Macbeth Learning Objective Read and understand Act 4

Macbeth Learning Objective Read and understand Act 4 Scene 2 and 3 Finalise understanding of Act 4

Starter • WHO ARE THEY? • What do you know about: • Macduff • Lady Macduff • Ross • Malcolm

Read Act 4 Scene 2

Slaughter of the Innocents Macbeth sinks to an all-time low here by slaughtering Macduff’s whole family. Look at this picture depicting the biblical Slaughter of the Innocents and then look at Lady Macduff’s lines 70 -4. Why are Macbeth’s murdering intentions so disturbing at this part of the play? Use the style and tone of the headline of a tabloid newspaper to report these events.

Before Act 4 Scene 3 Match the lines to the translation • • • Macbeth is a traitor Macduff was a friend of Macbeth Even a good man may obey a wicked king Macbeth was once thought to be honest Macduff has abruptly left his family behind in danger Macduff may betray Malcolm to Macbeth Macduff may kill Malcolm and Macbeth He is not sure that Macduff is telling the truth Malcolm is suspicious for his own safety Macbeth has left Macduff unharmed Evil often tries to look like good

Before Act 4 Scene 3 Match the lines to the translation • • • He is not sure that Macduff is telling the truth (line 11) Macbeth was once thought to be honest (lines 12 – 13) Macduff was a friend of Macbeth (line 13) Macbeth has left Macduff unharmed (line 14) Macduff may betray Malcom to Macbeth (lines 14 – 15) Macduff may kill Malcolm and Macbeth (lines 16 – 17) Macbeth is a traitor (line 18) Even a good man may obey a wicked king (lines 19 – 20) Evil often tries to look like good (lines 21 -3) Macduff has abruptly left his family behind in danger (Lines 26 – 8) Malcolm is suspicious for his own safety (lines 29 – 30)

Read Act 4 Scene 3 Language Using lines 30 – 57 identify: • personification (of Scotland) • symbolic language (black, white) • religious imagery (hell, devil) In groups consider how these relate to the ongoing themes of evil, ambition, deception and power. Be prepared to feed back to the class.

Plenary • Macduff laments in Act 4 Scene 3 that Macbeth ‘has no children’. Yet Lady Macbeth claims to have breast fed a baby. Does it matter, in the play whether Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have children or not? • Extension – how would you explain the significance of children, childlessness and violence against children as recurring ideas in this play?

Homework • Must: Homeworksheet on dramatic events of Act 4 in a tweet. • Should: Develop each tweet to a text. Could: Develop each text to a haiku.