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.
Miss Huttlestone's GCSE English
Because a whole class of wonderful minds are better than just one!
The theme of kingship in ‘Macbeth’
Firstly visit the following helpful link to refresh your memory of key contextual factors around kingship in Shakespeare’s time:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/english/macbeth/background/revision/1/
Kingship may well rear its head in the Macbeth question on Tuesday. If this occurs don’t panic, simply read over these helpful notes before your exam:
It could be good to start your essay with an introduction including some context as a basis for your essay (and the basis of the whole play) based on the political climate of the time.
This is just a guide as to what you COULD say in your essay – please use these ideas to further your own. Point One: the ideal king: •Act One ‘valiant cousin’ = premodifying adjective used by Duncan in act 1 scene two to elevate his soldiers, he treats both Macbeth ans Banquo as equals, he does not discriminate between those deserving of his praise. ‘worthy’ = praises his men/ gratitude – rewards Macbeth’s bravery; he is a benevolent and fair king, the epitome of key virtues associated with a well liked monarch. Duncan also admits his own misplaced judgement in the Thane of Cawdor – he is human. Macbeth is emotionally conflicted in a long soliloquy in act 1 scene 7 as he deliberates whether to complete the act of regicide: ‘We will proceed no further in this business./He hath honored me of late’…’Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued’. Here he believes his death is against god’s will, against the divide right of kings and the chain of being. If ‘angels’ will ‘plead’ (a verb of desperation for someone deeply invested in that which they seek to save) then Duncan must be highly valuable as a monarch.
In act 1 scene 6 Duncan is a greatful guest and compliments Lady Macbeth’s abilities to host:’our honored hostess!’ And later ‘Give me your hand. Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly’. His language is highly emotive and complimentary. He treats all of his subjects irrespective of gender with care and tenderness. Act Five – another form of favourable kingship at the close of the play as order is restored: Malcom portrays many similar qualities to his father – rewarding and praising friends for loyalty and bravery – he unites the country (see final speech) could also refer to Malcom’s testing of Macduff’s loyalty – interesting for discussion of what being a good king is.
Shakespeare’s intentions in displaying correct kingship? To create a contrast that accentuates the wickedness of The Macbeth’s acts, as well as the horror of a tyrannical king. Praise to King James – draws attention to the more flattering qualities of kingship, while behaviour of Macbeth and subsequent consequences are a warning…
When Macbeth is crowned in act 2 a change in his language reflects his new position as a king- hints of what kind of king he will be: • Use of the royal “we” – superiority. • Strong verse rhythm – confidence and power. • Banquo’s change in language – “your highness”, “my good lord.” • Imperatives and interrogation. • Dramatic irony and deceitful nature – ‘our bloody cousins’ (purposefully lays blame on Duncan’s innocent sons for his own self preservation) • Macbeth’s public confidence is immediately contrasted with his self-doubt and insecurity left alone on stage as he knows the fullness of the crime he has committed. Macbeth’s transformation in to a tyrant and subsequent demise demonstrates the repercussions of a corrupt ruler/ a usurper.
Hiring murders to kill his friend – transformed from great warrior to weak.
Corruption of his mind – “full of scorpions”/haunted by guilt and fear. Scotland is suffering under his rule, “a country afraid to know itself”- loss of identity violent sorrow is common place. A corrupt king makes a country ill. His soldiers have no love for him, “those he commands, move only in revolt.’ Act 5, scene 2. Many desert him near the end of the battle – direct contrast to the battle at the beginning of the play.
In summary:
Macbeth unlawfully seizes the throne by murdering Duncan. He demonstrates the traits that go against the divine right and God, as he takes counsel from the three witches. In this way, kingship in “Macbeth” is shown as something that is divinely appointed by contrasting the way Macbeth takes over the throne and the other kingly figures in the play such as Duncan and Macduff.
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Secondary English teacher in Herts. View all posts by gcseenglishwithmisshuttlestone
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Macbeth ( AQA GCSE English Literature )
Topic questions.
