macbeth personal response essay

Study Guides

Master Shakespeare's Macbeth using Absolute Shakespeare's Macbeth essay, plot summary, quotes and characters study guides.

Plot Summary : A quick review of the plot of Macbeth including every important action in the play. An ideal introduction before reading the original text.

Commentary : Detailed description of each act with translations and explanations for all important quotes. The next best thing to an modern English translation.

Characters : Review of each character's role in the play including defining quotes and character motivations for all major characters.

Characters Analysis : Critical essay by influential Shakespeare scholar and commentator William Hazlitt, discussing all you need to know on the characters of Macbeth.

Macbeth Essay : Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous essay on Macbeth based on his legendary and influential lectures and notes on Shakespeare.

Miss Huttlestone's GCSE English

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‘Macbeth’ Grade 9 Example Response

Grade 9 – full mark – ‘Macbeth’ response

Starting with this extract (from act 1 scene 7), how does Shakespeare present the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

In Shakespeare’s eponymous tragedy ‘Macbeth’, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship is a complex portrait of love, illustrating layers of utter devotion alongside overwhelming resentment. Though the couple begins the play unnaturally strong within their marriage, this seems to act as an early warning of their imminent and inevitable fall from grace, ending the play in an almost entirely different relationship than the one they began the play with.

In the exposition of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth initially appear immensely strong within their marriage, with Macbeth describing his wife as ‘my dearest partner of greatness’ in act 1 scene 5. The emotive superlative adjective ‘dearest’ is a term of endearment, and acts as a clear depiction of how valued Lady Macbeth is by her husband. Secondly, the noun ‘partner’ creates a sense of sincere equality which, as equality within marriage would have been unusual in the Jacobean era, illustrates to a contemporary audience the positive aspects of their relationship. Furthermore the lexical choice ‘greatness’ may connote ambition, and as they are ‘partner(s)’, Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are equal in their desire for power and control, further confirming their compatibility but potentially hinting that said compatibility will serve as the couple’s hamartia.

However, the strength of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship falls into a rapid downward spiral in the subsequent scenes, as a struggle for power within the marriage ensues. This is evidenced when Macbeth, in act 1 scene 7, uses the declarative statement ‘we will proceed no further in this business’. Here, Macbeth seems to exude masculinity, embracing his gender role and dictating both his and his wife’s decisions. The negation ‘no’ clearly indicates his alleged definitive attitude. However, Lady Macbeth refuses to accept her husband’s rule, stating ‘when you durst do it, then you were a man’. She attempts to emasculate him to see their plan through. The verb ‘durst’ illustrates the risk taking behaviour that Lady Macbeth is encouraging; implying an element of toxicity within their relationship, and her harsh speech makes the cracks in their relationship further visible to the audience. It is also probable that a contemporary audience would be made severely uncomfortable in the presence of Lady Macbeth’s unapologetic display of power, and it is possible that Shakespeare attempts to paint Lady Macbeth as the villain of the play, playing upon the audience’s pre-determined fears of feminine power. Though Lady Macbeth appears to be acting entirely out of self-interest, another reader may argue that she influences her husband so heavily to commit the heinous act of regicide, as she believes that he crown may as a substitute for the child or children that Shakespeare suggests she and Macbeth have lost previously, and in turn better Macbeth’s life and bring him to the same happiness that came with the child, except in another form.

As the play progresses, Shakespeare creates more and more distance between the characters, portraying the breakdown of their relationship as gradual within the play but rapid in the overall sense of time on stage. For example, Lady Macbeth requests a servant ‘say to the king’ Lady Macbeth ‘would attend his leisure/ for a few words’. Here she is reduced to the status of someone far lesser than the king, having to request to speak to her own husband. It could be interpreted that, now as king, Macbeth holds himself above all else, even his wife, perhaps due to the belief of the divine right of kings. The use of the title rather than his name plainly indicated the lack of closeness Lady Macbeth now feels with Macbeth and intensely emotionally separates them. This same idea is referenced as Shakespeare develops the characters to almost juxtapose each other in their experiences after the murder of Duncan. 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 night. This illustrates to the audience the extreme transformation Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship undergoes, and how differently they end up experiencing the aftermath of regicide.

In conclusion, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begin the play almost too comfortable within their marriage, which seems to invite the presence of chaos and tragedy into their relationship. Their moral compositions are opposing one another, which leads to the distancing and total breakdown of their once successful marriage and thus serves as a warning to the audience about the effects of murder, and what the deadly sin of greed can do to a person and a marriage.

