Online Macbeth Crash Course

This one-day course will break down this daunting text into easily comprehensible chunks. Students will gain an understanding of the social, cultural and historical context in which Macbeth was written in order to better appreciate the motivations behind Shakespeare’s writings and the messages he was trying to convey to his audience. Our tutor will guide students through the key scenes, characters and themes, refreshing their knowledge and deepening their understanding of the text. Together, students will explore how the plot, characterisation and setting combine to create a particular effect on the audience. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to evaluate the form and structure of the text as well as Shakespeare’s choice of language. The tutor will highlight key linguistic and symbolic devices used in the play in order for students to gain a subtler appreciation of the text and consistently hit AO1 targets. Students will develop their ability to critically evaluate scenes and critically analyse language, and will leave with increased confidence in their ability to make informed personal responses to the text.

The day will end with an essay writing workshop which will teach students how to plan, structure and write essays in a coherent manner. Students will be shown ways of developing a more sophisticated writing style. Skills learnt in this section of the course can be applied to other texts studied as part of their English Language and Literature GCSEs.

Learners are supported beyond the course through the provision of high-quality, comprehensive and original material including notes, guides and question booklets. These resources have been specially designed and created to supplement the learning experience. Students will leave the course with a deeper understanding of Macbeth and with the skills and material they need to excel in this section of the course.