macbeth analytical essay topics

Presentations made painless

• Get Premium

121 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that tells the story of a Scottish general named Macbeth who becomes consumed by ambition and power. It is one of Shakespeare's most famous and enduring plays, exploring themes of ambition, guilt, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

If you are studying Macbeth and need some inspiration for essay topics, look no further! Here are 121 Macbeth essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

• Analyze the role of the witches in Macbeth and their influence on the characters.
• Discuss the theme of ambition in Macbeth and how it leads to the downfall of the main characters.
• Explore the theme of guilt in Macbeth and how it shapes the actions of the characters.
• Compare and contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's reactions to guilt and the consequences of their actions.
• Discuss the role of gender in Macbeth and how it influences the characters' actions and decisions.
• Analyze the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how it evolves throughout the play.
• Discuss the theme of betrayal in Macbeth and how it drives the plot forward.
• Explore the theme of fate in Macbeth and how the characters try to defy or accept their destinies.
• Analyze the role of blood in Macbeth and how it symbolizes guilt and violence.
• Discuss the theme of power in Macbeth and how it corrupts the characters.
• Compare and contrast Macbeth's ambition with that of other characters in the play.
• Analyze the role of the supernatural in Macbeth and how it influences the characters' actions.
• Discuss the theme of appearance vs. reality in Macbeth and how it impacts the characters' perceptions of themselves and others.
• Explore the theme of justice in Macbeth and how the characters seek retribution for their actions.
• Analyze the role of madness in Macbeth and how it affects the characters' decisions and behaviors.
• Discuss the theme of loyalty in Macbeth and how the characters' loyalty to one another changes throughout the play.
• Explore the theme of prophecy in Macbeth and how the characters interpret and react to the prophecies they receive.
• Analyze the role of manipulation in Macbeth and how the characters use it to achieve their goals.
• Discuss the theme of morality in Macbeth and how the characters struggle with their sense of right and wrong.
• Compare and contrast Macbeth's downfall with that of other tragic heroes in literature.
• Analyze the role of the natural world in Macbeth and how it reflects the characters' emotional states.
• Discuss the theme of power dynamics in Macbeth and how they influence the characters' relationships.
• Explore the theme of loyalty vs. betrayal in Macbeth and how it shapes the characters' actions.
• Analyze the role of prophecy in Macbeth and how the characters' belief in fate affects their decisions.
• Discuss the theme of violence in Macbeth and how it drives the plot forward.
• Analyze the role of gender in Macbeth and how it influences the characters' actions and decisions.
• Discuss the theme of deception in Macbeth and how the characters use it to achieve their goals.
• Explore the theme of morality in Macbeth and how the characters struggle with their sense of right and wrong.
• Discuss the theme of madness in Macbeth and how it affects the characters' decisions and behaviors.

In conclusion, Macbeth is a rich and complex play that offers a myriad of themes and topics for analysis. Whether you are exploring the characters' motivations, the role of the supernatural, or the consequences of unchecked ambition, there is no shortage of material to discuss. Hopefully, these 121 Macbeth essay topic ideas and examples have sparked your interest and inspired you to delve deeper into this timeless Shakespearean tragedy.

Want to create a presentation now?

Instantly Create A Deck

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Hassle Free

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

© 2023 Pitchgrade

129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best macbeth topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on macbeth, 📌 most interesting macbeth topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about macbeth, ❓ macbeth essay questions.

Writing an essay on Shakespearean tragedies may be tricky for some students. There are a lot of ideas to put in your paper, and that may puzzle you. That’s why we’ve prepared a short guide on how to write Macbeth essay.

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare based on the true story of Scottish king Macbeth. The play tells us about a Scottish general who heard a prophecy from a trio of witches and decided to bring predictions to fulfillment. This is a drama about the jeopardy of excessive lust for power and betrayal of friends.

Some researchers state that William Shakespeare adopted the plot from Holinshed’s Chronicles, a popular history of England, while others argue that the plot of the play was borrowed from George Buchanan. Before you start your Macbeth essay, you should do thorough research on facts and fiction around the play.

To give you ideas on how and what to write in your essay, check the tips below:

• Check our Macbeth essay samples to acquire knowledge on characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, King Duncan, Banquo, Malcolm, Macduff, Three Witches, and others. Each character is unique, and it’s quite easy to write a paper on each of them. Make a meticulous analysis of each of them, if you decide to write an essay on Macbeth characters. Use dialogues and monologues as supporting arguments to your ideas.
• In your Macbeth essay introduction provide readers with the thesis statement and a summary you’re going to discuss in the paper. Specify what exactly you will depict or analyze. Sometimes, you may need to write the intro after you finish the body and already have done an in-depth analysis of text and critique materials.
• When writing body paragraphs, describe the essay topic in detail. Start each section with a short statement, provide a supporting quote, explain it, and make a conclusion. You can always analyze IvyPanda Macbeth essay titles to learn various points of view on each character and event.
• In the Macbeth essay conclusion, reiterate a topic and your analysis. You should not only summarize the information you’ve gathered and analyzed in the paper body. You have to get back to the intro and provide clear and extensive answers on the questions you raised. Try not to leave any further questions for your readers. Here’s the secret: some professors read the conclusion first. So make it persuasive and give a complete portion of information.

You may be wondering how to use essay examples that you may find on our website. It is super easy. First of all, look through the titles to get some topic ideas.

Then, look through the sample and learn how to create your outline. Think about what you can write in your essay. Check the bibliography: there you can find useful sources for the research.

Indeed, any paper on Shakespeare’s play may concern a variety of topics. So check out our Macbeth essay examples and think of the topics which you can choose.

