Macbeth Essay Plans:

In Macbeth, it is shown that ‘vaulting ambition’ and yearning of power leads to the
disruption of natural disorder – thus creating chaos

Ambition can never be fully satisfied, as although Macbeth must “o’erleap” Malcolm – he
feels that he has only ‘scorched the snake, not killed it’ and therefore believes that ‘to be
thus is nothing, but to be safely thus.’ Macbeth’s yearning of power causes the disruption of
the ‘Chain of Being’ – which is a social hierarchy that was (and still is today) the ‘status quo.’
To break this ‘chain’ which was given by God would be going against God himself, thus it
was considered hubris – which is what Macbeth has done. His destructive ambition causes
power struggles within society, as Macbeth is seen as a ‘tyrant’ not a ‘king’ – which
represents the imbalance in power in the post-modern context.
Macbeth’s hubris can be portrayed
to highlight the sacrilegious ‘black and deep desires’ Macbeth has committed to achieve his
ambition, triggering the reign of chaos and disorder.

Appearances are not what they seem, and Lady Macbeth, the witches and Macbeth’s
verisimilitude is used to manipulate others which fortifies the perennial theme that there is
a hidden facet to every person

‘Fair is foul and foul and fair’ illustrates that the values of good and evil are confused, and
that what is fair can be foul within. This is recurrent during the play as even Lady Macbeth
convinces Macbeth to murder Duncan by hiding his alter-ego.
‘Come you spirits…fill me from the crown to the top full of direst cruelty.” She is hiding her
femininity to pursue her ambition with determination and confidence – however the
ramifications of her persuasion leads Macbeth to commit a murdering rampage which
eventually drives both characters to insanity – especially Lady Macbeth who suffers under
her restrained emotions and guilt, and releases it through suicide
Macbeth also hides his fatal flaw of ominous ambition

Shakespeare’s Macbeth demonstrates a society that is riddled with good and evil events
and characters. Discuss with close reference to techniques and scenes.
Critical writings:

Back to the question itself - essentially, your job is to provide validation for the
particular statement provided in the question through your analysis which
involves the inclusion of opinion/judgement that should not come across
subjectively.

. Not only does this trigger the disruption of natural order, but also encapsulates the power
struggles within the post-modern context.

Subsequently resulting in

The Elizabethan context encompasses a highly religious, patriarchal society with dark
undercurrents of ‘vaulting ambition’ and hidden charades of each persona. Evil is related to
the dominant female characters of the play, as they attempt to conceal their femininity with
virility thus challenging their expectations in society. This furthers Shakespeare’s perception
on women as the salience of evil a nd deceit, whilst Macbeth’s brewing ambition to kill the
virtuous, honourable King that is the equivalent to God, juxtaposes the tyrannical Macbeth,
and evil figure in society, to King Duncan, the good aspect of society. Shakespeare implies
that in the strongly Protestant society, natural order will always be restored and that good
will always reign over evil.
Specific too critical readings/ the perspectives of others:
General

 The reading presents …aspects of …

 The reading suggests/proposes …
 In opposition to / support of …, the author points to …
 The reading/article/extract questions the view that…
 The critic identifies …reasons/issues/problems/…

Assertion

 The authors claim/argue/assert that…

 The reader/critic/responder maintains/ assumes…
 The author advocates the view that…

Expressing agreement with author(s)

 As Critic X perceptively/insightfully pointed out…, … seems/appears to be…

 The evidence/argument presented by the author supports hi/her claim/conclusion
that…

Expressing disagreement with author(s)

 Critic ‘X’ and ‘Y’ depict …. as ….. However, this view

somewhat underestimates/overlooks/assumes ….For example…

 Evaluative language to express your own judgement

 It appears to me that the author…
 In my opinion, the article…
 The concept presented by the author is intriguing/innovative in that it… (positive)
 The arguments the author presented are inadequately supported… (negative)
 The article accurately/inaccurately portrays/presents…

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. “A tragic hero is a protagonist, usually of noble birth or high-standing, who brings about
his own downfall by a choice brought on by a character flaw.  Tragic heroes have several
other common features: they undergo meaningful suffering, learn from their mistake
somehow, and arouse pity or fear in the audience through their demise.”
How has Shakespeare explored the transformation and demise of the main protagonists—
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth—from loyal subjects to cold blooded murderers.
2.  “Macbeth not only epitomises evil but falls victim to it.”
Evaluate this statement in an essay on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Use close textual
reference to support your argument. 
3. Shakespeare should have called the play ‘Lady Macbeth’, after all she is the catalyst and
the victim of all the evil that abounds. 
Do you agree? Present your point of view using detailed reference to Macbeth.
4. “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
The supernatural plays an important role in Macbeth.  To what extent does it motivate
Macbeth’s actions?
5. Through the character Macbeth, Shakespeare traces the dramatic decline of a tragic hero.
Discuss this with close reference to the play Macbeth. 
6. “In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses Banquo as the touchstone of humanity against which
Macbeth’s monstrosities can be measured.”  Discuss.
7. It has been said that the tragic protagonist should be neither wholly good nor wholly bad.
Macbeth comes the closest of all Shakespearean protagonists to being the latter. Yet he
has certain qualities, which, in different circumstances, would be commendable. Analyse
 both his good and bad qualities and make a conclusion as to your opinion of him as a
person
8. “Macbeth is haunted by his imagination, his vaulting ambition and his sense of self.” 
How does Shakespeare explore the way each of these affects his behaviour in the play?
9. "For the play Macbeth to work as a tragedy, Shakespeare had to maintain our sympathy
with a character whose actions become increasingly (to use Malcolm’s words) ‘those of a
butcher’.”  Discuss.
10. Unless the playwright can arouse the sympathy of the audience for the protagonist, he
will not achieve the classical effects of tragedy—pity and terror—and the drama will not
deserve the title of true tragedy. His problem is doubly hard when the protagonist is, like
Macbeth, not only a tyrant but also a murderer. Analyse the ways in which Shakespeare
attempted to evoke sympathy for Macbeth.
11. In Shakespearean tragedy the blame for the outcome lies with two sources. The character
of the protagonist is partly responsible for his downfall while external forces or fate are
also responsible for the sad resolution. In Macbeth one cannot overlook forces like the
Witches, Lady Macbeth and a variety of external circumstances. Present your position as
regards the issue of Macbeth’s personal responsibility.
12. In Macbeth, Shakespeare probably make more use of irony than in any other play. There
is verbal irony when Macbeth says ‘fail not our feast’, at the same time knowing that
Banquo will be murdered before dinnertime. There is irony of situation when Macduff
inquires about the latest horrors in Scotland, not knowing that all his loved ones have
been murdered. And there is irony of fate when Macbeth attempts to gain ‘security’ by
having Banquo killed and then, on seeing Banquo’s ghost, reacts so violently that he
arouses the suspicion of everyone present. Write an essay on the use of irony in the play,
making it clear what its frequent presence adds to the force of the tragedy.
13. Much of the action of Macbeth as well as its dramatic impact, is due in large part to the
feelings of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth toward each other, to their mutual understandings
and dependencies, and to their individual strengths and weaknesses. Present your
evaluation of the relationship between the two and its significance to your own response
to the play.
14. “This butcher and his fiend-like queen”. Is this a fair assessment of the characters of
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
15. Discuss the thematic, dramatic and atmospheric significance of the witches and the
supernatural.