Starter quiz
- Match the first three scenes of Act 3 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points
- Act 3, Scene 1⇔Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murders. ✓
- Act 3, Scene 2⇔Lady Macbeth is unhappy and isolated from Macbeth. ✓
- Act 3, Scene 3⇔Banquo is murdered; Fleance escapes. ✓
- In Act 1, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', King Duncan appoints his heir (the person who will be King after him), securing the future stability of Scotland. Who does he name as his heir?
- Banquo
- Fleance
- Macbeth
- Macduff
- Malcolm ✓
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- 'Macbeth's' first audiences were Jacobean. Which of the following moments in the play would a Jacobean audience have seen as unnatural and wrong?
- Lady Macbeth relying on "spirits" to "unsex her". ✓
- The act of regicide. ✓
- King Duncan appointing an heir.
- Macbeth engaging with the witches' prophecies. ✓
- King Duncan staying at the Macbeths' castle.
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- In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', how does Lady Macbeth goad Macbeth into regicide, even though he has decided against it?
- She questions his loyalty to her. ✓
- She suggests he would be a better King than Duncan.
- She says that Banquo would have done it, had he promised her.
- She says the witches will help him.
- She undermines his masculinity. ✓
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- In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth goads Macbeth into regicide saying, 'When you durst do it, then you were a...'
- 'man' ✓
- In Act 1, Scene 7 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth talks about Duncan's good qualities as a King. What does he say they are?
- His ambition.
- His meekness and humbleness. ✓
- His honesty and integrity. ✓
- His valour on the battlefield.
- His duplicity.
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Exit quiz
- Match the scenes from Act 3 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.
- Act 3, Scene 1⇔Macbeth plots Banquo and Fleance's murder. ✓
- Act 3, Scene 2⇔Lady Macbeth is unhappy and isolated. ✓
- Act 3, Scene 3⇔Banquo is murdered; Fleance escapes. ✓
- Act 3, Scene 4⇔Macbeth hallucinates Banquo's ghost. ✓
- Act 3, Scene 5⇔Hecate meets the three witches. ✓
- Act 3, Scene 6⇔Two Thanes discuss Macbeth's reign. ✓
- In Act 3, Scene 6 of 'Macbeth', Lennox and a Lord characterise Macbeth as a '______'.
- 'tyrant' ✓
- In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', who does Macbeth hallucinate during his public feast?
- King Duncan.
- The guards.
- The witches.
- Banquo. ✓
- Fleance.
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- At the end of Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth reveal, thus undermining his reign over Scotland?
- That he will try and fight Banquo's ghost.
- That he wants to see the three witches again. ✓
- That he plans to murder Malcolm next.
- That he wants Lady Macbeth to "pour spirits" in his ear.
- That he spies on his Thanes. ✓
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- In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth says of his Thanes, "There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant ______".
- 'fee'd' ✓
- In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth realises that "I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as ______ as go o'er".
- 'tedious' ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Act 3 sees Shakespeare explore Macbeth’s illegitimate reign over Scotland
- At a public feast, Macbeth hallucinates Banquo’s ghost
- Macbeth reveals that he spies on his Thanes
- Macbeth decides to go and see the three witches again
- Macduff, a Scottish Thane, goes to England to try and raise an army against Macbeth
Common misconception
Macbeth is a tyrannical ruler, and enjoys his tyranny.
Macbeth is a tyrant, but doesn't enjoy his reign. He is also self-aware: "I am in blood Stepp'd so far" or calling the witches "the worst".
Keywords
Reign - When a monarch (King or Queen) reigns over a country, it means they rule that country.
Tyrant - A tyrant is someone who uses their power in an unjust way.
Illegitimate - If your power or status is illegitimate, it is not legal or valid.
Court - A monarch’s court is made up of loyal and noble followers (subjects). It is the centre of power.
Hallucination - A hallucination is when you see, smell, taste, touch or hear something that appears to be real, but is only in your mind.
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