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Year 11 - English

Writing a response about guilt in 'Macbeth'

Macbeth: the role of guilt

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the importance of guilt in 'Macbeth'. They first conceptualise guilt within 'Macbeth', before exploring light, the supernatural, sleep and blood as symbols of guilt in the play. They finally write a nuanced and tentative argument about the role of guilt in the play.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to plan and write a response on the role of guilt in 'Macbeth'.

Key Notes

  • The theme of guilt is pertinent throughout 'Macbeth'.
  • A thesis statement is a clear, overarching argument.
  • Topic sentences give focus to individual paragraphs.
  • Concluding sentences can focus on a writer's intention and draw your paragraph to a close.
  • Choose quotations that support your topic sentence and come from across the play.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • magnitude: the great size or extent of something
  • sacrilegious: describes a violation of something that is sacred
  • anguish: severe mental pain or suffering

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students may think that concluding sentences are a repetition of topic sentences.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The theme of guilt is pertinent throughout 'Macbeth'. A thesis statement is a clear, overarching argument.

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

the great size or extent of something.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students may think that concluding sentences are a repetition of topic sentences. Correction: Concluding sentences focus on the writer's intentions and link to but do not repeat topic sentences.

More Lessons In This Unit

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