Macbeth: 3. Temptation
Dunsinane Castle. Inspired by the Witches' prophecy Lady Macbeth determines that King Duncan must die. Macbeth is reluctant at first, but is finally persuaded. That night Macbeth murders King Duncan and blame is placed on the king's servants.
The story
A dagger of the mind. I'm seeing things.Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is determined that King Duncan must die that night. Macbeth is reluctant at first but is persuaded to commit the murder. After the celebratory banquet Macbeth wanders on the battlements of Dunsinane where he meets Banquo and Fleance. He looks for support from Banquo but his friend makes it clear his allegiance is to King Duncan. After Banquo leaves Macbeth has a vision of a bloodied dagger, its handle turned towards his hand, and takes it as a sign that it is time 'to do the deed'. Macbeth murders Duncan in his bed but brings the knives away with him. Lady Macbeth must return the knives to the bed-chamber and then daub the king’s sleeping servants with blood to make it look as if they committed the crime.
The main characters
| Name | Who is... |
|---|---|
| Macbeth | Thane of Glamis, then of Cawdor, then King of Scotland |
| Lady Macbeth | His wife |
| The 'Weird Sisters' | Three strange creatures living wild on the heathland |
| Duncan | The rightful King of Scotland |
| Banquo | Macbeth's friend and comrade |
| Fleance | Banquo's son |
| Malcolm | Duncan's son and heir |
| Donalbain | Duncan's younger son |
| Macduff | Thane of Fife; loyal to Duncan / Malcolm |
| Angus, Lennox, Ross | Three noblemen who initially support Macbeth but later leave him in favour of Malcolm / Macduff |
In the song tutorial
| Timing | Content |
|---|---|
| 00 00 Part 1 | Learning Verse 1 of 'Temptation', beginning: 'Now it's time to finish what we started' - which is sung by Lady Macbeth. Noting the jazzy, syncopated lines in the verse. |
| 05 08 Part 1 | Singing Verse 1 all the way through. |
| 00 00 Part 2 | Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'Are we moving in the right direction?' which is sung to the same melody as Verse 1. |
| 02 20 Part 2 | Joining in with the improvised 'scat' section - putting nonsense words to the melody, such as 'doo-be-doo' and 'bad-u-wa' etc. Then repeating, either in groups or as individuals. |
| 03 56 Part 2 | Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'Let me lead you in to sweet temptation...' The melody is the same as Verses 1 and 2. |
| 05 41 Part 2 | Learning the slow coda of the song, beginning: 'Be a tiger not a dove...' and noting the 'rallentando' (slowing down). |
Story questions
Is Macbeth planning to murder King Duncan as the episode begins?
No - he says 'We'll go no further with this plan.' He must be persuaded to murder by his wife Lady Macbeth
What does Macbeth mean when he says 'Stay with me, Banquo'?
Macbeth is looking for signs of support from Banquo should he become king - by whatever means. But Banquo makes clear his loyalty to King Duncan
Why is Macbeth unable to clasp the dagger that he sees?
It is an imaginary dagger - 'A dagger of the mind'
What does Lady Macbeth tell Macbeth he must do?
Macbeth has returned with the weapons of murder - the evidence. Lady Macbeth tells him to return to King Duncan's bed-chamber with the knives and leave them there
What does Lady Macbeth do with the knives?
She returns them to King Duncan's bed-chamber because Macbeth will not. Then she smears the king's servants with blood to make it look as if they have done the deed
Resources
![]()
Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all episodes (pdf)
![]()
Lyrics - Temptation
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
![]()
Music - Temptation
Download / print the music (pdf)
![]()
Pupils' pamphlet
All lyrics and activities (pdf)
