Wrap up Macbeth

Lesson objectives 

Consolidation of some of our lines of inquiry 

Exploration of some major topics and how to make themes 

Introduction of the summative and an example to work with 

second lesson - work on HLE and talking to students 

Areas of focus in this unit

Key conceptual areas of focus for this unit

Identity and culture

Lines of inquiry: 

What does it mean to be a leader? 

How does society determine accepted gender identity? 

What are the effects of not taking (moral) responsibility for your actions? 

What are the results of hubris? 

 

Hubris:

An excess in pride, ambition or confidence which leads a person to disregard the laws of society, nature or God. 

Gender roles in Elizabethan/Jacobean society 

Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff

1619 extract William Whatley's book on the qualities of an ideal wife:

How does Shakespeare show a subversion of this Elizabethan expectation? Find at least 3 quotes and explain how they subvert this expectation

"First in speeches and gestures to her husband, these must carry the stamp of fear upon them, and not be cutting, sharp, sullen, passionate, tetchy; but meek, quiet, submissive." 

Gender roles in Elizabethan/Jacobean society 

Macbeth, Duncan, Malcolm, Macduff

Expectations for men were that military men, who were capable of great acts of violence, were seen as incredibly masculine. This is nowadays often referred to as toxic masculinity. Macbeth sees his masculinity as linked to this ability. How do we see this view in the play of the expectations of men in the Jacobean age? Does Shakespeare subvert this idea as well? Find at least three quotes and discuss how they reveal this topic.

Gender roles in Elizabethan/Jacobean society 

The witches

Do the witches adhere to accepted gender roles? Can you find quotes that support or refute their gender roles?

What is the theme? The topic is gender roles. Turn the topic into a message from the playwright to you, as the audience, in one or two sentences. This is the theme. You must be able to support this theme with evidence from the play, should it be necessary in analysis. 

Gender roles in Elizabethan/Jacobean society 

How does society determine accepted gender identity? 

Topic: gender roles
What is the theme?

Topic: gender roles
What is the theme?

Think of an event or quotation in each scene that shows their guilty feelings.

How do their approaches to guilt change?

What does Macbeth do in Act 4 that would have upset Lady Macbeth?

Do you think Lady Macbeth feels guilty that she is unable to stop Macbeth’s tyrant reign?

Topic: Guilt 

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth 

Topic: Guilt 

Most guilty 

Not guilty at all

   1.                           2.                         3.                      4.                           5. 

Draw one line for Lady Macbeth and one for Macbeth.

How guilty do they feel over time?

Are there any patterns? 

Find at least one quote for each act to reflect where you placed them on the graph. 

edu.digitaltheatreplus.com

What is the theme? The topic is gender roles. Turn the topic into a message in one or two sentences. This is the theme. You must be able to support this theme with evidence from the play, should it be necessary in analysis. 

Topic: Guilt 

How does society determine accepted gender identity?