Starter quiz
- What happens to Lady Macbeth in Act 5 of 'Macbeth'?
- She chooses to take her own life. ✓
- She renounces the throne.
- She is consumed by guilt. ✓
- She sleep walks and talks. ✓
- She tries to find the witches.
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- In what ways is Lady Macbeth presented as unconventional in 'Macbeth'?
- She holds power over Macbeth and his decisions. ✓
- She dashes her own child's brains out.
- She rejects her femininity. ✓
- She is ambitious. ✓
- She is not afraid of murder. ✓
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- How is the status quo restored at the end of 'Macbeth'?
- Banquo is crowned King.
- Macduff is crowned King.
- Malcolm is crowned King. ✓
- The illegitimate monarchs are dead. ✓
- Macduff kills Macbeth. ✓
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- 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
- that she feels guilty ✓
- that she didn't clean her hands after the murder
- that she is no longer clear of mind ✓
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- In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth calls Lady Macbeth his 'dearest partner of greatness'. What might this symbolise?
- misogyny
- love ✓
- respect ✓
- patriarchy
- equality ✓
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- In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth asks 'spirits' to 'take my [breast]milk for ______' thus rejecting ideas of motherhood.
- 'gall' ✓
Exit quiz
- In 'Macbeth', which words describe the type of society which Lady Macbeth inhabits?
- Shakespearean
- revolutionary
- unconventional
- status quo
- patriarchal ✓
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- 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?
- revolutionary ✓
- patriarchal
- unconventional ✓
- status quo
- subversive ✓
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- 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.
- revolutionary⇔She is presented as ambitious. ✓
- revolutionary⇔She is presented as rejecting feminine norms. ✓
- revolutionary⇔Macbeth calls her his 'dearest partner of greatness'. ✓
- reinforces the status quo⇔She is punished for rejecting feminine norms. ✓
- reinforces the status quo⇔She is a dutiful wife, supporting Macbeth's quest for power. ✓
- reinforces the status quo⇔She shares attributes with the witches; thus an evil threat. ✓
- 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 ______.'
- 'cruelty' ✓
- In what ways might 'Macbeth's' first Jacobean audiences have interpreted Lady Macbeth's fate?
- unjust
- a threat
- a warning ✓
- deserved ✓
- dutiful
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- In Act 5 of 'Macbeth', Malcolm characterises Lady Macbeth as '______-like'.
- 'fiend' ✓
Worksheet
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Shakespeare's presentation of Lady Macbeth could appear revolutionary
- However, the play could also serve to warn women not to disobey the social order and the patriarchy
- 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.
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