macbeth short essay questions

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.

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...

What news took the wind out of Macbeth's invincibility?

Macbeth rethinks his invincibility when MacDuff tells him that he was torn from his mother's womb.

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
• Sources for the play
• Date and text

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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: 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:

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William Shakespeare

• Literature Notes
• Major Themes
• Macbeth at a Glance
• Play Summary
• About Macbeth
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Act I: Scene 1
• Act I: Scene 2
• Act I: Scene 3
• Act I: Scene 4
• Act I: Scene 5
• Act I: Scene 6
• Act I: Scene 7
• Act II: Scene 1
• Act II: Scene 2
• Act II: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 4
• Act III: Scene 1
• Act III: Scene 2
• Act III: Scene 3
• Act III: Scene 4
• Act III: Scene 5
• Act III: Scene 6
• Act IV: Scene 1
• Act IV: Scene 2
• Act IV: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 1
• Act V: Scene 2
• Act V: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 4
• Act V: Scene 5
• Act V: Scene 6
• Act V: Scene 7
• Act V: Scene 8
• Act V: Scene 9
• Character Analysis
• Lady Macbeth
• Character Map
• William Shakespeare Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Symbols and Motifs
• Macbeth on the Stage
• Famous Quotes
• Film Versions
• Full Glossary
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Critical Essays Major Themes

The Fall of Man

The ancient Greek notion of tragedy concerned the fall of a great man, such as a king, from a position of superiority to a position of humility on account of his ambitious pride, or hubris . To the Greeks, such arrogance in human behavior was punishable by terrible vengeance. The tragic hero was to be pitied in his fallen plight but not necessarily forgiven: Greek tragedy frequently has a bleak outcome. Christian drama, on the other hand, always offers a ray of hope; hence, Macbeth ends with the coronation of Malcolm , a new leader who exhibits all the correct virtues for a king.

Macbeth exhibits elements that reflect the greatest Christian tragedy of all: the Fall of Man. In the Genesis story, it is the weakness of Adam, persuaded by his wife (who has in turn been seduced by the devil) which leads him to the proud assumption that he can "play God." But both stories offer room for hope: Christ will come to save mankind precisely because mankind has made the wrong choice through his own free will. In Christian terms, although Macbeth has acted tyrannically, criminally, and sinfully, he is not entirely beyond redemption in heaven.

Fortune, Fate, and Free Will

Fortune is another word for chance. The ancient view of human affairs frequently referred to the "Wheel of Fortune," according to which human life was something of a lottery. One could rise to the top of the wheel and enjoy the benefits of superiority, but only for a while. With an unpredictable swing up or down, one could equally easily crash to the base of the wheel.

Fate, on the other hand, is fixed. In a fatalistic universe, the length and outcome of one's life (destiny) is predetermined by external forces. In Macbeth, the Witches represent this influence. The play makes an important distinction: Fate may dictate what will be, but how that destiny comes about is a matter of chance (and, in a Christian world such as Macbeth's) of man's own choice or free will.

Although Macbeth is told he will become king, he is not told how to achieve the position of king: that much is up to him. We cannot blame him for becoming king (it is his Destiny), but we can blame him for the way in which he chooses to get there (by his own free will).

Kingship and Natural Order

Macbeth is set in a society in which the notion of honor to one's word and loyalty to one's superiors is absolute. At the top of this hierarchy is the king, God's representative on Earth. Other relationships also depend on loyalty: comradeship in warfare, hospitality of host towards guest, and the loyalty between husband and wife. In this play, all these basic societal relationships are perverted or broken. Lady Macbeth's domination over her husband, Macbeth's treacherous act of regicide, and his destruction of comradely and family bonds, all go against the natural order of things.

The medieval and renaissance view of the world saw a relationship between order on earth, the so-called microcosm , and order on the larger scale of the universe, or macrocosm. Thus, when Lennox and the Old Man talk of the terrifying alteration in the natural order of the universe — tempests, earthquakes, darkness at noon, and so on — these are all reflections of the breakage of the natural order that Macbeth has brought about in his own microcosmic world.

Disruption of Nature

Violent disruptions in nature — tempests, earthquakes, darkness at noon, and so on — parallel the unnatural and disruptive death of the monarch Duncan.

The medieval and renaissance view of the world saw a relationship between order on earth, the so-called microcosm, and order on the larger scale of the universe, or macrocosm. Thus, when Lennox and the Old Man talk of the terrifying alteration in the natural order of the universe (nature), these are all reflections of the breakage of the natural order that Macbeth has brought about in his own microcosmic world (society).

Many critics see the parallel between Duncan's death and disorder in nature as an affirmation of the divine right theory of kingship. As we witness in the play, Macbeth's murder of Duncan and his continued tyranny extends the disorder of the entire country.

Gender Roles

Lady Macbeth is the focus of much of the exploration of gender roles in the play. As Lady Macbeth propels her husband toward committing Duncan's murder, she indicates that she must take on masculine characteristics. Her most famous speech — located in Act I, Scene 5 — addresses this issue.

Clearly, gender is out of its traditional order. This disruption of gender roles is also presented through Lady Macbeth's usurpation of the dominate role in the Macbeth's marriage; on many occasions, she rules her husband and dictates his actions.

Reason Versus Passion

During their debates over which course of action to take, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use different persuasive strategies. Their differences can easily be seen as part of a thematic study of gender roles. However, in truth, the difference in ways Macbeth and Lady Macbeth rationalize their actions is essential to understanding the subtle nuances of the play as a whole.

Macbeth is very rational, contemplating the consequences and implications of his actions. He recognizes the political, ethical, and religious reason why he should not commit regicide. In addition to jeopardizing his afterlife, Macbeth notes that regicide is a violation of Duncan's "double trust" that stems from Macbeth's bonds as a kinsman and as a subject.

On the other hand, Lady Macbeth has a more passionate way of examining the pros and cons of killing Duncan. She is motivated by her feelings and uses emotional arguments to persuade her husband to commit the evil act.

Previous William Shakespeare Biography

Next Major Symbols and Motifs

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.

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Macbeth | 55 Important Questions and Answers

Macbeth Questions and Answers

Table of Contents

• “Fair is foul and four is fair.”

Who says these words? How are these words related to the theme of the play? Do they anticipate any contact with the main character of the play?

Ans. These words are uttered by the witches in the first scene of the play, Macbeth . They anticipate the subversion of the values, and are related to the major theme of the novel. Macbeth will overturn the accepted values by unnatural acts. Macbeth’s first words in the play, “Foul and Fair” are the echo of the words of the witches. It establishes an unconscious contact with the witches, and is dramatically effective, anticipating the blurring of good and evil in Macbeth’s mind.

• “What bloody man is that?”

Who makes this question? What does he mean by the word bloody? How many times the word ‘blood’ occurs in the play? Why is it a persistent Image in the drama?

Ans. This is a question made by the king Duncan at his camp near Forres . He means by ‘bloody’ bleeding. He has come from the battlefield and is bleeding (smeared with blood) certainly due to his fighting with the enemies.

Blood image is a recurring image in the play. It occurs as many as hundred times. It signifies the horrible crime which forms the action of the drama.

• In what terms Macbeth is glorified as a hero?

Ans. Macbeth is called ‘brave’ Macbeth , ‘valour’s minion’, ‘valiant cousin, ‘eagle among sparrows, ‘lion among hare, ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’, ‘noble Macbeth. He distinguished himself as a brave captain who won two battles and thus saved Scotland from disaster.

• Do you notice any differences in the reports about the battles given by the bleeding captain and by Rosse?

Ans. The report of the bleeding captain is emotional and so the poetry is gorgeous. His report is based on imagination – he fought in one post and so he could not see all the battles. But he is full of praise for the courage of Macbeth. The report of Rosse is based on observation and has a note of authenticity. He gives the news of the faithlessness of Cawdor. The language is precise and accurate – the language of the courtier.