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| Topic Questions | Download questions | View answers |
Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 5 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play Lady Macbeth is speaking. She has just received the news that King Duncan will be spending the night at her castle.
The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood, Stop up th’access and passage to remorse That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose nor keep peace between Th’effect and it. Come to my woman's breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature's mischief. Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry ‘Hold, hold!’ |
Starting with this speech, explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a powerful woman.
Write about:
how Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in this speech
how Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in the play as a whole
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
How did you do?
Did this page help you?
Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 5 of Macbeth and then answer the questions that follows.
At this point in the play, Lady Macbeth is speaking. She has just read Macbeth's letter telling her about his meeting with the three witches.
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised; yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o'th’milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou'dst have, great Glamis, That which cries 'Thus thou must do’, if thou have it; And that which rather thou dost fear to do Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round, Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal. |
Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents ambition in Macbeth.
how Shakespeare presents ambition in this speech
how Shakespeare presents ambition in the play as a whole
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, after receiving The Witches’ prophecies, Macbeth and Banquo have just been told that Duncan has made Macbeth Thane of Cawdor.
BANQUO But ’tis strange, And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths; Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s In deepest consequence. – Cousins, a word, I pray you.
MACBETH [Aside] Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme. – I thank you, gentlemen. – This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs Against the use of nature? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smothered in surmise, and nothing is, But what is not. |
Starting with this moment in the play, explore how Shakespeare presents the attitudes of Macbeth and Banquo towards the supernatural.
how Shakespeare presents the attitudes of Macbeth and Banquo towards the supernatural in this extract
how Shakespeare presents the attitudes of Macbeth and Banquo towards the supernatural in the play as a whole.
Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 2 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, the Captain tells Duncan about Macbeth’s part in the recent battle.
Doubtful it stood, The multiplying villainies of nature Do swarm upon him – from the Western Isles Of kerns and galloglasses is supplied, And Fortune on his damnèd quarrel smiling, Showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak, For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name – Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like Valour’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave, Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’chaps And fixed his head upon our battlements. |
Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a violent character.
how Shakespeare presents Macbeth in this extract
how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a violent character in the play as a whole.
[30 marks] AO4 [4 marks]
Read the following extract from Act 5 Scene 1 of Macbeth and then answers the question that follows.
At this point in the play, the Doctor and the Gentlewoman watch Lady Macbeth sleepwalking.
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. Do you mark that? The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean? No more o' that, my lord, no more o' that. You mar all with this starting. Go to, go to; you have known what you should not. She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of That. Heaven knows what she has known. Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O. What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged. I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body. Well, well, well,-- Pray God it be, sir. This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds. Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so Pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried; he cannot come out on's grave. Even so? To bed, to bed; there's knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come, give me your hand; what's done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed. |
‘Lady Macbeth is a female character who changes during the play.’ Starting with this moment in the play, explore how far you agree with this view. Write about:
how Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in this extract
how far Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a female character who changes in the play as a whole
[30 marks] AO4 [4 marks]
Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Macbeth has murdered Duncan and has returned to Lady Macbeth.
Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep’, the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
‘Glamis hath murdered sleep’, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more.
You do unbend your noble strength to think So brain-sickly of things. Go get some water And wash this filthy witness from your hand. Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there. Go carry them and smear The sleepy grooms with blood.
I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on’t again, I dare not.
Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures; ’tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt. |
Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
how Shakespeare presents their relationship in this extract
how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the play as a whole
Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 1 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Macbeth is thinking of his feelings about Banquo.
To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be feared. ‘Tis much he dares, And to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. There is none but he, Whose being I do fear; and under him, My Genius is rebuked; as it is said, Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters When first they put the name of king upon me And bade them speak to him. Then prophet-like, They hail'd him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so, For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered, Put rancours in the vessel of my peace Only for them, and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings. Rather than so, come fate into the list. And champion me to the utterance! Who’s there? |
Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears.
how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears in this speech
how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears in the play as a whole.
