Macbeth

    OCR
    GCSE

    Macbeth, a valiant Scottish general, receives a prophecy from three Witches that he will become King, igniting a 'vaulting ambition' within him. Spurred by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he commits regicide against King Duncan, violating the Divine Right of Kings and disrupting the Great Chain of Being. His usurpation plunges Scotland into chaos, and his reign is characterized by paranoia, tyranny, and a cycle of bloodshed to secure his illegitimate power. The psychological toll of guilt manifests in hallucinations and madness for both Macbeth and his wife. Ultimately, the Witches' equivocal prophecies unravel during a siege led by Macduff and Malcolm, resulting in Macbeth's death and the restoration of natural order.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • AO1: Maintain a critical, argumentative style; responses must answer the specific question using precise textual references.
    • AO2: Analyze writer's methods (e.g., soliloquy, motif of blood, iambic pentameter disruption) and their effects on the audience.
    • AO3: Integrate contextual factors (Divine Right of Kings, equivocation, gender roles) seamlessly into the argument in Part (b) only.
    • AO4: Not applicable to this specific section; do not attempt comparison with other texts.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have identified the metaphor, now explain how it shapes the audience's view of Macbeth's state of mind."
    • "Your context is accurate but 'bolted on'. Use the Gunpowder Plot to explain *why* the theme of treason is presented this way."
    • "In Part (a), you drifted into the rest of the play. Keep Part (a) strictly focused on the printed text."
    • "Ensure your Part (b) response covers the whole text, referencing the beginning, middle, and end of the tragedy."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • AO1: Maintain a critical, argumentative style; responses must answer the specific question using precise textual references.
    • AO2: Analyze writer's methods (e.g., soliloquy, motif of blood, iambic pentameter disruption) and their effects on the audience.
    • AO3: Integrate contextual factors (Divine Right of Kings, equivocation, gender roles) seamlessly into the argument in Part (b) only.
    • AO4: Not applicable to this specific section; do not attempt comparison with other texts.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Allocate 20 minutes to Part (a) and 25 minutes to Part (b) to ensure balanced coverage of AOs.
    • 💡In Part (a), focus exclusively on the words on the page; do not drift into plot narration.
    • 💡For Part (b), memorize 3-4 key moments outside the extract that link to major themes (ambition, guilt, kingship).
    • 💡Ensure context is used to explain *why* Shakespeare wrote it, not just *what* happened in 1606.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Including context (AO3) in Part (a); marks for context are exclusively awarded in Part (b) for OCR.
    • Treating Part (b) as a general character study rather than addressing the specific proposition in the question.
    • Feature-spotting in the extract (e.g., identifying 'metaphor') without explaining the dramatic impact.
    • Neglecting the rest of the play in Part (b) and relying solely on the extract provided.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

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