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.
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Macbeth Essay: Macbeth Kingship Exam Question and Detailed Essay Plan AQA
Subject: English
Age range: 14-16
Resource type: Assessment and revision
Last updated
6 September 2017
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Be careful with this resource: there are typos in the essay title! "Starting with this extract, explain to what extend you believe Shakespeare’s presents the idea of kingship"
Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user
RossettiChristina
A brilliant resource - good extract with questions and a detailed plan! thanks
dominicriste
Self assessment grid useful!
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Mr Salles Teaches English
29/30 Macbeth Essay in ONLY 516 Words!
This is what the senior AQA examiner said about this essay:
This whole essay is exploratory.
The best Level 6 feature is that it always focuses on Shakespeare’s ideas.
The student also explains a whole range of methods to explore those ideas.
The student is very concise so every word counts.
And each sentence is focused on the question.
The answer shows a deep understanding of themes as well as Shakespeare’s other ideas.
The student cleverly realises that the extract comes from the end of the play, so it makes much more sense to follow Macbeth from the beginning to the end.
Using the plot to structure your answer is always a good idea.
The student chooses quotes very well to back up their argument.
To get full marks, the student needs to include more quotes or references to the play to back up their argument.
As I always say, starting with the extract is waaaay harder than working through the play chronologically.
AQA have lately come to realise this. They know that their question “starting with the extract” is unhelpful. But they won’t change it, as this will be to admit they were stupid to phrase it this way.
Regular readers will know that I keep testing Tilf.io to see how accurate and useful it is.
It is very accurate with the grade here. Check out the advice it gives, and then my own.
Essay on How Macbeth Changes as a Male Character (the 2023 Question)
( Tilf.io’s comments are in brackets).
Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a character and a male who changes significantly in the play. His character arc begins as a noble thane, reluctant to sin against his king, who then commits regicide before finally being overcome with guilt, and losing all hope.
(This is a strong opening that clearly sets out Macbeth's character arc and foreshadows the discussion of his transformation throughout the play. Well done.)
As you know I recommend a three part thesis. This achieves that. But I also recommend your thesis explains Shakespeare’s ideas. This just focuses on Macbeth’s character, not on Shakespeare’s reasons for presenting him this way.
Shakespeare introduces him as an honourable warrior, using extreme violence to display his loyalty to King Duncan. We find out he defeats the rebel MacDonwald and “unseamed him from the nave to the chops”, which reveals Macbeth’s bloodlust. This also foreshadows the theme of violence which dominates the play.
(You've effectively highlighted Macbeth's initial presentation as a loyal and violent warrior, and the quotation you've chosen is apt.
However, consider exploring how this initial violence relates to Macbeth's masculinity and the expectations of male characters in the context of the play.)
Yes, this is great feedback from Tilf.io.
Once the Witches tell Macbeth his fate, he hesitates. As a “kinsman and loyal subject” he refuses to commit regicide and embrace sin. However, Lady Macbeth scorns this morality, pushing Macbeth to murder Duncan. She tries to develop his ambition and asks rhetorically, “Was the hope drunk, wherein you dressed yourself?” The accusation of “drunk” tells Macbeth he is foolish for hesitating when he weighs up the “deed” of murder. She suggest Macbeth was merely “drunk” on the thought of becoming king, but is not willing to make the sacrifice necessary to become king.
(You've captured the pivotal moment of Macbeth's hesitation and the influence of Lady Macbeth well.
To strengthen this paragraph, link back to the question by discussing how Macbeth's hesitation and subsequent actions reflect the changing expectations of his role as a male character in the play.)
Yes, again I like Tilf.io’s feedback. The idea of masculinity requiring action is reflected in his determination to kill Macduff’s family: “From this moment, the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand.” (Act 4 Scene 1)
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IMAGES
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COMMENTS
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!
You will find an exemplar full-mark answer for a past Eduqas GCSE English Literature Macbeth extract essay question. This Macbeth model answer includes annotations to show you where and how the response has achieved full marks, based on the assessment objectives. It's a sample answer to the following past paper question: Read the extract ...