• Who addresses the witches first, but to whom the witches speak? How does Banquo take the words of the witches? Is he serious or light-hearted?

Ans. Banquo first sees the witches and addresses them. But the witches answer when Macbeth asks them to speak. Macbeth is the target of the witches. They want to tempt Macbeth, because they know Macbeth is already tempted. He has ambition. Banquo is however, free from ambition. Banquo, therefore, dismisses them as ‘instruments of darkness who tell us truths, win us with honest trifles and betray us in deepest consequence. He is light-hearted at first because he is amused by the fear of Macbeth. But he is serious later, and warns his friend against being tempted by them.

• “Happy prologues to the swelling act of the imperial theme.”

What are the prologues? What is the imperial theme? From where the image is taken?

Ans. Macbeth is hailed by the witches as the thane of Glamis, the thane of Cawdor and the king hereafter. By Sinel’s death, Macbeth has been the thane of Glamis. Rosse informs Macbeth that he has been appointed the thane of Cawdor because the thane of Cawdor has proved faithless, and the king has sentenced him to death. The king has invested him with the title. Thus two prophecies of the witches have proved true.

These two truths are prologues which mean in a drama introductions to the action, which, in Macbeth’s case swells into the theme of becoming the king.

The image is taken from drama. A drama has prologue, crisis (climax) and catastrophe (conclusion). For Macbeth, the two truths (his becoming the thane of Glamis and the thane of Cawdor) are prologues. He hopes that the prologues will swell to a crisis resulting in his attainment of kingship.

• Why do I yield to that suggestion ? What suggestion is referred to? What is the effect of this yielding?

Ans. Macbeth considers the good and evil of the prophecies of the witches. The prophecies have commenced in truths. So they cannot be called evil. But Macbeth yields to the temptation. Suggestion means the temptation to win the crown of Scotland.

The terrible imagination causes his hair to stand on end and makes his fixed heart come out its right position and strike at his ribs. This is unnatural. The thought of murder is fanciful, but his power of action is lost in imagination. His weak state suffers an insurrection.

• How does Banquo explain the rapt’ condition of Macbeth to Rosse and Angus? What is the imagery used here?

Ans. Macbeth is ‘rapt’ at the tho ught of the witches and does not talk with Rosse and Angus who have come with good news for Macbeth. Banquo explains his conduct by saying that he has been invested with new honours (the title of Cawdor and praises). He wants to wear the honours, i.e., enjoy them. But they are new, and do not fit the body: They seem too big. However, they would be alright with the regular use. Macbeth now finds it difficult to adjust himself to the new honours.

• “He died as one that had been studied in his death…..”

About whom is this said? How is his death compared with his life? Has it any significance in the total pattern of the drama?

Ans. This is said about the Thane of Cawdor. The Thane of Cawdor played false with the king, joined the king of Norway and laboured in the country’s wreck. But in his death he confessed his sin and expressed his deep repentance. He thus gave a better account of himself on the eve of his death than he had done before in his life. His life was one of sin and shame; but his death was honourable. He died as if life had no meaning for him. Thus he cultivated the art of dying.

This Cawdor episode has significance because it anticipates Macbeth’s act of ingratitude and faithlessness, and his later despair and repentance.

• Explain the following line with reference to the context. “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face”.

Ans. Duncan confesses here that he had built an absolute trust on the Thane of Cawdor. He trusted him most, but he was most deceived. There is no art that can teach one how to read man’s mind in the face. The face is never the index of the mind. Duncan was deceived by the apparent goodness of Cawdor. Thus the subject of appearance and reality is hinted at.

These words by Duncan are full of ironical significance. Duncan was deceived by Cawdor and he will be deceived by Macbeth. He will not implicit faith in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and will be misled by their outward appearance and will be deceived to death.

These words underline the fatal flaw of Duncan’s character – his blind trustfulness. Again, these words indicate one underlying theme of the play – the sin of ingratitude and the tragedy of unsuspecting trustfulness. As a matter of fact, the whole scene that follows is steeped in irony.

• “It is a peerless kinsman”.

Who says this and of whom? What makes the speaker say this? Why does he use ‘it’? Is the remark shot with Irony?

Ans. Duncan says this about Macbeth. Macbeth goes out to give to his wife the news of the king’s visit to his castle. Duncan is taken in by his haste and care. He is pleased with the praises about Macbeth. He enjoys his praises just as one enjoys feast. He says to Banquo that Macbeth is a king without a parallel. There is a touch of loving familiarity in the word ‘it’. The remark is shot with irony because Duncan does not know the workings of Macbeth’s mind. He thinks of murdering Duncan. Duncan’s declaration that his eldest son Malcolm will be his heir apparent aggravates his temptation. But his yielding to the temptation of murder is followed by his qualms of conscience – he addresses the stars to hide their fires. He says that the eye will not see what the hand does. The audience knows Macbeth’s thinking at the moment but Duncan is unaware. This contrast produces the irony of the situation.

• “The raven himself is hoarse that crooks the fatal entrance of Duncan”.

Who says this and when? Who is referred to by the word ‘raven’? What does the speaker mean by fatal entrance?

Ans. Lady Macbeth says this when the messenger comes with the news of Duncan’s visit to Macbeth’s castle. It is a great news for Lady Macbeth who has been planning the murder of Duncan. Duncan almost puts himself into her clutches.

“Raven’ refers to the messenger who brings the news. Raven means jackdaw whose cry is hoarse and ominous. Fatal entrance means that Duncan’s visit will prove fatal to Duncan – Duncan will die.

This shows the grim determination and firm purpose of Lady Macbeth. She is ruthless in her resolution to kill Duncan. She can make a quick decision.

• “Come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall’.

Who says these words, and to whom these are addressed? What do ‘milk’, ‘gall’ signify? What characteristic of the woman is revealed here?

Ans. Lady Macbeth says these words in her prayer to the murdering ministers. She makes an appeal to them to come to her breasts and turn her motherly feeling into poisonous feelings of a serpent.

‘Milk’ suggests the soft tender feelings of a woman and ‘gall’ suggests poisonous feelings of a snake. Lady Macbeth wants her womanly feelings smothered so that she can do the cruel act. She is conscious of her essential womanliness. She is not devilish or impish by Nature. She does violence to her feminine instincts.

• ‘Look like the innocent flower/But be the serpent under it’.

Who says and to whom? Why does the speaker make this advice to the person? What does this advice signify?

Ans. This is said by Lady Macbeth to Macbeth. Lady Macbeth gives this advice to Macbeth because she finds him nervous and agitated (Your face is a book where men may read strange matters). This advice signifies that Macbeth will deceive the men by suiting his look to the occasion. He will show welcome through his eye, hand and tongue. He will look like the innocent beautiful flower and be the serpent under it. His face will be beautiful, but his heart will be ugly and spiteful. He will hide his heart under a false face. In short, he will be a hypocrite.

Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to do nothing but to put on a good face, so that his face does not betray the heart. But a serpent also stings. So he will not be completely passive.

• ‘He that’s coming must be provided for:’

What does the speaker mean by this statement? What does the speaker expect from this action? Does it show her sagacity or simplicity?

Ans. Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth to beguile the men and bear welcome with hand and eye for the man who comes here. She means that Duncan, the king comes to their castle that night, and he must be provided for. Literally it means that the guest must be provided with food and shelter. But “provided for’ is euphemistic for ‘done away with’ i.e. killed. She means that Duncan must be killed.

Lady Macbeth expects that by killing Duncan that night, they will ensure for them absolute power and complete mastery for all day and nights. Indeed, Lady Macbeth is simple-minded. She is blind to the consequences

Her imagination is limited, and she cannot foresee the wider implications of a murder, and specially the murder of a king.

