This week in English, Lower Fifth stepped into the courtroom to put Macbeth on trial.

Pupils took on the role of prosecution lawyers, delivering a formal closing statement arguing that Macbeth had already become a tyrant by the end of Act 3 – before Banquo’s ghost ever appears. Rather than retelling the story, they built a persuasive case, using carefully selected quotations, tracking Macbeth’s moral decline and explaining how secrecy, manipulation and violence signal a dangerous ruler.

The task challenged pupils to think like critics and advocates: weighing evidence, analysing language and considering the consequences of power. It also prepares them brilliantly for the next stage of the play, where Macbeth’s inner instability becomes public. And who knows – it may even have showcased barristers of the future!

A demanding, creative and highly engaging way to bring Shakespeare to life… and the courtroom was in full session.

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