by William Shakespeare

Macbeth essay questions.

Macbeth is often cited as a famous example of what the American sociologist Robert Merton called a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” Discuss how the mechanism of the witches’ prophecy works in terms of its self-fulfillment.

Suggested Answer

The question may be approached by examining the psychology behind Macbeth’s character and his relationship with Lady Macbeth (e.g. his easily-tempted character becomes his fate). It may also be fruitful to perform a close reading of the passage around Banquo’s famous lines “If you can look into the seeds of time / And say which grain will grow and which will not, / Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear / Your favours nor your hate” (1.3.55-59). An ambitious essay might also consider a comparison to Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex or another play containing a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Imagine a staging of Macbeth. Who would play the third murderer who appears unannounced? Who would play the anonymous messenger who warns Lady Macduff about her imminent doom? Why?

Consider current and past productions of Macbeth. There is a certain logic to staging Macbeth as the third murderer, for example, and Ross as the messenger. How would a different staging change the dynamics of the play?

Some critics have considered the porter scene out of place in an otherwise cruel and compact play. Does it really provide comic really relief? How do you imagine the scene to be staged?

Suggest Answer

Compare and contrast a lighter, comic staging to a darker, hellish staging. Here, the issue is simply tone, as the text supports either interpretation. If the porter's comic relief is properly juxtaposed against the violent circumstances, he comes across more as pitiable than a discordant jester.

Macbeth is the one to express doubts over murdering Duncan but it is Lady Macbeth on whom the burden of crime takes its toll. How do the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth develop differently over the course of the play?

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth can be considered to have switched characters, in a broad sense, over the course of the play. Lady Macbeth goes from proclaiming “unsex me here” to “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” (I v 39; V i 42-43), Macbeth becomes more resolute and tyrannical as the play progresses. And yet Lady Macbeth also shows a morsel of humanity early on in the play. After she has intoxicated Duncan’s two guards, she remarks: “I laid their daggers ready; / He could not miss’em. Had he [Duncan] not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t” (2.2.11-13). The question lies in the judgment of whether a coherent psychological picture underlies the two characters, or whether they serve to illustrate some more or less formulaic “meaning.”

Perform a close reading of Macbeth’s soliloquy beginning “She should have died hereafter” and ending “It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing” (5.5.7-27). Why does Macbeth believe that Lady Macbeth should have died on a future date? What does he think lies in the future? What does this say about his character?

There are many possible interpretations of the passage—in particular of his comment about Lady Macbeth’s death. One answer will draw on Macbeth’s lines immediately preceding the soliloquy in question. In the past, he claims, a sound such as Lady Macbeth’s shriek of death would have shocked him deeply, but at present he has become unmoved and apathetic. Macbeth still seems to believe that the future holds peace for his reign. At the same time, he seems to have already accepted Lady Macbeth’s death as inevitable. What does this calm acceptance say about how his character has changed?

What is the significance of Macbeth’s vision of the dagger and of Banquo’s ghost in the play?

Macbeth’s visions seem to be indicative of his guilty conscience. At the same time, they also seem to interact with the supernatural order that the witches have brought about - the three apparitions and their specific prophecies. It would also be interesting to consider different stagings of such visions.

Discuss the exchange between Malcolm and Macduff in Act V Scene iii. Is Malcolm really testing Macduff—and if so, why does he do it? What is the dramatic significance of the testing?

The scene immediately proceeds the murder of Lady Macduff and Macduff’s son. Given the dramatic irony that Macduff has yet to hear the news, the scene seems to heighten the sense of cruelty that pervades the play. It may also be worthwhile to consider a counterfactual alternative: what would have happened if Macduff had responded differently? Could he have responded differently?

Discuss the dramatic conclusion of Macbeth. The resolution to the problems presented by the later prophecies relies on a play of words. Macduff was not technically “born” of a woman, so to speak, and Birnam Wood only “comes” to Dunsinane Hill in a manner of speaking. For a play as grave as Macbeth , does not such a resolution seem strangely lacking in gravity?

The resolution of the play may attest to the power of words. The plot of the play—in all its terrible events of regicide and murders—are after all driven by nothing but a few words uttered by three weird sisters. These same words, of course, are powerful enough to overthrow a kingdom twice.

Why can Macbeth not bring himself to pronounce one “Amen” when Duncan’s guards say “God bless us” on their deathbeds (2.2.26-27)? Does this paint a coherent psychological picture? If not, what dramatic purpose does the scene serve?

Although Macbeth does not always act rationally, he is by no means an unintelligent character. On the contrary, his famous soliloquy beginning “She should have died hereafter” in Act V Scene v is testament to his perceptive worldview—if not his poetic sensibility. His inability to pronounce “Amen” may attest to the fact that he finds such a pronouncement overwhelmingly hypocritical.

The account of Duncan and Macbeth differs significantly between Macbeth and its primary source, Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . Compare the two accounts and discuss the effects of Shakespeare’s changes.

In Holinshed's account, Macbeth is a ruthless and valiant leader who rules competently after killing Duncan, whereas Duncan is portrayed as a young and soft-willed man. Shakespeare draws out certain aspects of the two characters in order to create a stronger sense of polarity. Whereas Duncan is made out to be a venerable and kindly older king, Macbeth is transformed into an indecisive and troubled young man who cannot possibly rule well.

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Macbeth Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Macbeth is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3 questions

What is significant about the first words that Macbeth speaks in the play?

A motif or recurring idea in the play is equivocation. There is the balance of the dark and the light, the good and the bad. Macbeth's first line reflects this. It...

What news took the wind out of Macbeth's invincibility?

Macbeth rethinks his invincibility when MacDuff tells him that he was torn from his mother's womb.

Did Banquo believe Ghosts? Why?

I'm sorry, are you asking if Banquo believed in ghosts? Based upon act and scene?

Study Guide for Macbeth

Macbeth study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About Macbeth
  • Macbeth Summary
  • Macbeth Video
  • Character List

Essays for Macbeth

Macbeth essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

  • Serpentine Imagery in Shakespeare's Macbeth
  • Macbeth's Evolution
  • Jumping the Life to Come
  • Deceptive Appearances in Macbeth
  • Unity in Shakespeare's Tragedies

Lesson Plan for Macbeth

  • About the Author
  • Study Objectives
  • Common Core Standards
  • Introduction to Macbeth
  • Relationship to Other Books
  • Bringing in Technology
  • Notes to the Teacher
  • Related Links
  • Macbeth Bibliography

E-Text of Macbeth

Macbeth e-text contains the full text of Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

  • Persons Represented
  • Act I, Scene I
  • Act I, Scene II
  • Act I, Scene III
  • Act I, Scene IV

Wikipedia Entries for Macbeth

  • Introduction
  • Sources for the play
  • Date and text

questions for macbeth essay

129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best macbeth topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on macbeth, 📌 most interesting macbeth topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about macbeth, ❓ macbeth essay questions.

Writing an essay on Shakespearean tragedies may be tricky for some students. There are a lot of ideas to put in your paper, and that may puzzle you. That’s why we’ve prepared a short guide on how to write Macbeth essay.

