Starter quiz
- In Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', when Lady Macbeth first hears of the witches' prophecies, how does she respond?
- She is excited. ✓
- She is wary of trusting the supernatural.
- She starts thinking about how to commit the regicide. ✓
- She summons evil spirits to help her commit the regicide. ✓
- She waits for Macbeth to tell her what he thinks about the regicide.
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- In Act 1 of 'Macbeth', who can Macbeth rely on for support, friendship and love?
- King Duncan, who honours him. ✓
- His wife, Lady Macbeth. ✓
- The witches.
- The Thane of Cawdor.
- Banquo and other noble Thanes. ✓
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- In Act 4, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', what do the witches prophesy?
- That Macbeth will be King.
- That Macbeth is invincible until Birnam wood comes to his castle. ✓
- That Lady Macbeth will be consumed by guilt.
- That Macbeth should beware of Banquo.
- That no man can kill him, but a woman could.
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- After the regicide in Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Malcolm flees Scotland for England. Macduff soon joins him. What do they do there?
- Overthrow the English King.
- Try and become English citizens.
- Bring their families to England for safety.
- Start to prepare an army to defeat Macbeth. ✓
- Try and lure Macbeth to England with promises of promotion.
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- In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', after the regicide, Macbeth worries about the blood on his hands. Lady Macbeth is unworried. She says, "A little water ______ us of this deed.'"
- 'clears' ✓
- In Act 2 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth worries about the blood on his hands. There is blood, and he needs to remove it, but this blood is also meant to symbolise which over-whelming emotion?
- regicide
- desperation
- guilt ✓
- surprise
- anger
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Exit quiz
- Match Lady Macbeth's appearances in 'Macbeth' to their Acts.
- Act 1⇔Excited by the prophecies; plots the regicide. ✓
- Act 2⇔Helps commit the regicide including framing Duncan's guards. ✓
- Act 3⇔Reigns over Scotland as Queen; increasingly isolated. ✓
- Act 4⇔Does not appear. ✓
- Act 5⇔Begins the Act: presented as consumed by guilt. ✓
- Match the plots points of the first five scenes of Act 5 of 'Macbeth' to their plot points.
- Act 5, Scene 1⇔Lady Macbeth is consumed by guilt. ✓
- Act 5, Scene 2⇔Soldiers prepare to defeat Macbeth. ✓
- Act 5, Scene 3⇔Ten thousand troops approach Macbeth's castle. ✓
- Act 5, Scene 4⇔Soldiers use branches from Birnam wood as camouflage. ✓
- Act 5, Scene 5⇔Lady Macbeth is reported as dead. ✓
- In Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth is preoccupied with the idea that there is blood on her hands. What could this blood symbolise?
- Her desire to kill Macduff.
- Her guilt for the regicide. ✓
- Her desire for the supernatural.
- Duncan's blood.
- Foreshowing her own death.
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- In Act 5, Scene 5 of 'Macbeth', how does one of the witches' prophecies come true?
- Birnam wood burns down.
- Macbeth becomes King.
- Birnam wood 'moves' towards Dunsinane. ✓
- Dunsinane crumbles to the ground.
- Malcolm, Banquo's son, prepares to become King.
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- In Act 1, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Ross speaks of Macbeth's brilliant reputation: "every one did bear Thy ______ in his [Duncan's] great defence".
- 'praises' ✓
- In Act 5, Scene 3 of 'Macbeth', Macbeth laments that he is isolated and no-one loves or respects him. He says instead of love and respect he has, "Curses, not loud but deep, ______."
- 'mouth honour' ✓
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In Act 5, Scene 1, Lady Macbeth is presented as consumed by guilt.
- Her inability to sleep could symbolise her feelings of guilt.
- Her desire to continually wash her hands could symbolise her guilt.
- Macbeth prepares for battle but is very isolated.
- The English army use branches from Birnam wood as camouflage so they can approach Macbeth’s castle.
Common misconception
The imaginary blood on Lady Macbeth's hands could symbolise Duncan's blood.
Symbols represent an idea that doesn't have a physical existence. Guilt is not a physical thing so the object, blood, is used.
Keywords
Guilt - Guilt is an emotion you feel when you have done something bad. Guilt makes you feel worried and unhappy.
Symbol - If something is a symbol, it represents or expresses an idea. In 'Macbeth', sleep is a symbol of innocence.
Isolated - If you are isolated from others, you are apart from them. You are alone.
Camouflage - Camouflage is a disguise used by soldiers to help them blend into their surroundings. This means the enemy won’t see them approach.
Tyrant - A tyrant is someone who uses their power in an unjust way.
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