New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth' through the lens of guilt
I can explore Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth' through the lens of guilt.
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Exploring Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth' through the lens of guilt
I can explore Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth' through the lens of guilt.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Macbeth's initial reaction to the witches' prophecies could reflect his guilt at contemplating regicide.
- Shakespeare may depict Macbeth's overwhelming sense of guilt because he was violating two important codes of conduct.
- Macbeth's soliloquy can be interpreted through a lens of guilt, offering an interesting alternative interpretation.
- Nuanced, critical understanding of texts include alternative interpretations and consideration of a writer's intentions.
Keywords
Usurp - take a position of power illegally or by force
Violate - break or act against something
Treachery - betrayal of trust
Common misconception
Guilt is only observable in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after the murder of King Duncan.
We can look at early scenes in the play through the lens of guilt since Shakespeare has a clear motive for centering the play on guilt.
In Learning Cycle 1, you could take some more time to unpick the Feudal System and Divine Right of Kings if this is something your class needs to recap in more detail.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need 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).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which sentence uses the word 'usurp' correctly?
Lady Macbeth usurps Macbeth's masculinity.
Banquo usurps Macbeth's mind.
Q2.
What is Macbeth's reaction to hearing the prophecy that he will become king in Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth'?
He is calm because he knows fate will run its course.
He is sceptical as he is unsure whether to trust the witches.
Q3.
What time period was 'Macbeth' set in?
Jacobean era
Elizabethan era
Q4.
What era was 'Macbeth' performed in?
Elizabethan era
Edwardian era
Q5.
What is the Divine Right of Kings?
the belief that the king was undefeatable
a plot in which people tried to overthrow the government in 1605
Q6.
What was the Gunpowder plot?
a system for declaring war
the belief that the king had the same authority as God
an annual celebration with fireworks
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Why is Banquo alarmed at Macbeth's reaction to the prophecy that he will become king in Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth'?
Macbeth openly talks of regicide.
Macbeth seems to worship the witches.
Q2.
Why might Macbeth feel guilty in Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth'?
because he killed the previous King of Scotland
because he knows he will have to betray his wife
Q3.
In 'Macbeth', what could Macbeth's "seated heart" symbolise?
his ambition
his reputation
Q4.
What may help you to form a nuanced, critical understanding of a text?
using short quotes in analysis
considering a conventional viewpoint
Q5.
By committing regicide, what does Macbeth violate in the play 'Macbeth'?
loyalty to his wife
the warrior's code of conduct
Q6.
What could Shakespeare's intention be in presenting Macbeth's guilt so early on in 'Macbeth'?
to show the power someone can receive when aligning with the supernatural
to expose the Divine Right of Kings as meaningless