Macbeth - Lesson 3 - Dramatic Conventions PowerPoint

In the third lesson on Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', students are set to explore dramatic conventions, focusing on the unique features of a drama text. The objectives are twofold: to understand what constitutes a drama text and to delve into the first scene of 'Macbeth', examining how Shakespeare skilfully crafts atmosphere and setting right from the opening act. Drama texts, unlike novels or poems, are scripts intended for performance. They are designed for actors to bring the characters to life through dialogue and action, and can be adapted for various mediums including stage plays, radio shows, television series, and films. Each medium may have different script features which the students will investigate by reading the opening scene of 'Macbeth'.

The lesson proceeds with a close look at the stage script for 'Macbeth', Act 1, Scene 1, set in a desolate place amidst thunder and lightning, where three witches appear, setting a tone of foreboding. The witches' dialogue, filled with paradoxes and ominous hints of future events, serves as a powerful introduction to the play's themes of chaos and contradiction. Students will be asked to identify the features of a stage play, such as stage directions, characters, and dialogue, and to write sentences explaining each feature. They will then re-examine the scene, focusing on the language and delivery that contribute to the unsettling atmosphere. The lesson concludes with a plenary session where students share their insights and discuss their interpretations of the scene, deepening their understanding of Shakespeare's use of dramatic conventions to create a compelling opening for 'Macbeth'.