1. LESSON SEVEN
@SPryke2

2. Marking Targets
Examine the connotations of individual words within quotations examining them within the context of the scene
Apply further technical vocabulary in your language analysis
Make appropriate links to context embedding it as to add to your point
Explain carefully the intended effect on the audience – consider whether there may be a difference between a contemporary and modern audience
What was Shakespeare’s intention? Why has he included the language or ideas that he has?
Can you provide multiple interpretations? What else?
Writing needs to be developed sufficiently – use SQUAD if in doubt

3. TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
YOUR STARTER
‘I see thee still, And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, which was not so before.’
(Act 2, Scene 1)
Fill out your ‘Quotation Analysis Pad’ in as much detail as possible. Write the quotation in the middle of your sheet and complete the activities around it.
Not sure where to start? Look at the words/phrases in bold.
‘Blade’ has violent connotations suggesting Macbeth’s mind at this point is…
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?

4. TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
YOUR TASK: THE PORTER
The porter’s speech is written in prose.
Shakespeare chooses to use prose in the letter to Lady Macbeth, the porter’s scene, the murder of Lady Macduff and her son, and Lady Macbeth’s sleep walking scene.
The change to prose in these sequences signifies a different atmosphere and often refers to heightened or disturbed emotions.
Notes
Read the Porter’s speech.
The porter pretends to be the gate-keeper to hell.
This emphasises that evil has taken place at Macbeth’s Castle.
Identify all the references to hell in your texts, write down the quotations and then explain what the significance of these references are.
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?

5. TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
YOUR TASK
1. The knocking from the previous scene continues and builds tension.
5. Lennox suggests the guards are to blame.
Find quotations for the following points in Act 2, Scene 3.
Write down the points and the quotations in your book.
2. Macduff arrives and Macbeth leads him to the King.
6. Macbeth re-enters having ‘seen’ Duncan and confesses he killed the guards in a fit of rage.
3. Macduff discovers the murder and proclaims treason.
7. Macduff questions his actions and Lady Macbeth faints as a distraction.
4. Macduff claims Lady Macbeth is too gentle to hear his terrible news.
8. Malcolm and Donalbain flee for their safety.
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?

6. TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
WHY IS THIS SCENE SO IMPORTANT?
Shakespeare anticipates the horror of Macbeth’s reign, the ‘hell’ the porter alludes to will become reality.
The delay in discovering Duncan’s body heightens the tension.
Themes of murder and deception are developed: the innocent guards are murdered to cover up the first crime.
Malcolm and Donalbain’s escape will be justification for Macbeth’s coronation – however their hasty departure also means that Macbeth wears the crown uneasily, knowing that they are alive and plotting against him.
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?

7. TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
LADY MACBETH IN ACT 2, SCENE 3
Create a quick character profile of Lady Macbeth in this scene. What is she like now that the murder has been committed and everyone else is aware?
‘O gentle lady’
How do others view Lady Macbeth? Perhaps you could link your ideas to the social/historical context.
‘What, in our house?’
How is Lady Macbeth feigning innocence?
‘Help me…’
In your opinion, does Lady Macbeth really faint or is it all part of her deception?
What else could we say about Lady Macbeth in this scene?
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?

8. TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
CONSIDER THIS! (ACT 2, SCENE 4)
MACDUFF
Ross and an old man talk about the darkness and unnaturalness of events that mirror Duncan’s murder. The sun is obscured, owls kill falcons, and Duncan’s horses eat each other.
On the surface, the purpose of this scene seems to be simply to inform the audience of recent events. But look closer. Ross is a thane, a high-ranking nobleman, who seems to be mocking an old man. Also, he claims that he saw Duncan’s horses eat each other, but do you think this is true? What reason might Ross have for lying about such an event?
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?

9. LOOKING BACK OVER ACT 2
At the end of Act 2, it is possible to see the character of Macbeth in a number of different ways. Which of these interpretations do you think is the most valid? Write down your reasons using quotations where appropriate.
He is politically clever and acts ruthlessly simply because he lives in ruthless times.
He is a heartless killer who has murdered a kind king purely for his own benefit.
He has no choice: the Witches told him what was going to happen and it was fated to be so.
He is easily manipulated by a wife he loves, and acts to prove to her that he is a man.
You could also get students to list them in order of priority and debate their choices with each other.
He is a hero who has been selected by the thanes to rescue Scotland in its hour of need.

10. What can you say about this quotation? TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
TO FINISH
Without looking, can you remember the quotation we discussed at the beginning of the lesson?
‘I see thee still, And on thy…
(Act 2, Scene 1)
What can you say about this quotation?
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?

11. What can you say about this quotation? TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
TO FINISH
Without looking, can you remember the quotation we discussed at the beginning of the lesson?
‘I see thee still, And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood,
which was not so before.’
(Act 2, Scene 1)
What can you say about this quotation?
TODAY’S KEY QUESTIONS:
Can I read, understand and respond to texts?
Can I consider the social and historical context of ‘Macbeth’ and discuss its significance?
Can I analyse the language in a scene and explain its significance?