• Dramatic Irony in Macbeth Essay Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to amuse the audience and to show the level of deception developed by the main character. The porter gives a clear picture of what is about to happen.
• Betrayal in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The betrayer, Macbeth betrays the King, friend and other subjects in the kingdom. However when Macbeth is told he has just been chosen as the Thane of Cawdor, scenes of the possibilities of him as […]
• The Use of Hands as a Motif in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The play presents readers with the world of royalty and the well-knit state; the world of Duncan, his two sons, Banquo, Macbeth and the whole of Scotland and England.
• William Shakespeare: Hamlet and Macbeth It is important to examine the role that the setting plays in Hamlet and Macbeth in relation to the tragic flaw and developments of the plot.
• Unchecked Ambition in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” However, in Act 1, scenes 1 to 4, the audience is introduced to Macbeth’s increasing fear and the developing desire to be the king. It appears that the desire to be the king overrides his […]
• Supernatural Elements of Act I and II in Macbeth In the play, the supernatural things are central to the plot of the play as they provide a basis for action as Shakespeare meant them to fit in putting the play together.
• Concept of Power in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” While The government is the system that makes laws and ensures that they are followed, it is the person who wields power who is responsible for the equality and impartiality of its enforcement.
• Macbeth & Frankenstein: Compare & Contrast In the being of the play, we assume that Macbeth is akin to the king, a loyal soldier, and a person “full of the milk of human kindness”.
• The Downfall of Macbeth Nonetheless, he goes on to murder the king and his character takes a turn for the worst as he kills the chamberlains who would give witness of the king’s death and he claims he killed […]
• Emotions and Outward Actions in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” In this regard, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the relationship of inward emotions and outward actions is relevant in fully conveying the interplay of themes in this tragedy.
• British Literature: Beowulf vs. Macbeth They are as follows: the presentation of the heroes, the consideration of the ethical themes, and the final stages of the plays the latter help to draw some ethical conclusions based on the peculiarity of […]
• “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare: Language and Tropes Typically, ‘the end of something means the onset of another.’ Using this as a viewpoint that provides a lead to what Macbeth is all about, the fact that ‘we will proceed no further in this […]
• Comparison of the Opening Scene of Macbeth by Orson Welles and The Tragedy of Macbeth by Roman Polanski The opening scene of The Tragedy of Macbeth starts with the words “fair is foul and foul is fair” that Polanski takes from the end of the Shakespeare’s scene.
• The “Macbeth” Film by Rupert Goold While Shakespeare’s play happened in the 11th century in Scotland, the movie’s design is more similar to the events of the 20th century. Corresponding to the era of the first half of the 20th century, […]
• Literary Character Analysis of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The very reason that made me write about this character was how he is depicted as a hero in the opening pages of the play, and only to learn how weak he is from his […]
• Shakespeare Tragedies: Macbeth and King Lear At the beginning of the play, he decides to abdicate his throne and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. This choice eventually undermines the ethical integrity of this character, and he murders murder to […]
• Macbeth Versions Comparison Film Analysis The use of classic settings in the design of the play helps in portraying the role that gangsters play in the original play of Macbeth and helps present it in the modern world.
• Omens in The “Macbeth” Play by William Shakespeare The supernatural was an aspect of the plot structure used to add tension and drama to the occurrences and situations and manifested in various ways. To conclude, the owl and raven were utilized as omens […]
• The Play “Macbeth” by Shakespeare and the Film “Maqbool” by Bhardwaj Bhardwaj’s Maqbool is a great example of how the weather sets the tone for the story, it is not the backdrop in the film, but an active force expressing the psychological state of the characters.
• Macbeth and Hamlet Characters Comparison The queens in Hamlet and Macbeth play a pivotal role in the life of the heroes of the play. She is portrayed as a mother who, in her awareness of Hamlet’s crisis, feels guilty and […]
• Character Analysis of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare The unplanned overnight stay of King Duncan and his entourage at Macbeth’s castle precipitates Macbeth’s first fateful decision: to murder King Duncan and clear the way for the witches’ prophecy to come true.
• The Life and Work of William Shakespeare: His Contribution to the Contemporary Theater In addition, the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare continue to set the standard for the study of the English language in its dramatic context in institutes of higher learning and performance training.
• Characters’ Traits in Shakespeare’s Macbeth As weird as it might sound, Lady Macbeth is very emotional; as a matter of fact, the crimes that she committed can be attributed to her emotionality rather than her greed, though the latter has […]
• Drama Macbeth: Shakespeare’s Play and Wells’ Film However, the play communicates the meaning of the text in a better way as compared to the film by Orson Wells.
• Supernatural in “Macbeth” Play by Shakespeare The supernaturally manufactured predictions lure Macbeth and Banquo with the idea of power, leading Macbeth to plot the cruel murder of Duncan.
• Jeffrey R. Wilson: Macbeth and Criminology The genre of tragedy used in Macbeth poses the question to the reader: who is responsible for committing a crime – the individual or the society?
• Intro to Theatre: “Macbeth” Shakespeare’s theatrical performances are widespread all over the world and do not lose their relevance, both due to the problems raised by the playwright and the various interpretations of his works. One of such plays is the production of Macbeth directed by Bodinetz (2020) and created by the troupe of Digital Theater +. The performance […]
• The Story of Macbeth by W. Sheakspeare: Relationship and Strengths Between Macbeth and His Wife Lady Macbeth reads a letter her husband had written about the witches’ prophecy and manipulates him to kill King Duncan and take over the kingdom.
• Analyzing the Adaptation of the Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Furthermore, the names of all the characters in both films are the same except for a little twist in the spelling of names like Mcbeth and Mcduff.
• Shakespeare and His View on Kingship: Macbeth, King Lear and Othello At the same time, it is beyond doubt in the basement Macbeth’s character is clean and as a soldier, he is true to his job and his king.
• Representing the Heroic: Macbeth and Odysseus In Homer’s Odyssey, the noble nature of the hero is made clear in the way that his servants speak of him and strive to behave as he would expect.
• Analysis of Characters in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” The witches’ predictions spark Macbeth’s ambitions and then hearten his violent performance; Lady Macbeth offers the brains and the will behind her husband’s intrigues; and the only heavenly being to emerge is Hecate, the divinity […]
• Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth The world of Macbeth is a world of contradiction. Already a successful soldier in the army of King Duncan, Macbeth is informed by Three Witches that he is to become “Thane of Glamis!”, “Thane of […]
• Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero In addition to fighting for his king, Macbeth is quickly and well rewarded for his efforts as King Duncan makes him the new Thane of Cawdor in addition to his already holding the title of […]
• Shakespear’s “Macbeth”: Main Character Change Analysis Macbeth is essentially the story of a character who lives his life in a state of confusion to the degree that the only constant in his life changes.
• Chaucer’s ‘Miller’s Tale’ and Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ Chaucer’s The Miller’s Tale and in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, to be more exact, we will find out how the notion of poetic justice is represented by examples of the main characters of the works mentioned.
• An Explication on Shakespeare’s Macbeth However, Macbeth’s wife is murdered and the news is broken to him, and he is drifted into a life of futility and remorsefulness.
