Macbeth

This is a high-ability 16-page GCSE Literature booklet on Macbeth. Offered both in Publisher as a fully-adaptable resource, and also as a PDF.

Are you new to teaching English? Is this the first time you have taught Macbeth at GCSE? Or have you only ever taught the play to lower- and middle-ability groups, and are worried about pitching it to the new top-set class you’ve been allocated? Concerned as to how to stretch to those 7s, 8s and 9s? Then this guide might be for you.

The guide contains detailed analysis of:

• the theme of masculinity, focusing upon Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the Witches and Macduff
• the theme of womanhood, focusing upon Lady Macbeth, the Witches and Lady Macduff
• the significance of children, heirs, legacy and posterity

There are also concise explanations of:

• Types of Kings and Kingship found in the play
• The Great Chain of Being and the Divine Right of Kings
• Aspects of the ‘Human Condition’ found in the play
• Macbeth as part of the tragedy genre: characterisation, tragic flaw and structure inc. anagnorisis, peripeteia
  and catharsis

The guide is not exhaustive, but offers good grounding in higher-level ideas especially surrounding characters as constructs and vehicles for concepts, and also devices within the tragedy genre.

In the summer before exams, the guide can be adapted and given to pupils to take away as part of their revision.

Original posters on characters can be found at my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/macbeth-revision-posters-12070022

Best wishes,
Englbee x