The Witch's Influence: Unraveling Macbeth's Narrative

The Witch's Influence: Unraveling Macbeth's Narrative

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will understand the role of the witches in Macbeth and how they drive the plot forward.

What do you already know about Macbeth's witches?

Slide 1: Introduction

Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a tragic play revolving around ambition, power, and the supernatural. The witches play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative.

Slide 2: The Three Witches

The witches in Macbeth are often referred to as the 'Weird Sisters.' They first appear in Act 1, Scene 1, where they set the tone for the play by discussing their plans to meet Macbeth.

Slide 3: Prophecy and Manipulation

The witches' prophecies fuel Macbeth's ambition and manipulate his actions. They predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland.

Slide 4: Macbeth's Downfall

The witches' prophecies drive Macbeth to commit murder and engage in further acts of tyranny. Their influence ultimately leads to his tragic downfall.

Slide 5: Supernatural Elements

The witches embody the supernatural in Macbeth. They possess the ability to foretell the future and manipulate events, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural.

Slide 6: Ambiguity and Deception

The witches' ambiguous nature and deceptive appearances add to the intrigue of the play. Their true motives and intentions remain unclear, leaving room for interpretation.

Slide 7: Macbeth's Moral Dilemma

The witches' influence presents Macbeth with moral dilemmas. He struggles between his ambition and his conscience, leading to internal conflicts throughout the play.

Slide 8: Conclusion

The witches in Macbeth serve as catalysts for the tragic events that unfold. Their prophecies and manipulation drive the narrative, making them essential characters in the play's development.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.