• Literary Elements in “Macbeth” Poem In addition, use of Symbolism imagery and symbolism creates a better picture in audience mind, concerning the themes that the play covers; such as where dark is used to represent evil.
• King Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Play and History He proved to be a courageous man and ambitious because he wanted to become the king, and the only way he could do it was by killing the king.
• Themes in the Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare The character of Macbeth is used by Shakespeare to illustrate a man who lacks the strength of moral fiber under the affection of guilt and ambition.
• Macbeth: An Analysis of the Play by Shakespeare Macbeth’s treachery springs from his reliance to the witches who gave him prophecy that results in his endless creation of enemies.
• Oedipus King vs. Macbeth: Drama Comparison The concept reflects the foundation of the decent authority through showing the tendencies of power both in the ancient times and in the period of Renaissance.
• Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and Sophocles’ “Oedipus” The idea of a person being in the center of the action and trying to overcome some problems connected with doom, fate and some other supernatural forces become peculiar to this kind of art.
• Macbeth by Shakespeare and Oedipus by Sophocles Comparison In Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth, we have the three witches who greet him and inform him that he is to become the “Thane of Cawdor,” the title that he will receive that evening, […]
• Shakespeare Literature: Prophecy and Macbeth Morality The divination made by the witches pushes Macbeth further into immorality as he is made to believe that he deserves the position of king. In addition, Macbeth abandons reason and morality so as to make […]
• Power and Evocation of Horror: The Macbeth Witches’ Chant Among them are the rhymes, the rhythm of the words, the interpolation of a chorus, the increasing complexity of the lines as the poem progresses, and the vivid and horrifying imagery.
• Philosophy of Literature: Shakespearean Tragedy In addition, it is also an indication of the facts that human beings are always nosy and ready to participate in other people’s issues.
• The Ambitions and Immoral Decision in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Analyzing Macbeth’s Conscience Throughout Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
• Murder and Power in William Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
• Unprincipled Ambition in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Use of Supernatural to Create Suspense in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Psychological Victimization of William Shakespeare’s Protagonist in “Macbeth”
• Responsibility for Planning to Kill Duncan in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Dramatic Techniques to Create a Sense That Macbeth Is Not in Control of His Own Thoughts and Deeds
• An Analysis of Jam-Packed With Malfeasance and Darkness in the Play “Macbeth” by Shakespeare
• The Application of Imagery in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Witches, Supernatural, and Evil in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Banquet Scene of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Analyzing Macbeth’s Weak Character in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Ambition Often Results in Greed as Portrayed in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Psychoanalytical Criticism of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Women as The Driving Action of the Play in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• William Shakespeare’s Manipulation of the Audience Through “Macbeth”
• Suspense and the Supernatural in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Sharing the Blame in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Macbeth’s Tragic Downfall in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Characterization of Macbeth in Relation to the Development of Scotland in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Role Reversal in William Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
• The Butcher and His Fiend Like Queen in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Supernatural Forces Create a Suspense Atmosphere in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Archetypal Tragic Hero Characteristics of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and Sophocles’ “Oedipus”
• An Analysis of Macbeth as a Victim of Circumstances in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Power, Ambition, and Treason in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Breakdown of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Unbridled Ambition in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Art of Appeasement and the Political, Religious, and Social Issues Reflected in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Parallels Between Macbeth and Satan in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Some of the Ways in Which Shakespeare Portrays an Atmosphere of Evil in “Macbeth”
• An Analysis of Lady Macbeth’s Character in “Macbeth” by Shakespeare
• The Blood Imagery in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Macbeth’s Representation of Ambition in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Attract of Wicked in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Manipulations, Greed, and Guilt in William Shakespeare’s Play “Macbeth”
• Stereotypical Images of Women in “Macbeth” by Shakespeare
• Symbolism and Imagery in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Subjective Reality to the Viewer in the Play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• The Betrayal of Human Nature in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Treatment of Gender Disruption in William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and “Macbeth”
• Significance of Act Four Scene One in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Role of Women in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Recurring Images in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Similarities Between the Philosophies From Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• The Aristotelian Standards of a Tragic Hero in the Tragedy of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Struggles of the Conscience in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• The Battle Between Good and Evil in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
• Sleep and Its Meaning in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• Relationship Between Spouses in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• A Musical Analysis of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
• What Did Macbeth’s Character, Words, and Actions Show About Changes in His Character?
• Who Are the Women in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
• When Power Falls Into the Wrong Hands in “Macbeth”?
• Why Are the Period and Place Important in “Macbeth”?
• What Makes William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” a Pessimistic Play?
• How Ambitions and Immoral Decision Play a Part in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
• How and Why Does Macbeth Turn a War Hero Into an Evil Murderer?
• Did the Three Witches Push Macbeth to Kill Duncan?
• What Are the Attitudes Towards Gender Can Be Seen in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
• What Part Does the Supernatural Play in “Macbeth”?
• Was Macbeth Responsible for His Downfall?
• Does Shakespeare Present Lady Macbeth as Good or Evil?
• Can One Feel Pity for Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
• What Dramatic Techniques Are Used in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”?
• How Did Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s Relationship Change Throughout the Play?
• What Did Macbeth Say About Good and Evil?
• Does Shakespeare Present Lady Macbeth as Fiend-Like?
• Does Macbeth Have Power?
• How Did Macbeth Turn From “Nobel Macbeth” to “A Bloody Butcher”?
• What Does Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Have to Say About Kingship?
• Did Macbeth Suffer From Fate?
• What Are the Character Traits of Lady Macbeth?
• Does Macbeth Have Free Will?
• What Are the Influences of the Witches’ Prophecies on Macbeth’s Actions?
• How Are the Themes of Appearance and Reality Presented in “Macbeth”?
• How Are Characters Presented as Disturbed in “Macbeth”?
• Was Macbeth Considered the Tragic Hero of the Play?
• How Did Lady Macbeth and Witches Change?
• What Are the Differences and Similarities Between “Medea” and “Macbeth” Plays?
• What Factors Lead Macbeth to Kill Duncan?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 28). 129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/macbeth-essay-examples/