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9 thoughts on “‘Macbeth’ Grade 9 Example Response”

wheres the context

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It is also probable that a contemporary audience would be made severely uncomfortable in the presence of Lady Macbeth’s unapologetic display of power, and it is possible that Shakespeare attempts to paint Lady Macbeth as the villain of the play, playing upon the audience’s pre-determined fears of feminine power.

Also ref to ‘divine right of kings’

Thank you! This is a brilliant response. Just what I needed. Could you also please include the extract in the question.

We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon.

—> until end of scene

She did (Act 1 Scene 7)

Another great resource for grade 9 Macbeth analysis https://youtu.be/bGzLDRX71bs

In order to get a grade 9 for a piece like this would you need to include a wide range of vocabulary or could you write the same thing ‘dumbed down’ and get a 9.

If the ideas were as strong then yes, but your writing must AT LEAST be ‘clear’ for a grade 6 or above.

This is really great, I’m in Year 10 doing my Mock on Thursday, a great point that i have found (because I also take history) Is the depiction of women throughout the play, during the Elizabethan era, (before the Jacobean era) many people had a changed view of women as Queen Elizabeth was such a powerful woman, glimpses of this have been shown in Jacobean plays, in this case Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is depicted as powerful although she had to be killed of to please King James (as he was a misogynist) women are also depicted as evil in the play, such as the three witches, I also found that the Witches are in three which could be a mockery to the Holy Trinity.

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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.

How to Write a Grade 9 Macbeth Essay ( WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

English Senior Content Creator

How to Write a Grade 9 Macbeth Essay

In the WJEC Eduqas English Literature GCSE Shakespeare exam, you will complete two types of essay questions on Macbeth:

One extract-based question worth 15 marks

One longer essay question worth 25 marks

You will need to answer both of these questions and you have 60 minutes in which to do so. The exam board recommends that you spend 20 minutes on the extract question, and 40 minutes on the longer essay. 

The requirements for these two questions are quite specific, so read on for guidance and advice on how to get full marks for both types of literature essay.

How do you start a Macbeth essay?

Extract or essay question first.

Start with the extract-based question, as the exam paper has been designed to ease you into the longer essay by giving you a shorter question first (and you have all the evidence you’ll need to include in the extract). 

Know your exam timings

Once you’ve decided which question to begin with, plan your timings. Twenty minutes should be enough time to answer the first question, so check the exam hall clock and write down what time you will start wrapping up your answer. 

Many students spend too long on the extract question and don’t leave enough time to properly answer the essay question, which is worth 10 more marks. Don’t leave any marks behind in the examination room!

Plan, don’t write

Before you begin writing, make a plan. 

Students often want to begin writing immediately as they believe the more they write in an essay, the more marks they will receive. However, this is not the case. Instead, follow the maxim: “plan more, write less”. The more you know in advance what your argument will be, and what evidence you can use to support that argument, the more marks you will likely be awarded.

What should I include in my plan?

Essay writing is all about planning. A good plan includes the following:

A really good plan contains each of these three elements and it means your argument will be what examiners call “coherent”, which means joined-up. Furthermore, once you’ve got all the pieces of your essay together, it makes it much quicker to write!

Example plan

Below is a model plan for this past paper 25-mark essay question:

Guilt is a key theme in Macbeth. Write about how Shakespeare presents guilt at different points in the play. Refer to characters and events from the play in your answer.

You’ll see that you can write your plan in note form to save time:

How do you write a good introduction for GCSE English Literature?

The key to writing a good introduction to a Macbeth essay is simple: make sure you plan it first. You should know what your argument is before you put pen to exam paper. What is your personal “take” on the question and what evidence proves this? 

Here are some tips to help you to write an effective introduction:

How many paragraphs should a top marks Macbeth essay be?

For the 15-mark extract question, which you should spend only 20 minutes on, try to plan and write two or three paragraphs (at most) aside from your introduction and conclusion. 

For the 25-mark question, you should try to write a longer essay — comprising three or four paragraphs — but it doesn’t need to be any longer than that. The more focused your response, and the more time you spend planning your answer, the better you will do.

Here is a model essay structure for GCSE:

We have created a top grade model answer for the extract question , as well as a Macbeth Grade 9 example answer for the essay question ; both are answers to past WJEC Eduqas English literature papers.

Do I need to include a conclusion in my Macbeth essay?

It is always a good idea to include a conclusion to any GCSE Macbeth essay because it signals to the examiner that you have created a coherent response, and that you have sustained your argument all the way through your writing. However, given that the questions are only worth 15 or 25 marks, you don’t want to spend too long crafting a perfect conclusion. 

