Curriculum / ELA / 10th Grade / Unit 10: Macbeth / Lesson 4

Macbeth

Lesson 4

ELA

Unit 10

10th Grade

Lesson 4 of 23

Objective

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

Readings and Materials

Play: Macbeth by William Shakespeare — Act 1, Scene 5

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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

What does the letter reveal about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship? How is this unique for the time?

Explain the quotation listed below.

“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t”

In your explanation be sure to:

Explain both Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s characters.
Explain the meaning of this phrase in the context of the play.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

What is Lady Macbeth reading?
What does Lady Macbeth learn from it?
What does it reveal about the relationship between Lady Macbeth and her husband?
What do you know of typical husband and wife relationships during this time?
Lines 16–18: What does she fear?
Lines 18–24: How does she develop argument? (repetition)
What can we infer about her views of her husband, Macbeth?
Lines 23–28: What is she discussing?
Why is the raven hoarse?
What is she asking for?
Why fatal entrance?
What is she conjuring?
Why unsexed? Why replace milk with gall?
Why thick night?
What does the does diction here reveal? (56–61)
What does Macbeth refer to her as the first time he speaks to her? Why is this significant? (70–84)
What is she implying with lines 71–72?
What does she instruct her husband to do? (73–75)
How is the symbolism of the serpent and the flower significant here?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

This is the students’ first encounter with Lady Macbeth. The scene opens with her reading Macbeth’s letter. It is clear he tells her everything, which indicates that they have an equal relationship, unlike many marriages of the time, where the man has more power. Macbeth looks to her for advice, which shows he sees her as an equal.
She immediately conjures spirits to make her less feminine. Much of the diction points to removing her womanly qualities so she can steel herself to commit the murder. This lends itself to a conversation on gender stereotypes.
Assign Act 1.6 for homework.

Lesson 3

Lesson 5

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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