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
73 pages • 2 hours read
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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.
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Scaffolded Essay Questions
Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.
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: Example Essay Questions
Here are some examples of essay questions on Shakespeare’s Macbeth that I’ve made for you to practice your essay style and exam technique! Hope you enjoy them; they’re specially tailored towards AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Eduqas, and CIE (Cambridge) exam boards.
They all contain extracts, so they are close reading but also you’ll need to reference the text as a whole to make a fully rounded essay answer.
Though A Level questions will usually be a bit more complex, feel free to practise them for A Level too — it’ll definitely get you thinking deeper about the ideas of the play!
Thanks for reading! If you find this resource useful, you can take a look at our full online Macbeth course here . Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!
This course includes:
- A full set of video lessons on each key element of the text: summary, themes, setting, characters, context, attitudes, analysis of key quotes, essay questions, essay examples
- Downloadable documents for each video lesson
- A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback
- A bonus Macbeth workbook designed to guide you through each scene of the play!
For more help with Macbeth and Tragedy, read our article here .
MACBETH ESSAY EXAM QUESTIONS
- How does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth’s character in Act 1 Scene 5 and elsewhere in the play? “Glamis thou art” – “crowned withal”
- How does Shakespeare present the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 5 and elsewhere in the play? “My dearest love” – “rest to me”
- How does Shakespeare reveal the thoughts and feelings of Macbeth and Banquo in Act 1 Scene 3 and elsewhere in the play? “Glamis, and Thane > I pray you”
- How does Shakespeare make the Captain’s speech in Act 1 Scene 2 so interesting, and in what ways does this speech relate to the rest of the play? “Doubtful it stood > battlements”
- How does Shakespeare present different attitudes of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth in Act 2 Scene 2, and elsewhere in the play? “One cried >>> sleep no more”
- How does Shakespeare make the banquet scene so interesting in Act 3 Scene 4, and how does it relate to the rest of the play? “my lord, his throat >> death to nature”
- How does Shakespeare present the thoughts and feelings of Lady Macbeth in Act 3 Scene 4 and elsewhere in the play? “Are you a man? >>> fie, for shame”
- How does Shakespeare explore the theme of fate in the final battle between Macduff and Macbeth? Act 5 Scene 8 “Why should I play the Roman fool >>> “ Exeunt, fighting. Alarums ”
If you’re studying Macbeth, you can click here to buy our full online course. Use the code “SHAKESPEARE” to receive a 50% discount!
You will gain access to over 8 hours of engaging video content , plus downloadable PDF guides for Macbeth that cover the following topics:
- Character analysis
- Plot summaries
- Deeper themes
There are also tiered levels of analysis that allow you to study up to GCSE , A Level and University level .
You’ll find plenty of top level example essays that will help you to write your own perfect ones!
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COMMENTS
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.
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?
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.
Essay Questions on William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Marc Weis, Lycée Classique de Diekirch. 1. 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.”.
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.
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.
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.
A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback. A bonus Macbeth workbook designed to guide you through each scene of the play! For more help with Macbeth and Tragedy, read our article here.
1) The supernatural plays an important role in Macbeth. To what extent does it motivate Macbeth's actions? 2) Discuss King Duncan and examine what contribution he makes to the play. 3) In constructing Macbeth, Shakespeare dramatically altered historical characters to enhance certain themes.
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...