"129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 28 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/macbeth-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 28 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/macbeth-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/macbeth-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "129 Macbeth Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/macbeth-essay-examples/.

• Hamlet Essay Ideas
• The Tempest Essay Ideas
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream Titles
• The Merchant of Venice Paper Topics
• A Doll’s House Ideas
• The Most Dangerous Game Paper Topics
• The Road Not Taken Topics
• Allegory of the Cave Topics
• Tuesdays With Morrie Questions
• Their Eyes Were Watching God Ideas
• The Things They Carried Questions
• The Yellow Wallpaper Ideas
• The Pearl Essay Titles
• The Other Wes Moore Paper Topics
• A Rose for Emily Research Topics

73 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Act Summaries & Analyses

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

The play examines the corrupting power of ambition. Whose ambition functions as the driving force of the narrative , Macbeth or Lady Macbeth? Why?

How do gender expectations and perceptions intersect with violence in the play? To what extent do characters play into or fight against gender roles?

The weather is an ever-present force in Macbeth. How does the weather reflect the emotional state of the characters? Of the trajectory of the play?

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By William Shakespeare

All's Well That Ends Well

William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Antony and Cleopatra

As You Like It

Henry IV, Part 1

Henry IV, Part 2

Henry VI, Part 1

Henry VI, Part 3

Julius Caesar

Love's Labour's Lost

Measure For Measure

Much Ado About Nothing

Featured Collections

Audio Study Guides

View Collection

Books Made into Movies

British Literature

Elizabethan Era

Shakespeare

30 Macbeth Essay Topics

Most commonly assigned as required reading for high school and college students, Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. The play is set in medieval Scotland and chronicles the rise and fall of its eponymous protagonist, Macbeth, who murders his way to the throne but is ultimately undone by his ambition and paranoia.

While Macbeth can be a challenging read, it is also one of the most rewarding, offering a complex and multi-layered exploration of themes like ambition, morality, and fate.

If you are tasked with writing an essay on Macbeth, there are many possible essay writing formats you can use to analyze, compare, summarize, and discuss the play. This guide will walk you through writing a Macbeth essay and provide 30 Macbeth essay topics to get you started on your next writing assignment.

Argumentative Essay Writing for Macbeth

An argumentative essay is a type of essay that asks you to take a position on a given issue or question. Argumentative essays are common assignments in high school and college, especially in literature courses.

In an argumentative essay about Macbeth, you will take one position on one of the play’s many themes and argue for your interpretation using specific evidence from the text.

Argumentative essay topics for Macbeth need to include both sides of the argument and should be framed as a question. For example, “Is Macbeth a tragic hero?” or “What is the role of gender in Macbeth?”

Once you have chosen your topic, you will need to find evidence from the play to support your position. Be sure to cite specific lines and passages from the text as evidence in your essay.

Comparative Essay Writing for Macbeth

Comparative essays ask you to compare and contrast two or more things such as characters, themes, motifs, plot elements, etc. A comparative essay about Macbeth can take many different forms, but one common approach is to compare the characters of Macbeth and Banquo.

When writing a comparative essay about Macbeth and Banquo, you will want to consider how they are similar and different. What motivates them? How do they react to the events of the play? Are they good or evil? You can also compare and contrast other pairs of characters, such as Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff or Duncan and Malcolm.

Persuasive Essay About Macbeth

In a persuasive essay, your goal as the writer is to convince your reader to agree with your position on a given issue or question. Like an argumentative essay, you will want to use evidence from the play to support your claims.

When writing a persuasive essay about Macbeth, you can take a position on anything from whether or not Macbeth is a tragic hero to what motivates the characters in the play.

Unlike an argumentative essay on Macbeth, a persuasive essay about the play will need to be heavily opinionated to make a convincing argument. Be sure to take a clear and definitive stance on your chosen topic, and use specific evidence from the play to support your claims.

Narrative Essay About Macbeth

A narrative essay is a type of essay that tells a story. In a narrative essay about Macbeth, you will be asked to recount and describe an event or series of events from the play. Your goal in a narrative essay is not to take a position or argue a point but simply to tell the story in an engaging and interesting way.

Formatting Citations for a Macbeth Essay

Since you will need to cite directly from the play to back up the arguments and comparisons drawn from the play, it’s essential to understand the correct formatting for quotations from Macbeth.

If you are asked to write in MLA formatting (standard at most educational institutions), each quotation will need to be ended with the speaker’s name in italics, followed by the act, scene number, and line number(s) in parentheses.

For example:

“…Creeps in this petty pace from day to day” ( Macbeth 5.5.17-28).

If the quoted text is more than one line, be sure to separate each verse with a forward slash as follows:

“To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day” ( Macbeth 5.5.17-28).

