Macbeth Scheme of Work

(ages 13-14)

This six-lesson scheme introduces students to Shakespeare’s Macbeth through practical, ensemble-based activities. Lessons combine scripted extracts with devised work using physical theatre, frozen pictures, split scenes, mime and soundscape. The unit emphasises character motivation, atmosphere and plot development across key scenes, with short homework tasks and a final reflective self-assessment to consolidate learning.

What Students Will Learn

Students will explore Macbeth’s plot and characters by performing and devising short scenes and pieces. They will practise physical theatre, tableau and mime to convey mood and motivation, create soundscapes to support atmosphere, and work in groups to rehearse and evaluate performances. Lessons use extracts from the play alongside devised improvisations to deepen textual understanding.

Week 1: Castles
Students explore castle settings to establish mood and atmosphere linked to Macbeth. Groups use physical theatre to devise and perform castles in moods such as cold, evil, proud and murderous, then perform short scenes for peer guessing and discussion.
Week 2: Introduction to Macbeth
The play's opening is introduced with visualisation and sea/heath soundscapes to build atmosphere. Students read Act 1 Scene 3 extracts, create heath soundscapes, and devise frozen pictures and split scenes to retell the meeting with the witches.
Resources Include
Resources
Extract from Macbeth
Week 3: Macbeth’s Motivation
Props support improvisation to explore Macbeth's motive for murder and introduce Lady Macbeth. Students use dagger, mirror and crown cut-outs, perform mimes and devise a scene of Duncan's murder with discussion of conscience and persuasion.
Resources Include
Resources
Extract from Macbeth
Props
Cut-out CrownCut-out daggerCut-out Mirror
Week 4: A Guilty Feeling
The concept of guilt is explored through mime as the plot moves into Act 3 Scene 4. Students mime banquet preparation, read the scene, and take part in a whole-class spontaneous improvisation before pairing to improvise Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's private conversation.
Resources Include
Resources
Extract from Macbeth
Week 5: The Prophecy Fulfilled
The play's ending and the witches' prophecy are explored with a slow-motion fight performed with limited dialogue. Students read Act 5 Scene 8, discuss links to prophecy, and devise a slow-motion mime fight with up to six words allowed.
Resources Include
Resources
Extract from Macbeth
Week 6: Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s Downfall
A whole-class improvisation stages Macbeth on trial to examine Lady Macbeth's role in his downfall. Students take roles such as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, prosecution and defence, and perform frozen or live testimony while the teacher manages freeze and thought-tap interventions.