New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Evaluating the character of Lady Macbeth in ‘Macbeth’

I can evaluate Shakespeare’s presentation of Lady Macbeth.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Evaluating the character of Lady Macbeth in ‘Macbeth’

I can evaluate Shakespeare’s presentation of Lady Macbeth.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Shakespeare's presentation of Lady Macbeth could appear revolutionary
  2. However, the play could also serve to warn women not to disobey the social order and the patriarchy
  3. Interpretations which regard Lady Macbeth as evil can be rooted in misogyny

Common misconception

Shakespeare was a misogynist or, conversely, Shakespeare was a feminist.

We don't know about Shakespeare's political or social beliefs. The text is there for us to interpret, not define Shakespeare's views.

Keywords

  • Revolutionary - If you are a revolutionary, you do something that rebels against the status quo.

  • Unconventional - If you are unconventional, you do not follow accepted norms or standards.

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

  • Patriarchal - A patriarchal society is one in which men are in charge.

  • Misogyny - Misogyny is the dislike of women; misogynists are prejudiced against women.

Consider in LC2 how you will manage the discussion about whether Lady Macbeth deserves her punishment.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

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.
What happens to Lady Macbeth in Act 5 of 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: She chooses to take her own life.
She renounces the throne.
Correct answer: She is consumed by guilt.
Correct answer: She sleep walks and talks.
She tries to find the witches.
Q2.
In what ways is Lady Macbeth presented as unconventional in 'Macbeth'?
Correct answer: She holds power over Macbeth and his decisions.
She dashes her own child's brains out.
Correct answer: She rejects her femininity.
Correct answer: She is ambitious.
Correct answer: She is not afraid of murder.
Q3.
How is the status quo restored at the end of 'Macbeth'?
Banquo is crowned King.
Macduff is crowned King.
Correct answer: Malcolm is crowned King.
Correct answer: The illegitimate monarchs are dead.
Correct answer: Macduff kills Macbeth.
Q4.
In Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth is preoccupied with imaginary blood on her hands. What does this preoccupation symbolise?
that she is foreshadowed
that she killed her own child
Correct answer: that she feels guilty
that she didn't clean her hands after the murder
Correct answer: that she is no longer clear of mind
Q5.
In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth calls Lady Macbeth his 'dearest partner of greatness'. What might this symbolise?
misogyny
Correct answer: love
Correct answer: respect
patriarchy
Correct answer: equality
Q6.
In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth asks 'spirits' to 'take my [breast]milk for ' thus rejecting ideas of motherhood.
Correct Answer: gall, Gall, 'Gall', 'gall', poison

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Macbeth', which words describe the type of society which Lady Macbeth inhabits?
Shakespearean
revolutionary
unconventional
status quo
Correct answer: patriarchal
Q2.
There is not just one interpretation of Lady Macbeth in 'Macbeth'. There are many. Which of the below are just some of the valid interpretations?
Correct answer: revolutionary
patriarchal
Correct answer: unconventional
status quo
Correct answer: subversive
Q3.
In 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth's presentation could be seen as revolutionary, or one which reinforces the status quo. Match the interpretations to the appropriate evidence.
Correct Answer:revolutionary,She is presented as ambitious.

She is presented as ambitious.

Correct Answer:revolutionary,She is presented as rejecting feminine norms.

She is presented as rejecting feminine norms.

Correct Answer:revolutionary,Macbeth calls her his 'dearest partner of greatness'.

Macbeth calls her his 'dearest partner of greatness'.

Correct Answer:reinforces the status quo,She is punished for rejecting feminine norms.

She is punished for rejecting feminine norms.

Correct Answer:reinforces the status quo,She is a dutiful wife, supporting Macbeth's quest for power.

She is a dutiful wife, supporting Macbeth's quest for power.

Correct Answer:reinforces the status quo,She shares attributes with the witches; thus an evil threat.

She shares attributes with the witches; thus an evil threat.

Q4.
In 1.5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth asks 'spirits' to 'unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full. Of direst .'
Correct Answer: cruelty, Cruelty, 'cruelty', 'Cruelty'
Q5.
In what ways might 'Macbeth's' first Jacobean audiences have interpreted Lady Macbeth's fate?
unjust
a threat
Correct answer: a warning
Correct answer: deserved
dutiful
Q6.
In Act 5 of 'Macbeth', Malcolm characterises Lady Macbeth as ' -like'.
Correct Answer: fiend, 'fiend', Fiend, 'Fiend', fiend-like