• “And the late dignities heaped up to them we rest your dignities”.

Who says these words and to whom? What are the late dignities and how are they heaped to others? Finally bring out the meaning of the line: Rest your hermits.

Ans. Lady Macbeth says these words to Duncan. Duncan has come to the castle of Macbeth and thus has given them troubles. But these are troubles of love, God rewards us for the pains that we take for extending hospitality to the guests.

Lady replies that they are his subjects and are bound to offer him service. Even if their troubles are repeated, they would appear insignificant when they are compared with the honours that Duncan has heaped on them.

The recent dignities mean the honours of bestowing on Macbeth the title of the Thane of Cawdor and the royal visit to their castle. The king has bestowed on them honours in the past. For all these, they will remain bound to pray for the long life of the king.

Hermits are beadsmen who pray for the long life of men. Hermits are desert dwellers. 16. ‘Upon the bank and shoal of time,

We’ld jump the life to come. What is the meaning of bank and shoal of time? What image is suggested here? What is meant by jump the life to come’?

Ans. Bank and shoal of time means the present time. Eternal time is compared to sea. The present time is only a period in the eternity of time.

Jump the life to come – means future life. Macbeth is ready to risk what happens to the soul after death for the sake of the present enjoyment. He says that if murder is finished with the committing of the murder, then he can risk his soul after death. He fears retribution for his deed while he lives.

• “Vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself/And falls on the other”. Bring out the image in the line.

Ans. Ambition is compared to a reckless rider. A reckless rider jumps on the saddle and misses it and then falls down on the other side. Similarly ambitious men overreach themselves and suffer the tragedy. Inordinate ambition will lead to his disaster.

• “What beast was’t, then that made you break this enterprise to you?”

To whom is it said? Why is the person called a beast? What enterprise is referred to? Did he really break the enterprise?

Ans. This is said to Macbeth by Lady Macbeth. He is called a beast because Macbeth has said that he has the courage to do what may become a man. Lady Macbeth satirically says that in that case he was a beast when he gave him the news of murdering Duncan.

Indeed, Macbeth never intimated to Lady Macbeth any such action. He never told Lady Macbeth that he wanted to kill Macbeth. In his letter that Lady Macbeth reads he says about the predictions of the witches. Many editors suggest the omission or cut of a scene between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Such suggestions are unwarranted. Lady Macbeth with her sagacity can read the mind of Macbeth.

• ‘I am settled’. Who says this and to what is the person settled? How does he come o this settlement?

Ans. Macbeth says this – he is settled to the ‘terrible feat’ of murdering Duncan.

Macbeth has a good deal of hesitation and recoiling. He considers the practical and moral aspects of murder and decides not to proceed to the business. Lady Macbeth then taunts and reproaches him; she charges him with cowardice. She points out to him the sanctity of pledge. She then gives a practical scheme of murder and of how they will pass on the guilt of murder to the chamberlains. Macbeth is impressed by the plan and resolves on the murder. Macbeth is ambitious and covetous of the crown, but his conscience deters him from the murder. The powerful rhetoric of Lady Macbeth wins him over. Macbeth however, commits the murder of Duncan in a trance as it were.

• “Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts”.

Who addresses the merciful powers? What are the cursed thoughts? What does this address signify?

Ans. Banquo addresses the merciful powers. He invokes their blessings when the thoughts about the witches come to him in his sleep. Banquo dreams of the witches and their predictions about the kingship of his Sons and others of his line. He feels tempted. But he tries to restrain the temptation. While Macbeth has surrendered to the evil, he invoke the good spirits to check his tendency to evil. He proves better than Macbeth.

• Comment on Macbeth’s soliloquy beginning with: ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me?”

Ans. In Act II, Sc i , just before the murder of Duncan, Macbeth sees a dagger floating in the air and pointing to Duncan’s chamber. He tries to catch it, but cannot succeed. He calls it ‘fatal’ because it is symbolic of murder. Macbeth questions about the reality of the dagger. Is it a figment of his heated brain? He can see it but he cannot grasp it. Macbeth is puzzled. He thinks that either his eyes are wrong and the other senses correct-the vision is an illusion, or his eyes alone can perceive, the rest have gone wrong. The vision becomes more concrete, more tangible, more vivid. The vision vanishes. Macbeth is convinced that it is a hallucination, a creation of the oppressed mind.

Macbeth’s feverish anxiety is conveyed by the hallucination of the danger – the symbol of temptation to murder and the rhythm of the lines captures the fear–he feels in his monstrous commitment to the deed. The soliloquy has powerful visual effects-gouts of blood’ and shows Macbeth’s own imaginative association with the supernatural and with evil. He thinks of the witches offering sacrifices to Hecate, of the withered murderer going to the wicked deed, to Tarquin who violated Lucrece at night. He identifies himself with the darkness of the night and with all the wicked elements in Nature and in humanity. This soliloquy contains self knowledge, analysis, guilty conscience and a terrifying self-accusation. Grierson makes the apt remark: “Macbeth’s moral agitation is clearly evinced in this scene. The fearless warrior is unmanned by the evocations of a shaken conscience, and crosses the ‘Rubicon of Crime’ trembling at every step.”

• “Had he not resembled

My father as he slept, I had done it.”

Give the context of the remark and bring out the character of the speaker as revealed in the line.

Ans. Lady Macbeth is awaiting her husband’s return after the murder of Duncan. She hears the shriek of the owl. She has taken wine to nerve herself. She hears a noise made by Macbeth. She is afraid that Macbeth is confounded by the attempt. She says that the face of Duncan resembles the face of her father and so she could not do the murder.

The line shows the essential womanliness of Lady Macbeth. The daughter image comes up to her mind just as in the earlier scene, the mother image occurs as she thinks of cruel action for the sanctity of pledge. She has an incipient daughter within her.

• “I have done the deed.”

What deed is referred to? How does the speaker react to the deed? What is the difference of reactions between him and his co-partner?

Ans. The deed refers to the murder of Duncan. Macbeth says this to Lady Macbeth after committing the murder. He has done it almost in a trance. He has been impelled to the deed by the powerful taunting rhetoric of Lady Macbeth.

Macbeth lapses into complete self-absorption. He hears noises from within. He hears voices saying “God bless us’, ‘amen’ etc. he has murdered sleep, and he will not sleep anymore. He looks at his blood-stained hands and his eyes come out of their sockets. He thinks that Neptune’s ocean cannot wash the hands clean. He is repentant and remorseful; he wants Duncan to wake up so that he may be free from the sense of guilt.

Lady Macbeth is practical and self-controlled by contrast. However, she does not have her earlier ruthlessness. She has taken wine to nerve herself, she thinks of her father’s face as she looks at the face of Duncan. She has, however, command of the situation. She asks her husband not to brood on the deed. She reproaches Macbeth with cowardice when he refuses to revisit the room of dead Duncan. She says that the sleeping and the dead are but pictures. She says to Macbeth that a little water will clear us of the deed. She asks Macbeth to retire to the chamber and wash the hands and put on the nightgowns ‘lest occasion call us’.

Lady Macbeth is simple-minded. She cannot understand the voices and visions of Macbeth with her limited imagination and thought. She cannot follow the ravings and remorse of Macbeth.

• “It was a rough night”

Who says this? What night is referred to? How is the night described by another speaker?

Ans. Macbeth describes the night of the murder of Duncan. He describes it in a simple sentence with a simple word, ‘rough’.

Lennox however describes it as ‘unruly’. Chimneys were blown down, lamentings were heard in the air, strange screams of death, and terrible accents predicting dire destruction were heard also. The owl clamoured all through the night. Earth was shaking as if in fever. All these are signs of some impending disaster.

• “Confusion now hath made his masterpiece”.

Who says this? What is the confusion referred to? What do masterpiece mean here? How does the speaker express his feeling about this confusion?