Aim instead to create a simple, one- or two-line conclusion that sums up the argument you put forward in your thesis statement.

How many quotes do I need to include in my Macbeth essay?

Students are often taught paragraph frames, or scaffolds, like PEE, by their schools or teachers. Although these can be useful when learning how to write essays, it’s really important to note that examiners at GCSE think these scaffolds limit students’ answers and can result in lower-mark responses.

One of the reasons for this is that a PEE structure suggests you should only include one piece of evidence for each point you make. In fact, the more evidence you have – in the form of textual references or direct quotations – the better your argument will be. 

So try to include multiple quotations or references for each topic sentence point you make. Don’t forget that a textual reference doesn’t have to be a direct quotation: you can paraphrase a quotation, or include stage directions, plot points, or comments about characterisation or (for the 25-mark essay question) changes and contrasts across the text. These all count as “evidence” and will make your argument stronger.

You must not include quotations from elsewhere in the play when answering the 15-mark extract question, as you will be given no credit for this. Instead, examiners want to see candidates using quotations from the beginning, middle and end of the extract.

For the longer 25-mark essay, examiners suggest students learn a range of shorter quotations (rather than fewer really long ones). They also want to see students take a “whole-text” approach, so try to learn quotations from all points of the play.

See our Macbeth Quotations and Analysis page for some of the best quotes to learn, arranged by character (Macbeth; Lady Macbeth; the three witches).

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Author: Nick Redgrove

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

David Schlachter

Macbeth—response.

Written as coursework for Grade 9 English course.

William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” is a play that is filled with action and suspense, but also with messages. Personally, I think that the main message that Shakespeare is trying to tell us is that when ambition goes unhindered by moral values, it will corrupt and destroy people and nations.

Shakespeare expressed this message particularly in his two main characters, Macbeth & Lady Macbeth. Both were very ambitious and in the end their ambition caused their demise. For instance, when Macbeth first received the prophecies from the witches he immediately thought of murdering Duncan, although his common sense told him that that was not a good idea. When Macbeth sent his wife a letter about the prophecies, she took a more direct approach to satisfy her ambition; she cleverly and relentlessly drove her husband to kill Duncan, and anyone else that was a threat to their staying in power, but in the end Lady Macbeth’s conscience caught up with her and had a negative impact on her health. Macbeth, on the other hand, dealt with the moral consequences of his murders much better than his wife, mostly by telling himself that life is pointless and whatever he does won’t really matter. Shakespeare shows us this in Act 5, Scene 5, when Macbeth says, “Life’s but a walking shadow,” and goes on with other examples of life’s futility. Because of this mentality, he became reckless, paranoid, and boastfully insane, making it easier for Malcolm to dispose of him and then claim the throne, and to restore peace and order to Scotland.

This pattern of an ambitious person who has no moral limits rising to power, and then falling because of their ambition seems to be a common theme in literature and in the world. For example, in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Sauron was an ambitious creature who wanted to rule Middle Earth. He created the one ring to give him power, and then started on a campaign of chaos and destruction. Because of his ambition though, he became suspicious and paranoid that everyone else in the world wanted to steal his power, therefore allowing Frodo to destroy the ring.

Just like Sauron, Macbeth also became paranoid and stopped trusting anyone. This is especially illustrated in Act 3, Scene 3, where the murderers were waiting to kill Banquo and Fleance. In the scene Macbeth had a third murderer join the two that he had already hired. As one of the original murderers stated, “He needs not our mistrust; since he delivers our offices, and what we have to do.” Macbeth’s paranoia never really got him anywhere, instead it developed into a sort of boastful madness. In Act 5, Scene 5, Macbeth was making plans to defend against Malcolm’s army. He said, “Our castle’s strength will laugh a siege to scorn.” Later though, a messenger informed him that Birnam Wood was moving towards the castle. Macbeth rapidly changed his mind, and said, “Arm, arm, and out… There is no flying hence nor tarrying here,” when he could have defended the castle and increased his chances of winning the war.

Macbeth’s rapidly degrading state of mind, his downfall, and the war in Scotland were all because of his, and his wife’s ambition. Without their ambition Duncan would not have been murdered, Lady Macbeth’s conscience wouldn’t have lead her to her death, and Macbeth might have been happily living in Scotland as thane of Glamis and Cawdor. Shakespeare is telling us that if our ambition goes unchecked, it will lead to our demise.