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare based on the true story of Scottish king Macbeth. The play tells us about a Scottish general who heard a prophecy from a trio of witches and decided to bring predictions to fulfillment. This is a drama about the jeopardy of excessive lust for power and betrayal of friends.

Some researchers state that William Shakespeare adopted the plot from Holinshed’s Chronicles, a popular history of England, while others argue that the plot of the play was borrowed from George Buchanan. Before you start your Macbeth essay, you should do thorough research on facts and fiction around the play.

To give you ideas on how and what to write in your essay, check the tips below:

  • Check our Macbeth essay samples to acquire knowledge on characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, King Duncan, Banquo, Malcolm, Macduff, Three Witches, and others. Each character is unique, and it’s quite easy to write a paper on each of them. Make a meticulous analysis of each of them, if you decide to write an essay on Macbeth characters. Use dialogues and monologues as supporting arguments to your ideas.
  • In your Macbeth essay introduction provide readers with the thesis statement and a summary you’re going to discuss in the paper. Specify what exactly you will depict or analyze. Sometimes, you may need to write the intro after you finish the body and already have done an in-depth analysis of text and critique materials.
  • When writing body paragraphs, describe the essay topic in detail. Start each section with a short statement, provide a supporting quote, explain it, and make a conclusion. You can always analyze IvyPanda Macbeth essay titles to learn various points of view on each character and event.
  • In the Macbeth essay conclusion, reiterate a topic and your analysis. You should not only summarize the information you’ve gathered and analyzed in the paper body. You have to get back to the intro and provide clear and extensive answers on the questions you raised. Try not to leave any further questions for your readers. Here’s the secret: some professors read the conclusion first. So make it persuasive and give a complete portion of information.

You may be wondering how to use essay examples that you may find on our website. It is super easy. First of all, look through the titles to get some topic ideas.

Then, look through the sample and learn how to create your outline. Think about what you can write in your essay. Check the bibliography: there you can find useful sources for the research.

Indeed, any paper on Shakespeare’s play may concern a variety of topics. So check out our Macbeth essay examples and think of the topics which you can choose.