Ans. Macduff says this when he discovers murdered Duncan lying in a pool of blood. He is so puzzled and dismayed by this discovery that he expresses it in emotional hyperbolic language. The repetition of the word ‘horror’ shows that he is emotionally shaken. Destruction has done its deadliest work. The murder of a king is the deadliest work of destruction A king is a divine representative. Murder of a king is a sacrilegious act. The king is the temple of God. He further says that if one sees the murdered Duncan, one will be turned to stone (just as the sight of Medusa turns one to stone). Macduff is so emotionally disturbed that he says that the murder of Duncan predicts the last day of judgment.

• “Woe, alas!

What, in our house?”

Who says this and about what? Does it show any weakness on the part of the speaker?

Ans. Lady Macbeth says this when he hears the news of the murder of Duncan. She strikes a false note. Her remark suggests that the murder of Duncan is not so unhappy in itself – but it is sad because it has taken place in her house. Now she cannot act well. She shows signs of nervousness. She cannot disguise her feelings and deceive the time as she has instructed her husband.

• “Wherefore did you so?”

Who asks this question and why? How does the man addressed reply to the question? Is the reply convincing? What does the question imply ?

Ans. Macduff asks this question of Macbeth when the latter says that he has killed the chamberlains of Duncan out of fury. He explains that no man can be wise, neutral and temperate and at the same time amazed, furious and loyal. He saw Duncan lying in a pool of blood, and he was so amazed and furious that he could not control himself. His love of Duncan outran his reason. He saw the murderers smeared with blood were lying there. He killed them out of fury and impatience. He now repents of his fury. This explanation is rather laboured and sounds artificial. This is uttered in such violent and verbose language that its artificiality becomes prominent.

Macduff asks this question because his suspicion is roused. Macbeth should not have killed the sleeping chamberlains. The chamberlains could have given them clues to the murder had they been alive.

• “To show an unfelt sorrow is an office which the false man does easy.”

Who says this and to whom and under what circumstances? What does the speaker mean?

Ans. Malcolm says this to his brother Donalbain. Their royal father, Duncan is murdered. All the lords are busy with lamentations, questions and resolves about the murder. They are however silent and stand aloof. They hold that their life is in danger and so they should remain silent. When all go away, Malcolm says to his brother that they will not associate with these lords. They are making noise about their sorrows. Feigned sorrow is lauder than real sorrow. False man can easily show his unfelt sorrow. Their sorrow is not yet prepared. They would leave the place quietly and secretly at once. There are daggers in men’s smiles. They are near in blood to Duncan, so they can be killed. It is wise for them to seek their fortunes in different places. They would leave the place without any formal leave-taking. There is justification for secret flight when there is no mercy left.

• What are the abnormalities seen in nature and the animal world on the night of Duncan’s murder? Who do they portend?

Ans. There were fierce tempest and rains. Chimneys were blown down and strange screams of death were heard. Darkness had pervaded the following day. This is unnatural. A falcon was preyed on by a mousing owl. Duncan’s horses, most beauteous and obedience turned wild; and horses did eat each other. Amazement and mystery pervaded the whole atmosphere.

The unnatural act of murder has disrupted the natural and the animal worlds. Order-disorder symbolisms heighten the enormity of the crime.

• ‘Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.’

Who says this and to whom and in what circumstances? What is the image here and what is the tone of the speaker?

Ans. Macduff says this to Rosse when the latter expresses his desire to join Macbeth’s coronation at Scone. Macduff will not attend this coronation.

This refusal to attend the coronation of the new king amounts to disobedience and open revolt. Macbeth has been named the king, and it is a citizen’s duty to offer loyalty to the new king. Lennox is an ordinary loyal citizen who accepts the accomplished fact. But Macduff is brave, he cannot accept Macbeth as a king because he is now convinced that Macbeth is not the lawful king-Malcolm is the legitimate king.

Macduff’s tone here is ironical. He says to Rosse that if he does not attend the coronation of the new king, then the old regime i.e. the regime of Duncan) would seem more comfortable, and thus the new king would be annoyed. A common citizen cannot annoy a king and thus endangers his life.

The imagery is that of the clothes. Old robes fit easier than the new robes.

• “But, hush! no more.”

Who utters these words and in what context? Why does he want to be silent?

Ans. Banquo utters these final words in his soliloquy at the palace at Forres. Banquo thinks that the predictions of the witches for Macbeth have been fulfilled; Macbeth has become the thanes of Glamis, Cawdor and king. Banquo has the suspicion that Macbeth has played most foully for it. But the witches have predicted that kingship would pass on to his descendants. Banquo would be the root and father of many kings. So if the predictions have been fulfilled in the case of Macbeth, so they may prove true in his case also. He is encouraged by the hope that his sons and descendants would be future kings. However, Banquo recoils from this thought, because it means that he is yielding to temptaton. The witches are devils and to be influenced by them is to yield to evil forces. On another occasion, he had been plagued by these cursed thoughts. Now again, these cursed thoughts come to his mind. So he asks himself not to entertain this thought any more. He restrains himself.

There are critics who hold that Banquo hears the footsteps of men coming to the place, and so he keeps silent. But the soliloquy is loud thinking. It cannot be heard by other characters. It is meant for the audience.

• ‘Let your highness

Command upon me; to the which my duties

Are with a most indissoluble tie

For ever knit’.

Who says this and to whom and when? Does this obedient tone agree with our earlier estimate of the speaker? Is there any irony in the expression ‘indissoluble tie’?

Ans. This is said by Banquo to Macbeth when the latter invites Banquo to the solemn coronation supper. Banquo offers his complete obedience to the command of Macbeth who is now king. He says his duties as his subject are tied to his command in indissoluble bond.

But this obedience to Macbeth does not agree with our earlier estimate of Banquo. Banquo solemnly declared that he would fight the unknown design of malicious traitor. In the soliloquy just before this talk with Macbeth, Banquo has said “Thou hast played most foully for it”. Thus he suspects foul play on the part of Macbeth. Again, earlier when Macbeth offers him honourable position if he ‘cleaves to his consent’, Banquo bravely says that he will keep his bosom clear and franchise free. But here we see Banquo meekly submitting to the kingly authority of Macbeth. He proves an ordinary citizen who offers conventional loyalty to a king whoever he may be.

• “Ride you this afternoon?”

Who asks this question and to whom? Why does he ask the question? What aspect of the character do you get from this question?

Ans. Macbeth asks this question to Banquo. He asks this question in order to know the whereabouts of Banquo in the afternoon. He asks the question suddenly in the course of his other discussions. He manages tactfully to elicit from Banquo information about his movements. He plans his murder. Here Macbeth has degenerated into a trickster, a mean cunning fellow.

• What is Macbeth’s estimate of Banquo’s character? Does his estimate agree with what we see Banquo in the action of the drama?

Ans. Macbeth finds his genius rebuked by that of Banquo. Banquo has royalty of nature, dauntless temper of mind, wisdom that doth guide his valour. Macbeth sees himself weak by contrast with Banquo because Banquo addressed the witches, chide them and dismissed them as insubstantial. But Macbeth has yielded to the supernatural solicitings. In his encounter with the witches, Banquo has shown courage, control and self-possession. Reason and passion are comingled; Macbeth finds the lack of it in his character. He is impelled by impulse.

But in the action of the drama, we do not find any traces of the qualities mentioned by Macbeth and offers his complete obedience to him, although he knows that he has played most foully for it”. He thus yields to evil.

• When does Macbeth say “Come fate into the list/And champion me to the utterance”. Is the mood revealed here constant in him?

Ans. Macbeth says this when he thinks that his kingship would pass on to the posterity of Banquo. It would be taken away violently by one not belonging to his line (family).

