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Year 10 - English

'Macbeth': an exploration of Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2

Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils read and analyse 'Macbeth' by focusing on the role of Lady Macbeth in the tragedy. They start by reading the full play, before moving on to a close analysis of key characters and themes. They then zoom in on Lady Macbeth and develop an essay on her as a Machiaevellian villain.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain what happens in Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2 of 'Macbeth', including showing understanding of important contextual ideas about The Divine Right of Kings.

Key Notes

  • The Divine Right of Kings is the belief that a monarch is chosen by God; that a monarch is God's representative on Earth
  • Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before he commits regicide
  • After the regicide, Macbeth worries he will no longer be able to pray or sleep
  • Whilst Macbeth is preoccupied with the blood on his hands, Lady Macbeth is not
  • Blood is a symbol for feelings of guilt in 'Macbeth'

Vocabulary To Learn

  • regicide: If you kill your monarch, you commit the crime of regicide.
  • The Divine Right of Kings: The Divine Right of Kings is the belief that a monarch is chosen by God; the belief that a monarch is God's representative on Earth.
  • Jacobeans: When James I was King of England (1603-1624), the people he ruled over were called Jacobeans.
  • hallucination: A hallucination is when you see, smell, taste, touch or hear something that appears to be real, but is only in your mind.
  • symbol: If something is a symbol, it represents or expresses an idea. In 'Macbeth', blood is a symbol of guilt.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Macbeth actually sees a dagger.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The Divine Right of Kings is the belief that a monarch is chosen by God; that a monarch is God's representative on Earth. Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before he commits regicide.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'regicide'

If you kill your monarch, you commit the crime of regicide.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Macbeth actually sees a dagger. Correction: Shakespeare signals the dagger is a hallucination, and that Macbeth is aware it is a hallucination too: 'a dagger of the mind'.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.