 5 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Act 5, Scene 1,Lady Macbeth is consumed by guilt.

Lady Macbeth is consumed by guilt.

Correct Answer:Act 5, Scene 2,Soldiers prepare to defeat Macbeth.

Soldiers prepare to defeat Macbeth.

Correct Answer:Act 5, Scene 3,Ten thousand troops approach Macbeth's castle.

Ten thousand troops approach Macbeth's castle.

Correct Answer:Act 5, Scene 4,Soldiers use branches from Birnam wood as camouflage.

Soldiers use branches from Birnam wood as camouflage.

Correct Answer:Act 5, Scene 5,Lady Macbeth is reported as dead.

Lady Macbeth is reported as dead.

Q3.
In Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth is preoccupied with the idea that there is blood on her hands. What could this blood symbolise?
Her desire to kill Macduff.
Correct answer: Her guilt for the regicide.
Her desire for the supernatural.
Duncan's blood.
Foreshowing her own death.
Q4.
In Act 5, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', how does one of the witches' prophecies come true?
Birnam wood burns down.
Macbeth becomes King.
Correct answer: Birnam wood 'moves' towards Dunsinane.
Dunsinane crumbles to the ground.
Malcolm, Banquo's son, prepares to become King.
Q5.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Ross speaks of Macbeth's brilliant reputation: "every one did bear Thy in his [Duncan's] great defence".
Correct Answer: praises, Praises, praises, Praises., 'praises'
Q6.
In Act 5, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth laments that he is isolated and no-one loves or respects him. He says instead of love and respect he has, "Curses, not loud but deep, ."
Correct Answer: mouth honour, Mouth Honour, mouth honour., mouth-honour, 'mouth honour'