  • Comparison of the Opening Scene of Macbeth by Orson Welles and The Tragedy of Macbeth by Roman Polanski The opening scene of The Tragedy of Macbeth starts with the words “fair is foul and foul is fair” that Polanski takes from the end of the Shakespeare’s scene.
  • British Literature: Beowulf vs. Macbeth They are as follows: the presentation of the heroes, the consideration of the ethical themes, and the final stages of the plays the latter help to draw some ethical conclusions based on the peculiarity of […]
  • The Downfall of Macbeth Nonetheless, he goes on to murder the king and his character takes a turn for the worst as he kills the chamberlains who would give witness of the king’s death and he claims he killed […]
  • Macbeth & Frankenstein: Compare & Contrast In the being of the play, we assume that Macbeth is akin to the king, a loyal soldier, and a person “full of the milk of human kindness”.
  • The Life and Work of William Shakespeare: His Contribution to the Contemporary Theater In addition, the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare continue to set the standard for the study of the English language in its dramatic context in institutes of higher learning and performance training.
  • Philosophy of Literature: Shakespearean Tragedy In addition, it is also an indication of the facts that human beings are always nosy and ready to participate in other people’s issues.
  • Power and Evocation of Horror: The Macbeth Witches’ Chant Among them are the rhymes, the rhythm of the words, the interpolation of a chorus, the increasing complexity of the lines as the poem progresses, and the vivid and horrifying imagery.
  • Shakespeare Tragedies: Macbeth and King Lear At the beginning of the play, he decides to abdicate his throne and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. This choice eventually undermines the ethical integrity of this character, and he murders murder to […]
  • Macbeth Versions Comparison Film Analysis The use of classic settings in the design of the play helps in portraying the role that gangsters play in the original play of Macbeth and helps present it in the modern world.
  • Unchecked Ambition in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” However, in Act 1, scenes 1 to 4, the audience is introduced to Macbeth’s increasing fear and the developing desire to be the king. It appears that the desire to be the king overrides his […]
  • Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to amuse the audience and to show the level of deception developed by the main character. The porter gives a clear picture of what is about to happen.
  • Shakespeare Literature: Prophecy and Macbeth Morality The divination made by the witches pushes Macbeth further into immorality as he is made to believe that he deserves the position of king. In addition, Macbeth abandons reason and morality so as to make […]
  • Macbeth by Shakespeare and Oedipus by Sophocles Comparison In Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth, we have the three witches who greet him and inform him that he is to become the “Thane of Cawdor,” the title that he will receive that evening, […]
  • Drama Macbeth: Shakespeare’s Play and Wells’ Film However, the play communicates the meaning of the text in a better way as compared to the film by Orson Wells.
  • Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and Sophocles’ “Oedipus” The idea of a person being in the center of the action and trying to overcome some problems connected with doom, fate and some other supernatural forces become peculiar to this kind of art.
  • Oedipus King vs. Macbeth: Drama Comparison The concept reflects the foundation of the decent authority through showing the tendencies of power both in the ancient times and in the period of Renaissance.
  • Macbeth: An Analysis of the Play by Shakespeare Macbeth’s treachery springs from his reliance to the witches who gave him prophecy that results in his endless creation of enemies.
  • Characters’ Traits in Shakespeare’s Macbeth As weird as it might sound, Lady Macbeth is very emotional; as a matter of fact, the crimes that she committed can be attributed to her emotionality rather than her greed, though the latter has […]
  • Themes in the Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare The character of Macbeth is used by Shakespeare to illustrate a man who lacks the strength of moral fiber under the affection of guilt and ambition.
  • Macbeth and Hamlet Characters Comparison The queens in Hamlet and Macbeth play a pivotal role in the life of the heroes of the play. She is portrayed as a mother who, in her awareness of Hamlet’s crisis, feels guilty and […]
  • King Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Play and History He proved to be a courageous man and ambitious because he wanted to become the king, and the only way he could do it was by killing the king.
  • Literary Elements in “Macbeth” Poem In addition, use of Symbolism imagery and symbolism creates a better picture in audience mind, concerning the themes that the play covers; such as where dark is used to represent evil.
  • An Explication on Shakespeare’s Macbeth However, Macbeth’s wife is murdered and the news is broken to him, and he is drifted into a life of futility and remorsefulness.
  • Chaucer’s ‘Miller’s Tale’ and Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ Chaucer’s The Miller’s Tale and in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, to be more exact, we will find out how the notion of poetic justice is represented by examples of the main characters of the works mentioned.
  • Shakespear’s “Macbeth”: Main Character Change Analysis Macbeth is essentially the story of a character who lives his life in a state of confusion to the degree that the only constant in his life changes.
  • Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero In addition to fighting for his king, Macbeth is quickly and well rewarded for his efforts as King Duncan makes him the new Thane of Cawdor in addition to his already holding the title of […]
  • Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth The world of Macbeth is a world of contradiction. Already a successful soldier in the army of King Duncan, Macbeth is informed by Three Witches that he is to become “Thane of Glamis!”, “Thane of […]
  • Character Analysis of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare The unplanned overnight stay of King Duncan and his entourage at Macbeth’s castle precipitates Macbeth’s first fateful decision: to murder King Duncan and clear the way for the witches’ prophecy to come true.
  • Analysis of Characters in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The witches’ predictions spark Macbeth’s ambitions and then hearten his violent performance; Lady Macbeth offers the brains and the will behind her husband’s intrigues; and the only heavenly being to emerge is Hecate, the divinity […]
  • The Use of Hands as a Motif in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The play presents readers with the world of royalty and the well-knit state; the world of Duncan, his two sons, Banquo, Macbeth and the whole of Scotland and England.
  • Emotions and Outward Actions in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” In this regard, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the relationship of inward emotions and outward actions is relevant in fully conveying the interplay of themes in this tragedy.
  • Representing the Heroic: Macbeth and Odysseus In Homer’s Odyssey, the noble nature of the hero is made clear in the way that his servants speak of him and strive to behave as he would expect.
  • Shakespeare and His View on Kingship: Macbeth, King Lear and Othello At the same time, it is beyond doubt in the basement Macbeth’s character is clean and as a soldier, he is true to his job and his king.
  • “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare: Language and Tropes Typically, ‘the end of something means the onset of another.’ Using this as a viewpoint that provides a lead to what Macbeth is all about, the fact that ‘we will proceed no further in this […]
  • Literary Character Analysis of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The very reason that made me write about this character was how he is depicted as a hero in the opening pages of the play, and only to learn how weak he is from his […]
  • Analyzing the Adaptation of the Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Furthermore, the names of all the characters in both films are the same except for a little twist in the spelling of names like Mcbeth and Mcduff.
  • William Shakespeare: Hamlet and Macbeth It is important to examine the role that the setting plays in Hamlet and Macbeth in relation to the tragic flaw and developments of the plot.
  • The Story of Macbeth by W. Sheakspeare: Relationship and Strengths Between Macbeth and His Wife Lady Macbeth reads a letter her husband had written about the witches’ prophecy and manipulates him to kill King Duncan and take over the kingdom.
  • Supernatural Elements of Act I and II in Macbeth In the play, the supernatural things are central to the plot of the play as they provide a basis for action as Shakespeare meant them to fit in putting the play together.
  • Intro to Theatre: “Macbeth” Shakespeare’s theatrical performances are widespread all over the world and do not lose their relevance, both due to the problems raised by the playwright and the various interpretations of his works. One of such plays is the production of Macbeth directed by Bodinetz (2020) and created by the troupe of Digital Theater +. The performance […]
  • Jeffrey R. Wilson: Macbeth and Criminology The genre of tragedy used in Macbeth poses the question to the reader: who is responsible for committing a crime – the individual or the society?
  • Betrayal in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The betrayer, Macbeth betrays the King, friend and other subjects in the kingdom. However when Macbeth is told he has just been chosen as the Thane of Cawdor, scenes of the possibilities of him as […]
  • Concept of Power in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” While The government is the system that makes laws and ensures that they are followed, it is the person who wields power who is responsible for the equality and impartiality of its enforcement.
  • The “Macbeth” Film by Rupert Goold While Shakespeare’s play happened in the 11th century in Scotland, the movie’s design is more similar to the events of the 20th century. Corresponding to the era of the first half of the 20th century, […]
  • The Play “Macbeth” by Shakespeare and the Film “Maqbool” by Bhardwaj Bhardwaj’s Maqbool is a great example of how the weather sets the tone for the story, it is not the backdrop in the film, but an active force expressing the psychological state of the characters.
  • Omens in The “Macbeth” Play by William Shakespeare The supernatural was an aspect of the plot structure used to add tension and drama to the occurrences and situations and manifested in various ways. To conclude, the owl and raven were utilized as omens […]
  • Supernatural in “Macbeth” Play by Shakespeare The supernaturally manufactured predictions lure Macbeth and Banquo with the idea of power, leading Macbeth to plot the cruel murder of Duncan.
  • The Ambitions and Immoral Decision in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Analyzing Macbeth’s Conscience Throughout Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
  • Murder and Power in William Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
  • Unprincipled Ambition in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Use of Supernatural to Create Suspense in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Psychological Victimization of William Shakespeare’s Protagonist in “Macbeth”
  • Responsibility for Planning to Kill Duncan in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Dramatic Techniques to Create a Sense That Macbeth Is Not in Control of His Own Thoughts and Deeds
  • An Analysis of Jam-Packed With Malfeasance and Darkness in the Play “Macbeth” by Shakespeare
  • The Application of Imagery in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Witches, Supernatural, and Evil in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Banquet Scene of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Analyzing Macbeth’s Weak Character in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Ambition Often Results in Greed as Portrayed in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Psychoanalytical Criticism of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Women as The Driving Action of the Play in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • William Shakespeare’s Manipulation of the Audience Through “Macbeth”
  • Suspense and the Supernatural in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Sharing the Blame in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Macbeth’s Tragic Downfall in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Characterization of Macbeth in Relation to the Development of Scotland in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Role Reversal in William Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
  • The Butcher and His Fiend Like Queen in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Supernatural Forces Create a Suspense Atmosphere in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Archetypal Tragic Hero Characteristics of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and Sophocles’ “Oedipus”
  • An Analysis of Macbeth as a Victim of Circumstances in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Power, Ambition, and Treason in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Breakdown of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Unbridled Ambition in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Art of Appeasement and the Political, Religious, and Social Issues Reflected in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Parallels Between Macbeth and Satan in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Some of the Ways in Which Shakespeare Portrays an Atmosphere of Evil in “Macbeth”
  • An Analysis of Lady Macbeth’s Character in “Macbeth” by Shakespeare
  • The Blood Imagery in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Macbeth’s Representation of Ambition in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Attract of Wicked in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Manipulations, Greed, and Guilt in William Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
  • Stereotypical Images of Women in “Macbeth” by Shakespeare
  • Symbolism and Imagery in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Subjective Reality to the Viewer in the Play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • The Betrayal of Human Nature in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Treatment of Gender Disruption in William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and “Macbeth”
  • Significance of Act Four Scene One in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Role of Women in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Recurring Images in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Similarities Between the Philosophies From Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • The Aristotelian Standards of a Tragic Hero in the Tragedy of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Struggles of the Conscience in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • The Battle Between Good and Evil in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
  • Sleep and Its Meaning in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • Relationship Between Spouses in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • A Musical Analysis of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
  • What Did Macbeth’s Character, Words, and Actions Show About Changes in His Character?
  • Who Are the Women in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
  • When Power Falls Into the Wrong Hands in “Macbeth”?
  • Why Are the Period and Place Important in “Macbeth”?
  • What Makes William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” a Pessimistic Play?
  • How Ambitions and Immoral Decision Play a Part in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
  • How and Why Does Macbeth Turn a War Hero Into an Evil Murderer?
  • Did the Three Witches Push Macbeth to Kill Duncan?
  • What Are the Attitudes Towards Gender Can Be Seen in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
  • What Part Does the Supernatural Play in “Macbeth”?
  • Was Macbeth Responsible for His Downfall?
  • Does Shakespeare Present Lady Macbeth as Good or Evil?
  • Can One Feel Pity for Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
  • What Dramatic Techniques Are Used in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
  • How Did Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s Relationship Change Throughout the Play?
  • What Did Macbeth Say About Good and Evil?
  • Does Shakespeare Present Lady Macbeth as Fiend-Like?
  • Does Macbeth Have Power?
  • How Did Macbeth Turn From “Nobel Macbeth” to “A Bloody Butcher”?
  • What Does Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Have to Say About Kingship?
  • Did Macbeth Suffer From Fate?
  • What Are the Character Traits of Lady Macbeth?
  • Does Macbeth Have Free Will?
  • What Are the Influences of the Witches’ Prophecies on Macbeth’s Actions?
  • How Are the Themes of Appearance and Reality Presented in “Macbeth”?
  • How Are Characters Presented as Disturbed in “Macbeth”?
  • Was Macbeth Considered the Tragic Hero of the Play?
  • How Did Lady Macbeth and Witches Change?
  • What Are the Differences and Similarities Between “Medea” and “Macbeth” Plays?
  • What Factors Lead Macbeth to Kill Duncan?
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

