1. Exploring the World of Macbeth

• English
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

Introduction

This is an introduction to the historical and social context of Macbeth.

Exploring the world of 

GCSE English Lit: Paper 1

Macbeth

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the key contextual factors of Shakespeare and his world, setting the stage for our exploration of Macbeth.

Lesson Aims

What do you already know about 

William Shakespeare and his world?

What do you already know about William Shakespeare and his world?

William Shakespeare, often regarded 

as the greatest playwright in English literature, lived during the late 16th 

and early 17th centuries.

Introduction to Shakespeare

Born 1564

Died 1616

Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe Theatre, a significant part of the theatrical experience in his time. His 

plays were also performed at Whitehall

for the Royal Court, but the Globe 

is the most famous, as it was 

reconstructed in modern times.

The Globe Theatre

02:08

Write one new fact you've learnt so far

Write one new fact you've learnt so far.

05:13

Ask about something you aren't sure of yet

Ask about something you aren't sure of yet.

06:12

Fire as many facts as you can remember about Shakespeare's theatre onto this mind map!

Fire as many facts as you can remember about Shakespeare's theatre onto this mind map!

Shakespeare's works were influenced 

by the cultural, social, and political 

events of the Elizabethan 

and Jacobean eras.

Shakespeare's World

Drag and drop the facts about Shakespeare's world into the correct column

TRUE

FALSE

Macbeth was performed for Elizabeth I

Shakespeare's plays were only performed at night

James I was also James VI of Scotland

Macbeth was not based on historical events

King James I was so obsessed with witchcraft he wrote a book on it

Women were forbidden from acting on stage

Shakespeare's audiences would talk of 'seeing' a play

Much of the audience stood to watch plays

Shakespeare's plays were only for the elite in society

Shakespeare's audience believed in witchcraft

A versatile trapdoor: characters can be elevated or lowered as the play requires

One of three entrances and exits

Upper stage

This is where the standing audience watch the play - known in Shakespeare's time as 'groundlings' - the cheapest tickets

360 view of the Globe theatre from the exterior

One of three entrances and exits

One of three entrances and exits

Secret hatch up here!

Galleries... richer visitors could pay for seats and pay even more for cushions!

Macbeth: Key Takeaways

Ambitious Scottish general Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become King.

Spurred by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan and seizes the throne. Consumed by guilt and paranoia, he descends into tyranny and madness.

His rule is marked by a series of brutal killings. Eventually, Macbeth is overthrown and killed by Macduff, a nobleman, restoring peace to Scotland.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

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.

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.

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.