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Year 10
Edexcel

The presentation of the witches in Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Macbeth’

I can explain how the witches disrupt the natural order in Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth'

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Year 10
Edexcel

The presentation of the witches in Act 1, Scene 3 of ‘Macbeth’

I can explain how the witches disrupt the natural order in Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth'

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Jacobean men believed that women had a duty or obligation to them
  2. Jacobean society was intensely hierarchical
  3. The witches' masculine appearance could suggest that they can manipulate the natural order of the world
  4. A single paragraph outline could contain a topic sentence, a concluding sentence and bullet pointed supporting detail

Common misconception

The witches are presented in one way; any new interpretation supersedes the one before.

The witches are presented as supernatural, women, masculine and genderless. Paragraphs can explore all these; rely on LC2 to draw this out.

Keywords

  • Jacobean - When James I was King of England (1603-1624), the people he ruled over were called Jacobeans.

  • Status quo - The status quo is the term for accepted standards and rules by which a community lives.

  • Hierarchical - A system of ranking whereby things are ordered (with some being above, and some below) is described as hierarchical.

  • Natural order - The natural order is the idea each person has an assigned and unchangeable place in the hierarchy.

  • Masculine - Qualities or appearances conventionally attributed to boys or men can be described as masculine.

When exploring Macbeth's immediate responses to the witches, consider dwelling on the utility of knowing single word quotations.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When 'Macbeth' was first performed, who was the monarch of England?
Elizabeth I
Banquo
Macbeth
Correct answer: James I
Q2.
Which of the following help to illustrate the witches' power in Act 1 of 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: They first appear in a storm.
Correct answer: They have the support of familiars (demons).
They call each other sister.
They meet Macbeth and Banquo at the same time.
Correct answer: They appear genderless.
Q3.
Match the words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:outsider,A character who is not accepted by society.

A character who is not accepted by society.

Correct Answer:subversive,Someone who does not accept rules or standards.

Someone who does not accept rules or standards.

Correct Answer:conform,Someone who accepts rules or standards.

Someone who accepts rules or standards.

Correct Answer:femininity,Qualities seen as characteristic to women and girls.

Qualities seen as characteristic to women and girls.

Q4.
In 'Macbeth', which of the following are examples of disorder in the natural world?
Correct answer: Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost.
Correct answer: Lady Macbeth asks 'spirits' to 'unsex' her.
Macbeth and Banquo's friendship breaks down.
Macbeth is promoted to the Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan.
Malcolm flees to England.
Q5.
In James I's book 'Daemonology', he outlines why it is more likely that women will be witches. What reason does he give for this?
The devil prefers working with women.
Women are naturally more evil than men.
Correct answer: Women are weaker than men so they are easier prey for the devil.
Men are incapable of practising magic.
Q6.
In 'Macbeth', do the Macbeths have any children?
Yes, but they don't appear in the play.
Yes, and Macbeth kills them.
Correct answer: No, but there are suggestions that they had in the past.
No, no references are ever made to the Macbeths having children.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Macbeth', which of the following threatens the natural order?
Correct answer: The witches ignoring the commands of an important Thane.
Correct answer: The witches delivering a prophecy about a future monarch.
Correct answer: The witches adhering to common beliefs about the supernatural.
The witches adhering to common expectations of femininity.
Q2.
The is the term for accepted standards and rules by which a community lives.
Correct Answer: status quo
Q3.
'Macbeth' is set in 11th century Scotland but what is the most precise term for the play's first audiences?
Correct answer: Jacobean
Elizabethan
Shakespearean
Victorian
Q4.
In 'Macbeth', who does Macbeth see as an immediate threat following the witches' prophecies?
King James
King Duncan
Correct answer: Banquo
the witches
Lady Macbeth
Q5.
What is the purpose of supporting detail in a single paragraph outline?
Allows you to make notes about one quotation in a lot of detail.
Correct answer: Allows you to come up with multiple ideas to support your topic sentence.
Allows you to write down all the quotations you know about a particular text.
Q6.
In 'Macbeth', Banquo twice describes Macbeth as being by the witches' prophecies.
Correct Answer: 'rap't', rap't, spellbound