Macbeth Act 4 scene 1 (including Act 3 scenes 5 & 6)

This PowerPoint lesson guides students through the main focus scene, Act 4 scene 1, after some discussion of the preceding two short scenes, Act 3 scene 5 (Hecate) and Act 3 scene 6 (Lennox and lord). The dramatic structuring of the build up to Act 4 scene 1 is considered as is the ‘problem scene’ which features Hecate and the witches discussing Macbeth. Act 4 scene 1 explores the apparitions but also the changes in Macbeth (his arrogance and demands) from the first meeting with the witches in Act 1. The impact of the apparitions and their messages is understood against the information presented in Act 3 scene 5 so that the audience’s reaction is guided in its judgement of Macbeth. Links between this scene and the current monarch, James I of England, Ireland and Scotland are highlighted in order to fulfil the context part of the examination syllabus. The lesson closes with some thoughts on audience reactions and three examination-style questions suitable for use by students taking GCSE courses with Edexcel, OCR and AQA. 23 slides.