Macbeth: An Introduction to Plot and Context

An hour lesson that provides an introduction to the plot of ‘Macbeth’. Learners examine a range of sources that provide an insight into what happens in the play and its socio-historical context. The sources cover:

1. A 19th Century poster advertising a production of the play
2. Shakespeare’s Twitter feed
3. A diary entry by Lady Macbeth
4. A diary entry by Macbeth
5. A letter from Malcolm to Donalbain, from England.

For additional challenge, learners can attempt to link their inferences about the play to a range of quotations illustrating key ideas.

After feedback, learners write a summary of the plot. There are three levels of challenge here, with the ‘gold’ challenge encouraging the use of higher level discourse markers.

The lesson culminates in a plenary in which learners write one thing they have learnt about the play on a post-it note.

This lesson is aimed at middle-upper ability learners.