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Year 10
Edexcel

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 3, Scenes 4 to 6

I can explain what happens in Act 3, Scenes 4 to 6 of ‘Macbeth’ including comparing the character of Macbeth to the character of King Duncan.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 3, Scenes 4 to 6

I can explain what happens in Act 3, Scenes 4 to 6 of ‘Macbeth’ including comparing the character of Macbeth to the character of King Duncan.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Act 3 sees Shakespeare explore Macbeth’s illegitimate reign over Scotland
  2. At a public feast, Macbeth hallucinates Banquo’s ghost
  3. Macbeth reveals that he spies on his Thanes
  4. Macbeth decides to go and see the three witches again
  5. Macduff, a Scottish Thane, goes to England to try and raise an army against Macbeth

Common misconception

Macbeth is a tyrannical ruler, and enjoys his tyranny.

Macbeth is a tyrant, but doesn't enjoy his reign. He is also self-aware: "I am in blood Stepp'd so far" or calling the witches "the worst".

Keywords

  • Reign - When a monarch (King or Queen) reigns over a country, it means they rule that country.

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

  • Illegitimate - If your power or status is illegitimate, it is not legal or valid.

  • Court - A monarch’s court is made up of loyal and noble followers (subjects). It is the centre of power.

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

In Act 3, Scene 6, Lennox's description of Macbeth is bitterly ironic. Consider whether an analogy, or your own reading of the scene would help students understands its tone.
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 peer pressure or bullying

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 first three scenes of Act 3 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points
Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 1,Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murders.

Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murders.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 2,Lady Macbeth is unhappy and isolated from Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth is unhappy and isolated from Macbeth.

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

Banquo is murdered; Fleance escapes.

Q2.
In Act 1, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', King Duncan appoints his heir (the person who will be King after him), securing the future stability of Scotland. Who does he name as his heir?
Banquo
Fleance
Macbeth
Macduff
Correct answer: Malcolm
Q3.
'Macbeth's' first audiences were Jacobean. Which of the following moments in the play would a Jacobean audience have seen as unnatural and wrong?
Correct answer: Lady Macbeth relying on "spirits" to "unsex her".
Correct answer: The act of regicide.
King Duncan appointing an heir.
Correct answer: Macbeth engaging with the witches' prophecies.
King Duncan staying at the Macbeths' castle.
Q4.
In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', how does Lady Macbeth goad Macbeth into regicide, even though he has decided against it?
Correct answer: She questions his loyalty to her.
She suggests he would be a better King than Duncan.
She says that Banquo would have done it, had he promised her.
She says the witches will help him.
Correct answer: She undermines his masculinity.
Q5.
In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth goads Macbeth into regicide saying, 'When you durst do it, then you were a...'
Correct Answer: man, 'man', Man, 'Man', man.
Q6.
In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth talks about Duncan's good qualities as a King. What does he say they are?
His ambition.
Correct answer: His meekness and humbleness.
Correct answer: His honesty and integrity.
His valour on the battlefield.
His duplicity.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the scenes from Act 3 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 1,Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murder.

Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murder.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 2,Lady Macbeth is unhappy and isolated.

Lady Macbeth is unhappy and isolated.

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

Banquo is murdered; Fleance escapes.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 4,Macbeth hallucinates Banquo's ghost.

Macbeth hallucinates Banquo's ghost.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 5,Hecate meets the three witches.

Hecate meets the three witches.

Correct Answer:Act 3, Scene 6,Two Thanes discuss Macbeth's reign.

Two Thanes discuss Macbeth's reign.

Q2.
In Act 3, Scene 6 of 'Macbeth', Lennox and a Lord characterise Macbeth as a ' '.
Correct Answer: tyrant, 'tyrant', Tyrant, tyrant., Tyrant.
Q3.
In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', who does Macbeth hallucinate during his public feast?
King Duncan.
The guards.
The witches.
Correct answer: Banquo.
Fleance.
Q4.
At the end of Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth reveal, thus undermining his reign over Scotland?
That he will try and fight Banquo's ghost.
Correct answer: That he wants to see the three witches again.
That he plans to murder Malcolm next.
That he wants Lady Macbeth to "pour spirits" in his ear.
Correct answer: That he spies on his Thanes.
Q5.
In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth says of his Thanes, "There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant ".
Correct Answer: fee'd, 'fee'd', fee'd., Fee'd, feed
Q6.
In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth realises that "I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as as go o'er".
Correct Answer: tedious, Tedious, 'tedious', 'Tedious', tedious.