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questions for macbeth essay

Macbeth: Essay Plan Examples

A* and Level 9 essays are always properly planned before they are written. But how should you plan a Macbeth Essay?

Here is a list of practise plans and notes that students have completed for a range of essays on Macbeth. Some are focused on ideas, and others on structuring. To get the best out of your plans, you should try to keep a balance between both of these.

Always plan a thesis before writing — this is your main argument, the main answer to the question that comes in the intro of your essay. The rest of the essay should then explore and argue on this thesis.

This page is suitable for students aged 14–18 (GCSE — A-Level), particularly those studying the following exam boards: CIE / Cambridge, AQA, OCR, WJEC / Eduqas, CCEA, Edexcel.

Thanks for reading! If you find this resource useful, you can take a look at our full online Macbeth course here . Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!

This course includes: 

  • A full set of video lessons on each key element of the text: summary, themes, setting, characters, context, attitudes, analysis of key quotes, essay questions, essay examples
  • Downloadable documents for each video lesson 
  • A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback
  • A bonus Macbeth workbook designed to guide you through each scene of the play!

For more help with Macbeth and Tragedy, read our article here .

PRACTICE ESSAY 1:

Explore how Shakespeare discusses the theme of deception in Macbeth.

Trickery begets trickery — Macbeth deceives Duncan at the start, Banquo shortly after, he himself is deceived by the Witches > negative comment on deception.

Feudal system / divine right of kings vs New Politics / Machiavelli.

Deception creates temporary power, but the order of the world will be restored.

God ignores the castle — sinful behavior causes God to turn away.

Thesis: deception is evil and creates more evil and chaos, both for the individuals who deceive and the kingdom as a whole. For the human characters, it leads down a path to insanity, Shakespeare is drawing a parallel between deception and evil to show that it is ungodly and sinful.

P1 — Intro — Shakespeare discusses the theme of deception in Macbeth by exploring Macbeth’s insanity, showing the Macbeths covering their tracks and the temporary success with long term failure that deception brings.

P2 — Macbeth’s insanity — “oh full of scorpions is my mind”, “could not I pronounce Amen” “Is this a dagger I see before me”.

P3 — Showing the Macbeths covering their tracks — creates a climate of panic and paranoia — “I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal”.

P4 — demonstrates the religious messages of Macbeth — don’t commit sinful behavior.

P5 — demonstrates Shakespeare’s political beliefs — his faith in the Feudal system / his mistrust of New Politics.

PRACTISE ESSAY 2:

How does Shakespeare make this scene particularly terrifying?

500–600 Words essay.

5 Paragraphs:

  • Intro — 50 words — Go over points quickly > thesis at the end
  • Paragraph 1 (PEAL) — 165 words
  • Paragraph 2 (PEAL) — 165 words
  • Paragraph 3 (PEAL) — 165 words
  • Conclusion — Recap strongest points quickly > Link back to the thesis

Paragraph plans

  • Shakespeare makes this scene particularly terrifying by… (religion)
  • Furthermore, the scene is particularly terrifying due to … (fear)
  • Another way that Shakespeare has made this scene particularly terrifying is… (supernatural)

PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE:

Point — 1 Sentence

Evidence — Quotation (no longer than 7 words).

Analysis — Identify techniques, language features, vocabulary, and dramatic devices ‘how / why’ something works in a certain way.

Evaluation — assessing the importance/significance of something.

Link — Link back to text and thesis.

Thesis: The significant turning point for Macbeth in the play as he realizes that he is unable to say amen and might be haunted due to his deed. Macbeth is a dynamic character, a tragic hero who undergoes a tragic fall, and this moment demonstrates the point at which his mind begins to disintegrate and he is abandoned by God, which would be very terrifying for a Shakespearean audience.

Top Level Mark Scheme:

  • Answers in this band have all the qualities of Band 2 work, with further  insight, sensitivity, individuality, and flair.  They maintain a  sustained engagement  with both text and task.
  • Sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response
  • Shows a clear critical understanding of the text.
  • Responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (sustaining a convincing voice in an empathic task).
  • Integrates much well-selected reference to the text

‘Make’ > understand and discuss dramatic devices

‘Particularly’ > evaluation word

Thesis: ‘what we think/feel/realize’

Shakespeare makes this scene particularly terrifying through the implicit meanings in the text. He uses varying vocabulary and language features such as allegory and allusion, which are seen throughout the text, to create a frightening atmosphere. This mainly revolves around Macbeth, a dynamic character, whose insight to murder has changed. We realize that Macbeth is unable to cope with his past actions due to his current actions.

QUOTES/IDEAS:

“ Didst thou not hear a noise ?” — Macbeth builds tension/suspense, a small amount of fear, later layers up into terror.

“ The owl scream ” — Lady Macbeth, possible link to Duncan’s death, possible horror sound, ‘scream’ > personification.

“ As I descended ?” — Macbeth, descent downstairs, but also perhaps signifies hell/degeneration into evil + madness.

Disjoined / lack of connection between characters — Macbeth is jumpy. They disagree. Macbeth is empathetic towards Donalbain > ‘ sorry sight’, Lady Macbeth is cold and says he is ‘foolish’.

“ There’s one did laugh in’s sleep, and one cried ‘Murder !’,” > terrifying, because two random people woke up during Macbeth murdering Duncan, they have a premonition or some sort of awareness.

“ I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’/ Stuck in my throat. ” > he’s under the influence of evil, so God has abandoned him, he’s past the point of redemption, perhaps the turning point where he realizes he can’t go back, psychological?

“ It will make us mad ” > Lady Macbeth feels that the two of them will be mad if they dwell on their deeds in a negative way.

