About This Lesson
In this lesson, students explore how different characters in Macbeth react to the shocking news of King Duncan’s murder. Through close analysis of the text, students examine Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony, symbolism, and language to create tension and highlight the disruption caused by regicide. The lesson focuses on the responses of Macduff, Lennox, Banquo, Malcolm, Donalbain, and Lady Macbeth, revealing how their reactions reflect their values, suspicions, and motivations. Students also investigate Shakespeare’s use of storm imagery and unnatural events to underscore the chaos unleashed by Macbeth’s crime. The session concludes with students writing a PETAL (Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, Link) paragraph to deepen their analytical writing skills.