If the quoted text is part of a conversation, use block quotations by indenting each line of the quoted text 1″ from the left margin (hit the TAB button twice). Additionally, you’ll need to capitalize all of the letters in the name. End the quote with the plays name, act, and scene number as follows:

HAMLET. To be, or not to be–that is the question:

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them… ( Hamlet 3.1.56-60)

You’ll notice that after the initial 1″ margin, each subsequent line will also need an additional indentation. If quoting dialogue from two or more people, each person should start with capital letters and an indented 1″ margin:

FIRST WITCH. When shall we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

SECOND WITCH. When the hurlyburly’s done,

When the battle’s lost and won . ( Macbeth 1.1.1-4)

With the vast amount of information and things to discuss in the play Macbeth, it can be hard to narrow it all down to one topic. But, with this list of 30 Macbeth essay topics, you should have no trouble coming up with an essay to fit your needs.

• How does Macbeth’s character change throughout the play?
• Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Why or why not?
• Who is most responsible for Macbeth’s downfall?
• Discuss the role of gender in Macbeth.
• Is ambition a positive or negative trait? Use examples from Macbeth to support your claim.
• How does Shakespeare use the supernatural in Macbeth?
• Discuss the role of fate in Macbeth.
• Compare and contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship.
• Discuss the role of deception in Macbeth.
• What motivates the characters in Macbeth?
• Is violence ever justified? Use examples from Macbeth to support your claim.
• Discuss the theme of ambition in Macbeth.
• Compare and contrast the characters of Macbeth and Banquo.
• Discuss the theme of power in Macbeth.
• Discuss the theme of loyalty in Macbeth.
• What is the significance of the witches in Macbeth?
• How does Shakespeare use foreshadowing in Macbeth?
• Discuss the role of greed in Macbeth.
• What is the significance of Macbeth’s soliloquies?
• Discuss the theme of betrayal in Macbeth.
• Compare and contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s attitudes toward power.
• Discuss the theme of sanity vs. insanity in Macbeth.
• Discuss the theme of appearance vs. reality in Macbeth.
• How does Shakespeare use irony in Macbeth?
• What is the significance of blood in Macbeth?
• Discuss the theme of corruption in Macbeth.
• What is the significance of nature vs. nurture in Macbeth?
• Discuss the theme of good vs. evil in Macbeth.
• What is the significance of the title “Macbeth”?

With these Macbeth essay topics, you should have no trouble coming up with an essay to fit your needs. Remember to cite all quotes and paraphrases from the play Macbeth and use MLA format.

Related Posts

• 125 Reflective Essay Topics
• 110 Synthesis Essay Topics
• 120 Argumentative Essay Topics
• 165 Fun Essay Topics
• 55 Beowulf Essay Topics

Categories:

• Essay Samples
• Essay Topics
• Essay Writing Guides

Recent posts:

• 170 Ethics Essay Topics
• 160 Satire Essay Topics
• 160 Rhetorical Essay Topics
• 155 Criminal Justice Essay Topics
• 150 Political Essay Topics
• 145 Classification Essay Topics
• 140 Sociology Essay Topics
• 140 Opinion Essay Topics
• 140 Environmental Essay Topics
• 135 Controversial Essay Topics
• 125 Classification and Division Essay Topics
• 120 Literary Essay Topics
• 100 Profile Essay Topics
• 90 Heart of Darkness Essay Topics
• 80 Holocaust Essay Topics

Testimonials

50 Macbeth Essay Topics

William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth has been captivating audiences for centuries with its powerful themes of ambition, power, guilt, and fate. One of the most intriguing characters in the play is Lady Macbeth, a woman driven by a desire for power and status. This list of essay topics delves into Lady Macbeth’s motivations, exploring the darker aspects of her character and the impact she has on the play’s plot. In addition, the list provides other topics that examine different themes present in the play, such as the role of fate and free will, the symbolism of blood, and the impact of the supernatural. Whether you are a student studying the play for the first time or a Shakespeare scholar looking for new insights, these topics offer a wealth of material to analyze and explore.

