Macbeth
Unit Overview – Macbeth
In this unit, students will delve into William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, exploring the destructive power of unchecked ambition and other central themes such as fate, power, guilt, and moral corruption. Through close reading, discussion, and performance-based activities, students will develop a deep understanding of how Shakespeare’s use of structure and language shapes meaning, creates dramatic tension, and reveals character. A strong focus will be placed on interpretation, considering: multiple readings of key scenes and characters and analysis of the playwright’s craft. Students will examine how Macbeth reflects both the concerns of the Jacobean era and timeless human struggles, while honing their skills in literary analysis, critical thinking, and persuasive expression.
Key Concept: Ambition
Key ideas within the concept: Problems with unchecked ambition, corrupting influence of ambition, consequences, motives, worthy and unworthy ambition.
Assessment: Class based, handwritten submissions
- Formative passage analysis – choice of scene passages from Acts 1 and 2
- Summative passage analysis- choice of scene passages from Acts 2 and 3
- Macbeth will also be assessed with a further passage analysis as part of the semester 2 exam.