Curriculum / ELA / 10th Grade / Unit 10: Macbeth / Lesson 15

Macbeth

Lesson 15

ELA

Unit 10

10th Grade

Lesson 15 of 23

Objective

Defend a position regarding Macduff’s loyalty.

Readings and Materials

Play: Macbeth by William Shakespeare — Act 4, Scene 3

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Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Writing Prompt

Explain how Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty in this scene and what he learns from this test. Defend your answer with examples from the text.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

Which characters are in the scene and in which country does it take place?
What does Malcolm think of Macbeth? Use textual evidence.
What does Malcolm mean by “To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb t’appease an angry god.” Who is the “lamb” and who is the “angry god”?
How does Malcolm counter this in lines 22–25?
Which literary technique is used in line 27?
What is Malcolm’s motive for being skeptical in lines 35–37?
What literary technique does Shakespeare use in lines 47–51?
What is the effect of the personification in lines 47–51?
What has “gracious England” offered according to lines 53–54?
Macduff uses three literary techniques in his description of Macbeth. What are they?
In lines 70–79, Malcolm makes a case for why he cannot rule. What reasons does he give?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

Malcolm spends the beginning of this scene lying about his character to Macduff, claiming he would be a terrible king. When Macduff still does not falter to support him, Malcolm realizes he can trust Macduff.
Act 4.3 is very long and is therefore split into two days.

Lesson 14

Lesson 16

Lesson Map

Macbeth — Act 1, Scenes 1-2

Analyze the exposition of Macbeth, identifying the mood and the traits of major characters.

Macbeth — Act 1, Scene 3

Characterize Macbeth and Banquo based on their reaction to the witches.

Macbeth — Act 1, Scene 4

Characterize King Duncan.

Macbeth — Act 1, Scene 5

Characterize Lady Macbeth. Analyze the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth — Act 1, Scene 6

Analyze Macbeth’s internal conflict in his soliloquy and explain how Lady Macbeth ultimately influences his decision.

Macbeth — Act 2, Scene 1

Analyze and explain Shakespeare’s use of the symbolism to convey Macbeth’s thoughts just before the murder.

Macbeth — Act 2, Scene 2

Analyze how Shakespeare builds both mood and suspense in this scene.

Describe the symbolism of “washing the hands."

Macbeth — Act 2, Scene 3

Explain how this scene contributes to the rising action of the play.

Macbeth — Act 2, Scene 4 and Act 3, Scene 1

Track Macbeth’s character development and changes since Act 1.

Macbeth — Act 3, Scenes 2 and 3

Independently read and analyze Act 3, Scene 3.

Macbeth — Act 3, Scene 4

Analyze and explain how Shakespeare reveals Macbeth’s humanity throughout this scene.

Macbeth — Act 3, Scenes 5 and 6

Explain how Act 3, Scene 5 contributes to the plot as a whole.

Macbeth — Act 4, Scene 1

Analyze the events of Act 4, Scene 1 and explain how they contribute to the falling action of the play.

Macbeth — Act 4, Scene 2

Explain how Shakespeare solidifies Macbeth’s ultimate fate in Act 4, Scene 2.

Macbeth — Act 4, Scene 3

Defend a position regarding Macduff’s loyalty.

Macbeth — Act 4, Scene 3

Explain the ways in which Macduff serves as a foil to Macbeth.

Macbeth — Act 5, Scene 1

Analyze the change in Lady Macbeth’s character and explain what caused it.

Macbeth — Act 5, Scene 2

Analyze and interpret the figurative language in this scene.

Explain how this scene relates to the prophecy.

Macbeth — Act 5, Scene 3

Explain how this scene reveals Macbeth’s humanity.

Macbeth — Act 5, Scenes 4-6

Analyze Macbeth’s soliloquy to determine his mental state before the battle.

Macbeth — Act 5, Scenes 7 and 8

Explain how the denouement of the play restores order to the chaos.

“Morality as Anti-Nature”

Create and defend an argument about morality and Macbeth.

Assessment

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