The supernatural in 'Macbeth'; alternative interpretations

Alternative Interpretations of the Supernatural in ‘Macbeth’.

These lessons encourage students to consider how modern audiences interpret the supernatural elements of the play in different ways to Shakespeare’s contemporary audience.

There is a 7 page student work booklet and a 20 slide powerpoint presentation.

Task 1
Fill in this chart. How would each event been interpreted by Shakespeare’s 17th Century audience and how might a modern audience see it differently?

Task 2 (Walk through)
Analyse Macbeth’s speech in Act 3 Scene 2.

Task 3 Independent Work
How does Shakespeare present Macbeth’s state of mind in this extract from the end of Act 3 Scene 4? Use what/how/why/interpretations to answer this question.

Task 4
Analyse the Doctor’s diagnosis of Lady Macbeth in Act 5.

Summing Up
Write a paragraph explaining why it is important to consider how different audiences might respond to the play.