Starter quiz
- What is *not* an example of the supernatural in 'Macbeth'?
- the witches
- hallucinations
- Macbeth's death ✓
- apparitions
-
- How does Macbeth suffer before killing Duncan in 'Macbeth'?
- He is unable to sleep.
- He is haunted by hallucinations. ✓
- Banquo threatens his life.
-
- What does Lady Macbeth suffer from in Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
- hallucinations ✓
- inability to sleep ✓
- death penalty
- dethronement
-
- What did Jacobeans believe about regicide?
- It was a minor sin.
- It was the worst possible sin. ✓
- It was acceptable if one was a relation of the king.
-
- What was the general belief in the Jacobean/Renaissance period?
- God did not exist.
- Witches worked for God.
- God was all powerful. ✓
-
- How does Macbeth react to Banquo's ghost in 'Macbeth'?
- He is happy to see his friend again.
- He tries to turn his guests against Banquo.
- To Macbeth, there is nothing more terrifying than Banquo's ghost. ✓
-
Exit quiz
- What was the Rennaisance belief about punishment?
- Only the courts could punish citizens.
- God could punish people through a wide range of instruments and tools. ✓
- God only invoked judgement by sending people to heaven or hell.
-
- What could Macbeth's fear of Banquo's ghost reflect in 'Macbeth'?
- Macbeth may be terrified of acknowledging his sin and guilt. ✓
- Macbeth believes Banquo could still usurp his place on the throne.
- Macbeth is scared of the witches.
-
- In the quote: "a false creation proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain" from Act 2, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', how does Shakespeare present guilt?
- as a disease ✓
- as easy to deal with
- as a sign of inner strength
-
- What did people in the Renaissance believe about the conscience as guided by biblical beliefs?
- Not everyone had a conscience.
- God gave everyone a conscience. ✓
- The conscience may be God's instrument to inflict divine retribution. ✓
- The conscience could easily be ignored.
-
- In 'Macbeth', the consequences Macbeth and Lady Macbeth face following their crimes could reflect what?
- Their sins were minor.
- God has chosen to ignore their evil deeds.
- They are being severely punished for unnatural deeds. ✓
-
- Which word beginning with 'v' means 'action against someone to punish that person'?
- 'vengenance' ✓
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are haunted by supernatural phenomena after committing crimes.
- Perhaps Lady Macbeth and Macbeth suffer such supernatural punishment due to the extent of their "unnatural deeds".
- A common Renaissance belief was there were no limits to God's vengeance.
- In the Renaissance, people believed that the conscience was a tool imposed by God to inflict punishment.
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's hallucinations can be read as a symbol of their guilt as well as divine retribution.
Common misconception
Students may have only perceived the hallucinations in the play as summoned by the witches.
We can read the same elements of the play through many different lenses. All interpretations are valid.
Keywords
Conjure - make something appear from nowhere
Vengeance - action against someone to punish that person
Retribution - punishment imposed for purposes of repayment for the wrong committed
Impervious - unable to be affected by
+