You will always have two options when answering a Macbeth question as part of your OCR English Literature GCSE: A question based on an extract from the play or A "discursive" essay, with no extract. We will show you how to write a Grade 9 answer for the extract-based question (a model answer for the discursive essay can be found here).
How to answer a. Macbeth. question. The firsst question you'll answer on English Literature Paper 1 will be on Macbeth by William Shakespeare. You have 1 hour 45 minutes for his paper so you should spend around 55 minutes on this question. Like the A Christmas Carol question, you will be given an extract to analyse in your essay - you should ...
Read the following extract from Act 1, Scene 3and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play Macbeth and Banquo have just spoken with the Witches. Macbeth has been told he will be King. Starting with this extract, write about how Shakespeare presents witchcraft and the supernatural.
Level 7 essay Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth in the extract as a manipulative, spiteful and selfish character. We can first see this when she uses emotional blackmail to manipulate Macbeth in killing King Duncan. "When you durst do it then you were a man." This not only shows her manipulating her
Model 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,
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 ...
Take a look at a sample exam question and answers for William Shakespeare's play Macbeth with BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature (Eduqas).
Take a look at a sample exam question and answers for William Shakespeare's play Macbeth with BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature (Edexcel).
1. Section A: Shakespeare. Answer onequestion from this section on your chosen text. Macbeth. Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbethand then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play, Macbeth is speaking to Banquo. Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches on their way home from war.
Take a look at a sample exam question and answers for William Shakespeare's play Macbeth with BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature (AQA).
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 post will help you begin to approach the extract question in a more focused manner, in order to achieve the maximum number of marks. The Task. Read through this question and think about how you're going to approach it. Explore how Shakespeare presents Macduff and Malcolm in this extract. Step 1: Redraft the Question.
Macbeth becomes a violent king, largely as a result of his guilt and fear of being exposed. Compared to Duncan, he is unpopular and disliked to the extent that Malcolm eventually gathers an army to overthrow him. When he says 'Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefor Cawdor/Shall sleep no more' he is talking about his titles that Duncan ...
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; Your question will also include a printed extract of about 25 lines from the play
Macbeth Read the following extract from Act 1 scene 6 of 'Macbeth' and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play Duncan has arrived at Macbeth's castle following the victory in the battle. Starting with this speech, explain how Shakespeare presents the theme of appearance and reality in the play. Write about:
Resource type: Assessment and revision. File previews. docx, 15.93 KB. docx, 15.25 KB. An essay question on the idea of kingship in Macbeth, in the style of the new AQA Lit exam for GCSE. The resource can be used for guided homework and research, a collaborative task in class or on a shared document, or as a basis for your own modelling.
Answer one question from this section on your chosen text. Either 0 1 Macbeth Read the following extract from Act 5 Scene 1 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play, the Doctor and the Gentlewoman watch Lady Macbeth sleepwalking. 5 10 15 20 25 LADY MACBETH Out, damned spot! Out, I say!
Lady Macbeth also questions his masculinity which is successful because Jacobean society was so patriarchal and promoted masculinity. As a military hero, Macbeth must feel humiliated by his wife's scorn which undermines him. ... This is a skill the student uses a lot in this essay. The extract comes much later and reflects the consequences of ...
In your question paper, you will find an extract from the text of Macbeth and only one question; You must answer the question that is set and refer to the extract, but also the rest of the play ... Ambition in Macbeth Essay Model Paragraph. Despite the fact that Macbeth is clearly aware of the dire religious consequences of regicide, his ...
Despite the fact it is an answer to a Macbeth question, the commentary below is relevant to any Shakespeare question. ... Write a clear essay with a central argument based on your own opinions; All parts of the essay must directly answer the question; Select quotations and references from both the extract and the rest of the play;
Your WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature Shakespeare component will ask you to write two essays on Macbeth: One short essay question based on an extract from the play. One longer essay question — you won't have access to an extract. This revision guide is for the longer, 25-mark essay. For a model answer on the extract question, click here.