Macbeth: 7. Killing ground
Lady Macbeth's servants have summoned a doctor and they watch as she sleepwalks through the castle. Macbeth's remaining supporters desert to Malcolm and when his army approaches Dunsinane Macbeth prepares for battle.
The story
Will these hands never be clean?Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth’s servants have summoned a doctor and they watch as she sleepwalks through her rooms in the castle. She is obsessed with washing away the blood she sees on her hands...the blood of Banquo. The doctor watches but observes 'She needs a priest not a doctor'. Then Angus and Lennox meet on the heath outside Dunsinane: they have raised an army and their force unites with that of Malcolm and Macduff. Inside the castle Macbeth prepares for battle, saying he won't be scared until 'Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane'. Outside Malcolm asks Siward the name of the nearby forest. 'Birnam Wood' is the reply. Malcolm orders the troops to cut down branches to hold in front of them to disguise their number.
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 | Listening to the opening rap (Verse 1) before learning the chorus, beginning: 'Hear them trumpets? Feel their breath?' Tapping out the beat of the chorus. |
| 02 51 Part 1 | Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'We're coming Macbeth, we're coming for you...' which is sung by Malcolm's army as they march on Macbeth. The words are learnt line by line before putting the whole verse together and repeating with the chorus. |
| 00 00 Part 2 | Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'You messed with us and we'll mess with you...' The verse is a rap (the same as Verse 1) and is learnt line by line before putting the whole verse together. |
| 02 20 Part 2 | Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'Live by the sword by the sword you'll die...' which is learnt in the same way as Verses 1 and 2. |
| 04 28 Part 2 | Singing 'Killing ground' all the way through. Options are offered for singing in groups, for example to rap alternate lines or alternate verses, or singing with the backing track only. |
Story questions
Why has Lady Macbeth's servant summoned a doctor?
Because Lady Macbeth is seen sleepwalking through the castle every night...clearly very troubled
What do the doctor and servant see Lady Macbeth doing?
She sleepwalks to an empty basin where she tries to wash the 'blood' from her hands - indicating the guilt she feels over Banquo's murder
What two armies will join to attack Macbeth?
The army raised by Malcolm and Macduff will join with the force raised by Lennox and Angus
Why is Macbeth not concerned about the threat of battle?
He still feels invincible due to the prophecy - he says he will not be scared until 'Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane'
Why does Malcolm tell his soldiers to cut down branches from Birnam Wood?
To hold in front of them as they march on Dunsinane - so that Macbeth will not be able to tell how strong their force is
Resources
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Teacher's Notes
Guidance on all episodes (pdf)
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Lyrics - Killing ground
Download / print the lyrics (pdf)
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Music - Killing ground
Download / print the music (pdf)
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Pupils' pamphlet
All lyrics and activities (pdf)
