​

Add to Glossary:​
• Masculinity: refers to the
LI: Understand how and to what purposes socially privileged qualities
or attributes regarded as
Shakespeare has created Act 1, Scene 5 (with a characteristically male in
focus on Gender and the Supernatural) that time.​
• Femininity: refers to the
socially privileged qualities
SC: I can identify key quotations; I understand or attributes regarded as
the initial characterisation of Lady Macbeth; I characteristically females in
that time.​
can explain the effect of key • Ambition: a strong desire
symbols/techniques used by Shakespeare to do or achieve something​
• Subvert: go against the
norm within society​
Our job is to always consider how • Reassert: reaffirm the
Shakespeare is constructing meaning. norms within society
Task 1) In your table groups complete Metacognitive Table: 
the Metacognitive Table activities.
1 Explain how the words highlighted in
Lady Macbeth    this colour link to the idea of the
supernatural. What would each of
these snippets have signalled to a
'They met me in the day of success, and I  
Jacobean audience?  
have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in 
them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire  2 Explain how the text highlighted
to question them further, they made themselves air, into     yellow would relate to the concepts
which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder   of gender roles and the great chain
of it, came missives from the king, who all-hailed me  of being for a Jacobean audience? 
'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title, before, these Weird  
Sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of 
time with 'Hail, king that shalt be.' This have I thought   Look at what's in red - what is Macbeth telling his
good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness,  wife about his thoughts regarding the prophecies? 
that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being  How would a Jacobean audience respond to this? 
ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to  Why? 
thy heart, and farewell.' 
Look at what's in green - what does it imply about
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship? What
does it suggest about what Macbeth is hoping
Lady Macbeth will do?
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be
What thou art promised; yet do I fear thy nature. Metacognitive Table: 
It is too full o'th milk of human kindness
1 Explain how the words highlighted in
To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great,   this colour link to the idea of the
Art not without ambition, but without supernatural. What would each of
these snippets have signalled to a
The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, Jacobean audience?  
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
2 Explain how the text highlighted
And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou'dst have, great Glamis,   yellow would relate to the concepts
That which cries 'Thus thou must do' if thou have it, of gender roles and the great chain
of being for a Jacobean audience? 
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear,
Look at what's in blue - what does it suggest Lady
And chastise, with the valor of my tongue, Macbeth thinks of her husband? (HINT: who is
All that impedes thee from the golden round, normally 'full of milk'? 

Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem Look at what's in red - what does it imply about what
To have thee crowned withal. Lady Macbeth wants to do?  What does it suggest
about how she feels about Macbeth that she thinks
[Enter a Messenger] she'll have to take up these actions?
                                                     What is your tidings?
Messenger 
The king comes here to-night. 
Lady Macbeth 
                                                      Thou'rt mad to say it. 
Is not thy master with him, who, were't so, 
Would have informed for preparation? 
Messenger 
So please you, it is true — our thane is coming. 
One of my fellows had the speed of him, 
Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more 
Than would make up his message. 
Lady Macbeth 
                                                             Give him tending; 
He brings great news.  
[Exit Messenger] 
                                   The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe, top-full
Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood;
Stop up the access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
The effect and it. Come to my woman's breasts,
And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers,
Wherever, in your sightless substances,
You wait on nature's mischief. Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry 'Hold, hold.'
[Enter Macbeth]
Metacognitive Table: 
1 Explain how the words highlighted in
  this colour link to the idea of the
supernatural. What would each of
these snippets have signalled to a
Jacobean audience?  
2 Explain how the text highlighted
  yellow would relate to the concepts
of gender roles and the great chain
of being for a Jacobean audience? 
Look at what's in orange - what does it imply
about what Lady Macbeth wants to do?  What
technique is being used here? 
Look at what's in green – Identify the
technique and what it implies about Lady
Macbeth views on Supernatural and Gender.
How is the Jacobean audience positioned to
view Lady Macbeth? 
Macbeth 
                                                My dearest love, 
Duncan comes here to-night. 
Lady Macbeth 
                                                   And when goes hence? 
Macbeth 
Tomorrow, as he purposes. 
Lady Macbeth                                          Metacognitive Table: 
                                                  O never 
Shall sun that morrow see.  1 Explain how the words highlighted in
Your face, my thane, is as a book where men    this colour link to the idea of the
supernatural. What would each of
May read strange matters. To beguile the time,  these snippets have signalled to a
Look like the time — bear welcome in your eye,  Jacobean audience?  
Your hand, your tongue. Look like the innocent flower, 
But be the serpent under't. He that's coming  2 Explain how the text highlighted
Must be provided for, and you shall put    yellow would relate to the concepts
This night's great business into my dispatch,  of gender roles and the great chain
of being for a Jacobean audience? 
Which shall to all our nights and days to come 
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. 
Macbeth 
Look at what's in maroon -   What imagery is being
We will speak further.  used here? What does it imply about what Lady
Lady Macbeth  Macbeth wants to do? What does this suggest
                                         Only look up clear;  about their relationship / gender roles?
To alter favour ever is to fear. 
Look at what's in green -  What does it imply about
Leave all the rest to me.  what Lady Macbeth wants to do? In consideration
to Fate versus Freewill, where does Lady
Macbeth's lay?
Be ready to provide detailed responses (with your
notes from the previous slides) to the following:

• How would a Jacobean audience perceive Lady Macbeth?

• How does this character subvert the audience's expectations? In what ways
does she do this (Provide textual evidence)? Why might this be there?
• How does Lady Macbeth add to any of the dominant themes within the
text?