Macbeth: 6. Dunsinane
An increasingly desperate Macbeth returns to the Witches for reassurance. They tell him to beware Macduff, but also that he cannot be harmed by anyone 'born to a woman'. Macbeth learns that Macduff has joined forces with Malcolm and vows to kill his wife and family.
The story
...something wicked this way comes...The Weird Sisters
Ross and Lennox have found a quiet place on the battlements of Dunsinane to discuss the 'strange times'. Clearly they do not wish to be overheard and clearly they do not trust Macbeth. They reveal that Macduff has fled to England to join with Malcolm's forces. Later, an increasingly desperate Macbeth returns to the Witches looking for reassurance. They tell him to beware Macduff, but also that he cannot be harmed by anyone ‘born to a woman’ or be beaten until 'Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane'. Macbeth concludes that his position must be invincible. He then hears from Lennox that Macduff has joined forces with Malcolm and Macbeth vows to kill his wife and family.
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 | Considering what a 'lament' is and the elements of the music that give it a sad, reflective tone. |
| 02 06 Part 1 | Learning the chorus, which is a simple chant on the word 'Dunsinane' repeated five times. |
| 02 47 Part 1 | Learning Verse 1, beginning: "I remember the day I first kissed you...' singing it a line at a time before singing alternate lines in groups. Focusing on singing with smoothe phrases. |
| 00 00 Part 2 | Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'Well our castle of love is now empty...' which is sung to the same melody as Verse 1. |
| 02 52 Part 2 | Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'So tomorrow is all that is left me...' focusing on shaping the mouth to create clear vowel sounds. |
| 06 18 Part 2 | Learning Verse 4, beginning: 'All the blood on my hands has bewitched me...' and singing it through straight away as it again is sung to the same melody as the other verses. |
Story questions
Who does Macbeth say killed Banquo, according to Ross and Lennox?
Fleance - his son! Macbeth has also been saying that Malcolm and Donalbain were responsible for the death of their father King Duncan
What do Ross and Lennox say has happened to Macduff?
He has fled to join Malcolm in England following Macbeth's murder of his wife and children
Why has Macbeth returned to see the witches for a second time?
He wants to get reassurance about the future - their earlier prophecy that Banquo's heirs will become kings appears to suggest Macbeth's position is vulnerable
What three things do the Witches tell Macbeth about the future?
1. 'Beware Macduff'
2. 'No man who's ever been born to a woman can harm you'
3. 'You will never be beaten in battle till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane!'
What question posed by Macbeth do the Witches fail to anwer?
Whether Banquo's children will become kings or not
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all episodes (pdf)
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Lyrics - Dunsinane
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
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Music - Dunsinane
Download / print the music (pdf)
