New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

'Macbeth': the play as a Shakespearean tragedy

I can explain how Macbeth meets the conventions of a Shakespearean tragedy.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

'Macbeth': the play as a Shakespearean tragedy

I can explain how Macbeth meets the conventions of a Shakespearean tragedy.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Shakespeare’s tragedies often focus on the fall of noblemen
  2. Shakespearean tragic heroes such as Macbeth, often fall victim to external pressures
  3. Some audiences may feel catharsis by Macbeth’s downfall
  4. Tragedies tend to stress the consequences of disobeying the accepted order of things
  5. Freytag's pyramid is a useful tool in discussing the structure of Macbeth

Common misconception

There is only one plot point that fits to each part of Freytag's structure.

When discussing climax, ask pupils if any other events in the play could be considered the climax.

Keywords

  • Hamartia - Hamartia is a fatal flaw a character holds.

  • Anagnorisis - Anagnorisis is when a character notices the true nature of their own circumstances.

  • Peripeteia - Peripeteia is part of a play when there are a sudden change in circumstances.

  • Hierarchy - A hierarchy is a system in which people or things are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance.

  • Catharsis - Catharsis is the process of releasing strong emotions in a way that helps you to understand those emotions.

Model Freytag's pyramid against a story your pupils have read together.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You may find it helpful to have access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.

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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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Macbeth', what was the name of the king who Macbeth and his wife plotted the murder of?
Correct Answer: Duncan, duncan, King Duncan, king duncan
Q2.
In 'Macbeth', how many times does Macbeth hear prophecies from the witches?
one
Correct answer: two
three
Q3.
Which of the following characters does not die in 'Macbeth'?
King Duncan
Banquo
Correct answer: Macduff
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Q4.
Place the following events in the order they occur in 'Macbeth'.
1 - Macbeth and Banquo hear the witches' prophecies.
2 - Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot the murder of Duncan.
3 - Duncan is murdered by Macbeth.
4 - Macbeth orders murderers to kill Banquo and his son.
5 - Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost.
6 - Macbeth hears more prophecies from the witches.
7 - Macbeth is killed during battle by Macduff.
Q5.
Which word means Lady Macbeth made Macbeth feel like less of a man?
emancipation
Correct answer: emasculation
manipulation
Q6.
Which adjective, starting with M, means scheming and cunning? It can be used to describe Lady Macbeth. The word is derived from the name of an Italian philosopher.
Correct Answer: Machiavellian, machiavellian

6 Questions

Q1.
Place Freytag's structure in the order you would expect them to appear in a drama.
1 - exposition
2 - rising action
3 - climax
4 - falling action
5 - denouement
Q2.
Which of the following words means "the turning point of the play"?
Correct answer: climax
denouement
exposition
Q3.
Match Freytag's structure to the definitition
Correct Answer:exposition,sets the scene

sets the scene

Correct Answer:rising action,complications arise

complications arise

Correct Answer:falling action,unknown plot details are wrapped up

unknown plot details are wrapped up

Correct Answer:denouement,the unravelling or final outcome of the drama

the unravelling or final outcome of the drama

Q4.
Which word means fatal flaw?
Correct Answer: Hamartia, hamartia
Q5.
Macbeth's murder of King Duncan is arguably an example of ...
catharsis
Correct answer: peripeteia
denouement
Q6.
Which events in the play are examples of Macbeth displaying the characteristic of anagnorisis?
Correct answer: Macbeth regretting killing King Duncan
Correct answer: Macbeth hallucinates seeing Banquo's ghost - a symbol of his guilt
Macbeth is intrigued by the witches prophecies
Macbeth revisits the witches to hear more prophecies