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COMMENTS
s on transfers all that built-up rage into it. Lady Macbeth is shown by Shakespeare to be strongly emotional, passionate and ambitious; these act almost as her ham. rtias leading to her eventual suicide in act 5. Shakespeare's specific portrayal of Lady Macbeth is done to shock the audience, she. is a character contradic.
For example, Macbeth seems to be trapped in a permanent day, after 'Macbeth does murder sleep' and his guilt and paranoia render him unable to rest. In contrast, Lady Macbeth takes on an oppositional path, suffering sleepwalking and unable to wake from her nightmare; repeating the phrase 'to bed. To bed' as if trapped in a never-ending ...
Paper 1 is worth 64 marks and accounts for 40% of your overall GCSE grade. The Macbeth essay is worth 34 marks in total, because it also includes 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Section A of Paper 1 contains the Macbeth question and you are required to answer the one available question on the play.
How to Write a Macbeth Essay. Paper 2 of your OCR GCSE English Literature exam will include questions on your anthology poetry, unseen poetry and on the Shakespeare play you've been studying. You will have 50 minutes to complete one Macbeth question from a choice of two options: A question based on an extract (of about 40 lines) from Macbeth or.
Strategy 2: A structured essay with an argument. 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 ...
This is why Malcolm - a good and rightful king - is seen unifying the lords and thanes of England and Scotland in the play. Macbeth - a tyrant and illegitimate king - is seen as creating division. Although James I was mostly popular, there were many plots to kill him. The most serious, and famous, of these plots was the Gunpowder Plot ...
Check out our 'Ultimate English Language & Literature AQA GCSE Course': https://www.firstratetutors.com/gcse-courseFree GCSE English revision guides: https:/...
Essay Plan One: Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth and answer the question that follows. At this point in the play, Macbeth and Banquo have just encountered the three witches. MACBETH. [Aside] Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act. Of the imperial theme.--I thank you, gentlemen.
The first question you'll answer in English Literature Paper 1 will be on by William Shakespeare. You have 1 hour 45 minutes for his paper so you should spend around 55 minutes on this question. Like the question, you will be given an extract to analyse in your essay - you should use this to help you include detailed analysis of methods for AO2.
Macbeth as a tragedy. Knowledge and evidence: The play is in the form of tragedy, which means it must have a tragic hero as its protagonist. This tragic hero must have a tragic flaw, or hamartia. The hamartia of tragic heroes of Ancient Greek tragedies was often hubris: having overconfidence in your own ambitions.
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.
All my tips and strategies for writing grade 9 arguments for Macbeth essays. Works for every exam board.⏱️Timestamp⏱️0.00 What is an argument?2.42 Key featur...
When Macbeth is crowned in act 2 a change in his language reflects his new position as a king- hints of what kind of king he will be: • Use of the royal "we" - superiority. • Strong verse rhythm - confidence and power. • Banquo's change in language - "your highness", "my good lord.". • Imperatives and interrogation.
Macbeth's language in this extract is repetitious and unsettled. He uses the word 'sleep' seven times, emphasising his obsessive nature and the fixed state of his mind. He is overwhelmed by guilt to the extent that his command of language is depleted. Here, sleep can be seen as a metaphor for a calm and quiet conscience, but sleep can ...
AO3. 6. Use contextual ideas and perspectives to support your argument and to provide further insight into Shakespeare's choices. AO4. 4. Use specialist terminology and key vocabulary throughout your essay. Structure your essay clearly, and spell and punctuate correctly. Model Answer Breakdown.
All answers. 1 34 marks. Macbeth. Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play, Macbeth has murdered Duncan and has returned to Lady Macbeth. 5. MACBETH Methought I heard a voice cry, 'Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
In this a bit longer video, you'll find four Macbeth practise essay questions - from GCSE to A-level - each one is broken down into a clear process that show...