Is this a dagger
I see before
me......?
Controlled Assessment Task
Explore how
Shakespeare presents
psychological conflict
in Macbeth.
From war hero
to....
MURDERER
Act 2 scene 1
• How does this scene reveal
Macbeth’s conflict?
• What more does it reveal
about the Macbeth’s
relationship?
Act 2 scene 2
• Stick a copy of Munch’s Scream into your
books
• Around it write down all the words in one
colour that Macbeth utters which point to a
breakdown
• Around those words, write down in another
colour words that Lady Macbeth comes back
at him with
Act 2 scene 3
• What makes it clear in this
scene that Macbeth has no
sense of guilt about what he
has done? Find the evidence
to prove your conviction.
Homework for Monday
• Create a map of Macbeth’s psychological
journey in the play up to Act 2 scene 3.
• You will need your notes in your exercise
book, and copies of Macbeth.
• These should be completed in your books, or
printed.
• They should be of display quality – it would be
nice if they were in colour.
Sorry (Duncan)
Seems To Be The
Hardest Word....
Act 3 scene 1
Macbeth’s first
murder as King
Act 3 scene 2
Macbeth
commits
another crime
Torment and pyschological conflict?
• Macbeth is growing in evil, and
hardening himself to commiting
more crimes
• What are the clues in what
Macbeth says that suggest
Macbeth’s psychological conflict?
The Fatal Flaw
• Shakespeare’s protagonists (main characters)
very often have a fatal flaw. This is part of
their tragedy.
• A fatal flaw is a weakness in their character
which ultimately leads to that character’s
downfall
• Hamlet: indecision
• Othello: jealousy
• Macbeth: ?
The Fallen Nature of Macbeth
• Shakespeare demonstrates the
depths to which Macbeth has sunk in
his conversation with the murderers.
• He hates having to talk to them –
why?
HOW MIGHT THIS CONTRIBUTE TO
HIS INNER CONFLICT?
Act III scene 3
The Murderers
kill Banquo
Act III scene 4
Banquo’s ghost
For next Monday
• Complete your ‘In the Psychiatrist’s
Chair’ task. This can be in your book
or as a printed script.
• The best tasks will be displayed.
• Tasks will be graded.
LAYERS OF CONFLICT
• Act III scene 5: The witches prepare to meet
Macbeth again
• Remember: in the world Macbeth, the witches
are linked to an absolute idea of evil, which
leads to a literal (a real) hell. Only very devout
people would believe this today.
• Key quotation: ‘and you all know, security is
mortals’ chiefest enemy’.
Act IV scene 1: The Witches’ Prophecy
1. Fear Macduff
2. You cannot be harmed by one born of a
woman
3. You are safe until Birnam Wood comes to
Dunsinane
Key quotation:
Then live Macduff. What need I fear of thee?
But I’ll make assurance double sure,
And take a bond of fate’.
‘
Last but not least......
Important to your essay because:
1. It shows Macbeth’s complete confidence in
committing evil – he now dictates to the
witches
1. It provides a brilliant contrast to earlier
quotations about Macbeth – is he ‘too full o’
the milk of human kindness now?’
Important quotations
Write down the
quotations that show
that Macbeth is NO
LONGER IN CONFLICT –
he is certain of his deeds
But....
What still torments him?
Act 5 scene 3
Macbeth is
not afraid
Act v scene 4
Birnam Wood
moves
Status
Macbeth is given the
title Thane of Cawdor
Macbeth meets the
three witches
Act 1, Scene 1
Act 5, Scene 6
Plot the graph to portray the rise and fall of Macbeth
Useful Links
http://yacapaca.com/py/teacher/assignment/new/step3/subject/16/0/14/
An online Macbeth quiz/game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramamacbeth/macbethpl
otact.shtml
BBC Bitesize Macbeth videos on plot, character and theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9G_CZVAL8
Animated Tales – Macbeth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1lHYvxieB8
Polanski’s Macbeth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGxYMiXfG30&feature=related
Shakespeare retold - Macbeth