Starter quiz
- In 'Macbeth', Macbeth sees a vision of which weapon, shortly before killing Duncan?
- 'Dagger' ✓
- Put the following events of Act 1 and Act 2 of 'Macbeth' in order.
- 1⇔Macbeth and Banquo hear the prophecies. Macbeth is excited.
- 2⇔Macbeth tells his wife he cannot kill Duncan.
- 3⇔Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband.
- 4⇔Macbeth hallucinates seeing a dagger.
- 5⇔Macbeth believes the hallucination was a sign to kill Duncan.
- 6⇔Macbeth murders Duncan in his sleep.
- In 'Macbeth', why does Macbeth choose to kill King Duncan? Choose all that apply.
- Macbeth does not want to disappoint his wife. ✓
- Macbeth is afraid of the witches.
- Macbeth is ambitious and wants to be king. ✓
- The prophecies told Macbeth he must kill Duncan.
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- A sentence which starts a paragraph, clearly outlining the purpose of your paragraph is called a...?
- 'topic sentence' ✓
- What does embedding a quotation mean?
- Using quotations throughout an essay.
- Selecting quotations effectively.
- Inserting quotations into your writing at appropriate moments. ✓
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- What does subsequent mean in the following sentence? "Subsequent to Duncan's murder, Macbeth's guilt intensified."
- Following in time or order; occurring or coming after something else. ✓
- Having a strong desire to succeed or achieve a goal.
- In a state of rest or inactivity.
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Exit quiz
- Identify which sentences correctly embed quotations. Select any correct answers.
- Macbeth hallucinates a dagger. "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"
- Macbeth hallucinates a dagger: "Is this a dagger which I see before me?" ✓
- Hallucinating, Macbeth queries, "Is this a dagger which I see before me?" ✓
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- Select everything you would expect to see in a good topic sentence. Select all appropriate answers.
- The writer's name. ✓
- A clear argument. ✓
- Reference to the part of the text you are discussing. ✓
- Language devices you are going to analyse.
- Conjunctions to justify your inferences.
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- A ______ is a speech in a play that the character speaks to themself or to the people watching, rather than to the other characters.
- 'soliloquy' ✓
- In 'Macbeth', which of the following quotations can be used to justify the idea that the hallucination of the dagger is the work of the supernatural?
- “The handle toward my hand?” ✓
- "Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going”
- "Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”
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- In Macbeth, which of the following quotations can be used to justify the idea that the hallucination of the dagger is the result of Macbeth's own thoughts and desires?
- “The handle toward my hand?”
- "Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going”
- "Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” ✓
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- In 'Macbeth', what is the significance behind Macbeth hallucinating and seeing a dagger, rather than a sword?
- A dagger hints at his fear of combat and weakness.
- The dagger represents his ambition and lust for power.
- The dagger represents cowardly betrayal. ✓
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Act 2, Scene 1 is could be seen as crucial in creating the idea that Macbeth is influenced by the supernatural and evil
- Macbeth does recognise the dagger as a hallucination - counter evidence that he is being influenced by the supernatural
- Macbeth uses the hallucination as justification for killing Duncan
- A dagger is symbolic of treachery - representing betrayal at close range
Common misconception
Students become over-reliant on the quotation: "Is this a dagger which I see before me?"
Draw attention to other quotations which both illustrate Macbeth can see a dagger, but also demonstrate the flaws in his character.
Keywords
Hallucination - The experience of seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling something that does not exist is called a hallucination.
Soliloquy - A soliloquy is a speech in a play that the character speaks to themself or to the audience, rather than to the other characters.
Subsequent - Subsequent means when something comes after something else or a result of something else.
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