Curriculum / ELA / 10th Grade / Unit 10: Macbeth / Lesson 3

Macbeth

Lesson 3

ELA

Unit 10

10th Grade

Lesson 3 of 23

Objective

Characterize King Duncan.

Readings and Materials

Play: Macbeth by William Shakespeare — Act 1, Scene 4

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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

How do Duncan’s final words about Macbeth (lines 61–65) support our hypothesis about Duncan’s character? Explain using evidence from Macbeth’s words and Duncan’s.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

What is Duncan asking about in his opening lines? Motif?
What does Malcolm report to the king? Why did the King want this done in the first place? What had this person done?
In lines 6–10, what do we learn about the Thane of Cawdor just before his death?
What did Duncan used to think of Cawdor? (13–16)
Reread and annotate the quote: “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.” What does this mean?
How does Duncan refer to Macbeth? Why is this significant?
Reread the following line: “More is thy due than more than all can pay.” What does Duncan mean here?
What do lines 25–30 imply about Macbeth?
Macbeth compares the relationship of the subjects to their king to which two things?
How does Duncan feel about Banquo?
What do lines 37–38 imply about Banquo?
What does Duncan do for his son Malcolm? (45–49) How does this change Macbeth’s path? How does this affect the prophecy?
Where is Duncan going to travel? What is this place? (48–49)
Why is Macbeth leaving?
What does Macbeth suggest in lines 55–57?
What do lines 57–58 reveal about Macbeth?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

This scene establishes Duncan’s difficulty in judging character. It opens with Duncan punishing a former kinsman who had betrayed him, showing that he was able to be tricked in the past.
Then, he goes on to explain that it is hard to judge a person by their face alone. He is very kind and trusting to Macbeth, setting up the betrayal.

Lesson 2

Lesson 4

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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