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Audiopi GCSE English Literature & Language Tutorials

Ep.2 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Analysis of context (AQA)

Season 1, Ep. 2

Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!


Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.


In this episode:

  • What kinds of context can I write about in the exam? This tutorial looks at both the literary context and the social context of Macbeth. The literary context gives a brief introduction to tragedy and the social context examines the Divine Right of Kings, religion, madness, gender, witchcraft.


Our Tutors:

  • Miss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' School
  • Miss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew School


The first 5 episodes in this series, and every series in this podcast show, are free to listen to! 


Love what you hear and want us with you for the journey? You can subscribe to access every episode in any series on Acast+ for the price of a couple of cups of coffee a month, and become a supporter! Hit the link to Access it All.




Supporters will enjoy uninterrupted, ad-free access to every episode, in every series. You can subscribe monthly OR pay just once!

More episodes

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  • 1. Ep.1 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Introduction and critical heritage (AQA)

    13:03||Season 1, Ep. 1
    Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.Tutorial Summary:Our first audio tutorial explores the key themes and critical responses to Macbeth. We take a look at what critics have said about Macbeth and how performances have adapted the play. We will also address the key themes within Macbeth.Series Tutors:Miss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew SchoolMiss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' SchoolThe first 5 episodes in this series, and every series in this podcast show, are free to listen to! Love what you hear and want us with you for the journey? You can subscribe to access every episode in any series on Acast+ for the price of a couple of cups of coffee a month, and become a supporter! Hit the link to Access it All.https://plus.acast.com/s/audiopi-gcse-english-literature-language-tutorialsSupporters will enjoy uninterrupted, ad-free access to every episode, in every series. You can subscribe monthly OR pay just once!
  • 3. Ep.3 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Act I, scene I - Witchcraft (AQA)

    11:04||Season 1, Ep. 3
    Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.In this tutorial we examine what makes this scene horrifying?Tutorial summary:Exploration of how different audiences would respond differently to this scene. Introduction to Shakespeare’s craft, including staging.Our Tutors:Miss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew SchoolMiss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' SchoolThe first 5 episodes in this series, and every series in this podcast show, are free to listen to! Love what you hear and want us with you for the journey? You can subscribe to access every episode in any series on Acast+ for the price of a couple of cups of coffee a month, and become a supporter! Hit the link to Access it All.https://plus.acast.com/s/audiopi-gcse-english-literature-language-tutorialsSupporters will enjoy uninterrupted, ad-free access to every episode, in every series. You can subscribe monthly OR pay just once!
  • 4. Ep.4 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Act I, scene ii - Foreshadowing (AQA)

    08:42||Season 1, Ep. 4
    Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.How and why is Macbeth’s entrance foreshadowed?Tutorial summary:Exploration of key quotations introducing Macbeth to the audience. Why is he introduced in this way? How is it later subverted? Why does this scene follow the witches?Our tutors:Miss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' SchoolMiss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew SchoolThe first 5 episodes in this series, and every series in this podcast show, are free to listen to! Love what you hear and want us with you for the journey? You can subscribe to access every episode in any series on Acast+ for the price of a couple of cups of coffee a month, and become a supporter! Hit the link to Access it All.https://plus.acast.com/s/audiopi-gcse-english-literature-language-tutorialsSupporters will enjoy uninterrupted, ad-free access to every episode, in every series. You can subscribe monthly OR pay just once!
  • 5. Ep.5 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Act I, scenes iii and iv - The prophecies (AQA)

    13:19||Season 1, Ep. 5
    Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.This tutorial answers 3 key questions: How does Macbeth respond to the prophecy?Why does Duncan’s announcement immediately follow?What is Banquo’s role?Tutorial summary:Consideration of form and the role of juxtaposition.Analysis of key quotations.Our tutors:Miss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' SchoolMiss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew SchoolThe first 5 episodes in this series, and every series in this podcast show, are free to listen to! Love what you hear and want us with you for the journey? You can subscribe to access every episode in any series on Acast+ for the price of a couple of cups of coffee a month, and become a supporter! Hit the link to Access it All.https://plus.acast.com/s/audiopi-gcse-english-literature-language-tutorialsSupporters will enjoy uninterrupted, ad-free access to every episode, in every series. You can subscribe monthly OR pay just once!
  • 6. Ep.6 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Act I, scene v - Meeting Lady Macbeth (AQA)

    13:39||Season 1, Ep. 6
    Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.Tutorial summary:How does Lady Macbeth respond to her husband’s news? What does this reveal about her?Exploration of Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy, including the significance of context and the richness of imagery. Development: how Shakespeare’s audience might respond.Our Tutors:Miss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' SchoolMiss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew School
  • 7. Ep.7 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Act I, scenes vi and vii - Dramatic irony - Part 1 (AQA)

    07:25||Season 1, Ep. 7
    Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in this scene?How is tension built up?Tutorial summary:Exploration of Duncan’s speech about the castle and consideration of dramatic irony.Exploration of key theme: appearance and reality. Why it causes anxiety for Macbeth (considering religious context) and how it paints Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as villainous and emphasises Duncan’s vulnerability.Our Tutors:Miss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' SchoolMiss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew School
  • 8. Ep.8 of 24 GCSE Macbeth: Act I, scenes vi and vii - Dramatic irony - Part 2 (AQA)

    09:50||Season 1, Ep. 8
    Macbeth - award winning tutorial content from Audiopi!Our Macbeth series for GCSE English Literature is one of our favourites. Our authors, Catherine Hartley and Stella Vassiliou, two fabulous teachers (both 1st class honours graduates from Oxbridge) bring to life and explain one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. We are also delighted to have the renowned Shakespearean actor, Guy Henry, play Macbeth throughout the series.Tutorial Overview & Summary: How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in this scene? How is tension built up?Exploration of Duncan’s speech about the castle and consideration of dramatic irony.Exploration of key theme: appearance and reality. Why it causes anxiety for Macbeth (considering religious context) and how it paints Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as villainous and emphasises Duncan’s vulnerability.Our Tutors:Miss Stella Vassiliou MA (Oxon), PGCE Professional Tutor Didcot Girls' SchoolMiss Catherine Hartley MA (Cantab), PGCE Assistant Head of English Bartholomew School
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