Another theme that I found was prominent throughout the book was that of masculinity. In the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth often related masculinity to cruelty. It seemed that whenever they talked about manhood, something about violence would soon be said. For example, Lady Macbeth often challenged Macbeth’s masculinity in order to manipulate him. In Act 1, Scene 7, Duncan arrived at Macbeth’s castle, and Lady Macbeth was trying to get Macbeth to murder Duncan. Lady Macbeth said, “When you durst do it, then you were a man; and, to be more than what you were you would be so much more the man.” Macbeth, with his rather violent concept of manhood, was convinced that by murdering Duncan and satisfying his ambition he would be a better man. Macbeth took a page from his wife’s book when he hired the murderers in Act 3, Scene 1. It would appear that the murderers in this scene were not hired assassins, since they had some concerns about the moral implications of murdering Banquo. When one of the murderers says, “We are men, my liege,” Macbeth insulted their masculinity, and eventually got them to murder Banquo. I think that Shakespeare was trying to tell people that masculinity is not necessarily related to cruelty. He shows us what happens to Macbeth, who lives by his definition of masculinity, and he also shows us a somewhat better definition of masculinity, beginning in Act 4, Scene 3. In the scene Macduff had just found out about his family’s murder, and Malcolm advised him to, “Dispute it like a man.” Macduff added that he must also, “Feel it like a man.” Later, in Act 5, Scene 9 Siward receives news of his son’s death. He takes the news quite well, commenting that he died a good death, and was a man in his father’s eyes. Malcolm responded, “He’s worth more sorrow, and that I’ll spend for him.” It seems that Shakespeare is telling us that masculinity is not entirely characterised by bumping off your enemies, but that emotions and morals are a part of masculinity too.

I think that the play Macbeth was mainly written to please King James 1. Looking at the material that Shakespeare would probably have had to find out about the Scottish civil war (mainly Holinshed’s Chronicles, by Raphael Holinshed), it seems that Shakespeare changed quite a few things around to suit his purposes. For instance, in Holinshed’s Chronicles, Banquo is portrayed as Macbeth’s active accomplice. Of course, for the play this just wouldn’t do, since James was supposedly Banquo’s descendant. So, in the spirit of political correctness Banquo became a good hearted, honest general. Also, I think that Shakespeare wrote Act 4, Scene 1 particularly with James in mind, since 8 kings enter the stage. The eighth king in the Stuart line was James, and so he would probably like to see himself on stage, especially having a mirror. As Macbeth said in the scene, “And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass which shows me many more.” King James would have especially liked this part of the play, since it implied that his line of kings would be ruling for a long time. Clearly, the play was written to make Macbeth look worse, and James look better. Of course, Shakespeare did all this, while also making a play that would sell.

Of course, another reason that James would have liked the play would be that throughout the play it was suggested that the king was divinely appointed. For example, the first we hear of Macbeth is from a soldier reporting about when Macbeth was facing the King of Norway and he, “unseam’d him from nave to chaps, and fix’d his head upon our battlements.” Hardly disturbed, Duncan replied, “O valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen!” Faced with the though of killing Duncan though, Macbeth thought, “My thought, whose horrid murder is yet fantastical, shakes so my single state of man that function is smothered in surmise.” After the murder, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both became insane, implying that regicide is much worse than homicide because the king is appointed by God. In Act 2, Scene 4, Ross and an old man are talking about events that happened on the night of Duncan’s murder. The night of Duncan’s murder the king’s horses ate each other, the earth was shaking, and owls (supposedly omens of death) were everywhere. This suggests that the king being murdered had disturbed the natural balance of nature. Also, in Act 2, Scene 3, Macduff discovered that Duncan was murdered and he said hysterically, “Confusion now hath made his master-piece. Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope the Lord’s annointed temple, and stole hence the life o’ the building.” (Another interesting thing to note is that while Duncan and Malcolm were considered kings, Macbeth was soon know as “the tyrant.”) In short, Shakespeare’s use of the English language enabled him to make Macbeth very politically correct.

One of the main things that made it possible for Shakespeare to make his plays sell, while being politically correct and entertaining, was his masterful use of the English language. Shakespeare is accredited with creating many new words and phrases in English, and I found his literary techniques very clever.

