1. [MACBETH SoW LESSON PLANS – PAGE 1]
1 - Introduction
2 – Characterisation
3 – Scheming and Plotting
4 – Ambition & Regicide
5 –Appearances vs. Reality
6 – Paranoia
Objective
To comprehend how context informs the narrative.
To reflect on how characters are developed through the narrative device of foreshadowing.
To consider how narrative tension increases with the representation of conflict.
To consider how the goals of certain characters are catalysts of conflict in the narrative.
To interpret the subtext between each characters’ public and private personas.
To analyse the psychological traits of key characters and the consequences of actions on the mind.
Starter
- “What makes a great story?” mind-map. - Show Trailer of ‘Macbeth’.
Mini-whiteboards – Context recap – write 3 facts from last lesson.
Think-Pair-Share Character Analysis
Act 1 Comprehension Quiz
Celebrity Personalities Analysis – are they the same off camera?
Myth vs. Reality Quiz
Reading
Act 1 Scene 3 - Three Witches Prophecy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor.
Act 1 Scene 5 - Introduction of Lady Macbeth.
Act 1 Scene 7 - Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to murder King Duncan.
Act 2 Scene 2 – Macbeth’s Murder of King Duncan.
No readings this lesson.
Act 3 Scene 2 – Macbeth paranoia increases and hides his plot to murder Banquo from Lady Macbeth.
Scene Analysis PPTs
Act 1 Scenes 1-3
Act 1 Scenes 4-5
Act 1 Scenes 6-7
Act 2 Scenes 1-2
Act 2 Scenes 3-4 Act 3 Scene 1
Act 3 Scene 2
Film Clip (on estream – Macbeth Fassbender version)
9:30 – 13:30 – Three Witches Prophecy (Promoted to Thane of Cawdor – 17:00).
18:00-20:00 – Lady Macbeth Soliloquy.
27:20-29:30 – gentle persuasion. 29:30-31:00 – manhood challenged – caution: scene is suggestive.
32:00-36:00 -violent scene – artistic license) 38:30 - “I have done the deed”.
Exposition scenes :00.
47:30 - Hail Macbeth. 49:00 - Macbeth’s suspicion of Banquo. 56:00-58:00 - Murder of Banquo.
Main (optional – could be set as Homework tasks).
Identify three key points from the presentation on Mini-Whiteboards
Discuss why Shakespeare uses foreshadowing and soliloquys in his plays.
PEEL Paragraph – How has Lady Macbeth been portrayed in Act 1 Scene 5 and Scene 7?
PEEL Paragraph – How does Shakespeare present the theme of regicide in Act 2 Scene 2?
PEEL Paragraph – How has Shakespeare illustrated the theme of ‘appearances versus reality’ in ‘Macbeth’ so far?
PEEL Paragraph – How does Macbeth convey a sense of paranoia when discussing Banquo to Lady Macbeth?
Plenary
Verbal exit pass – name one new thing you learned about Shakespeare and/or Macbeth today.
In books – write one question of what you would like to ask about the play and your learning so far.
Verbal opinion – who do you sympathise with most and least in the play so far and why?
Peer assess – PEEL paragraph Homework or Class Timed Writing Task based on success criteria.
Voting – is it good, bad or neither having a public persona where your private self is different?
What If – what if Macbeth had not murdered King Duncan – what would the story be like?
Key terms
Context, Representation.
Foreshadowing, Soliloquy, Femininity.
Machiavellian, Masculinity.
Regicide, Conflict.
Duplicity, Subtext.
Paranoia, suspicion.

2. [MACBETH SoW LESSON PLANS – PAGE 2]
7 – Guilt: Psychology of the Soul
8 – Hubris and Fate
9 – Character arcs
10 – Downfall/Restored Order
11 – Assessment Prep
12 – Assessment Prep
Objective
To evaluate the nature of guilt on public behaviour.
To identify how pride comes before a fall and how Shakespeare frames the idea of fate.
To explore the tragic journey of key characters.
To interpret the reasons for Macbeth’s downfall.
To identify and interpret Shakespeare’s motives of representation
To apply analytical writing techniques in assessment conditions
Starter
Scenario Game – pupils judge if the subject is guilty or innocent.
PPT slide - Rank famous faces from most proud to least proud.
Think-pair-share – can we sympathise with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth at all?
Think-pair-share – what does it mean to be villainous?
Success Criteria for Assessment
Planning – essay writing structure for assessment help sheet.
Reading
Act 3 Scene 4 – The Feast (Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, has a meltdown publicly – gains notoriety as mad)
Act 4 Scene 1 – The Three Witches’ New Prophecies
Act 5 Scene 1 – Lady Macbeth’s Suicide
Act 5 Scene 8 – The Final Battle Between Macbeth and Macduff
Example PEEL answers – WWW/EBI response
Scene Analysis PPTs
Act 3 Scenes 3-4
Act 3 Scenes 5-6 Act 4 Scene 1
Act 4 Scene 2-3 Act 5 Scene 1
Act 5 Scenes 2-8
Shakespeare and Macbeth Comprehension Quiz (differentiated versions)
Assessment question [Act 1 Scene 7 extract] How does Shakespeare present the dynamic of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s marriage in this scene?
Film Clip (on estream – Macbeth Fassbender version)
58:00-1:04:00 – The Feast
Not featured in film.
1:16:00 – Malcolm tells Macduff of his family’s execution 1:18:30-1:23:00 – Lady Macbeth’s depression
1:26:00-1:30:00 – ‘Sound and Fury’ scene 1:30:00-1:44:00 – Violent finale (viewer caution)
Key scenes: 27:20-31:00 LM Persuasion 49:00+ - M’s suspicion of Banquo 1:26:00-130:00 – ‘Sound and fury’ scene
Main (optional – could be set as HW tasks).
PEEL Paragraph – How does Shakespeare present Macbeth’s deteriorating mental health in this scene?
PEEL Paragraph – How does Shakespeare present the supernatural and the notion of fate in ‘Macbeth’?
PEEL Paragraph – Why is Lady Macbeth’s character arc so profound and tragic in this play?
PEEL Paragraph – What are the causes of Macbeth’s downfall and how could this descent have been avoided?
Extract for Assessment introduced – Act 1 Scene 7 – Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth.
Plenary
In books – write three ingredients that make a good party and how to prevent things going wrong.
What If – what if you were Macbeth, how would you respond to the Three Witches’ prophecies?
Play the judge – what is the best and worst type of leader?
Summarise – summarise the play in 3 sentences in your book.
Homework – assessment preparation
Create a plan for the assessment using the ‘Essay Plan’ help sheet.
Key terms
Psychology.
Hubris, Fate, Spirituality, Occult.
Tyranny, Suicide, Tragedy, Mental health
Ambition.
Key words glossary sheet.