Act 1, scene 4 and 5
At the end of this lesson
we will have studied the
characters of Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth in more
detail.

To what extent do you
find this statement
true or false? Be sure
to explain your
response.

The following roles will need to be read for
this scene:
 Duncan
 Malcolm
 Macbeth
 Banquo

When Macbeth enters the scene it is
immediately after Duncan expresses his
dismay over being betrayed by the former
Thane of Cawdor, saying he was
a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.
Macbeth already shows a difference in his outward
speech and inward thought. Consider what he says…

in lines 44 - 47

in lines 49 - 53
How is Macbeth’s outward appearance different from the reality?
The introduction of Lady Macbeth
Consider what you
know about Tudor
society. How would
the typical woman
be expected to act,
etc?
 For this scene we
will need the
following roles:
 Lady Macbeth
 Attendant
 Macbeth

This is Lady Macbeth’s first appearance in the
play.
Based on the way Shakespeare has her
speak, how do you visualise her?
(age, costume, physical apperance, etc)
 What does Macbeth’s letter to his wife
reveal about what he is
feeling/thinking?
 Why is Lady Macbeth not shocked at
hearing about the witches and their
predictions? What does this suggest
about her character?
 How does Lady Macbeth feel about her
husband’s nature?

Lady Macbeth states that she will
pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crowned withal.
What does this tell us about the relationship
between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

Consider Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy on lines 36
– 52
What can we pull from this
speech that makes it almost
like a witch’s spell?
Macbeth: My dearest love,
Duncan comes here tonight.
Lady Macbeth:
And when goes hence?
Macbeth: Tomorrow, as he purposes.
These lines can be
spoken in various
ways, to affect the
meaning and tone.
* Macbeth’s
innocence
* Macbeth’s
cunning

Consider how Lady Macbeth’s lines here
could have dual (murderous) meaning….
He that’s coming
Must be provided for, and you shall put
This night’s great business into my dispatch,
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
(lines 64 – 68)



What does Lady Macbeth tell her husband he
must do, in order to get what she feels he
deserves?
How does Shakespeare show us that Lady
Macbeth does not trust that he husband is
man enough to murder Duncan?
What sort of relationship do Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth have?

What have we learnt about Lady Macbeth in
this scene?
 What type of woman is she?


Fill in your character outline of Lady Macbeth.
Add to your outline of Macbeth as well, using
what we’ve learnt of him from his wife.