For instance, Shakespeare uses a lot of imagery in Macbeth. It seems that he uses darkness as an image in the book often, for quite a few purposes. For example, Shakespeare started out his play with the witches in, “Thunder and lightning,” implying darkness. A little bit further on in the play (Act 1, Scene 3), Banquo talks a bit about the powers of darkness deceiving and betraying us (line 132). I think that Shakespeare used darkness in the play to represent evil; most of the major events in the play took place in the darkness, and those that did were definitely not ‘good.’ Actually, the only scenes that occur in the daylight are the very ironic scene where Duncan comments on what a nice day it is outside of the castle of death, and the last scene where peace and order are restored to Scotland. It seems that Shakespeare was using darkness and light to highlight all of the sinister events that occurred in the play. Perhaps another reason that Shakespeare used so much darkness in the play, especially near its beginning, was to set the mood for the play.

Shakespeare also used other images in Macbeth, such as blood and clothes, but if I described them here someone might be reading all night.

Another theme in Macbeth is that evil wears a pretty cloak, or as the witches said, “fair is foul, and foul is fair.” The most prominent example of this in the play would be that the idea of killing Duncan seemed good to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but it obviously didn’t turn out well. After the murder, Macbeth said in Act 3, Scene 2, “Better be with the dead.” By murdering Duncan Macbeth sacrificed a lot, as he mentioned in Act 3, Scene 1. As he said, “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,” and later on he stated, “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.” Banquo recognised this concept early on in the play when he said, “Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.” This, as it turns out, is exactly what the witches did to Macbeth. Their cleverly woven ‘prophecies’ told Macbeth the truth, but only to tap into his ambition, therefore, as Banquo said, to betray him in “deepest consequence.”

This theme in Macbeth, that evil wears a pretty cloak, makes me think about quite a few problems in the world. One of these problems that affects too many teenagers though, could be drugs. To some, drugs seem good. They say that drugs make you feel good, and there could be cash to be gained from selling them, similar to how Macbeth thought that killing Duncan would be good for him. The truth though is much different. For example, Jade Bell, who recently came to D’Arcy, is an excellent example of what happens to many drug users, although a tomb stone could be more fitting. True, drugs make you feel good (“[they] tell us truths, win us with honest trifles”), but they tend to lead one to death, or living in ruin (“to betray us in deepest consequence”).

Another thing that I noticed in Macbeth was that Shakespeare used some interesting foreshadowing. For example, the opening scene with the witches set the (dark) mood for the play. The second scene also did some foreshadowing, suggesting that the rest of the play would be violent and full of carnage. In conclusion, Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” is an excellent play that is filled with messages, and connections to the world today.

First published: 2005-12-11

Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment
• Use of dramatic irony

The theme in Act V, Scene V

Political legitimacy, gender, power, and masculinity, personal response, works cited, use of dramatic irony in macbeth.

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has more information than the characters. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to amuse the audience and to show the level of deception developed by the main character.

In Act, I, Scene III, the first instance of dramatic irony occurs when the three witches appear, and they greet Macbeth and Banquo. The witches address Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor, which Macbeth takes to be a prophecy (Shakespeare 7). However, the audience knows that King Duncan has given orders to Ross to have Cawdor placed under Macbeth’s control, as a reward for winning the battle.

Another incidence of dramatic irony occurs when King Duncan gives a pleasant speech about his host, not knowing they plan to assassinate him (Shakespeare 14).

Dramatic irony occurs when Macbeth and the lords await the arrival of Banquo. Macbeth already has information about his murder. The audience is aware of Macbeth’s actions, but the characters are deceived. Macbeth says, “I drink to the general joy o’ the whole table, and to our friend Banquo, whom we miss, would he were here, I to all, and him, we thirst” (Shakespeare 39). He expresses how he anticipates the arrival of Banquo when he has been told by the first murderer about his death.

Another instance of dramatic irony is when Macbeth speaks to Banquo’s ghost, and the guests consider him a disturbed man. They claim he needs to be left alone. The characters are not aware, as much as the audience, that Banquo’s ghost is in their midst (Shakespeare 38).

The audience is aware of Macbeth’s murders when the characters still consider him an honest man. There are other dramatic ironies in the play, such as the plot by the three witches and Hecate to deceive Macbeth. The dramatic ironies are used to emphasize the treacherous plots that the innocent-looking faces conceal. It also creates suspense that keeps the audience anticipating reaction when the truth is revealed.

In Act V, Scene V, Shakespeare brings out the theme of ambition through Macbeth’s speech. He speaks about the brevity of life and anxiety during critical times. However, a major theme that fits the description is ambition. Tales of ambitious people are “full of sound and fury” (Shakespeare 65). Ross describes it as “Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up thine own life’s mean!” (Shakespeare 28). Ambition comes with a lot of energy, but it is short-lived.