“ Macbeth does murder sleep ” > this is particularly terrifying as sleep also means rest and peace. Not only is Macbeth murdering sleep, but he is murdering rest and peace which he will not get as he will be haunted by the murder. ( personification )

“ Smear / The sleepy grooms with blood ” > the fact that they can pass the blame so easily and effectively is terrifying, what else can they pass the blame for if they can pass the blame for the murder.

“ Painted devil ” > the image of a dead body is likened to a painted devil seen by a child. They are just images that are feared.

“ Clean from my hand? No ” > No amount of water will be able to wash the blood off of Macbeth’s hands. He will never be able to forget about the blood on his hands, in a metaphorical sense.

“ Making the green one red ” > His hands will turn the sea red. That is the amount of blood which he bears.

Foreshadowing Lady Macbeth’s ‘out damned spot’:

“Out, damned spot! Out, I say! — One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky! — Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? — Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” >  5.1, just before she commits suicide, a descent into madness — she sees spots of blood on her hands, paralleling Macebeth’s visions of blood.

Motif – recurring element of a story (lack of sleep/blood on hands).

ESSAY PLAN 3:

In what ways does Shakespeare make the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo so compelling?

P1 — Intro — Shakespeare makes the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo so compelling through the exploration of the themes of deception, death, and good versus evil. The discussion of such themes leads us, as the reader, to come to the conclusion that Macbeth is a sinister character who has somehow managed to befriend an honest, decent man, Banquo which leads to a relationship filled with tension.

P2- Deception- “I fear thou have played most foully for it” “fruitless crown” “I wish your horses swift and sure of foot”

P3 — death- “Banquo, thy soul’s flight…find heaven”  Enter the Ghost of Banquo and sits in Macbeth’s place  (stage directions)

P4 — good versus evil- juxtaposing of characters

Conclusion — strongest points again

ESSAY PLAN 4:

‘Macbeth is not an evil man, but one led astray by those around him’.

To what extent do you agree with this view?

You should write 500–600 words.

Thesis — I believe that Macbeth is an evil man and is responsible for his own actions. His sheer greed for power is what has led him astray and it was his choice to kill Duncan and have Banquo and Fleance as well as Macduff’s family killed. He has shown throughout the play that his greed, not those around him, has led him astray.

Paragraph 1: — Intro- include thesis and quick overview Paragraph 2: — Disagree paragraph Paragraph 3: — Disagree paragraph Paragraph 4: — Agree paragraph (counter) Paragraph 5: — Conclusion (quick overview of strongest points, thesis)

Point -main point

Evidence -quotation

Analysis -why/how does it relate to argument

Context -context to shakespearean times

Alternative interpretation -alternative view

Link -back to thesis

  • Told by the witches that he will be king.
  • Pressured by Lady Macbeth to kill Duncan.
  • Witches tell him that Banquo’s descendants shall be king, incites Macbeth. Witches may have known that this would have riled Macbeth up.
  • Witches told Macbeth he will be king so he could have waited until he became King the right way.
  • Macbeth could have stood up to Lady Macbeth and told her no.
  • Macbeth felt the need to have Banquo and Fleance killed, nobody pressured him to do so.
  • Macbeth had Macduff’s family killed for no good reason.
  • Macbeth acted on his own accord.

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30 Macbeth Essay Topics

Most commonly assigned as required reading for high school and college students, Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. The play is set in medieval Scotland and chronicles the rise and fall of its eponymous protagonist, Macbeth, who murders his way to the throne but is ultimately undone by his ambition and paranoia.

While Macbeth can be a challenging read, it is also one of the most rewarding, offering a complex and multi-layered exploration of themes like ambition, morality, and fate.

If you are tasked with writing an essay on Macbeth, there are many possible essay writing formats you can use to analyze, compare, summarize, and discuss the play. This guide will walk you through writing a Macbeth essay and provide 30 Macbeth essay topics to get you started on your next writing assignment.

Argumentative Essay Writing for Macbeth

An argumentative essay is a type of essay that asks you to take a position on a given issue or question. Argumentative essays are common assignments in high school and college, especially in literature courses.

In an argumentative essay about Macbeth, you will take one position on one of the play’s many themes and argue for your interpretation using specific evidence from the text.

Argumentative essay topics for Macbeth need to include both sides of the argument and should be framed as a question. For example, “Is Macbeth a tragic hero?” or “What is the role of gender in Macbeth?”

Once you have chosen your topic, you will need to find evidence from the play to support your position. Be sure to cite specific lines and passages from the text as evidence in your essay.

Comparative Essay Writing for Macbeth

Comparative essays ask you to compare and contrast two or more things such as characters, themes, motifs, plot elements, etc. A comparative essay about Macbeth can take many different forms, but one common approach is to compare the characters of Macbeth and Banquo.

When writing a comparative essay about Macbeth and Banquo, you will want to consider how they are similar and different. What motivates them? How do they react to the events of the play? Are they good or evil? You can also compare and contrast other pairs of characters, such as Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff or Duncan and Malcolm.

Persuasive Essay About Macbeth

In a persuasive essay, your goal as the writer is to convince your reader to agree with your position on a given issue or question. Like an argumentative essay, you will want to use evidence from the play to support your claims.

When writing a persuasive essay about Macbeth, you can take a position on anything from whether or not Macbeth is a tragic hero to what motivates the characters in the play.

Unlike an argumentative essay on Macbeth, a persuasive essay about the play will need to be heavily opinionated to make a convincing argument. Be sure to take a clear and definitive stance on your chosen topic, and use specific evidence from the play to support your claims.

Narrative Essay About Macbeth

A narrative essay is a type of essay that tells a story. In a narrative essay about Macbeth, you will be asked to recount and describe an event or series of events from the play. Your goal in a narrative essay is not to take a position or argue a point but simply to tell the story in an engaging and interesting way.

Formatting Citations for a Macbeth Essay

Since you will need to cite directly from the play to back up the arguments and comparisons drawn from the play, it’s essential to understand the correct formatting for quotations from Macbeth.

If you are asked to write in MLA formatting (standard at most educational institutions), each quotation will need to be ended with the speaker’s name in italics, followed by the act, scene number, and line number(s) in parentheses.

For example:

“…Creeps in this petty pace from day to day” ( Macbeth 5.5.17-28).

If the quoted text is more than one line, be sure to separate each verse with a forward slash as follows:

“To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day” ( Macbeth 5.5.17-28).

If the quoted text is part of a conversation, use block quotations by indenting each line of the quoted text 1″ from the left margin (hit the TAB button twice). Additionally, you’ll need to capitalize all of the letters in the name. End the quote with the plays name, act, and scene number as follows:

HAMLET. To be, or not to be–that is the question:

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them… ( Hamlet 3.1.56-60)

You’ll notice that after the initial 1″ margin, each subsequent line will also need an additional indentation. If quoting dialogue from two or more people, each person should start with capital letters and an indented 1″ margin:

FIRST WITCH. When shall we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

SECOND WITCH. When the hurlyburly’s done,

When the battle’s lost and won . ( Macbeth 1.1.1-4)

With the vast amount of information and things to discuss in the play Macbeth, it can be hard to narrow it all down to one topic. But, with this list of 30 Macbeth essay topics, you should have no trouble coming up with an essay to fit your needs.

