Year 11 Macbeth Revision home learning Task 1: Macbeth summary. Carefully read through the summary of the play to remind yourself of what happens. Try to visualize the events in your mind. S1 S2 Act One S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 Act Two S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 Act Three S2 S3 Three Witches get together and start plotting: “When shall we three meet again…” A soldier reports to King Duncan that Macbeth helped secure victory for the Scottish army through his violent bravery in which he “unseam’d” his opponent with “smoking valour”. The King commends Macbeth’s bravery. The Witches give Macbeth and Banquo the prophecies. Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor, then King, but Banquo will be father to a line of kings. Both Macbeth and Banquo are intrigued and tempted by these prophecies. At his palace, the King thanks Macbeth and Banquo for their bravery. He makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, fulfilling the first part of the Witches’ prophecy. The King also names Malcolm heir to the throne. Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter, starts to plot to herself, and then tells Macbeth her ideas when he arrives Lady Macbeth receives Duncan. She acts like “th’innocent flower” whilst still planning to murder him. Macbeth has doubts about killing Duncan and argues with Lady Macbeth but she persuades him – calling him a coward and undermining his masculinity. Macbeth hallucinates, seeing a dagger in front of him. It leads him to Duncan’s chamber. Macbeth returns from killing the King, feeling guilty. Lady Macbeth comforts him but then tells him off for bringing the daggers back. She takes them and plants them on the guards whom she’s already drugged. When she returns, she comments that the “old man” had a lot of “blood in him” and reminds her of her father. Macduff arrives and discovers the King’s death. Macbeth kills the two guards and Macduff seems suspicious of this. Malcolm and Donalbain, realising they’re in danger, decide to flee. Macduff discusses Macbeth being made King. He goes home to Fife, choosing not to see the coronation. Banquo thinks about the prophecy when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter to invite him to the banquet that night. He goes riding with his son, Fleance and Macbeth thinks about his fear of Banquo. Some men arrive whom Macbeth sends off to murder Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth discusses his troubles with Lady Macbeth: he is troubled that his kingship is not completely secure – he fears that his power is under threat – but won’t tell her the next part of his plan. He tells her to stay innocent until everything is completed. The murderers kill Banquo but Fleance escapes. S4 During a feast, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ‘gory’ ghost and is terrified. Lady Macbeth covers for him although she doesn’t know what he can see or why. Macbeth says he will meet with the witches since he is already ‘steeped’ in blood. S5 The Witches meet with Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft: she tells the Witches off for meddling and says she will take over, promising to create visions for Macbeth which draw him into a false sense of security. S6 Act Four S1 S2 A group of murderers, sent by Macbeth, arrive at Macduff’s castle and kill his wife and children. S3 Macduff finds out his family have been killed. He rounds up the English armies ready to wreak bloody revenge on Macbeth. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks. In her sleeping state, she re-enacts washing blood from her hands but laments that the ‘spot’ of blood remains on her skin. It seems as though she is chastising (telling off) Macbeth in her sleep when she says ‘fie, my Lord!’ Scottish Lords discuss the military situation. S1 S2 Act Five Two Lords discuss Banquo’s death and their suspicions of Macbeth. They also discuss how Macduff has gone to England for help in fighting Macbeth. Macbeth visits the Witches and is given three new prophecies: 1) to beware of Macduff; 2) that no man who is born of woman can harm Macbeth; 3) he is safe until Burnham Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. S3 Macbeth boasts that he has nothing to fear until the wood moves. He finds out that the army are approaching and puts on his armour. The doctor tells him of Lady Macbeth’s illness and he tells the doctor to cure her. S4 S5 The army decide to take branches off the trees to use as camouflage Macbeth finds out that Lady Macbeth is dead. He then finds out that the wood is starting to move and is filled with terror. He laments over the meaninglessness of his kingship and his short time on the throne. The battle commences outside the castle S6 S7 S8 S9 Macbeth strikes everyone he can see, afraid of nothing. Macduff searches for Macbeth. Malcolm enters the castle. Macbeth and Macduff meet: Macbeth finds out that Macduff was born by caesarean but vows not to give in. Macduff emerges with Macbeth’s head, having killed him. Task 2: Developing thoughtful / insightful interpretation Answer all of the questions below. Spend 5 minutes answering each one as thoughtfully as you can. For each question, you must: Refer to the events of the play to support your ideas Use the keywords to help you express your ideas. Use a dictionary to look up any you don’t understand. Challenge: Support your interpretations with well-chosen quotations from the play. Analyse interesting details from your quotations. 