3: Daggers for King Duncan
Dunsinane Castle. Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from her husband. Her ambition for Macbeth is clear, but so too her concern that he is not sufficiently ruthless to take matters into his own hands.
Macbeth arrives and Lady Macbeth makes it clear she wants him to kill King Duncan that night.
At the banquet in the evening Macbeth is reluctant to take the plan forward but is persuaded to see it through by Lady Macbeth. Later, on the castle walls, Macbeth has a vision of a bloodied dagger. It is time to do the deed.
Lady Macbeth waits in her chamber for Macbeth to return from the murder. He arrives but brings the daggers with him. Lady Macbeth returns to King Duncan's room to leave the daggers there and to daub his servants with blood to make it look as if they are responsible.
Teacher Notes
This series provides various opportunities to meet Key Stage 2 National Curriculum requirements, including study of a significant author, reading techniques such as prediction, drawing inferences, clarification and summary; and drama and writing opportunities - including poetry performance, descriptive writing, persuasive writing, letter writing, newspaper article writing, poetry and play scripts.
It could be used as an introduction to the play, consolidation of key aspects or for revision of the plot and characters.
More detail on how to use this series, including detailed lesson plans, can be found in the Teacher's Notes PDF.
Information and guidance on using the content
This series is relevant for teaching English at KS2, in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and at Second Level in Scotland.
2. All Hail, Macbeth! Thane of Cawdor! video
Macbeth and Banquo arrive at King Duncan's camp; Macbeth finds he is now Thane of Cawdor.
4. All Hail, Macbeth! King of Scotland! video
Duncan's murder is discovered; Malcolm and Donalbain flee, while Macbeth is crowned king.
5. A trap for Banquo. video
Macbeth sends assassins to kill Banquo and Fleance. Later he sees Banquo's ghost.