  • How does Macbeth’s character change throughout the play?
  • Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Why or why not?
  • Who is most responsible for Macbeth’s downfall?
  • Discuss the role of gender in Macbeth.
  • Is ambition a positive or negative trait? Use examples from Macbeth to support your claim.
  • How does Shakespeare use the supernatural in Macbeth?
  • Discuss the role of fate in Macbeth.
  • Compare and contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship.
  • Discuss the role of deception in Macbeth.
  • What motivates the characters in Macbeth?
  • Is violence ever justified? Use examples from Macbeth to support your claim.
  • Discuss the theme of ambition in Macbeth.
  • Compare and contrast the characters of Macbeth and Banquo.
  • Discuss the theme of power in Macbeth.
  • Discuss the theme of loyalty in Macbeth.
  • What is the significance of the witches in Macbeth?
  • How does Shakespeare use foreshadowing in Macbeth?
  • Discuss the role of greed in Macbeth.
  • What is the significance of Macbeth’s soliloquies?
  • Discuss the theme of betrayal in Macbeth.
  • Compare and contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s attitudes toward power.
  • Discuss the theme of sanity vs. insanity in Macbeth.
  • Discuss the theme of appearance vs. reality in Macbeth.
  • How does Shakespeare use irony in Macbeth?
  • What is the significance of blood in Macbeth?
  • Discuss the theme of corruption in Macbeth.
  • What is the significance of nature vs. nurture in Macbeth?
  • Discuss the theme of good vs. evil in Macbeth.
  • What is the significance of the title “Macbeth”?

With these Macbeth essay topics, you should have no trouble coming up with an essay to fit your needs. Remember to cite all quotes and paraphrases from the play Macbeth and use MLA format.

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William Shakespeare

  • Literature Notes
  • Major Themes
  • Macbeth at a Glance
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  • About Macbeth
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  • Summary and Analysis
  • Act I: Scene 1
  • Act I: Scene 2
  • Act I: Scene 3
  • Act I: Scene 4
  • Act I: Scene 5
  • Act I: Scene 6
  • Act I: Scene 7
  • Act II: Scene 1
  • Act II: Scene 2
  • Act II: Scene 3
  • Act II: Scene 4
  • Act III: Scene 1
  • Act III: Scene 2
  • Act III: Scene 3
  • Act III: Scene 4
  • Act III: Scene 5
  • Act III: Scene 6
  • Act IV: Scene 1
  • Act IV: Scene 2
  • Act IV: Scene 3
  • Act V: Scene 1
  • Act V: Scene 2
  • Act V: Scene 3
  • Act V: Scene 4
  • Act V: Scene 5
  • Act V: Scene 6
  • Act V: Scene 7
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Critical Essays Major Themes

The Fall of Man

The ancient Greek notion of tragedy concerned the fall of a great man, such as a king, from a position of superiority to a position of humility on account of his ambitious pride, or hubris . To the Greeks, such arrogance in human behavior was punishable by terrible vengeance. The tragic hero was to be pitied in his fallen plight but not necessarily forgiven: Greek tragedy frequently has a bleak outcome. Christian drama, on the other hand, always offers a ray of hope; hence, Macbeth ends with the coronation of Malcolm , a new leader who exhibits all the correct virtues for a king.

Macbeth exhibits elements that reflect the greatest Christian tragedy of all: the Fall of Man. In the Genesis story, it is the weakness of Adam, persuaded by his wife (who has in turn been seduced by the devil) which leads him to the proud assumption that he can "play God." But both stories offer room for hope: Christ will come to save mankind precisely because mankind has made the wrong choice through his own free will. In Christian terms, although Macbeth has acted tyrannically, criminally, and sinfully, he is not entirely beyond redemption in heaven.

Fortune, Fate, and Free Will

Fortune is another word for chance. The ancient view of human affairs frequently referred to the "Wheel of Fortune," according to which human life was something of a lottery. One could rise to the top of the wheel and enjoy the benefits of superiority, but only for a while. With an unpredictable swing up or down, one could equally easily crash to the base of the wheel.

Fate, on the other hand, is fixed. In a fatalistic universe, the length and outcome of one's life (destiny) is predetermined by external forces. In Macbeth, the Witches represent this influence. The play makes an important distinction: Fate may dictate what will be, but how that destiny comes about is a matter of chance (and, in a Christian world such as Macbeth's) of man's own choice or free will.

Although Macbeth is told he will become king, he is not told how to achieve the position of king: that much is up to him. We cannot blame him for becoming king (it is his Destiny), but we can blame him for the way in which he chooses to get there (by his own free will).

Kingship and Natural Order

Macbeth is set in a society in which the notion of honor to one's word and loyalty to one's superiors is absolute. At the top of this hierarchy is the king, God's representative on Earth. Other relationships also depend on loyalty: comradeship in warfare, hospitality of host towards guest, and the loyalty between husband and wife. In this play, all these basic societal relationships are perverted or broken. Lady Macbeth's domination over her husband, Macbeth's treacherous act of regicide, and his destruction of comradely and family bonds, all go against the natural order of things.

The medieval and renaissance view of the world saw a relationship between order on earth, the so-called microcosm , and order on the larger scale of the universe, or macrocosm. Thus, when Lennox and the Old Man talk of the terrifying alteration in the natural order of the universe — tempests, earthquakes, darkness at noon, and so on — these are all reflections of the breakage of the natural order that Macbeth has brought about in his own microcosmic world.

Disruption of Nature

Violent disruptions in nature — tempests, earthquakes, darkness at noon, and so on — parallel the unnatural and disruptive death of the monarch Duncan.

The medieval and renaissance view of the world saw a relationship between order on earth, the so-called microcosm, and order on the larger scale of the universe, or macrocosm. Thus, when Lennox and the Old Man talk of the terrifying alteration in the natural order of the universe (nature), these are all reflections of the breakage of the natural order that Macbeth has brought about in his own microcosmic world (society).

Many critics see the parallel between Duncan's death and disorder in nature as an affirmation of the divine right theory of kingship. As we witness in the play, Macbeth's murder of Duncan and his continued tyranny extends the disorder of the entire country.

Gender Roles

Lady Macbeth is the focus of much of the exploration of gender roles in the play. As Lady Macbeth propels her husband toward committing Duncan's murder, she indicates that she must take on masculine characteristics. Her most famous speech — located in Act I, Scene 5 — addresses this issue.

Clearly, gender is out of its traditional order. This disruption of gender roles is also presented through Lady Macbeth's usurpation of the dominate role in the Macbeth's marriage; on many occasions, she rules her husband and dictates his actions.