He thinks that he has vitiated his mind and disturbed his peace by murdering Duncan. He has sold his soul to Satan by this horrid act. He cannot reconcile himself to the idea that he has done this horrid deed for the sons of Banquo.

Actually, Macbeth suffers heart-sickness and sense of guilt for this enormity of crime. His heart-sickness is followed by his desperate, bellicose mood. He challenges fate to the list for fight with him. He would fight to the uttermost with fate and destroy the frame of things rather than give the crown to the sons of Banquo. He plans the murder of Banquo in order to be safe in his position. He is led by illusions. The more he will try to gain security, the more insecure he would be. Murders will beget murders. Once a man yields to evil, he is engulfed by it.

• How does Macbeth incite the murderers against Banquo? Why does he incite them when he hires them to do the murder? What aspect of the character of Macbeth is revealed here?

Ans. Macbeth incites the murderers against Banquo by imputing to Banquo false charges. He says that Banquo has kept these men (the hired murderers) under check. He has not allowed them to prosper. If they are patient and religious minded, they would not take revenge on one who has crushed them and deprived them and their children of what they deserve. If they are men in the valued list of men i.e. if they have manly qualities, they would kill Banquo in order to take revenge on him who has done so much to them. He further explains that he could have done it himself as a king but he would not do it because in that case some common friends will be alienated from him. He incites them to provide a personal motive for their killing.

Macbeth is here a liar, a hypocrite. He falsely accuses Banquo of thwarting these men. He proves a cunning smooth-tongued politician. He excites the men against Macbeth so that they may be actuated by a personal motive, and then the murder would be less cruel. It is important to note that no murder is done by Macbeth himself. Shakespeare is careful that Macbeth does not alienate the sympathy of the audience by the act of murder.

• “Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue.”

Who gives this advice and to whom? Does this advice recall a similar advice of the person to whom this advice is tendered? How are the roles reversed? Distinguish between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth at this stage.

Ans. This advice is tendered to Lady Macbeth by Macbeth. She will show great honour to Banquo both with eye and tongue. They are unsafe so long as they will have to maintain their position by flattery.

A similar advice was given by Lady Macbeth to Macbeth when Duncan was due to arrive at Macbeth’s castle. She asked him to bear welcome in eye, tongue and hand – he would be the innocent flower but be the serpent under it.

Macbeth has here turned out to be a complete hypocrite. He now plays false with his wife who had been his so close a partner in his first crime. He has planned the murder of Banquo and knows that Banquo will not be able to attend the banquet. He keeps his wife ignorant about his plan.

Lady Macbeth now is listless; Macbeth is dominating: Lady Macbeth feels that once everything is over, it should be forgotten. Macbeth feels that he must go on killing in order to make himself insecure, there is the lack of confidence between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth’s conscience gnaws within herself and leads to madness, Macbeth has come to ride roughshod over his conscience. In effect, their earlier roles are reversed.

• “‘I’ is better thee without thou be within.”

Who says this and to whom? What does the speaker mean?

Ans. This is said to the first murderer who comes to inform Macbeth of the murder of Banquo. He finds blood on the face of the murderer. The latter says that the blood is that of Banquo.

Macbeth means that blood is better on your face than in the body of Banquo. It may also mean that it is better that the murderer is outside the room than Banquo is within the room. Thus he is pleased to know that Banquo is killed.

• “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.’ Who makes this remark? What does the remark imply? Is there any difference of attitude between the speaker of the line and that of the person spoken to?

Ans. This remark is made by Macbeth to Lady Macbeth. He hints to Lady Macbeth that some dreadful deed is going to happen that night. He keeps her, once a partner in crime, ignorant of what he is going to do Macbeth now dominates the action, and Lady Macbeth is listless, tired and disinclined to any further action. Macbeth justifies his further actions. He has started upon a career of crime and so for his safety, he must go on committing crimes. The roles are now reversed.

• “We are yet but young in deed.”

Who says this and what is the occasion? Why does the speaker make this estimate of himself?

Ans. Macbeth says this at the end of the Banquet scene (Act III, Sc iv). He has seen the ghost of Banquo whom he has killed. He is so frightened at the sight that he has made compromising disclosures. The lords have come to suspect his guilt in the murder of Duncan and Banquo. He comes to realise that the ghost is the projection of his heated brain and fevered mind. He has raved and spoken out what he should not have said. He realises that murderers will be out. Immediately he makes up his mind to visit the weird sisters and know the worst by the worst means. He knows that what he has done under fear is the beginning of his end. But, still he must carry on his criminal career. He cannot retrace his steps. He must now act as soon as he plans. His fear is the fear felt by a novice in crime. They have not yet been hardened, because they are unused to the crime.

• Do you think that Scene V, Act III is un-Shakespearean? Does it have any relation to the rest of the play?

Ans. In the brief scene (Act III, Sc v) Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft reprimands the witches for not keeping her informed of their dealings with Macbeth and tells them to meet her the next morning, since Macbeth is coming to hear his destiny from them.

The rhyming couplets in weak iambs are un-Shakespearean. The witches speak in trochee. The witches here are on a lower level than they were in the first scene. Hecate speaks the wretched doggerel “which lacks the grim power of the witches’ incantation”. Hecate’s presence does not add to the action or impressiveness. The scene recalls closely the witch scenes in Middleton’s drama, ‘The Witches’ and contains an unintelligible allusion to ‘wayward sin’. All these are cited as grounds against its authenticity and importance in the play.

But Hecate’s presence is a necessity. She is the queen of the witches. She may use a rhyme different from that of the other witches. Now is her presence unexpected ? It follows from the previous scene in which Macbeth decides on meeting the witches. Hecate, the goddess appears to prepare the witches to meet Macbeth and deal with him appropriately. The scene shows the limitations of the power of the witches. “The wayward son’ refers to Macbeth. He is now one of them, but the play reveals that he has not been completely won over by them. He would challenge them. “Deny me this/And an eternal curse fall on you!” He calls them later “juggling fiends”. Hecate can anticipate the conduct of Macbeth.

However, ”the doubts about the authenticity of the scene fall short of certainty (The New Clarendon Editor). The scene is at least entitled to the benefit of doubt”.

• ‘How did it grieve Macbeth! Did he not in pious rage the two delinquents tears.’

Who say this? What does the speaker mean? What is the tone of the speaker?

Ans. Lennox says this to another Lord. He speaks how Duncan was killed. It grieved Macbeth so much that he killed the chamberlains who were supposed to be the murderers. They were heavily drunk and were sleeping heavily

The tone is here ironical. The lords are not convinced that Macbeth murdered Duncan in his castle in order to gain the throne. Lennox uses verbal irony. He says that Malcolm and Donalbain fled, and so the guilt of the murder fell on them. And chamberlains were delinquents because they were suborned by the two sons of Duncan to do the murder, Macbeth has managed the whole affair very cleverly.

• “Double, double, toil and trouble.”

Who utters these words? In what connection are these words uttered? What do the words mean?

Ans. The witches utter these words as a part of their incantation for preparing their charm by which they intend to seduce Macbeth further.

They throw into the cauldron poisoned entrails, toad who has oozed out venom for thirty one days and nights under cold stone and other vulgar poisonous materials for concocting the spell. They will accumulate trouble and toil for Macbeth. “Double, double’ – suggests that the both will boil and burn doubly so that the troubles of Macbeth are doubled. “The repetition suggests the intensification of trouble.

• Indicate the three Apparitions conjured up by the witches and point out what they mean and how they seduce Macbeth.

Ans. The first Apparition is that of an armed head – it is Macbeth’s own head cut off by Macduff. It is prophetic. The second Apparition is that of a bloody child. It indicates Macduff as he was born (untimely ripped from his mother’s womb). The third Apparition is that of a child crowned with a tree in his head. This suggests Malcolm who commands “let every soldier hew him down a bough” (V.iv.4.)