Shakespeare develops the theme by the people he uses to talk about the future. He uses the three witches to forecast what is going to happen. The three witches have been used to tell the story of the brief life of Macbeth. They have made him more ambitious than they found him.

Shakespeare uses the porter to give the impression of what is likely to happen. The porter fits the description of a tale “told by an idiot, full of sound and fury” (Shakespeare 65). The porter says, “Here’s a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty” (Shakespeare 22). The porter gives a clear picture of what is about to happen.

The tale of the ambitious that is told no more after their death includes that of the Thane of Cawdor. He had supported the king of Norway (Shakespeare 6). His story is told no more after his death. The death of Banquo is another example of an ambitious person with a brief life. In Act III, Scene I, Banquo had thoughts of assassinating Macbeth (Shakespeare 29). He becomes part of a tale told by an idiot. Lady Macbeth also forms part of the same tale, the tale of ambition.

Political legitimacy occurs when the king reigns because he deserves to reign. It includes overall acceptance by the people. Macbeth’s political legitimacy is based on deception. He creates the assumption that Donalbain and Malcolm killed their father, which is supported by their escape (Shakespeare 28). He kills King Duncan’s guards to prevent further investigation into the matter. He is named king based on the assumption that he is virtuous.

One of the characteristics associated with moral legitimacy is the ability to win the trust of friends. Malcolm’s questioning of Macduff shows that to be trusted by friends may grant the moral legitimacy of absolute power (Shakespeare 53). In the play, the lords have a strong influence on the person in power. Macbeth does not want to kill Banquo in the open because the lords will be upset. They may desert him.

Macbeth’s action, of killing anyone who differs with him, makes him a tyrant. How he carries the killings makes most of the people hate him. Duncan is seen as a good king. In the case of the Thane of Cawdor, he does not give commands to eliminate the entire family. Duncan rewards Macbeth for his bravery on the battlefield. He shows the characteristics of a good king. Duncan does not use deceit and can be trusted by the rich. On the other hand, Macbeth is a threat to anyone who has some influence on running the kingdom.

Macbeth describes Duncan as a king whose actions are transparent. He has nothing evil to hide. In Act, I, Scene VII, Macbeth says, “Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office that his virtues will plead like angels” (Shakespeare 16). On the other hand, Macbeth has many deeds; he would not like people to know. They would not accept him as king if it were known.

In summary, deception and murder make Macbeth a tyrant. Macbeth follows no fundamental rules in his reign. On the other hand, Duncan conducts his actions in a transparent manner. He follows some fundamental rules in his reign.

Shakespeare has explored the issue of gender. In Act IV, Scene I, the second apparition tells Macbeth, “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn, the power of a man” (Shakespeare 46). The apparition indicates that a powerful man should care the least of what people are saying about him.

He should be resolute and carry out his actions firmly. Aggression is another value that may be taken from the words “be bloody.” Macbeth takes the advice and executes anyone who appears suspicious. A powerful man has to be bold. Masculinity is expressed through boldness, aggression, and making firm decisions.

Soldiers are portrayed through their masculine roles. Macbeth refers to his servant as a soldier’s patch because he lacks bravery (Shakespeare 62). Ross applauds Young Siward for his death as a warrior. He claims that it is deserved. Ross describes that “he only lived till he was a man; The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed…” (Shakespeare 69). Young Siward confirmed his masculinity through his skills on the battlefield.

Shakespeare’s exploration of gender is seen in the conversation between the three witches. In Act, I, Scene III, the first witch asks, “Where hast thou been, sister?” (Shakespeare 6). The Second Witch answers, “Killing swine.” (Shakespeare 6). Shakespeare subverts the perception of gender by capturing the description of a woman who has been hunting. Hunting is associated with masculinity.

Another instance of subversion of gender occurs between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth in Act II, Scene II. Macbeth says, “I’ll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done” (Shakespeare 21). Lady Macbeth takes the blades and lays them next to the king’s guards. Macbeth is afraid of going back into the room. Lady Macbeth appears bolder than Macbeth. Bravery is a major value that keeps reoccurring with masculinity.

Motifs are ideas that keep on reoccurring. In this analysis, “nature” as a motif is investigated. Shakespeare uses “nature” as a motif to distinguish between that which is good and that which is evil. Something may be bad, but also unnatural. He uses “nature” to give degrees to the evil deeds that people may choose. If it is unnatural, then it is also unusual.

