Macbeth - Lesson 1 - William Shakespeare PowerPoint

The initial lesson on William Shakespeare is designed to assess and expand students' prior knowledge of the Bard and the context in which his play 'Macbeth' was performed. The lesson begins with a simple exercise where students jot down everything they know about Shakespeare, which serves both to activate prior knowledge and to set the stage for new learning. The objective is to transform the students into Shakespeare specialists by the end of the lesson, providing them with a solid foundation in Shakespeare's life, his works, and the environment of Elizabethan theatre. A short film is suggested to complement the learning experience, offering a visual insight into Shakespeare's world.

William Shakespeare's biography is outlined, detailing his birth in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, his family background, education, and his own family life with his wife Anne Hathaway and their children. His career is traced from his acting days with the Lord Chamberlain's Company to his prolific writing period, which saw the creation of plays like 'Henry VI', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and 'The Merchant of Venice', leading up to his renowned tragedies such as 'Hamlet', 'Othello', 'King Lear', and 'Macbeth'. The theatrical context is also explained, describing the evolution of playhouses from inn courtyards to the first 'modern' theatre built in Shoreditch in 1576, and the eventual establishment of theatres in Southwark to circumvent London's strict regulations. Elizabethan theatre practices, including the absence of female actors and the use of young boys for female roles, are highlighted, alongside the social customs of the audience. The lesson concludes with a plenary where students discuss their answers to questions about Shakespeare's timeline, theatre experiences, publication of his works, and theatre practices of the time, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the material covered.