• “Uncovering the Dark Motivations of Lady Macbeth: A Character Analysis”
• “Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw: An Examination of Ambition and Power”
• “Guilt and Conscience in Macbeth: Exploring the Psychological Consequences of Murder”
• “The Role of Fate and Free Will in Macbeth: Does Macbeth Have Control Over His Own Destiny?”
• “The Importance of Blood in Macbeth: Symbolism and Imagery”
• “Comparing and Contrasting the Tragic Heroes of Macbeth and Othello”
• “Macbeth and the Supernatural: Analyzing the Role of Witches and the Supernatural in the Play”
• “Macbeth’s Downfall: Who or What is Responsible for His Demise?”
• “The Feminist Perspective in Macbeth: A Critical Analysis of Gender Roles”
• “Macbeth in Modern Times: How Would the Play Be Different If Set in the 21st Century?”
• “The Use of Foreshadowing in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Build Tension?”
• “Macbeth and Political Ambition: An Exploration of the Play’s Relevance in Today’s World”
• “The Role of Macduff in Macbeth: A Study of Honor and Loyalty”
• “The Tragic Heroine in Macbeth: Analyzing Lady Macbeth’s Character Arc”
• “Shakespeare’s Language in Macbeth: How Does It Contribute to the Play’s Success?”
• “The Use of Imagery in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Depict Darkness and Light?”
• “The Theme of Betrayal in Macbeth: An Examination of the Consequences of Breaking Trust”
• “The Relationship between Macbeth and Banquo: A Comparative Study of Two Foils”
• “Macbeth’s Impact on Popular Culture: How Has the Play Inspired Films, Literature, and Music?”
• “Macbeth’s Message: What Lessons Can We Learn from the Tragic Tale of Macbeth?”
• “Shakespeare’s Use of Irony in Macbeth: How Does It Shape the Play’s Meaning?”
• “Macbeth and the Question of Masculinity: An Analysis of Gender Stereotypes”
• “The Role of Sleep in Macbeth: A Symbolic Representation of Guilt and Conscience”
• “The Ambiguous Nature of the Three Witches in Macbeth: Are They Good or Evil?”
• “The Supernatural in Macbeth and Hamlet: A Comparison of Shakespeare’s Use of Ghosts”
• “The Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth: A Study of Power Dynamics”
• “The Theme of Appearance vs. Reality in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Explore It?”
• “The Tragedy of Macbeth: A Comparison of Shakespeare’s Play with Other Tragic Literature”
• “Macbeth and the Scottish Play Curse: Fact or Fiction?”
• “The Historical Context of Macbeth: How Does It Affect Our Understanding of the Play?”
• “Macbeth and Mental Health: A Psychological Analysis of the Play’s Characters”
• “The Theme of Regicide in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Depict the Crime of Killing a King?”
• “Macbeth and the Theme of Corruption: A Study of the Degeneration of Morals”
• “The Setting of Macbeth: How Does It Contribute to the Play’s Atmosphere and Mood?”
• “The Symbolism of the Crown in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Use It to Represent Power?”
• “Macbeth and the Theme of Loyalty: How Does Shakespeare Explore the Concept of Faithfulness?”
• “The Macbeths as Villains: An Analysis of How They Compare with Other Shakespearean Villains”
• “Macbeth and the Concept of Honor: A Study of the Characters’ Code of Ethics”
• “The Theme of Revenge in Macbeth: How Does It Shape the Plot and Characters?”
• “Macbeth and the Importance of Language: An Exploration of Shakespeare’s Use of Words and Phrases”
• “The Theme of Deception in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Portray the Art of Lying?”
• “Macbeth and the Concept of Divine Right: How Does the Play Explore the Idea of God’s Will?”
• “The Tragic Elements in Macbeth: A Study of How Shakespeare Creates a Tragic Atmosphere”
• “The Theme of Madness in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Use Insanity to Develop Characters?”
• “Macbeth and the Theme of Justice: A Study of the Characters’ Search for Fairness”
• “The Macbeths and their Downfall: An Analysis of Their Fatal Flaws”
• “Macbeth and the Theme of Betrayal: A Study of the Characters’ Broken Promises”
• “The Theme of Fate in Macbeth: How Does Shakespeare Explore the Idea of Predestination?”
• “Macbeth and the Theme of Trust: How Does Shakespeare Show the Importance of Confidence?”
• “The Macbeths and the Theme of Love: An Analysis of Their Relationship and Emotions.”

No related posts.

About Author

Zack Hargrove

It’s me who writes exclusively incredibly awesome (it’s for me to decide) posts you can find online and particularly on this website. I’m a freelance writer and blogger, and I always find new effective ways of working faster and better. Also I am featured as a top columnist on Quora and author on Today.com and Elephant Journal . TW @zackhargrovejr

• Engineering
• Greatest Common Factor
• Absolute Value
• Distributive Property
• Domain and Range
• Linear Equations
• Matrix Multiplication
• Quadratic Formula
• Money & Finance
• Success in College
• Find Your Tutor
• Do My Java Homework
• Do My Homework For Cheap
• Do My Math Homework
• Do My Accounting Homework
• Programming Homework Help
• Do My Statistics Homework
• Chemistry Homework Help
• Excel Homework Help
• History Homework Help
• Top 5 Economics Homework Help Sites
• Epidemiology Homework Help
• Business and Finance homework help
• Statistics homework help
• Political science homework help
• 123homework.com
• Privatewriting.net Review
• Essayservice.com Review
• Assignmentpay.com Review
• Freeessaywriter.net Review
• Writemyessay4me.org Review
• Fastessay.com Review
• CustomWritings.com Review
• Papersowl.com Review
• Allhomework.net
• Aoneassignments.com
• Assignmentcamp.com
• Assignmentdoer.com
• Assignmentexpert.com
• Gethomeworkonline.com
• Homework-desk.com
• Acemyhw.com Review
• Mymathdone.com
• Coursehero.com
• CollegePaperWorld.com
• Homeworkmarket.com
• Brainmass.com
• Transtutors.com
• Prestoexperts.com
• 24houranswers.com
• Noneedtostudy.com
• Studyacer.com
• Yeahchemistry.com
• Studentlance.com
• Accnerd.com
• Studypool.com
• Gonerdify.com Review
• ThesisHelp.net Review
• Ultius Review
• Bookwormhub.com Review
• Essayhub.com Review
• Advancedwriters.com Review
• Writemyessay.help Review
• Essayshark.com Review
• Trustmypaper.com Review
• Essaywriter.org Review
• Edubirdie.com Review
• Edusson.com Review
• Writersperhour.com Review
• Handmadewriting.com Review
• Bid4papers.com Review
• 5staressays.com Review
• Custom-writing.org Review
• Collegeessay.org Review
• Myperfectwords.com Review
• Calltutors.com Review
• Mycodingpal.com Review
• Codingzap.com Review
• Letstacle.com Review
• Assigncode.com Review (8.5/10)
• Theprogrammingassignmenthelp.com Review
• Geeksprogramming.com Review
• Assignmentoverflow.com Review
• Computersciencehomeworkhelpers.com Review
• Myassignmentlab.com Review (8.5/10)
• Getcodinghelp.com Review
• Mycodinghomework.com Review
• Cheapestessay.com Review
• Cheapwritingservice.com review
• Academized.com Review
• Writemypaper4me.org Review
• Essayusa.com Review
• Domyessay.com Review
• Kingessays.com Review
• Bartleby.com Review
• Gradesfixer.com Review
• Phdessay.com Review
• Studentshare.org Review
• Studycorgi.com Review
• Studymoose.com Review
• Write my paper service
• College Paper Writing Service
• Safe essay writing service

• Study Guides
• Homework Questions

Getting writing help is so easy with us

Choose the type, level, urgency, and length to start off

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!

Subscribe to get free samples

Christopher

More than 176 testimonials from clients make up a 9.6 / 10 rate of success , making our organization one of the best in the industry.

