Starter quiz
- What is a conscience?
- part of the brain that contributes to decision making
- an external influence that forces people into accepting their morals
- someone's inner moral sense of right and wrong ✓
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- How might we define guilt?
- feeling resentment that you do not have someone else's achievements
- being embarrassed about being foolish
- feeling uncomfortable having done something wrong ✓
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- In which scenario might someone feel guilt?
- winning a prize for excellent homework
- falling over in front of other people
- not being there for a friend in need ✓
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- In the play 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth initially feel guilty about?
- being a fearless and brutal soldier
- betraying his wife
- thinking about committing regicide ✓
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- Which monarch was on the throne at the time 'Macbeth' was written?
- Queen Elizabeth I
- King James I ✓
- King Edward I
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- What is 'regicide'?
- betraying one's good friend
- overthrowing the government
- killing a monarch ✓
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Exit quiz
- In Act 3, Scene 4 of 'Macbeth', what haunts Macbeth that could symbolise his guilt?
- a bloody dagger
- a vision of his own death
- Banquo's ghost ✓
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- How does Lady Macbeth's guilt manifest itself in 'Macbeth'?
- she sleepwalks ✓
- she hallucinates blood on her hands ✓
- she publicly admits to committing the murder of Duncan and Banquo
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- What is *not* a likely purpose of the emotion of guilt?
- to help people reconnect and repair relationships
- to drive someone to commit more wrongdoings ✓
- to realign someone with their moral compass
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- In 'Macbeth, what effect does guilt have on Macbeth?
- it leads him to commit more violent actions ✓
- it makes him repent and cease committing his heinous crimes
- it repairs his relationship with Lady Macbeth
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- Why might Shakespeare have chosen to centre 'Macbeth' around guilt?
- to expose the conscience as a made up construct, in line with his religious view
- to show how much power guilt can give to those bold enough
- to warn against regicide and thus please King James I ✓
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- We could describe 'Macbeth' as a ______ play.
- treacherous
- cautionary ✓
- redeeming
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Guilt is an uncomfortable feeling with the purpose of aligning one with their moral compass.
- The theme of guilt is central to 'Macbeth'.
- Shakespeare exposes the destructive force of guilt in 'Macbeth'.
- Shakespeare may have centered the play on guilt to warn against regicide and treachery.
- King James I was a patron of Shakespeare's company; guilt may have been used as a device to please the King.
Common misconception
Pupils may only recognise the destructive force of ambition in the play.
It is also possible to consider the destructive force of guilt as central to the play.
Keywords
Moral - relating to the standards of good and bad behaviour
Conscience - a person's moral sense of right and wrong
Cautionary - serving as a warning
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