G.C.S.E. SHAKESPEARE COURSEWORK

‘MACBETH’

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA• You will be assessed for this piece of

coursework by giving an oral presentation

• You must make sure you fulfill all the criteria

• You must provide a written description of the activity.

Speaking and Listening:

• Speak fluently and clearly• Make significant contributions and listen

closely to others• Use Standard English vocabulary and

grammar• Show order and clear expression in

communicating well-developed significant points and complex ideas

• Cross-reference ideas as appropriate and reach a considered conclusion

THE SHAKESPEARE ASSIGNMENT:

• To achieve a good grade, you must fulfill all the criteria that the assessment guidelines require

• You must be critical, analytical and interpretative

• You must back up your ideas with textual evidence

1. SOCIAL, HISTORICAL, AND PHILOSOPHICAL

CONTEXT:• You must comment on this area in

terms of how the play sits within its dramatic genre

• How does the play reflect or challenge the values and ideas of the time in which it was written?

2. STRUCTURE:• How does the structure of the play

contribute to the development of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

• Consider the asymmetrical structure to the play, its parallels, and its reversals

3. CHARACTER:• You must consider character in terms of 3

areas:• Action (what they do)• Dialogue (what they say to each other -

and how much they say)• Soliloquies (what they say to themselves).• For the latter two, remember to use

linguistic terms (e.g. imperatives and adjectives)

4. THEMES:• You should discuss how different

themes and images reflect or suggest the developing relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

• Themes include: night/darkness, sleep, bestial imagery, blood and appearance vs. reality

5. DRAMATIC DEVICES:• Consider the use of both:• Irony• Dramatic irony

6. LINGUISTIC DEVICES:• You should consider Shakespeare’s use of

language to develop the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

• What nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs create dramatic effect?

• Consider Shakespeare’s use of pronouns.• Do any words recur throughout the play,

especially if they change meaning?• How is alliteration used for dramatic

effect?

7. POETIC DEVICES:• You must consider Shakespeare’s use of

figurative language and imagery, such as:• Metaphors• Similes• Personification• Oxymorons

• Can you find any patterns of images used throughout the play? Do they change meaning or create dramatic irony?

You should also:• Be perceptive, and consider a range of possible

meanings and interpretations• Use detailed references to each area• Develop ideas in detail• Cross-reference as appropriate• Understand how meaning is conveyed and how an

audience (both Elizabethan and modern) may respond• Conclude with a personal response, and by drawing

together your ideas• You may comment on whether you think the audience

retains any sympathy for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

The official question:

•Explain how the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth develops throughout the play.

Finally…• You must consider the following key

scenes:• Act 1, Scenes 5 and 7.• Act 2, Scene 2.• Act 3, Scenes 2 and 4.• Act 5, Scenes 1 and 5.

• It may help you to consider Acts 1 and 2 together (closeness of the pair, Lady Macbeth’s power and dominance); Act 3 as the pivotal scene (reversal/distancing), and Act 5 as the final result of the irrevocable breakdown of the relationship.