"Thank god I know about this service! You save me all the time, and it seems that there's nothing you can't deal with! P.S. got an "A" for your lab report, nice!"

"I am just a freshman and it is really hard for me to get used to the college life. I can not really concentrate on researching and data collecting because I live in dorms, but I've found a pretty cool and cheap solution here."

"My powerpoint presentation amazed everyone, awesome job! You have a very attentive and creative team. Speechless as always."

"My book report was well written, covered main points. Thank you for on time delivery and professional support. Your staff is always nice and attentive. I will use you again for my term paper."

"Your services are very good and papers you wrote for me helped a lot. Not all of the writers did really good work at once and sometimes I required revisions, but every paper was fixed whenever needed. So thank you again!"

"Amazed! Great quality, good grades. It is just what I need. Always formatted and referenced. Thanks a lot."

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Macbeth — Appearance And Reality in Macbeth Analysis

Appearance and Reality in Macbeth Analysis

• Categories: Macbeth

About this sample

Words: 612 |

Published: Mar 6, 2024

Words: 612 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Characterization of macbeth, characterization of lady macbeth, characterization of the witches, symbolism and imagery.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 524 words

2 pages / 857 words

2 pages / 972 words

3.5 pages / 1480 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Macbeth

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Early 1600s.Corrigan, Timothy. 'Ambition and Its Consequences in Shakespeare's Macbeth.' College Literature, vol. 30, no. 1, 2003, pp. 124-147.Smith, John. 'The Role of the Witches in Macbeth: An [...]

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2009.Bradley, A. C. 'The Witch Scenes in Macbeth.' In Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth. Macmillan, 1904.Knight, G. Wilson. 'The [...]

Macbeth, one of William Shakespeare's most renowned tragedies, delves into the intricate nuances of macbeth masculinity. Set against a backdrop of power, ambition, and betrayal, the play offers a profound exploration of how [...]

Aydın, Can. 'Fate and Freedom in Shakespeare.' Accessed from: https://www.academia.edu/29784209/Fate_and_Freedom_in_Shakespeare

The Macbeth (1971) film production by Roman Polanski blends this classic Shakespearean tragedy to the film noir cinema genre creating a rich, dynamic combination. Classic film noir encapsulates "pessimism, bleakness, despair and [...]

Macbeth is about contradiction and ambition, the play was written by the famous play wright William Shakespeare. The play is about a Macbeth who is driven to become king, Macbeth kills all and any that get in his way of [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Cranston High School West Library: Perentin - Macbeth

• Borrow a Book
• Do Research
• Database Tutorials
• Tutor.com This link opens in a new window
• AskRI This link opens in a new window
• Of Mice and Men
• Barone - Genocide
• Barone - The Great Gatsby
• Bianco - Argumentative Writing
• Bianco - Grendel 20/21
• Bianco/Roland - Night/Holocaust
• Bianco - Societal Issue Narrative
• Chieffalo - Research Project - Biographies
• Cionci - Argumentative Writing
• Cionci - Civil Rights
• Cionci - Grendel
• Cionci - Harlem Renaissance
• Cionci - Secret Life of Bees
• Cionci - Societal Issue Narrative
• Cionci/Yates - 9th Grade Argumentative Writing
• Colando - Frankenstein
• Colando - Secret Life of Bees
• Colando/DeCataldo - Social Injustice
• D'Amico - Of Mice and Men
• D'Amico - Poe
• Federman - Argument
• Federman - Civil Rights
• Federman - Hawthorne Research Spring 2021
• Federman - Informational Writing
• Federman - Native Research
• Feole - Emperor was Devine
• Feole - Lord of the Flies
• Howman - Research Project - Biographies
• Jones - Catcher in the Rye
• Jones - Hamlet
• Jones - Holocaust
• Kaffenberger - Grendel, Frankenstein, Beowulf
• Kaffenberger - The Handmaid's Tale
• Kaffenberger - Poet Research Paper
• Kaffenberger - The Things They Carried
• Lancia - The Great Gatsby
• Lucas - Grendel, Frankenstein, Beowulf
• Lucas - Great Expectations
• Lucas - Of Mice and Men
• Lucas - Poe
• Lucas - Poet Research Paper
• Lucas - Secret Life of Bees
• Perentin - Brave New World
• Perentin - Great Depression - Slides
• Perentin - Harlem Renaissance
• Perentin - Informational Writing
• Perentin - Macbeth
• Perentin - Response to informational text
• Ray - Argument
• Ray - Brave New World
• Ray - The Great Gatsby
• Ray - Macbeth
• Ray - Julius Caesar
• Ray - Realism
• Ray - To Kill a Mockingbird
• Bose/Powers - Biomes
• Bose/Powers - Scientists
• Bio II - Chordate Evolutionary Links
• Fish Proposal Project
• Careers in Renewable Energy
• Gluck - Neuroscience Research Project
• Guilmette - Fish Disease Project
• Marchetti - Fish Disease Project
• Marchetti - Molecule Building Project
• Mendes - Fish Disease Project
• Phineas Gage
• Gonera - 1920s
• Baranowski - 2nd Industrial Revolution
• Baranowski - An Era of Social Change
• Baranowski - Captains of Industry
• Baranowski - Civil Rights
• Baranowski - Civil War
• Baranowski - "The Great War" Google Slides
• Baranowski - The Holocaust
• Baranowski - Indian Wars
• Baranowski - Muslim World
• Baranowski - Nuremberg Trials
• Baranowski - Finał Project
• Baranowski - Project 1
• Baranowski - Project 2
• Baranowski - Renaissance to Enlightenment
• Baranowski - Roaring 20s
• Baranowski - Suffrage
• Baranowski - WWII Google Slides
• Baranowski - World War II Storyboard
• Buonfiglio - 2020 Presidential Election
• Buonfiglio - Presidential Legacies
• Buonfiglio - Supreme Court Cases
• Caduto - Psychologist Biographies
• Carpenter - Plagiarism
• Krista - World War II Research Paper
• Krista - World War II Slide Presentation
• Krista - Civil War
• Lee - Honors Anthropology
• Manning - Industrial Revolution
• Manning - Revolution Spreads Across Europe
• Manning/O'Connor - Battle Propaganda
• McClatchy - Supreme Court Cases
• Royal - Inventions
• Royal - Supreme Court Cases
• Baker - Ciudades de España
• Baker - Proyecto de Cultura
• Baker - Tourism Campaign
• Los Artistas Famosos
• Paulino - Hispanic World
• Prezi - Los Artistas Famosos
• Spanish Language News
• Ceseretti - PBL
• Ceseretti/Lucas - Mental Health
• Guilmette - Cancer
• Guilmette - Water Quality Project
• Lucas - Social Issues Ted Talk
• Lucas - Two-Voice Poem
• Child Development
• Google vs. Databases
• Website Evaluation
• Fight Fake News
• Summer Reading This link opens in a new window
• Falcon Book Reviews
• Ben's Dream
• Box Jellyfish
• Career Exploration
• Comic Strips
• Disability Research
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Effective Communication
• Gordon Korman
• Grizzly Bears
• Disasters That Changed Our World
• Hour of Code
• Internet Safety
• The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
• National Parks
• Pink is for Blobfish
• Trapped in a Cave
• Veteran's Day
• Widow's Broom
• Women's History Month