In Act I, Scene II, when the sergeant speaks to Duncan, the first application of the word “nature” occurs. He refers to MacDonald as a person whose nature is to be rebellious. Shakespeare may have used the sergeant’s speech to create the mood for the expectation of rebellion. The sergeant claims, “The multiplying villainies of nature, do swarm upon him” (Shakespeare 5). It creates the mood of rebellion by referring to multiplying rebellion as natural. Rebellion is made to appear common for some people.

Nature has been used concerning sleep in Act II, Scene II. Macbeth refers to sleep as “balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast” (Shakespeare 21). Using nature as a value in sleep makes it be considered with utmost importance. The value of sleep is intensified. Shakespeare creates a mood that supports the theme of anxiety. Both Macbeth and his wife will be sleepless and restless when the play approaches a climax. Sleep’s grand importance is elaborated when Lady Macbeth sleepwalks.

Lady Macbeth refers to Macbeth’s condition like lack of natural sleep when he speaks to a ghost. Lady Macbeth says, “You lack the season of all natures, sleep” (Shakespeare 40).

Nature has been used by Macbeth in Act III, Scene IV. Macbeth refers to the ghost’s cheeks as having kept “the natural ruby” (Shakespeare 40). Shakespeare builds the mood of fear. Banquo’s nature is to be rebellious, even in his death.

In many instances, Shakespeare allows Macbeth to speak about nature. Macbeth is defiant against the three witches. He demands that they answer his questions about whether they can control nature. Macbeth orders, “Though the treasure of nature’s germen may tumble all together, even till destruction sicken; answer me to what I ask you” Shakespeare 45).

Shakespeare tries to show that Macbeth is the least delusional of all people, yet he perceives ghosts. The apparitions and the witches appear more tangible if they are perceived by Macbeth. Macbeth is the only character who meets with the unnatural creatures frequently.

Good literature is one which creates human behavior, things, and events in a manner that amuses the reader. Good literature is weighed by the stylistic devices that it applies and how they are arranged in the plot. An over-use of devices may not always be good because it may create ambiguity for the reader.

In drama, the stylistic devices add a lot of value. Shakespeare’s plays usually use humor and personification. In Macbeth, humor has not been applied to a great extent. Personification has been used as Shakespeare’s main stylistic device. An example of personification is Macduff’s speech, “Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny! Lay thou thy basis sure” (Shakespeare, 52). Giving life to values emphasizes the kind of action they generate in the people that possess them.

He uses foreshadowing by the three witches and flashback by Macbeth to capture the interest of the audience. Macbeth can be considered good literature because it creates a plot cast in far-fetched deception. Very few can expect that Macbeth will turn against the king as the play starts.

In poetry, imagery is the most important aspect that makes a poem a good piece of art. A good poem will be measured by how differently the poet describes the same picture from other poets. For example, “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman allows the reader to create the images of the sound of the people at work. In line 2-3, “Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong” (Whitman par. 1).

Another example is John Keats’ “This Living Hand.” In the first two lines, he writes, “This living hand, now warm and capable, of earnest grasping, would if it were cold…” (Hirsch par. 2). Hirsch (par. 1) explains that he was able to feel the hand as he was reading the lines. Poetry is about the ability to make the reader form those images you describe. The reader should be amused at the similarities and the linkages that the poet creates from different things.

Hirsch, Edward. On John Keats’s “This Living Hand” . Web.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth . Web.

Whitman, Walt. I Hear America Singing . Web.

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IvyPanda. (2020, April 8). Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespeares-macbeth-and-dramatic-irony/

"Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay." IvyPanda , 8 Apr. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/shakespeares-macbeth-and-dramatic-irony/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay'. 8 April.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay." April 8, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespeares-macbeth-and-dramatic-irony/.

1. IvyPanda . "Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay." April 8, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespeares-macbeth-and-dramatic-irony/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay." April 8, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespeares-macbeth-and-dramatic-irony/.

Questions & Answers: Macbeth by Shakespeare

William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” is a play steeped in darkness, supernatural elements, and profound questions about ambition, power, and fate. As one of Shakespeare’s most famous and frequently performed tragedies, it provides fertile ground for analysis and interpretation. Here, we explore “Macbeth” through a series of questions and answers, diving into the core themes, characters, and motifs that make the play a timeless piece of literature.

Table of Contents

Q: Who are the main characters in “Macbeth,” and what are their roles?

Q: what is the significance of the witches’ prophecies in “macbeth”.

A: The witches’ prophecies are central to the play’s exploration of fate and free will. They predict Macbeth’s ascent to the throne, which sets the tragic events into motion. Their foretellings play on Macbeth’s ambition and raise questions about whether the events that follow are destined to happen or are the result of Macbeth’s choices.

