by William Shakespeare
Macbeth essay questions.
Macbeth is often cited as a famous example of what the American sociologist Robert Merton called a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” Discuss how the mechanism of the witches’ prophecy works in terms of its self-fulfillment.
Suggested Answer
The question may be approached by examining the psychology behind Macbeth’s character and his relationship with Lady Macbeth (e.g. his easily-tempted character becomes his fate). It may also be fruitful to perform a close reading of the passage around Banquo’s famous lines “If you can look into the seeds of time / And say which grain will grow and which will not, / Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear / Your favours nor your hate” (1.3.55-59). An ambitious essay might also consider a comparison to Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex or another play containing a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Imagine a staging of Macbeth. Who would play the third murderer who appears unannounced? Who would play the anonymous messenger who warns Lady Macduff about her imminent doom? Why?
Consider current and past productions of Macbeth. There is a certain logic to staging Macbeth as the third murderer, for example, and Ross as the messenger. How would a different staging change the dynamics of the play?
Some critics have considered the porter scene out of place in an otherwise cruel and compact play. Does it really provide comic really relief? How do you imagine the scene to be staged?
Suggest Answer
Compare and contrast a lighter, comic staging to a darker, hellish staging. Here, the issue is simply tone, as the text supports either interpretation. If the porter's comic relief is properly juxtaposed against the violent circumstances, he comes across more as pitiable than a discordant jester.
Macbeth is the one to express doubts over murdering Duncan but it is Lady Macbeth on whom the burden of crime takes its toll. How do the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth develop differently over the course of the play?
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth can be considered to have switched characters, in a broad sense, over the course of the play. Lady Macbeth goes from proclaiming “unsex me here” to “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” (I v 39; V i 42-43), Macbeth becomes more resolute and tyrannical as the play progresses. And yet Lady Macbeth also shows a morsel of humanity early on in the play. After she has intoxicated Duncan’s two guards, she remarks: “I laid their daggers ready; / He could not miss’em. Had he [Duncan] not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t” (2.2.11-13). The question lies in the judgment of whether a coherent psychological picture underlies the two characters, or whether they serve to illustrate some more or less formulaic “meaning.”
Perform a close reading of Macbeth’s soliloquy beginning “She should have died hereafter” and ending “It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing” (5.5.7-27). Why does Macbeth believe that Lady Macbeth should have died on a future date? What does he think lies in the future? What does this say about his character?
There are many possible interpretations of the passage—in particular of his comment about Lady Macbeth’s death. One answer will draw on Macbeth’s lines immediately preceding the soliloquy in question. In the past, he claims, a sound such as Lady Macbeth’s shriek of death would have shocked him deeply, but at present he has become unmoved and apathetic. Macbeth still seems to believe that the future holds peace for his reign. At the same time, he seems to have already accepted Lady Macbeth’s death as inevitable. What does this calm acceptance say about how his character has changed?
What is the significance of Macbeth’s vision of the dagger and of Banquo’s ghost in the play?
Macbeth’s visions seem to be indicative of his guilty conscience. At the same time, they also seem to interact with the supernatural order that the witches have brought about - the three apparitions and their specific prophecies. It would also be interesting to consider different stagings of such visions.
Discuss the exchange between Malcolm and Macduff in Act V Scene iii. Is Malcolm really testing Macduff—and if so, why does he do it? What is the dramatic significance of the testing?
The scene immediately proceeds the murder of Lady Macduff and Macduff’s son. Given the dramatic irony that Macduff has yet to hear the news, the scene seems to heighten the sense of cruelty that pervades the play. It may also be worthwhile to consider a counterfactual alternative: what would have happened if Macduff had responded differently? Could he have responded differently?
Discuss the dramatic conclusion of Macbeth. The resolution to the problems presented by the later prophecies relies on a play of words. Macduff was not technically “born” of a woman, so to speak, and Birnam Wood only “comes” to Dunsinane Hill in a manner of speaking. For a play as grave as Macbeth , does not such a resolution seem strangely lacking in gravity?
The resolution of the play may attest to the power of words. The plot of the play—in all its terrible events of regicide and murders—are after all driven by nothing but a few words uttered by three weird sisters. These same words, of course, are powerful enough to overthrow a kingdom twice.
Why can Macbeth not bring himself to pronounce one “Amen” when Duncan’s guards say “God bless us” on their deathbeds (2.2.26-27)? Does this paint a coherent psychological picture? If not, what dramatic purpose does the scene serve?
