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KS2 / KS3 English Literature: Macbeth by William Shakespeare - animation

Video summary

An animated version of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” in a retelling of the classic play set to modern music.

Macbeth is a successful general in King Duncan’s Scottish army.

After victory in a battle, he and his best friend Banquo meet three witches who prophesise that Macbeth will become king.

When Lady Macbeth hears of this she persuades her husband to murder Duncan and seize power.

The Macbeths carry out the deed, but it cannot end there.

Banquo knows too much and must be disposed of too.

Even though Macbeth is now king, he has a very troubled conscience.

The witches have cunningly misled Macbeth and, in order to retain his power, the killings have to continue; Macbeth becomes a tyrant.

The witches continue to mislead Macbeth with ambiguous predictions.

The Macbeths come to a bad end when Macduff and Malcolm, Duncan’s son, decide to tackle the problem head on.

This is from the series: Shakespeare in Shorts.

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Teacher Notes

Key Stage 2:

This clip could be used as an introduction to the play, consolidation of key aspects or for revision of the plot and characters.

It could also provide a springboard for pupils to write their own modernised versions of this or another Shakespeare play perhaps using music or linked to developing artwork.

Key Stage 3:

This clip could form the basis for some improvisation work by students or for learning and delivering sections of text.

It could also be used as a stimulus for creative writing tasks involving the inner thoughts of specific characters.

This clip will be suitable for teaching English at KS2 and KS3 in England, KS3 and English Literature GCSE in Wales, KS1, KS2 and KS3 in Northern Ireland and 2nd, 3rd and 4th level in Scotland.

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