Thus all their supernatural suggestions are fraught with irony. Macbeth is warned against Macduff (Macbeth knows that he has to fear Macduff and he has known that Macduff has fled to England). But the second prophecy gives him false assurance of security by predicting that no one born of a woman would kill him. Macbeth feels safe but still Macduff must die so that he may have double security. Macbeth is further assured of safety by saying that Macbeth will never be vanquished till Birnam wood moves to high Dunsinane. So Macbeth may sleep in defiance of thunder.

Macbeth will soon see how he has been seduced by the juggling fiends who lie like truths. He is trafficking with things of nightmare fantasy whose truth is falsehood and falsehood truth”.

• ‘Some I see that two-fold balls and treble sceptres carry.’

Who does see? What does the sight symbolise?

Ans. Macbeth now sees a mirror reflecting eight kings . Stuart kings of Scotland, Robert II and III and the six James-es.

Two-fold balls and treble sceptres are used as a compliment to James I. His two coronations first as king of Scotland and then at Westminster are suggested. Treble sceptres suggest the three kingdoms over which James I ruled – Scotland, England and Ireland. Chambers thinks “the treble sceptres are the two used for investment in the English coronation and the one used in the Scottish coronation.” Balls mean the orbs carried in the left hand during coronation.

• “His flight was madness.”

Whose flight is referred to? Does the speaker say that the flight was madness? Was it really madness?

Ans. Lady Macduff attributes Macduff’s flight to England to madness. According to her Macduff has fled out of fear. He has done no treacherous work to Macbeth and so he should not have fled. His flight is an evidence of treason. Moreover, he lacks love. He should not have left the family in the lurch. His fear has dominated over his love. So the flight runs against reason.

Macduff has fled to England to seek the assistance of the English king for leading an opposition to Macbeth, and to rid Scotland of the tyranny. His patriotism has dominated over his family affection. Lady Macduff’s complaint is genuine – she and her children are left alone at the mercy of the tyrant. A little later it will be seen that the Macduff family is slaughtered. Macbeth has done it to show his wrath against Macduff who has fled England to mobilise forces against him. Lady Macduff cannot think beyond her home. She cannot understand Macduff’s patriotism.

• Comment in brief on the dramatic importance of the conversation between Macduff and Malcolm. (Act IV, Scene II).

Ans. The longest scene in the play (Act I, Sc ii) begins with the conversation between Macduff and Malcolm. Malcolm tests the honesty of Macduff (he suspects he may be an agent of Macbeth) before he accepts him as his ally. He says that he is vicious, tyrannical, luxurious -Scotland will be worse under him. Macduff is prepared to make concessions to his alleged vices. but when Malcolm says that he has no ‘king becoming graces’, Macduff is frustrated and says in holy anger that Scotland is doomed. Malcolm appreciates the bonafides of Macduff and he withdraws all his allegations and places himself unreservedly in Macduff’s hands for country’s service.

Through this conversation, we know that Macduff is a sincere patriot and Malcolm is cautious and calculating. He is not blindly trustful like his father Duncan. Shakespeare indirectly suggests the ‘king-becoming graces’ – a king must be temperate in morals and material desires. The conversation provides a little pause before the introduction of tension with the entrance of Rosse. Thus dramatically it is important. It is an admirable non-action prelude to the dramatic entrance of Rosse with terrible news. There is also a subtle contrast between the tyrant king and the good king – Edward the confessor.

• ‘He has no children.’

Who says this? What makes the speaker say this? Whose children are meant here?

Ans. Macduff says this when he is told of the slaughter of his wife and children. He is profoundly shocked and grieved, but he gives expression to his grief in simple controlled language.

Macduff says this when Malcolm asks him not to give way to grief, but to make medicines out of revenge. Macduff says that Malcolm can say this because he has no children. He does not understand the feelings of a father. He has to grieve for the loss of children and then he can think of taking revenge.

Some editors hold that here Macduff refers to Macbeth who has no children. Macbeth can kill his pretty ones because he has not children. But the text of the play offers evidence that Macbeth has children. Lady Macbeth has said that she knows how tender is to love the babe. Macbeth kills Banquo because he does not want the kingship to pass on to the ‘unlineal hand.

• “Now does he feel his title.

Hang loose about him like a giant’s robe

Upon a dwarfish thief”.

About whom is this said ? What does the speaker mean? What image is suggested here?

Ans. This is said about Macbeth. Menteith says this to suggest the diminishing power of Macbeth as a king. Every minute he feels his treachery because his own men are revolting against him. Those still support him offer lip-service, they do not serve him in love. Thus he feels ill-at case with his kingship.

The imagery is taken from dress. His robe of kingship hangs loose upon him, just as a giant’s robe sit loose upon a dwarf. The clothes image is brilliantly distorted. – Macbeth aspired to be giant (king) but only succeeded in being a dwarfish thief (by stealing the kingdom from Malcolm).

• Who was the English king referred to? What was his special power? Does it have any relevance to the play?

Ans. English King referred to was Edward the confessor. He was a pious king. He had the special power of curing the people of a strange disease called ‘Scrofula’ – king’s evil. People become swollen and full of ulcers. Even the surgeons despair of curing this disease. But the solicits heaven, hangs a golden stamp round the necks of the patients and cures them. This blessed gift of leading is passed on to his posterity. The English king was possessed of many graces.

This praise is meant for James I at whose court this play was acted. It has dramatic relevance in so far as it suggests a contrast with the Scottish king (Macbeth) who is a tyrant causing disease and discomforts to his subjects.

• ‘This push will cheer me ever or disseat me now.’

What is the mood of the speaker indicated here? Say what follows this remark.

Ans. Macbeth is impatient and irritated to hear his own men flying. He then hears that ten thousand English soldiers are advancing towards him. Although he pins his faith on the prophecy of the witches that none of woman born can touch him, he feels extremely uneasy and restless. He has an instinctive sense that crisis has come to his life. This “push’ means the crisis or the enemy’s drive to oust him. This crisis will either cheer him or drive him out of the chair (seat).

This mood of impatience and desperation is followed by a mood of despair. He compares his life to autumnal season. His leaves are dry and yellow. He laments the loss of love, friendship and honour which old age longs for. He now gets lip-service and insincere homage. This longing for love and honour in his misery rouses our compassion for the man who is an irredeemable sinner.

Q.52. “I have almost forgot the taste of fears.”

What light does it throw on the mind of the speaker?

Ans. Macbeth says this when a cry of woman is heard. Macbeth has lost his sense of fear. In his early days, a nigh-shriek would have cooled his senses. A tale of suffering would have sent a cool shudder running down his spine. But now fears do not stir him. He has had too much of horrors, so horrors do not affect him. Here Macbeth deplores his mental apathy. This feeling that he cannot feel makes us feel for him. We have compassion for this unfortunate villain.

• “Blow wind! come wrack!

At least, I’ll die with harness on our back.”

Who says this? What light does it throw on the speaker?

Ans. Macbeth says this when he hears from a messenger that he has seen Birnam wood move. Macbeth now prepares to put on armour and meet the enemies in the battlefield. Now his optimism is shaken, he knows the equivocation of the juggling fiends. He now checks confidence in the witches and calls for the arm. Sense of weariness is followed by the mood of desperation. He says that he is wearied of this life, and then he is lashed into fury to challenge fate and unsettle the settled order of things. He calls upon nature to bring destruction. He will die with armour on his back. He will die bravely. Thus his heroic spirit is maintained till the last.

• ‘Why should I play the Roman fool?’ Who says this? Who are the Roman fools ? What does the speaker want to do?

Ans. Macbeth says this when he has come to the battlefield to meet the enemies. He will fight the enemies although he knows his cause is lost. Brutus, Cato, Antony, the Roman heroes committed suicide when they found that their defeat was inevitable. It was considered honourable by the Romans to commit suicide. But Macbeth intends to die fighting bravely in the battlefield.