Q: How does the theme of ambition drive the plot of “Macbeth”?

A: Ambition is the fuel that ignites the tragic arc of the play. Macbeth’s desire to become king leads him to commit heinous acts, including the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth’s ambition for her husband and herself also plays a crucial role, as she manipulates and encourages Macbeth to follow through with their plans. The unchecked ambition ultimately leads to both characters’ downfall.

Q: Can you discuss the role of guilt and conscience in “Macbeth”?

Q: what is the role of violence and bloodshed in “macbeth”.

A: Violence and bloodshed are central to “Macbeth,” serving as both literal and metaphorical elements. The physical acts of violence represent the brutal power struggle, while the recurring blood imagery symbolizes the stain of guilt that cannot be washed away. Blood is a constant reminder of the consequences of Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s actions.

Q: How does Shakespeare use the motif of darkness in “Macbeth”?

A: Darkness in “Macbeth” is used to underscore the play’s ominous tone and the moral corruption of its characters. It often accompanies the play’s most evil and secretive acts, including the planning and execution of Duncan’s murder. Darkness also symbolizes the blindness of ambition and the moral decay that envelops Macbeth as he descends further into tyranny and madness.

Q: What is the significance of the character Banquo in “Macbeth”?

Q: discuss the transformation of lady macbeth’s character throughout the play..

A: Lady Macbeth starts as a forceful and ambitious character, arguably more determined than Macbeth to seize the throne. However, after the murder of Duncan, she begins to unravel, and her initial strength gives way to guilt, which consumes her. Her descent into madness contrasts with her earlier assertiveness, highlighting the psychological toll of their misdeeds.

Q: How does “Macbeth” explore the theme of the natural vs. the supernatural?

William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” is a dramatic exploration of ambition, power, and guilt. The Scottish play, as it’s superstitiously referred to, is a dark and intense tragedy that invites readers and viewers to ponder on human nature and the consequences of our actions. Here is a comprehensive look at “Macbeth” through a series of insightful questions and answers that delve into its core.

Q: What ignites Macbeth’s ambition in the play?

A: Macbeth’s ambition is sparked by the prophecy of the Three Witches, who hail him as the future king. This supernatural endorsement of his potential for greater power awakens his latent desire for the throne, further fueled by Lady Macbeth’s relentless urge to seize the crown.

Q: How does Macbeth’s character evolve throughout the play?

Q: in what way does lady macbeth influence the course of the play, q: how does the theme of fate versus free will manifest in “macbeth”.

A: The theme of fate versus free will is at the heart of “Macbeth.” The witches’ prophecies suggest a predetermined future, yet it’s Macbeth’s actions, influenced by his ambition and Lady Macbeth’s persuasion, that bring these predictions to pass. The play questions whether the characters are merely fulfilling their destined paths or if they are active agents in their downfall.

Q: What role do the supernatural elements play in “Macbeth”?

A: Supernatural elements are woven throughout “Macbeth,” creating a sense of foreboding and destiny. The Three Witches introduce the themes of ambiguity and prophecy, while the apparitions they conjure feed Macbeth’s hubris and paranoia. These elements underscore the tension between the natural and the supernatural, impacting the characters’ decisions and the play’s outcome.

Q: How is the concept of kingship presented in the play?

Q: what significance does the motif of blood have in the play.

A: Blood is a recurring motif in “Macbeth,” symbolizing guilt and the inescapable stain of sin. It begins with the bloody battlefield and culminates in the imagined blood on Lady Macbeth’s hands, which she cannot wash away. This persistent imagery serves as a reminder of the characters’ moral and psychological decay.

Q: Discuss the use of contrast between light and darkness in “Macbeth.”

Q: how does macbeth’s understanding of masculinity affect his actions.

A: Masculinity in “Macbeth” is associated with strength, courage, and action. Macbeth’s perception of manhood is challenged by Lady Macbeth when she questions his bravery, equating his willingness to murder Duncan with being a “real man.” This taunting provokes Macbeth to prove his masculinity through violence and aggression, ultimately leading to his tragic end.

Q: What is the significance of the play’s ending?

A: The ending of “Macbeth” serves as a restoration of order and justice. With Macbeth’s death and Malcolm’s coronation, the natural order disrupted by Macbeth’s usurpation is restored. The conclusion reaffirms the Elizabethan belief in the Great Chain of Being, where every creature has its rightful place, and any disruption to this order must be rectified. It also suggests a moral order to the universe, where tyrants like

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Essay on Gender Roles in Macbeth

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