Create a mind map of words you associate with COMMITMENT. Be prepared to write them on the board.

By the end of the lesson you will … Understand the different ideas associated with the theme of commitment

 The idea of commitment?  What does commitment mean?  What does commitment in marriage mean?  Are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth committed to each other, in your opinion?  Does their commitment change in the play?

 Marriage commitment is being dedicated, faithful and supporting the other person in the relationship whatever happens.  Sickness and in health  Forever  To love and to cherish  Equal  Healthy relationship

 the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.  an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action  Marriage commitment  Support, what else?

 Descriptions of him before we know he is married  What do we know?

Analysing the Text

Lady Macbeth reads her husband’s letter. She hatches an ambitious plan to convince her husband to murder Duncan. Lady Macbeth then welcomes Macbeth home and prepares to receive the king.

 Most women had the most basic education – focused on looking after the household  Women had few legal rights and could not work  Woman were viewed as inferior to men and were not given the same amount of respect  Women were seen as unable to control their emotions, therefore silence was seen as a female virtue! How do these ideas fit with the character of Lady Macbeth?

 LADY MACBETH […] Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it: (1.5.1) 

 LADY MACBETH: Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts! unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood, Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it! (1.5.38)

 Exploring the relationship between the Macbeths in Act One

respect power love trust masculinity passion good vs. evil strength ambition corruption manipulation malcontent

 Point – The first scene shows….  Evidence – For example, it says  Technique – The use of the word…….suggests that (Explain)  Reader/Response/Really good alternative suggestion/addition to your point/Refer back to the question and develop that original point – This illustrate that their relationship was unusual for the time…

 Dearest partner of greatness  Lady Macbeth fears her husband’s weakness  The way Lady M is so masculine and evil – not many women would have dared question their husband. She is super-smart and bored of being the little woman at home. She is ruthless and ambitious.

 Shakespeare establishes the close relationship between Macbeth and his wife.  It reveals what they both think of each other

 Act 1 Scene 7 – Macbeth has doubts – Lady Macbeth taunts him and he gives in.   MACBETH  Prithee, peace:  I dare do all that may become a man;  Who dares do more is none.

 Act 1 Scene 7 – Macbeth has doubts – Lady Macbeth taunts him and he gives in.  When you durst do it, then you were a man. LM to M.  MACBETH  Prithee, peace:  I dare do all that may become a man;  Who dares do more is none.  Translation - MACBETH  Please, stop! I dare to do only what is proper for a man to do. He who dares to do more is not a man at all.

I have given suck, and know How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this.  What does this reveal about her commitment to her husband? Killing for each other? Is that commitment?

 Infirm of purpose!  Coward  Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,  And live a coward in thine own esteem,

Macbeth and his wife welcome guests to their state banquet. The Ghost of Banquo appears but only Macbeth can see it, and his strange behaviour startles his wife and their guests.

1. What do Macbeth’s first words show about his state of mind? 2. What is Macbeth’s preoccupation and how does it effect his behaviour? 3. How does Lady Macbeth respond to her husband? Does her argument reflect earlier ideas about Macbeth? 4. We have looked at how the setting of the first scenes create an atmosphere. How does the setting here create an atmosphere?

Be sure to include the following key words in your analysis of this scene: power masculinity madness control facade good vs. evil supernatural tyranny grotesque transgression conscience

Analysing the Text

The battle is at its height. Macbeth is fortified inside his castle but his enemies are closing in. A messenger arrives and informs Macbeth that his wife is dead.

1. Highlight and explain a section of the soliloquy that explains Macbeth’s feelings. 2. Why does Macbeth make so many references to time? Who does Banquo state can see into the ‘seeds of time’ at the start of the tragedy? How do these two ideas link? 3. What is a ‘player’? Which characters have been playing a game and who has won?

Be sure to include the following key words in your analysis of this scene: power despair resignation futility time good vs. evil manipulation cunning ambition impotent

Analysing the Text

Macduff has defeated Macbeth in a duel. He cuts off his head and raises it on a pike. Malcolm, the rightful heir to the Scottish crown, is proclaimed the king.

1. How is ‘time free’? 2. Why is Macbeth referred to as a ‘usurper’? 3. Why does Malcolm make the thanes earls? 4. How has Macbeth’s reputation changed from the start of the play? How will history remember him? 1. Why is ‘Grace’ mentioned? 2. What is ‘Scone’ and how is it important?

Be sure to include the following key words in your analysis of this scene: power rehabilitation order structure reputation victory rebirth good vs. evil catharsis tradition

We are now going to work in small groups of two or three to create a dramatic scene. The theme of the drama is power. The situations link into the play we will be studying…

Two friends go to see a fortune teller. There seems to be really good news for one of them – but is it good news? Could there be an alternative meaning?

A young ambitious couple – George and Katie – are discussing jobs. George has a chance of a huge promotion but has to do something underhand to get it. Katie encourages him, even though George isn't sure ….

Improvise a scene in which three mysterious characters are plotting a meeting. They want to control another person. Try to make the scene weird, sinister and threatening.

As we watch each performance, think about how each group show power in the relationships. Can you relate the performances to one of our word associations or quotations?

Think more about the character you created. Did your character have power or not? How did you show it in your performance? Complete the Role on the Wall worksheet with your ideas.  Inside- write the emotions and feelings of the character  Outside- write about the behaviour of the character

‘Three things I learned today…’ ‘Two things I would still like to know…’ ‘One thing I already knew…’