Essay Prompts

Preliminary Essay Assignment

Directions: Because writing a research paper involves utilizing both primary and secondary sources, it is important for you to develop a sound argument before attempting to incorporate other people’s opinions. For this assignment, you are to write a multi-paragraph essay utilizing only Macbeth to answer one of the following prompts. These are your research paper prompts and this essay is the first step in the research paper process.

1. Do the witches (or weird sisters) control the events in the play? Why or why not?

2. Does Shakespeare want us to believe that the witches are real, supernatural, and/or projections of Macbeth's imagination?

3. What is the function of (dramatic, situational, and/or verbal) irony in the play?

4. What kind of marriage do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have? Do you think it is a good one? Why or why not?

5. How would you characterize Lady Macbeth? Does her appearance in the sleepwalking scene alter your perception of her from previous scenes? Why or why not?

6. One of the major themes in Macbeth is appearance vs. reality. What effect do the episodes or instances dealing with appearance vs. reality have on our understanding of the play?

7. What is the purpose of comedy and the comedic characters in Macbeth?

8. What is the importance of imbalances of nature in Macbeth?

9. Macbeth is the central character in the play who is described as both brave Macbeth and butcher Macbeth. Which of these descriptions fits Macbeth best?

10. Who is responsible for Macbeth’s downfall? (The witches, Lady Macbeth and/or Macbeth himself?)

11. How is the mood of evil developed in Macbeth? (Consider the setting, themes, actions of the characters, etc.)

12. What is the importance of the supernatural elements in Macbeth? How do they affect the action of the play?

13. The theme of sleeplessness is introduced early in the play and carried throughout. What causes these sleep disturbances? What ends them for each of the characters involved? Is sleep regarded as a soothing balm for a life well-lived? (Remember that sleep is often another metaphor for death.)

14. Some playgoers and readers say that Lady Macbeth is the reason that her husband murders King Duncan. Others claim that the killing was his responsibility alone. What do you think?

15. How is Macbeth an example of a Shakespearean tragic hero? What is his tragic flaw and how does it affect the events of the play?

16. Do gender roles actually have an impact upon the course of events in this play? (Consider, for example, the roles of Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff—and even the witches)

17. The characters and actions of the play Macbeth suggest very strongly what qualities a good king needs to have. What are those qualities, and who, if anyone possesses them? (Consider comparing Duncan, Macbeth and/or Malcolm)

18. What is the purpose of soliloquies in Macbeth? How do they reveal the stages in the process of Macbeth’s and/or Lady Macbeth’s downfall or moral decline?

19. In what ways is Shakespeare significantly changing the original historic record of the real Macbeth in his play?

20. What would have been the attitude of Shakespeare’s audience toward the supernatural events in Macbeth? After all, three witches, a ghost, and extremely odd events in nature are included for a reason. Explore what those reasons are.

Research Assignment Requirements

* The paper you produce must have 3 secondary sources plus the primary one—Macbeth for a total of 4 sources minimum.

* All sources must be authoritative; that is, they MUST be scholarly. You may not use sources outside of the library databases or library books unless approved by the teacher in writing. Avoid using .com, .net, .org type websites outside the school databases. Sources that are a full-length chapter or article in a book or periodical pertaining to your topic will be more helpful.

* You may not use anything from Wikipedia or any encyclopedia. You may not use any material from Spark Notes, Cliff’s Notes, Pink Monkey, or any other commercially prepared study guide of that nature. Other unacceptable sources include plot summaries such as Bloom’s “Plot Summary,” Foster Masterplots, and Schmoop.com.

* Your final essay must be 3 full pages typed (5 pages max.), not including the Works Cited page which should be the last page of your paper.

* No paper will be considered for grading without submission to Turnitin.com.

e-Book = "How to Write About Shakespeare's Tragedies"

• Type in How to Write About Shakespeare's Tragedies in the "Find" field above and click Title.
• Click on "Open"
• Log in: your username is chw followed by your student ID number (ex. chw12345) your password is your date of birth (ex.012199)
• Check out the book.
• The chapter on Macbeth begins on page 152.

This is how to cite this source:

Print Sources for Macbeth

• Macbeth Books

Bloom's Literature

No login needed from school. Off campus? Email [email protected] for password.

EBSCO Databases

No login needed from school.

Off campus? Click here and scroll down for EBSCO.

• << Previous: Perentin - Informational Writing
• Next: Perentin - Response to informational text >>
• Last Updated: Apr 8, 2024 2:18 PM
• URL: https://guides.rilinkschools.org/falcons