Although Macbeth does not always act rationally, he is by no means an unintelligent character. On the contrary, his famous soliloquy beginning “She should have died hereafter” in Act V Scene v is testament to his perceptive worldview—if not his poetic sensibility. His inability to pronounce “Amen” may attest to the fact that he finds such a pronouncement overwhelmingly hypocritical.
The account of Duncan and Macbeth differs significantly between Macbeth and its primary source, Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland . Compare the two accounts and discuss the effects of Shakespeare’s changes.
In Holinshed's account, Macbeth is a ruthless and valiant leader who rules competently after killing Duncan, whereas Duncan is portrayed as a young and soft-willed man. Shakespeare draws out certain aspects of the two characters in order to create a stronger sense of polarity. Whereas Duncan is made out to be a venerable and kindly older king, Macbeth is transformed into an indecisive and troubled young man who cannot possibly rule well.
Macbeth Questions and Answers
The Question and Answer section for Macbeth is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Of what importance are the bleeding Sergeant and Ross? Why does Shakespeare introduce two messengers?
There are two pieces of information here, hence the two messengers. The bleeding sergeant is meant to inform Duncan, and the audience, of Macbeth's valor in battle. Ross is meant to inform about the Thane of Cawdor being a traitor. Both pieces of...
The third which says that Banquo's sons shall be kings, Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3 questions
What is significant about the first words that Macbeth speaks in the play?
A motif or recurring idea in the play is equivocation. There is the balance of the dark and the light, the good and the bad. Macbeth's first line reflects this. It...
Study Guide for Macbeth
Macbeth study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
- About Macbeth
- Macbeth Summary
- Macbeth Video
- Character List
Essays for Macbeth
Macbeth essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
- Serpentine Imagery in Shakespeare's Macbeth
- Macbeth's Evolution
- Jumping the Life to Come
- Deceptive Appearances in Macbeth
- Unity in Shakespeare's Tragedies
Lesson Plan for Macbeth
- About the Author
- Study Objectives
- Common Core Standards
- Introduction to Macbeth
- Relationship to Other Books
- Bringing in Technology
- Notes to the Teacher
- Related Links
- Macbeth Bibliography
E-Text of Macbeth
Macbeth e-text contains the full text of Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
- Persons Represented
- Act I, Scene I
- Act I, Scene II
- Act I, Scene III
- Act I, Scene IV
Wikipedia Entries for Macbeth
- Introduction
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Macbeth Essay Topics
More than four centuries of every generation going through Shakespeare tragedies - reading, performing his masterpieces on the stage, making movie adaptations, and cultivating these heroes and villains into the modern culture. Schools and colleges programs include Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Othello all over the world.
The figure of William Shakespeare is possibly the most mysterious in the history of literature. There is even a theory that a man such as him did not exist at all. 90% of his biography comprises myths and only 10% - the verity. The theories are different, and the craziest one says he is an alien from another planet.
Are you interested enough to start reading one of his books right now, or go over them if you're already familiar with his work?
What book of his would you pick up first? The most famous and tragic true love story, or the one of breathtaking and killing jealousy, or tales about kings and queens, fights to the death, bloody revenge, and lust for power? You will be deeply impressed by each play, whichever one you choose. Yet the creation of the Bard that we will be talking about is unique. It is riddled with mystery and enigmas and shows the darkest sides of the human soul - the tragedy "Macbeth" by Shakespeare.
This story tells about the great warrior, a diligent and patriotic knight. He is loyal to his country and his king, but a vicious omen plants the seed of treason in his mind, pushing him to bring this omen into reality. The tragedy in Shakespeare's Macbeth shows how the soul can be separated into two opposite fighting parts.
He can't find serenity anywhere. Virtually nobody can help him, and those who could and should, like his beloved wife, only bedevil his spirit even more.
When he still hesitates with carrying out his evil intentions, his wife Lady Macbeth releases all the wicked thoughts and prompts his husband to commit treason. When all is done, he fully transforms into an insane and obsessed murderer, performing more and more terrifying acts, afraid of the prediction coming true.
The inner battle of the main character is just as epic and wrecking as the final fight of the story.
The author brings up many things people can relate to: he shows suffering from guilt and obsession, the value of trust, the hunger for power. Even more, he indicates how destructive all these feelings can be. The tragedy of the Scottish King can send your mind onto a pondering journey - was this play just about murder and magic? Is there something else, hidden and woven into the words? There are so many possible questions on this topic that you can come up with, so many essay topics for Macbeth for you to delve into!
