Lesson Aims
• To understand the key events of Act 5 Scene 3
• To be able to explain the development in
Macbeth’s character at this point in the play
• To give a personal response to Macbeth’s
character development
Activities
• Read through Act 5, Scene 3 paying particular attention to
what Macbeth says and the mood expressed.
• Answer the 8 questions in the quiz. Leave 3 or 4 lines
under each of your answers to write in notes and quotes
when we mark the quiz.
• Think about how Macbeth has changed as a character
since the start of the play and what Shakespeare is trying
to make the reader feel about him now.
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
•
a)
b)
c)
d)
Why does Macbeth appear so confident at the
start of the scene?
There are only 20 English soldiers at the castle
gate.
He has very tough armour on
Malcolm is only a boy
He has been told by the witches that he can’t be
harmed by any man born of woman
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
•
a)
b)
c)
d)
What colour is the servant’s face when he
enters with bad news?
Black
Green
White
Red
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
•
a)
b)
c)
d)
What news does the servant bring?
There are wolves outside the castle gate
The thanes have all left the castle
The doctor has arrived
There are 10,000 enemy troops outside the
castle
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
•
a)
b)
c)
d)
When Macbeth first hears the news, how
does he feel?
Very confident
Pleased he has so many supporters
Glad he is king, despite his problems
Very depressed, wishing he was dead
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
•
a)
b)
c)
d)
When the messenger’s news is confirmed,
what does Macbeth decide to do?
Run away to safety
Gather more support from neighbouring
villagers
See the doctor
Fight until he is killed
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
•
a)
b)
c)
d)
What does the doctor say that someone with
a ‘diseased’ mind like Lady Macbeth must
do?
Have a good night’s sleep
Sort herself out
Take a potion he has made
Ask God for forgiveness
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
• What does Macbeth tell the doctor to do?
a) Create a medicine to get rid of the English
soldiers
b) Take a message to more thanes to support him
c) Stay and fight with him
d) Go with him to Birnam Wood
Act 5 Scene 3 Quiz
•
a)
b)
c)
d)
Which words best describe Macbeth’s
attitude in this scene?
Afraid and worried, yet hopeful
Helpful, concerned and generous
Gloomy yet aggressive and determined
Confused, pathetic and weak
Question 1 Answer
• Why does Macbeth appear so confident at the start
of the scene?
d) He has been told by the witches that he can’t be
harmed by any man born of woman.
”What’s the boy Malcolm? Was he not born of
woman?…the heart I bear will never sag with doubt,
nor shake with fear.”
Question 2 Answer
• What colour is the servant’s face when he
enters with bad news?
c) White
This provides a contrast to Macbeth and
reminds how he has lost touch with reality.
Question 3 Answer
• What news does the servant bring?
d)There are 10,000 enemy troops outside the
castle
This emphasises how everyone has turned
on Macbeth as he is such a corrupt and
violent leader
Question 4 Answer
• When Macbeth first hears the news, how
does he feel?
d) Very depressed, wishing he was dead
“ “I have lived long enough:my way of life/ Is
fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf;/ And
that which should accompany old age…..I
must not look to have.”
Question 5 Answer
• When the messenger’s news is confirmed,
what does Macbeth decide to do?
d) Fight until he is killed
“I’ll fight, till from my bones my flesh be
hacked./Give me my armour”
Question 6 Answer
• What does the doctor say that someone with
a ‘diseased’ mind like Lady Macbeth must
do?
b)Sort herself out
“ Therein the patient must minister to
himself”
Question 7 Answer
• What does Macbeth tell the doctor to do?
a)Create a medicine to get rid of the English
soldiers.
This is a clue that Macbeth is not as
confident as he seems.
Question 8 Answer
• Which words best describe Macbeth’s
attitude in this scene?
c) Gloomy yet aggressive and determined
“ I will not be afraid of death and bane/ Till
Birnam forest come to Dunsisnane”
Revisiting our aims
• Write 4 bullet points to summarise the key events
of Act 5 Scene 3
• In your own words explain the development in
Macbeth’s character at this point in the play
• Explain how you feel about Macbeth at this point
in the play. Do you feel any sympathy for him?