Curriculum / ELA / 10th Grade / Unit 10: Macbeth / Lesson 17

Macbeth

Lesson 17

ELA

Unit 10

10th Grade

Lesson 17 of 23

Objective

Analyze the change in Lady Macbeth’s character and explain what caused it.

Readings and Materials

Play: Macbeth by William Shakespeare — Act 5, Scene 1

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Writing Prompt

In the excerpt Lady Macbeth says, “What’s done cannot be undone.” Explain what she means here and how her behavior proves that to be true.

How is this a different Lady Macbeth than the one we met in Acts 1 and 2? Explain using examples.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

According to the Gentlewoman, what has Lady Macbeth been doing? (lines 4–9)
What else does the doctor want to know about? (10–14)
Why can’t the Gentlewoman tell him? (15–20)
Describe how Lady Macbeth appears when she first enters.
What does Lady Macbeth constantly need by her? Why do you think this is? What might it symbolize?
Using your prior knowledge of the play, explain Lady Macbeth’s behavior as described in lines 28–32. What is she doing? Why is she doing this?
To whom is she referring in line 44?
Who do you think she is talking to in lines 45–47?
What do lines 48–52 suggest?
What is Lady Macbeth referring to in lines 53–55? What emotion does this reveal?
What emotion does Lady Macbeth refer to in lines 65–67, 71?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

Lady Macbeth hallucinates that she has blood on her hands and is expressing guilt and remorse for the first time.

Lesson 16

Lesson 18

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

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free