Starter quiz
- What does Macbeth see in Act 2, Scene 1 of the play 'Macbeth'?
- Banquo's ghost
- the Thane of Cawdor being executed
- a bloody dagger ✓
-
- In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', what does Lady Macbeth say to reassure Macbeth after the murder of Duncan?
- "What's done cannot be undone"
- "A little water clears us of this deed" ✓
- "Blood will have blood"
- "Out damned spot"
-
- What symbolic meaning does blood seem to take in 'Macbeth'?
- love
- loyalty
- strength
- guilt ✓
-
- In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', which character says "out damned spot" and what are they referring to?
- Banquo, referring to the murder of Fleance
- Macbeth, referring the blood on his hands after regicide
- Lady Macbeth, hallucinating bloodstains on her hands ✓
-
- Which sentence uses the word 'consumed' correctly?
- They consumed the weather for over an hour.
- The car consumed through the busy traffic.
- He was consumed with jealousy after seeing his sister's birthday gift. ✓
-
- Which quote depicts Banquo’s ghost as being covered in blood in 'Macbeth'?
- "Life's but a walking shadow"
- "Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear"
- "Never shake thy gory locks at me!" ✓
-
Exit quiz
- Which word beginning with 'm' refers to a recurring idea in a literary work?
- 'motif' ✓
- What does impervious mean?
- being sensitive to the actions of others
- being bold and abrupt
- unable to be affected ✓
-
- Which sentence uses impervious correctly to describe Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth'?
- Lady Macbeth appears impervious to guilt. ✓
- Macbeth appears impervious to guilt throughout the play.
- Macbeth is impervious to pain after committing regicide.
-
- In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth acknowledge?
- He has become stained with blood and thus guilt. ✓
- He can conquer anyone as he has got away with the biggest crime.
- He has successfully rid himself of his conscience.
-
- What does the phrase "Out damned spot" suggest about Lady Macbeth’s feelings of guilt in Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
- She feels that guilt has stained her. ✓
- She feels that she can rid herself of guilt easily.
- She may feel guilt but doesn't let it get her down.
-
- What is true of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's relationship with guilt by the end of 'Macbeth'?
- both are mentally weakened by guilt and want to regain control ✓
- both continue to ignore their guilt
- both do not feel guilt
-
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Blood is a motif that is associated with guilt in 'Macbeth'.
- Initially, both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's reference to blood reflects their guilt and intact conscience.
- As the play progresses, Macbeth is haunted by blood and guilt.
- Lady Macbeth doesn't see blood as staining and thus rejects her guilt early on in the play.
- At the end of the play, both Macbeth and his wife are consumed by blood and guilt, both appearing helpless.
Common misconception
Blood only symbolises violence and bloodshed.
Blood comes to symbolise psychological turmoil and guilt as the play progresses.
Keywords
Motif - a recurring idea, image or symbol in a text or piece of art
Impervious - unable to be affected
Consumed - if you are consumed with something, it affects you very strongly
+