Shakespeare: Macbeth - Humans and the Supernatural - offline version
Objectives: This lesson is focused on Act 5 scene 3. All students will be aware that there is a shift in mood when Macbeth is thinking about the witches' predictions and when he is thinking about his own life and his wife. Most will be able to use adjectives precisely to describe the differences in mood and tone. Some will offer insights into why the witches are not seen after Act 4 scene 1.
National Curriculum:
En2: 1c, 1e, 1h, 5a
Resources required:
- VHS copy of Roman Polanski's version of Macbeth
Teaching Activities:
Introduction
Brainstorm as many instances of the supernatural in the play as students can remember.
Q. In which part of the play are these appearances to be found?
Q. How does the supernatural affect Macbeth in the final act of the play?
Activities
- Looking at Macbeth's speeches in Act 5 scene 3, students should jot down in the margin of their text what they think Macbeth's mood is in each section of the scene. You might write up some adjectives on the board for them to choose between, depending on their ability.
- Identify at which points his thoughts are on the supernatural and at which points he is thinking about his own human concerns.
- Teacher-led discussion summarising findings.
Q. What is his mood when he is thinking of the witches' predictions?
Q. How does the tone change when he is thinking about his own life or his wife's health?
Summary
Look at the last two minutes of the Polanski film.
Q. Why does Polanski choose to end the play with a suggestion of the witches?
Q. Why do they not appear in the last Act of Shakespeare's play?
Suggested homework:
- Writing task: you are directing an actor playing Macbeth in Act Viii. Write up your notes on how you would advise him to speak his lines, giving reasons for your decisions.
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