Reason Versus Passion

During their debates over which course of action to take, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use different persuasive strategies. Their differences can easily be seen as part of a thematic study of gender roles. However, in truth, the difference in ways Macbeth and Lady Macbeth rationalize their actions is essential to understanding the subtle nuances of the play as a whole.

Macbeth is very rational, contemplating the consequences and implications of his actions. He recognizes the political, ethical, and religious reason why he should not commit regicide. In addition to jeopardizing his afterlife, Macbeth notes that regicide is a violation of Duncan's "double trust" that stems from Macbeth's bonds as a kinsman and as a subject.

On the other hand, Lady Macbeth has a more passionate way of examining the pros and cons of killing Duncan. She is motivated by her feelings and uses emotional arguments to persuade her husband to commit the evil act.

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Macbeth - Essay Questions Breakdown

Macbeth - Essay Questions Breakdown

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Scrbbly - A* Grade Literature + Language Resources

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questions for macbeth essay

A complete step-by-step guide for how to plan and write a Macbeth essay, which works both for coursework and exams under timed conditions. This document is perfect for guiding students with essay structuring and planning, as well as refining their knowledge of the play.

Tailored towards GCSE + iGCSE students, but also helpful for those studying at a higher level - check the preview for further info!

NOTE: this is a breakdown of the essay questions - if you’re looking for example essays, see our Macbeth - Example GCSE + iGCSE Essays, A*-C Grades (L9-L5) and our Macbeth - Example A-Level Essays

This digital + printable + PPT document includes the following:

-A full breakdown of the essay planning process

  • Two example essay plans
  • An annotated extract that guides students with how to select evidence
  • Breakdown of keywords and focus of the essay question
  • Support with developing clear, concise and thoughtful topic sentences
  • Support with selecting the correct evidence to suit points
  • Support with integrating contextual and thematic concepts

Reasons to love this resource:

  • Perfect for expanding students’ knowledge and interpretations
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Need more Macbeth help? Grab our free resources here: Introduction to Macbeth

Macbeth Character Analysis

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MACBETH: COMPLETE BUNDLE!

All hail to thee! This bundle contains everything you need to teach or study Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the form of digital and printable PDF documents. It’s perfect for students aged 14+. **Preview two of our documents for free, to check whether it’s right for you!** [Macbeth Complete Character Analysis](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-macbeth-character-analysis-12766603) [Introduction to Macbeth - Comprehensive Study Guide](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/introduction-to-macbeth-comprehensive-study-guide-12766594) [Watch Youtube videos of this bundle content here!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC90hpWr8so&list=PLeLnxAMVPTM8UG0zuvt4dVEe7me7mmp19) **There are two levels to this bundle:** Core material for students aged 14-16 (GCSE and iGCSE) Extension material for students aged 16-18 (AS, A Level + IB) **With this bundle, students will be able to:** * Understand the structural elements and key moments of plot * Deepen their knowledge of characters, including understanding the deeper messages behind each one * Integrate the significance of the setting into their analyses and interpretations of the play as a whole * Gain confidence with understanding the dramatic form, with a focus on Shakespearean drama * Memorise a range of carefully chosen key quotations for use in essays and analysis * Develop their language, structure and form analysis skills, with guided support and examples * Identify and analyse the thematic and contextual details * Learn approaches to a range of essay question types: discursive, argumentative, close reading * Become confident with extract interpretation and analysis * Develop their knowledge of tragic conventions and apply them to the play * Expand their critical aptitude via exposure to key critical frameworks and critics’ quotations (for higher level students) * Write their own essays on Macbeth, after support with planning help and example A* / top grade model answers **Reasons to love this bundle:** * Downloadable pdfs documents, graphically designed to a high level * Visual aids (photographs and drawings) to support learning * Clearly organised categories that simplify the text for students * Print and digital versions - perfect for any learning environment * The unit has everything you need to start teaching or learning - starting with the basic story summary, going right up to deep contextual and critical wider readings. * Lots of tasks and opportunities to practice literary analysis skills - students will be guided through writing a literary analysis response to the play. **This is what you'll get with this digital and printable resource:** THE COMPLETE MACBETH COURSE * Introduction to Macbeth - Comprehensive Study Guide * Macbeth - Plot Summary + Structural Breakdown * Setting in Macbeth * Macbeth - Character Study Guide * Macbeth - Key Quotations * Macbeth - Complete Context Revision * Macbeth Key Themes Study Guide * Macbeth and Tragedy * Macbeth - Critical Interpretations + Critics' Quotations WORKSHEETS + LESSONS * Macbeth Text and Study Questions - ACT 1.1 * Macbeth Text and Study Questions - ACT 1.6 * Full Lesson: Religion in Macbeth ESSAY WRITING, QUESTIONS + EXAMPLE ANSWERS * Macbeth - How to Write Higher Level Essays * Macbeth - How to Plan Essays * Macbeth - GCSE + iGCSE Essay Questions * Example A-Level Essays, A*-C Grades * Macbeth - GCSE + iGCSE Model Essays, A*-C Grades (L9-L5) **Ready to print and teach, or start studying straight away! Please be sure to take a look at the preview images to see all the documents in this resource! Looking for other texts? Here are two more: [An Inspector Calls](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-inspector-calls-revision-bundle-12611113) [AQA GCSE Power and Conflict Poetry](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-power-and-conflict-poetry-bundle-12462323) You might also be interested in: [AQA GCSE English Paper 1 Complete Bundle](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-english-language-paper-1-complete-bundle-12542887) [Cambridge IGCSE Poetry Anthology 2023-2025, Songs of Ourselves Volume 2, Part 4](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/caie-cambridge-igcse-poetry-anthology-2023-2025-songs-of-ourselves-volume-2-part-4-12722377) [Cambridge A Level Poetry for 2023](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/cie-cambridge-a-level-poetry-for-2023-bundle-part-1-12735444) **Please review our content! We always value feedback and are looking for ways to improve our resources, so all reviews are more than welcome. Check out our full [shop](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/ntabani) here

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questions for macbeth essay

Macbeth Essays

There are loads of ways you can approach writing an essay, but the two i favour are detailed below., the key thing to remember is that an essay should focus on the three aos:, ao1: plot and character development; ao2: language and technique; ao3: context, strategy 1 : extract / rest of play, the first strategy basically splits the essay into 3 paragraphs., the first paragraph focuses on the extract, the second focuses on the rest of the play, the third focuses on context. essentially, it's one ao per paragraph, for a really neatly organised essay., strategy 2 : a structured essay with an argument, this strategy allows you to get a much higher marks as it's structured to form an argument about the whole text. although you might think that's harder - and it's probably going to score more highly - i'd argue that it's actually easier to master. mainly because you do most of the work before the day of the exam., to see some examples of these, click on the links below:, lady macbeth as a powerful woman, macbeth as a heroic character, the key to this style is remembering this: you're going to get a question about a theme, and the extract will definitely relate to the theme., the strategy here is planning out your essays before the exam, knowing that the extract will fit into them somehow., below are some structured essays i've put together., macbeth and gender.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Macbeth — Strengths And Weaknesses In Macbeth

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Strengths and Weaknesses in Macbeth

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Published: Mar 5, 2024

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questions for macbeth essay

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  3. Macbeth: Seven GCSE Style Extract Essay Questions

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  1. Is Macbeth Relevant?

