Starter quiz
- Which of the following is not an external influence that contributes to Macbeth's downfall in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?
- The witches' prophecies.
- Macbeth's personal ambition. ✓
- Lady Macbeth's manipulative behaviour.
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- In 'Macbeth' Lady Macbeth is an ______ depiction of an 11th Century Gaelic woman.
- 'unconventional' ✓
- Which quotes are said by Lady Macbeth in an attempt to manipulate her husband in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?
- "Live a coward in thine own esteem." ✓
- "Are you a man?" ✓
- "All hail Macbeth!"
- "Was hope drunk?" ✓
- "For brave Macbeth, - well he deserves that name."
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- The first character we see contemplating committing crimes in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' is ______
- 'Macbeth' ✓
- Select the adjectives which best describe Lady Macbeth's behaviour in the first half of 'Macbeth'.
- domineering ✓
- isolated
- manipulative ✓
- persuasive ✓
- guilty
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- Which of the words below means 'the act of making a man feel like less of a man?'
- emasculating ✓
- manipulating
- exploiting
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Exit quiz
- Which word, beginning with 'v' and meaning being exposed to the possibility of harm, would fit in this sentence? Macbeth is ______ to the witches prophecies.
- 'vulnerable' ✓
- Why would some people argue that the witches were not supernatural beings and just mischief making outsiders in 'Macbeth'?
- Macbeth chooses to revist them.
- Not everyone believes in the supernatural.
- Banquo's son is not king by the end of the play. ✓
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- Which word, beginning with 's' fits in this sentence? Macbeth's insecurities surrounding his lack of patrilineal line means he is ______ to Lady Macbeth's emasculation.
- 'susceptible' ✓
- Select the quotations from 'Macbeth' which are an example of Lady Macbeth's emasculation of Macbeth.
- "Too full of the milk of human kindness." ✓
- "Tis the eye of childhood, that fears a painted devil." ✓
- "Come you spirits [...] unsex me here."
- "Out damn'd spot! Out I say!"
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- Which of the following is the most sophisticated inference about why Lady Macbeth's manipulation is successful in 'Macbeth'?
- Lady Macbeth gets angry at her husband for breaking a promise.
- Lady Macbeth questions her husband's masculinity.
- Lady Macbeth targets her husbands insecurities about his lack of male heir. ✓
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- Select the reasons below as to why Shakespeare might be described as a defender of the status quo through 'Macbeth'.
- Characters who challenge gender roles are punished by the end of the play. ✓
- The play is a warning against defying the natural order. ✓
- In Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare has created an unconventional female character.
- Throughout the play, characters defy the natural order.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Macbeth's lack of a male heir makes him susceptible to Lady Macbeth's manipulations.
- Lady Macbeth uses Macbeth's insecurities to emasculate him.
- Macbeth is more likely to believe the witches' prophecies due to his insecurities.
- Macbeth's lack of a male heir makes him more likely to betray Banquo and Duncan.
- Shakespeare upholds the status quo by punishing characters who do not conform to conventional gender roles.
Common misconception
Pupils believe Lady Macbeth holds most of the responsibility for Macbeth's actions.
When considering the witches' role, ask pupils which ideas can be used to counter the significance of Lady Macbeth's role in his downfall?
Keywords
External influences - external influences are factors beyond a characters control which may affect their decisions or behaviour
Susceptible - susceptible means you are liable to be influenced by something
Emasculation - emasculation is the act of depriving a man or his masculine strength or role, making him feel less masculine
Vulnerable - people who are vulnerable are exposed to harm, either physically or emotionally
Revolutionary - revolutionary can mean dramatic change or being engaged in political revolution
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