• “The time is free.”

Who says this and on what occasion? What does he mean?

Ans. Macduff says this when he brings Macbeth’s head and offers it to Malcolm. He has succeeded in killing the tyrant. He hails Malcolm as the king of Scotland. He says that time is now free from tyranny. Men are now free, they will pay homage where it is due and eat and drink with easy minds. It recalls the hope of the lord “free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, do faithful homage and receive free honours.

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Related posts:

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• Importance of Soliloquies in Macbeth by William Shakespeare
• Importance of Murder Scene in Macbeth
• Dramatic Irony in Macbeth
• Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow | Explained in Macbeth

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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 […]
• 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.
• 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 […]
• 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, […]
• 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 […]
• 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 […]
• 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 […]
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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)

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Macbeth Essays

There are loads of ways you can approach writing an essay, but the two i favour are detailed below., the key thing to remember is that an essay should focus on the three aos:, ao1: plot and character development; ao2: language and technique; ao3: context, strategy 1 : extract / rest of play, the first strategy basically splits the essay into 3 paragraphs., the first paragraph focuses on the extract, the second focuses on the rest of the play, the third focuses on context. essentially, it's one ao per paragraph, for a really neatly organised essay., strategy 2 : a structured essay with an argument, this strategy allows you to get a much higher marks as it's structured to form an argument about the whole text. although you might think that's harder - and it's probably going to score more highly - i'd argue that it's actually easier to master. mainly because you do most of the work before the day of the exam., to see some examples of these, click on the links below:, lady macbeth as a powerful woman, macbeth as a heroic character, the key to this style is remembering this: you're going to get a question about a theme, and the extract will definitely relate to the theme., the strategy here is planning out your essays before the exam, knowing that the extract will fit into them somehow., below are some structured essays i've put together., macbeth and gender.

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Macbeth - Essay Questions Breakdown

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

24 December 2023

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A complete step-by-step guide for how to plan and write a Macbeth essay, which works both for coursework and exams under timed conditions. This document is perfect for guiding students with essay structuring and planning, as well as refining their knowledge of the play.

Tailored towards GCSE + iGCSE students, but also helpful for those studying at a higher level - check the preview for further info!

NOTE: this is a breakdown of the essay questions - if you’re looking for example essays, see our Macbeth - Example GCSE + iGCSE Essays, A*-C Grades (L9-L5) and our Macbeth - Example A-Level Essays

This digital + printable + PPT document includes the following:

-A full breakdown of the essay planning process

• Two example essay plans
• An annotated extract that guides students with how to select evidence
• Breakdown of keywords and focus of the essay question
• Support with developing clear, concise and thoughtful topic sentences
• Support with selecting the correct evidence to suit points
• Support with integrating contextual and thematic concepts

Reasons to love this resource:

• Perfect for expanding students’ knowledge and interpretations
• Help students to achieve higher grades
• Suitable for students of all levels
• Visual aids for additional support!

Need more Macbeth help? Grab our free resources here: Introduction to Macbeth

Macbeth Character Analysis

View our COMPLETE MACBETH BUNDLE here!

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A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

MACBETH: COMPLETE BUNDLE!

All hail to thee! This bundle contains everything you need to teach or study Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the form of digital and printable PDF documents. It’s perfect for students aged 14+. **Preview two of our documents for free, to check whether it’s right for you!** [Macbeth Complete Character Analysis](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-macbeth-character-analysis-12766603) [Introduction to Macbeth - Comprehensive Study Guide](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/introduction-to-macbeth-comprehensive-study-guide-12766594) [Watch Youtube videos of this bundle content here!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC90hpWr8so&list=PLeLnxAMVPTM8UG0zuvt4dVEe7me7mmp19) **There are two levels to this bundle:** Core material for students aged 14-16 (GCSE and iGCSE) Extension material for students aged 16-18 (AS, A Level + IB) **With this bundle, students will be able to:** * Understand the structural elements and key moments of plot * Deepen their knowledge of characters, including understanding the deeper messages behind each one * Integrate the significance of the setting into their analyses and interpretations of the play as a whole * Gain confidence with understanding the dramatic form, with a focus on Shakespearean drama * Memorise a range of carefully chosen key quotations for use in essays and analysis * Develop their language, structure and form analysis skills, with guided support and examples * Identify and analyse the thematic and contextual details * Learn approaches to a range of essay question types: discursive, argumentative, close reading * Become confident with extract interpretation and analysis * Develop their knowledge of tragic conventions and apply them to the play * Expand their critical aptitude via exposure to key critical frameworks and critics’ quotations (for higher level students) * Write their own essays on Macbeth, after support with planning help and example A* / top grade model answers **Reasons to love this bundle:** * Downloadable pdfs documents, graphically designed to a high level * Visual aids (photographs and drawings) to support learning * Clearly organised categories that simplify the text for students * Print and digital versions - perfect for any learning environment * The unit has everything you need to start teaching or learning - starting with the basic story summary, going right up to deep contextual and critical wider readings. * Lots of tasks and opportunities to practice literary analysis skills - students will be guided through writing a literary analysis response to the play. **This is what you'll get with this digital and printable resource:** THE COMPLETE MACBETH COURSE * Introduction to Macbeth - Comprehensive Study Guide * Macbeth - Plot Summary + Structural Breakdown * Setting in Macbeth * Macbeth - Character Study Guide * Macbeth - Key Quotations * Macbeth - Complete Context Revision * Macbeth Key Themes Study Guide * Macbeth and Tragedy * Macbeth - Critical Interpretations + Critics' Quotations WORKSHEETS + LESSONS * Macbeth Text and Study Questions - ACT 1.1 * Macbeth Text and Study Questions - ACT 1.6 * Full Lesson: Religion in Macbeth ESSAY WRITING, QUESTIONS + EXAMPLE ANSWERS * Macbeth - How to Write Higher Level Essays * Macbeth - How to Plan Essays * Macbeth - GCSE + iGCSE Essay Questions * Example A-Level Essays, A*-C Grades * Macbeth - GCSE + iGCSE Model Essays, A*-C Grades (L9-L5) **Ready to print and teach, or start studying straight away! Please be sure to take a look at the preview images to see all the documents in this resource! Looking for other texts? Here are two more: [An Inspector Calls](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-inspector-calls-revision-bundle-12611113) [AQA GCSE Power and Conflict Poetry](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-power-and-conflict-poetry-bundle-12462323) You might also be interested in: [AQA GCSE English Paper 1 Complete Bundle](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-english-language-paper-1-complete-bundle-12542887) [Cambridge IGCSE Poetry Anthology 2023-2025, Songs of Ourselves Volume 2, Part 4](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/caie-cambridge-igcse-poetry-anthology-2023-2025-songs-of-ourselves-volume-2-part-4-12722377) [Cambridge A Level Poetry for 2023](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/cie-cambridge-a-level-poetry-for-2023-bundle-part-1-12735444) **Please review our content! We always value feedback and are looking for ways to improve our resources, so all reviews are more than welcome. Check out our full [shop](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/ntabani) here

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Act 2 Scenes 1 and 2 Essay questions

Originally written for KS3 SATs, this resource consists of seven useful essay titles exploring how the Macbeths change in Act 2 Scenes 1 and 2. Each essay title has helpful bullet points for structuring a response. A typical essay question is: 

• Compare the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and consider the audience's feelings towards them throughout these scenes.

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Teaching Macbeth: 19 Supplemental Texts

• February 8, 2023
• AP Literature , English 11 , Paired Texts , Shakespeare

Teaching Macbeth is hard.  Teaching Shakespeare is hard.  That’s why I have started a new blog series in which I share themes, essential questions and supplemental texts to help you plan your Macbeth unit plan.  