1. How does Macbeth change throughout the course of the play? Use precise and advanced vocabulary to express your ideas, and give evidence to support. Keywords: Masculinity, chastised, malleable, defiant, Hubris ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2. How does Lady Macbeth change throughout the course of the play? Use precise and advanced vocabulary to express your ideas, and give evidence to support. Keywords: Femininity, gender expectations, violation, enfeebled ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3. Why are the Witches included in the play? What role or function do they serve? How much do they affect the events of the play? Keywords: Initiate, manifestations of evil on earth, “spur”, embodiments of temptation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4. What evidence do we have that Macbeth always had a violent and ambitious nature? Keywords: Expectations of masculinity, ferocious, warfare, loyalty ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5. What is the sin of pride? Why is it considered the ‘original sin’? How is Macbeth a morality play about the consequences of this deadly sin? Keywords: Cardinal sin, root, retribution ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6. Is Lady Macbeth a villainous (evil) character? Explain your interpretation. Hint: Consider context for this question. Keywords: Manipulation, poison, exploitative, confined, gender expectations ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7. Why do you think Shakespeare chose a ‘dagger’ as the murder weapon? Keywords: Close combat, betrayal, prolonged, deliberate ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8. Why does Lady Macbeth see a permanent ‘spot’ of blood on her hands in the sleepwalking scene? Think carefully here – why is it only a ‘spot’? Keywords: Diminutive, monosyllabic, remorse, clipped vowel, compromised ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9. Why does Shakespeare include so many hallucinations and visions in this play? What is he trying to warn the audience about? Keywords: Deterioration, conflict between soul and desires, higher powers ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10. In many ways, Macbeth’s actions can be viewed as quite cowardly, rather than brave and traditionally “masculine”. To what extent do you agree? Can you explain your ideas? Keywords: Deceptive, treacherous, disassociation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer immense feelings of remorse and guilt throughout the play. What is similar or different about the way such feelings affect them? Keywords: Diminishing, defiant, self-preservation, susceptible, destructive ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12. Many interpretations of this play view Macbeth’s death as a consequence for his disruption of the Natural Order. What is this? Why is the imagery of ‘Birnam Wood’ arriving to attack Macbeth’s castle such an important one then? Keywords: Divine retribution, God’s providence ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13. How far do you feel Macbeth is in control of his own actions, or is he controlled by external forces? Refer to the events of the play to support your ideas. Keywords: External voices, relenting, temptation, agency, autonomy ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14. Shakespeare externalizes morality as a series of choices we make through action and deed, rather than something that exists inside us. How does this apply to Macbeth? Which other character feels temptation but chooses to defy it? Keywords: Foil, free will, invisible control, fallen nature ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Task 3: Quotation placement and theme A. Using the plot summary, can you label each quotation below with the right Act and Scene? B. Then, highlight in different colours which theme each quotation explores or reflects. You can link it to more than one theme. Make the theme list into a key. Themes: Ambition Guilt Gender expectation Kingship Pride Fate and destiny 1. Soldier: “his brandished steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution” ACT ___ SCENE ____ 2. Macbeth: “"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage” ACT ___ SCENE ____ 3. Macbeth: “I am in blood/ Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o'er.” ACT ___ SCENE ____ 4. Macbeth: “But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”? / I had most need of blessing, and “Amen” / Stuck in my throat.” ACT ___ SCENE ____ 5. Lady Macbeth: “I have given suck, and know / How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: / I would, […] Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, / And dash'd the brains out” ACT ___ SCENE ____ 6. Lady Macbeth: “The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?” ACT ___ SCENE ____ 7. Lady Macbeth: "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't." ACT ___ SCENE ____ 8. Macbeth: "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself, and falls on the other." ACT ___ SCENE ____ 9. Lady Macbeth: "Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe topful / Of direst cruelty!" ACT ___ SCENE ____ Task 4: Quotation explorations Using the spaces on the back or creating your own revision resources, can you explore 6 quotations from TASK 3 in detail. You must include: Thoughtful / insightful interpretations about what the quotation reveals about character / theme (what is Shakespeare’s message about this theme topic?) Analysis of 3+ language / structural methods per quote Most: Advanced vocabulary within your analytical ideas. Challenge: Make specific and precise links to context, recalling what you learned in Y10.