The List of Essay Topics on Macbeth
- Ideological originality and specificity of a conflict in the play "Macbeth."
- What causes the struggle between the member of society and an individual?
- Compare and contrast of the Macbeth and Hamlet's internal dispute.
- The mission of the supernatural forces - witches and their role in the plot.
- What are the meaning and purpose of nature in the tragedy?
- Why is there a superstition in the theater world about saying the name of the play out loud?
- Features of Renaissance age and specificity of the artistic manner of tragedy.
- Macbeth as the summarizing of the historical chronic period in Shakespeare work.
- Contrast the personality of Richard III and Macbeth, what are the main differences?
- Why does the author call evil the goodness and good the evil?
- Compare and contrast the characters of King Lear and the Scottish King.
- The analysis of the clash of good and evil in the tragedy.
- The Lady Macbeth Effect and its place in modern-day psychology.
- An incarnation of evil in the Scottish Lady's actions.
- The process of converting from an honorable soldier into the obsessed tyrant.
- Whether to consider Macbeth a reflection of the historical reality of those times?
- Women in the play: their power and influence.
- Argue that Macbeth's behavior is evil, criminal, and antimoral.
- Which characters in the tragedy are opposite to the main hero and why?
- Describe and contrast Macbeth and Macduff from the revenge point of view.
- Which possible questions would you ask Lady Macbeth if you could?
- What are the primary motivations and end-goals of Lady Macbeth?
- Compare Macbeth's death to the other Shakespeare's characters death.
- Lust of power and ambitions as the moving force of the drama.
- The indicators of Machiavellianism in the play.
- Innovative writing instruments which the author uses for the storytelling in the tragedy.
- Analysis and interpretation of the main witch's message about the death of the king.
- Does the movie of Justin Kurzel disclose all the topics that make Macbeth problematic?
This is not an exhaustive list of possible questions and topics, but it contains the most interesting and challenging ones. Don't forget about the real historical period when the play was written; it will help you understand all political and individual dilemmas of characters.
It would also be good to learn more about Shakespeare as an author, his style and writing methods, read more of his works and try to analyze them. You will draw a lot of connections between different plays and learn how to solve riddles and puzzles. Uncover the real truth behind the mystery created by the Great Bard! Of course, don't forget to watch the movie adaptations, especially the last one from Justin Kurzel, if you are more of a visual than an imaginative person. It can be much easier to catch the mood of the story while watching it. Use these themes and hints to write a spectacular essay and become a modern-day Shakespeare!
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1. Dynamic characters change over the course of a story.
- How does Lady Macbeth change over the course of the play? ( topic sentence )
- Discuss 3 scenes that show Lady Macbeth changing from the beginning of the play to the end. Include details and quotes to document the changes, and explain how they reveal her shifts.
- In your conclusion, explain why the changes in Lady Macbeth are significant to the story as a whole.
2. Though sometimes people think violence is the answer to a problem, it almost always leads to more violence.
- How does violence cause more violence in Macbeth ? ( topic sentence )
- Explain 3 scenes that illustrate violence causing violence. Use evidence and reasoning to support your analysis.
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Macbeth study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes.
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.
1. The fantastical and grotesque witches are among the most memorable figures in the play. How does Shakespeare characterize the witches? What is their thematic significance? 2. Compare and contrast Macbeth, Macduff, and Banquo. How are they alike? How are they different?
Shakespeare: Macbeth. Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 7 and answer the question that follows. At this point in the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are considering whether to kill Duncan. MACBETH.
Essay Questions on William Shakespeare's Macbeth. 1) Discuss the various roles of the witches in ‘Macbeth’ with special emphasis on Coleridge’s remark that “the witches have the power of tempting those that have been tempters themselves.” 2) What is, at the end of the play, your attitude to Macbeth?
Lo and behold! These Macbeth essay topics will help you find your way through the forest of this immortal play. Read up and write down!
Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.
Important questions about Shakespeare's Macbeth to use as essay ideas and topics for research papers.
Suggested Essay Topics. 1. Macbeth struggles with his conscience and the fear of eternal damnation if he murders Duncan. Lady Macbeth’s conflict arises when Macbeth’s courage begins to falter...
Macbeth example essay questions. Here are some GCSE-style essay questions on Shakespeare’s Macbeth that I’ve made. Practice your essay style.