Macbeth - Lesson 14 - A marriage made in hell PowerPoint

In Lesson 14 titled 'A Marriage Made in Hell?', students delve into the evolving dynamics of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship in Shakespeare's tragedy. The objective of the lesson is to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of how their interactions transform over the course of the play. Initially, the lesson directs students to read Act 3, Scenes 1 and 3, prompting them to reflect on the noticeable shifts in the power balance between the couple since Act 1. The starting point of the discussion is the recognition that Macbeth, who was once heavily influenced and even dominated by his wife's ambitions and feelings, is beginning to assert his own will, indicating a significant change in their marriage.

As the lesson progresses, students are encouraged to engage with specific quotations from the play that shed light on the nuances of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's changing relationship. By examining Lady Macbeth's inquiry about Macbeth's solitary behaviour and Macbeth's response to keep her 'innocent of the knowledge', students are asked to consider what these exchanges suggest about the shifting dynamics between them. The plenary activity consolidates their understanding, as students are tasked with writing a paragraph that explains the transformation of the couple's relationship throughout the first three acts, exploring the reasons behind this 'marriage made in hell' as it spirals towards its inevitable demise.