  2. Macbeth Video Essay

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  1. Macbeth: Suggested Essay Topics

    4. Discuss Macbeth's visions and hallucinations. What role do they play in the development of his character? 5. Is Macbeth a moral play? Is justice served at the end of the play? Defend your answer. 6. Discuss Shakespeare's use of the technique of elision, in which certain key events take place offstage.

  2. Macbeth: Study Help

    Get free homework help on William Shakespeare's Macbeth: play summary, scene summary and analysis and original text, quotes, essays, character analysis, and filmography courtesy of CliffsNotes. In Macbeth , William Shakespeare's tragedy about power, ambition, deceit, and murder, the Three Witches foretell Macbeth's rise to King of Scotland but also prophesy that future kings will descend from ...

  3. Macbeth Essay Questions

    Macbeth Essay Questions. 1. Macbeth is often cited as a famous example of what the American sociologist Robert Merton called a "self-fulfilling prophecy.". Discuss how the mechanism of the witches' prophecy works in terms of its self-fulfillment.

  4. Macbeth Suggested Essay Topics

    Suggested Essay Topics. 1. Macbeth struggles with his conscience and the fear of eternal damnation if he murders Duncan. Lady Macbeth's conflict arises when Macbeth's courage begins to falter ...

  5. PDF Six Macbeth' essays by Wreake Valley students

    question shows that she is once again mocking him but this time, due to the forceful presence of Banquo's ghost in Macbeth's mind it does not work and he again hallucinates. As a results of this ... Level 7 essay Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in the extract as a manipulative, spiteful and selfish character. ...

  6. 128 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare based on the true story of Scottish king Macbeth. The play tells us about a Scottish general who heard a prophecy from a trio of witches and decided to bring predictions to fulfillment. This is a drama about the jeopardy of excessive lust for power and betrayal of friends.

  7. PDF Essay Questions on William Shakespeare's Macbeth

    Essay Questions on William Shakespeare's Macbeth. 1) Discuss the various roles of the witches in 'Macbeth' with special emphasis on Coleridge's remark that "the witches have the power of tempting those that have been tempters themselves.". 2) What is, at the end of the play, your attitude to Macbeth?

  8. The Scrbbly Blog

    P2- Deception- "I fear thou have played most foully for it" "fruitless crown" "I wish your horses swift and sure of foot". P3 — death- "Banquo, thy soul's flight…find heaven" Enter the Ghost of Banquo and sits in Macbeth's place (stage directions) P4 — good versus evil- juxtaposing of characters.

  9. Macbeth Essay Topics

    Macbeth: Essay Topics 1) The supernatural plays an important role in Macbeth.To what extent does it motivate Macbeth's actions? 2) Discuss King Duncan and examine what contribution he makes to the play. 3) In constructing Macbeth, Shakespeare dramatically altered historical characters to enhance certain themes.Examine Shakespeare's sources and discuss why he made these radical changes.

  10. 30 Macbeth Essay Topics

    30 Macbeth Essay Topics. Most commonly assigned as required reading for high school and college students, Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. The play is set in medieval Scotland and chronicles the rise and fall of its eponymous protagonist, Macbeth, who murders his way to the throne but is ultimately undone by his ambition ...

  11. Macbeth Critical Essays

    Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this study guide. You'll also get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

  12. What is a good thesis for an essay on Macbeth by Shakespeare?

    For example, for an essay about Macbeth and his ambition, I might create this thesis statement: Macbeth, as the tragic hero of the play, is driven to his own demise by his tragic flaw -- ambition ...

  13. Macbeth: Critical Essays

    Get free homework help on William Shakespeare's Macbeth: play summary, scene summary and analysis and original text, quotes, essays, character analysis, and filmography courtesy of CliffsNotes. In Macbeth , William Shakespeare's tragedy about power, ambition, deceit, and murder, the Three Witches foretell Macbeth's rise to King of Scotland but also prophesy that future kings will descend from ...

  14. Macbeth Essay Topics

    Macbeth Essay Topics. These essay topics will help students explore and understand the major themes and characters of Macbeth. These prompts will help students create expository essays, compare ...

  15. Macbeth: Mini Essays

    Though Macbeth is a brave general and a powerful lord, his wife is far from subordinate to his will. Indeed, she often seems to control him, either by crafty manipulation or by direct order. And it is Lady Macbeth's deep-seated ambition, rather than her husband's, that ultimately propels the plot of the play by goading Macbeth to murder Duncan.

  16. Macbeth: Questions & Answers

    Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill King Duncan by preying on his sense of manhood and courage. When Macbeth reveals that he has had a change of heart and is no longer willing to kill King Duncan, Lady Macbeth becomes enraged. She openly questions whether he is a man who is willing to act on his desires, asking, "Art thou afeard / To be in ...

  17. Macbeth

    pptx, 16.75 MB. A complete step-by-step guide for how to plan and write a Macbeth essay, which works both for coursework and exams under timed conditions. This document is perfect for guiding students with essay structuring and planning, as well as refining their knowledge of the play. Tailored towards GCSE + iGCSE students, but also helpful ...

  18. AQA English Revision

    Strategy 2: A structured essay with an argument. This strategy allows you to get a much higher marks as it's structured to form an argument about the whole text. Although you might think that's harder - and it's probably going to score more highly - I'd argue that it's actually easier to master. Mainly because you do most of the work before the ...

  19. GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Macbeth

    Complete the activities on these page. 2. Remember to use index cards to write down key quotations to learn. 3. Plan/write answers to the questions at the back of this back. Themes you need to revise. • Ambition.

  20. How to Write an Essay on Macbeth

    About. This How to Write an Essay about Macbeth document provides you with a step-by-step guide to drafting your essay, valuable contextual information on what to include in your essay, and two ...

  21. Sample exam question

    Take a look at a sample exam question and answers for William Shakespeare's play Macbeth with BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature (AQA).

  22. PDF Macbeth exam questions

    Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 4 and answer the question that follows. At this point in the play, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo. Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with!

  23. Strengths And Weaknesses In Macbeth: [Essay Example], 926 words

    Ultimately, Macbeth's strengths and weaknesses are integral to the moral and ethical lessons conveyed in the play. They demonstrate the fine line between ambition and moral decay, the destructive nature of manipulation when used for nefarious purposes, and the internal turmoil that can lead to tragic consequences.

  24. Macbeth Essays

    The Captain tells the King that 'brave Macbeth' (1.2.16) met the traitor Macdonald with his sword drawn and killed him in a very horrible and gory manner. Thus our first description of Macbeth is ...

  25. How is the theme of chaos versus order depicted in Macbeth with three

    The theme of chaos versus order is depicted throughout Shakespeare's "Macbeth" as the main character, Macbeth, disrupts the natural order of society through his ambition and actions.