Curriculum / ELA / 10th Grade / Unit 10: Macbeth / Lesson 13

Macbeth

Lesson 13

ELA

Unit 10

10th Grade

Lesson 13 of 23

Objective

Analyze the events of Act 4, Scene 1 and explain how they contribute to the falling action of the play.

Readings and Materials

Play: Macbeth by William Shakespeare — Act 4, Scene 1

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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 each apparition tell Macbeth? Explain how he reacts to each.

What are the witches’ motivations for showing Macbeth a long line of kings? Why is this troubling? (p. 129)

What elements of the falling action does the audience experience in this scene?

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

What are the witches doing as we begin the scene? How does this contribute to the atmosphere?
How does the rhythm and rhyme of the witches’ words contribute to the atmosphere?
How does the diction of the witches’ spell contribute to the mood?
What literary device is used in lines 44–45? To what effect?
What is Macbeth doing in line 70? What does this suggest about his character?
What elements of the falling action does this scene include?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

In a Shakespearian tragedy, unlike other works of literature, the protagonist falls apart in the falling action.
We see this unravelling of the protagonist here as Macbeth seeks out the help of the witches. He has become so desperate he is relying on the supernatural.

Lesson 12

Lesson 14

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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