Lady Macbeth's role in the downfall of Macbeth in 'Macbeth'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate Lady Macbeth's role in the downfall of Macbeth.
Key learning points
- Hamartia is a fatal flaw
- You could argue that the hamartia of both Lady Macbeth and her husband is that they are overly ambitious
- Some will argue that Lady Macbeth's manipulation led to Macbeth's downfall
- Hubris means excessive pride or self-confidence
- Some will argue that Macbeth's hubris leads to his own downfall
Keywords
Downfall - A character's downfall is when they lose their power or status.
Hamartia - A character’s hamartia is their fatal flaw: a weakness or fault in their personality that leads to their downfall.
Excess - If you have an excess of something, you have more than is necessary.
Hubris - To have hubris means to have excessive pride or self-confidence.
Unconventional - If you are unconventional, you do not follow accepted norms or standards.
Common misconception
Hamartia is a synonym for excessive ambition.
Consider if students have read any other tragedies. Ask them to consider Othello's hamartia, for example.
Teacher tip
Consider the ways in which students could hear the most number of arguments from their peers as possible: this will help develop increasingly nuanced arguments, and allow students to recall many different moments from across the play.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What happens to Macbeth in Act 5 of 'Macbeth'?
Q2.In 'Macbeth', why would Lady Macbeth be considered an unconventional woman both in 11th century Scotland, when the play is set, and Jacobean England, when the play was first performed?
Q3.In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth decide at the end of his soliloquy?
Q4.In Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', the witches give Macbeth and Banquo their prophecies. How do we know Macbeth is immediately interested in what they have to say?
Q5.In Act 1, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', the Sergeant describes Macbeth's actions in the battle. What are some of the ways Macbeth shows his abilities as a loyal warrior?
Q6.At the end of his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth gives a definitive reason he won't commit the regicide: "I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ."
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the correct definitions of the word hamartia?
Q2.Some argue that in 'Macbeth', Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have a shared hamartia. What is it?
Q3.Which of the following moments from 'Macbeth' could be examples of Lady Macbeth's excessive ambition?
Q4.Which of the following moments from 'Macbeth' could be examples of Macbeth's hubris?
Q5.A student argued, 'Lady Macbeth is to blame for Macbeth's downfall.' What would serve as valid evidence to support this argument?
Q6.In Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', which quotations best shows Macbeth's ambitious nature?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Lady Macbeth's role in the downfall of Macbeth in 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Lady Macbeth's role in the downfall of Macbeth in 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.