AQA GCSE Literature Paper 1
Literature Paper 1:
Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
Name: Class:
,CONTENTS:
1. Week 1: Plot Revision 6-15
a. Act 1 6-7
b. Act 2 8-9
c. Act 3 10-11
d. Act 4 12-13
e. Act 5 14-15
2. Key Theme 1: Ambition 16-25
a. Context: Shakespearean beliefs about kingship 16-17
b. A1S5: “Come you spirits…” 18-19
c. A1S7: “If it were done when ‘tis done…” 20-21
d. A3S1: “Is this a dagger…” 22-23
e. Exam Practice 24-25
3. Key Theme 2: The Supernatural 26-35
a. Context: Shakespearean beliefs about witchcraft 26-27
b. A1S3: “Two truths are told…” 28-29
c. A3S4: “What man dare, I dare…” 30-31
d. A4S1: “Be bloody, bold and resolute…” 32-33
e. Exam Practice 34-35
4. Key Theme 3: Power and Corruption 36-45
a. Context: Macbeth’s historical background 36-37
b. A3S1: “Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep…” 38-39
c. A3S6: “The son of Duncan…” 40-41
2
, d. A5S3: “Bring me no more reports…” 42-43
e. Exam Practice 44-45
5. Key Theme 4: Gender 46-55
a. Context: Shakespearean beliefs about gender roles 46-47
b. A1S7: “Prithee, peace…” 48-49
c. A2S2: “I’ll go no more…” 50-51
d. A5S1: “Out, damned spot! …” 52-53
e. Exam Practice 54-55
6. Key Theme 5: Fate and Free Will 56-65
a. Context: Fate, free will and the tragic hero 56-57
b. A4S1: “Be lion-mettled…” 58-59
c. A5S5: “She should have died hereafter…” 60-61
d. A5S8: “Accursed be that tongue…” 62-63
e. Exam Practice 64-65
7. Knowledge Organiser: Key Quotations and Revision 66-67
3
, Act 1 Revision
DNA: How is Macbeth viewed at the beginning of the play and why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
a) Reading the Act
Read pages 6-22 to remind yourself what happened in Act 1 of Macbeth.
b) Act 1 Cloze Activity
Fill in the blanks to test your knowledge on what happens in each chapter
King Duncan hears how _____________ has been a brave warrior whilst fighting
the Norwegians. Duncan gives Macbeth the title of Thane of _____________ as
reward for his valour. The old Thane is sentenced to death for being a traitor.
On their way back from battle, Macbeth and Banquo meet the _____________
who tell Macbeth that he will become the new Thane of Cawdor and also
the new ___________ of Scotland. The weird sisters tell Banquo that his
descendants will be the future ___________ of Scotland. Macbeth is not sure
whether this is true, but he is soon told by a messenger that he is now the new
_______________ This seems like the first part of the prophecy has come true.
Macbeth sends a letter to his wife, _______________________ about the witches'
predictions. She is excited about becoming queen, but fears that Macbeth is
not ______________ enough to kill Duncan. When Macbeth arrives home she
tries to _____________ him to kill Duncan. Macbeth eventually agrees with her.
Duncan arrives at _____________ castle and is greeted by the hosts. They hold
a feast and most people get drunk. Macbeth is __________ about killing
Duncan and decides to abandon his plan. Macbeth believes that Duncan is
a __________ king and he comments that Duncan has often ______________
Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is angry that Macbeth has abandoned his plan to
kill Duncan and calls him a _____________. Macbeth decides to go through
with the plan to murder Duncan.
rulers Lady Macbeth king coward
good Macbeth persuade ambitious thane
weird sisters unsure Macbeth’s praised Cawdor
4
Literature Paper 1:
Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
Name: Class:
,CONTENTS:
1. Week 1: Plot Revision 6-15
a. Act 1 6-7
b. Act 2 8-9
c. Act 3 10-11
d. Act 4 12-13
e. Act 5 14-15
2. Key Theme 1: Ambition 16-25
a. Context: Shakespearean beliefs about kingship 16-17
b. A1S5: “Come you spirits…” 18-19
c. A1S7: “If it were done when ‘tis done…” 20-21
d. A3S1: “Is this a dagger…” 22-23
e. Exam Practice 24-25
3. Key Theme 2: The Supernatural 26-35
a. Context: Shakespearean beliefs about witchcraft 26-27
b. A1S3: “Two truths are told…” 28-29
c. A3S4: “What man dare, I dare…” 30-31
d. A4S1: “Be bloody, bold and resolute…” 32-33
e. Exam Practice 34-35
4. Key Theme 3: Power and Corruption 36-45
a. Context: Macbeth’s historical background 36-37
b. A3S1: “Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep…” 38-39
c. A3S6: “The son of Duncan…” 40-41
2
, d. A5S3: “Bring me no more reports…” 42-43
e. Exam Practice 44-45
5. Key Theme 4: Gender 46-55
a. Context: Shakespearean beliefs about gender roles 46-47
b. A1S7: “Prithee, peace…” 48-49
c. A2S2: “I’ll go no more…” 50-51
d. A5S1: “Out, damned spot! …” 52-53
e. Exam Practice 54-55
6. Key Theme 5: Fate and Free Will 56-65
a. Context: Fate, free will and the tragic hero 56-57
b. A4S1: “Be lion-mettled…” 58-59
c. A5S5: “She should have died hereafter…” 60-61
d. A5S8: “Accursed be that tongue…” 62-63
e. Exam Practice 64-65
7. Knowledge Organiser: Key Quotations and Revision 66-67
3
, Act 1 Revision
DNA: How is Macbeth viewed at the beginning of the play and why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
a) Reading the Act
Read pages 6-22 to remind yourself what happened in Act 1 of Macbeth.
b) Act 1 Cloze Activity
Fill in the blanks to test your knowledge on what happens in each chapter
King Duncan hears how _____________ has been a brave warrior whilst fighting
the Norwegians. Duncan gives Macbeth the title of Thane of _____________ as
reward for his valour. The old Thane is sentenced to death for being a traitor.
On their way back from battle, Macbeth and Banquo meet the _____________
who tell Macbeth that he will become the new Thane of Cawdor and also
the new ___________ of Scotland. The weird sisters tell Banquo that his
descendants will be the future ___________ of Scotland. Macbeth is not sure
whether this is true, but he is soon told by a messenger that he is now the new
_______________ This seems like the first part of the prophecy has come true.
Macbeth sends a letter to his wife, _______________________ about the witches'
predictions. She is excited about becoming queen, but fears that Macbeth is
not ______________ enough to kill Duncan. When Macbeth arrives home she
tries to _____________ him to kill Duncan. Macbeth eventually agrees with her.
Duncan arrives at _____________ castle and is greeted by the hosts. They hold
a feast and most people get drunk. Macbeth is __________ about killing
Duncan and decides to abandon his plan. Macbeth believes that Duncan is
a __________ king and he comments that Duncan has often ______________
Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is angry that Macbeth has abandoned his plan to
kill Duncan and calls him a _____________. Macbeth decides to go through
with the plan to murder Duncan.
rulers Lady Macbeth king coward
good Macbeth persuade ambitious thane
weird sisters unsure Macbeth’s praised Cawdor
4
