Resource of the Week - Macbeth Practice Pack

Our resource this week is a great Macbeth revision pack from Stoke Newington School. It is designed for GCSE students studying Macbeth in preparation for their GCSE English Literature Paper 1. You can download the resource by visiting our English resources section on our website or download it directly from Stoke Newington School by clicking here.

This is a great resource for students to use to develop their literary analysis of Macbeth in the format required by the AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1 examination - specifically how to improve the writing of responses. The resource provides an overview of how to best revise for Macbeth with many helpful elements such as:

  • How to revise

  • The exam question

  • Mark scheme

  • How to answer the question

  • Example answers

  • Sentence starters

  • Practice questions

The resource itself is quite explanatory, however, below is our general advice for students when studying the Scottish play:

  • Make sure you have a good understanding of the key vocabulary within the play and are able to use them appropriately in your analysis (e.g. “Thane“, “Prophecy“, “Apparition“).

  • Memorise key quotes for characters/themes by heart and regularly quiz yourself on them to ensure you can deploy them effectively in your exam.

  • Understand the cultural context of the play as well as the difference in reaction between a modern audience and a Jacobean audience. Core ideas are the divine right of kings, perceptions of femininity/masculinity and the belief in witches.

  • Consider the motivations of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Do they solely seek power? Do they act out of love for one another? Are their actions motivated by their lack of children?

  • Understand and memorise the witches’ prophecies as well as the apparitions further on in the play; they are highly relevant to the plot of the play and will likely be relevant in your answers.

We hope that this resource will be used to aid students’ understanding of Macbeth and how best to improve their literary analysis in written responses to exam questions on Macbeth. From all of us at Libra Education, never stop learning!

Oscar Hardy