Macbeth Critical Essay

Williamwood High School

Department of English

S4 Intermediate 2

Macbeth – Critical Essay Plan

“Macbeth” Critical Essay

For use with S4 Intermediate 2

Task Discuss whether or not Lady Macbeth is truly evil

Paragraph 1 Introduction

·  State the name, genre and author of the play of the play

·  Sum up what the play is about in no more than 3 or 4 sentences

·  Explain what you will discuss in your essay

Paragraph 2

·  Explain why most readers consider Lady Macbeth to be evil. Explain that there is evidence from the start of the play however to suggest she is not entirely responsible for the murders committed later.

·  Find a quote in Act1 Scene 3 to support your statement

·  Comment on the quote you have chosen and explain how it backs up your point

Paragraph 3

·  Explain how Lady Macbeth’s soliloquies in Act 1 Scene5 may give the impression that she is cruel and evil.

·  Find a quote in Act1 Scene 5 to support your statement

·  Explain how the quote may also imply however that Lady Macbeth feels she is lacking some qualities (explain what these are)

·  Comment on why it is significant that she reveals these fears in a soliloquy.

Paragraph 4

·  Describe Lady Macbeth’s actions in Act2 Scene 2 and how suggest she is evil. Explain how despite these actions she still shows fear or uncertainty about her actions.

·  Quote lines 11-12 Act2 Scene 2 to support your statement

·  Explain the meaning of these lines. Comment on Lady Macbeth’s actions after she speaks these words and what they suggest about her character.

Paragraph 5

·  Explain how, despite her earlier actions, Lady Macbeth shows increasing fear and doubt about Macbeth’s plans.

·  Quote from Act2 Scene 3 to support your statement

·  Explain the meaning of your quote and comment on how the relationship between Lady Macbeth and her husband has changed.

Paragraph 6

·  Explain what condition Lady Macbeth is in when she last appears in the play and what is occupying her mind

·  Quote from Act 5 Scene 1 to support your statement

·  Explain the meaning of your quote. Comment on how Lady Macbeth has been transformed and discuss the reason Shakespeare seems to give for this change.

·  Explain what we later learn about Lady Macbeth’s death

Paragraph 7

·  Sum up the impression most readers have of Lady Macbeth

·  State what your opinion of Lady Macbeth is now you have studied the text closely. Explain why you hold this opinion, referring to the text to support your opinion