This blog series includes Frankenstein , Hamlet and Of Mice and Men .  If there is a text you would like be to highlight, be sure to let me know by completing this form .

Grab your FREE Macbeth Unit Plan PDF which includes additional essential questions and supplemental texts.

Teaching Macbeth with Essential Questions and Theme

My favorite way to plan a unit is through themes and backward design.  In backward design, you determine the final outcome of a unit and the skills you need to get there.  Using essential questions and supplemental texts really brings a unit together.

In my state, students are required to write an argument essay on the state exam.  And that argument (based on non-fiction texts provided) is worth 40% of the exam.  So I like to develop authentic argument tasks that allow students to practice an argument without the artificiality of the exam which is why using essential questions along with theme is the perfect frame to develop a unit.

Themes for Teaching Macbeth

I teach my students that theme are truths about humanity and that themes should be in the form of a short sentence.  So themes in Macbeth include:

• Ambition can be both good and bad.
• Perceived gender roles influence how people behave.
• Life is the intersection between fate and free will.
• Evil is fueled by power.
• Guilt weighs heavily on the mental health.

Introducing Macbeth

No matter what theme(s) and essential questions you decided to focus your attention, either of these videos are great introductions:

TED Ed has a 6ish minute video called “Why you Should Read Macbeth .”  It gives a brief historical and plot overview.  It also highlights the themes of guilt, abuse of power, and betrayal.

The PBS video series Shakespeare Uncovered: Macbeth is another way to introduce the play.  It is hosted by Ethan Hawke as he studies and prepares to play the role of Macbeth.  It also addresses several of the above themes.  I like to actually split this video in (unequal) thirds.  As the first part addresses Macbeth’s ambitions and rise to power, the second part focuses more on Lady Macbeth and guilt and the then last part brings Macduff into the mix.

Another great way to get kids interested in the play is to have them watch three different director’s versions of the opening.  Grab this lesson for free .  Follow the free lesson up with a close reading of Macbeth Act 1 scene 1 to examine setting and diction.

Macbeth Essential Questions and Supplemental Texts

Use one or two of these essential questions for Macbeth to plan your next unit plan.  For more essential question and even more supplemental text suggestions, be sure to grab your Free Macbeth Unit Planner .

Macbeth Theme:  Ambition can be both good and bad.

Essential question: to what extent does ambition lead to one’s downfall.

Ambition is kind of a big deal in The Tragedy of Macbeth .  At one point in Act 1, Macbeth even talks about his “vaulting ambition.”  His ambition leads him to take a lot of actions.  This is the perfect place for an argument essay.  There are several options:  Who has the most ambition: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth or Macduff? Or Does ambition lead to Macbeth’s downfall?  Either way, giving your students a foundation of non-fiction texts on ambition will help them to support their arguments.

I love to just start with a definition of ambition. Then as we move through the unit, we use the following articles:

“The Psychology of Ambition” by Nassir Ghaemi.   This article is pretty accessible (lexile 1000) and gives students background on how ambition can impact a person.  Another great article from Psychology Today is the article “Is Ambition Good or Bad” by Neal Burton which considers the difference between ambition and aspiration. 

As I mentioned in my Teaching Hamlet Post , I love to pair Francis Bacon texts with Shakespeare since both Bacon and Shakespeare lived at the same time.  Bacon’s essay “Of Ambition” is a great way to see how Shakespeare’s contemporaries may have viewed ambition.

“Ego and Ambition” by Steve Forbes and John Prevas from forbes.com is another article that explores the dangers of ambition.  

Looking for a poem to pair with Macbeth on the theme of ambition, try “If—” by Rudyard Kipling.   Or to pair with Lady Macbeth’s ambitions, you could use “The Wild Ride” by Louise Imogen Guiney .

Theme in Macbeth : Perceived gender roles influence how people behave.

Essential question: how does gender influence behavior.

Early in the play, Lady Macbeth takes an influential role in Macbeth’s decisions to act, however, later in the play, it is Macbeth’s masculinity that take center stage.  A great supplemental text to address the the theme of masculinity in Macbeth is “If—” by Rudyard Kipling.   You can use this pairing to examine the characterization of Macbeth through the lens of the poem.  To look at the more feminine side, use, Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem “I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed.”

In Shakespeare Uncovered on Macbeth, one of the Macbeth experts refers to an article that appeared in the American Spectator in the early ‘90s called “The Lady Macbeth of Little Rock.”  The article makes the comparison between Lady Macbeth and Hillary Clinton.  I have never used this article in class because I worried that it might be too controversial.  However, now that some time has passed, I might give it a go to examine those gender roles.  This might also pair well with theme of power.

Theme: Guilt weighs heavily on mental health.

Essential question: what role does guilt play in mental health.

Poem:  “Lady Macbeth’s Confession” by Natasha Tweed : In this poem, Lady Macbeth is the speaker.  She begins confident in the consequences of her actions but ends in almost a rant.

To continue with the idea of helping to students to read through psychological criticism, you could use the article from Psychology Today called “Guilt” which examines what guilt is and whether everyone feels it.

In “Guilt Can Do Good,” the author explores the difference between public guilt and private guilt and between shame and guilt.  For a quick write, you could pose the question:  Does Lady Macbeth feel shame or guilt? 

To truly address the question of the role of guilt on mental health, try this article from WedMD, “Signs of Guilt,” which suggests the potential health issues related to guilt.

Pair any of these with Close Reading of Act 2 scene 2 by examining the characterization of both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth as they react to what they have done.

Macbeth Themes: Life is the intersection between fate and free will.

Essential question: to what extent is life controlled by fate.

NPR addresses this question in the article called “The Choice is Yours:  The Fate of Free Will.” Which states that “the question of free will is essentially a question of agency.”  This article would work really well paired with Macbeth’s soliloquy after he has encountered the witches in Act 1.

“Lines” by Ina Coolbrith is a poem that could be paired with Macbeth to examine guilt as well as fate vs. freewill.  This poem examines the opening scene of the play and concludes “And the one fateful note, that throughout all / Leads, follows, calls, compels, and holds in thrall.”

Looking to define fate?  This quick little poem by Durlene Westfall called “Fate” defines it in three lines.  You could have students read this poem several times throughout the course of your study to determine if it holds true for Macbeth.  It would be a great warm up!

Teaching Macbeth Theme: Evil is fueled by power.

Essential question: are people born evil or is evil created.

I love this question for teaching Macbeth and after the question of ambition, this is my favorite theme to address in t he Tragedy of Macbeth .  I have one poem and two articles for this one.  

The article, “The Degrees of Evil” from The Atlantic is challenging (it has a 1490 lexile, so I generally reserve it for more advanced students).  It considers historical figures like Hitler and bin Laden and then examines what drives them to their “wickedness.”

Just like with the other themes, it might be worth addressing, what evil is.  Stanford University’s  Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides a thorough overview in the article, “The Concept of Evil.”  (This one is also challenging, I didn’t check the lexile on this particular passage, but a different one comes from the same source in at 1600.)

Another way to examine Macbeth’s characterization as it relates to evil is through Kahlil Gibran’s poem “On Good and Evil.”  You could ask students whether Macbeth is evil based on Gibran’s definition.

For additional articles related to the theme of evil in Macbeth, be sure to grab your FREE Macbeth Unit Plan PDF.

Teaching Macbeth with Supplemental Texts

I hope that you have found some great new ideas about how to approach teaching Macbeth.  I would love to know what your favorite supplemental texts are, so leave those in the comments below and if you are interested in even more about how to incorporate supplemental texts in your Macbeth lesson plans, be sure to grab your FREE copy of the Macbeth Unit Plan PDF with even more essential questions and supplemental text ideas.

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Introducing Shakespeare With Poetry Pairings (Smith Teaches 9 to 12)

POETRY PAIRINGS: William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Smith Teaches 9 to 12)

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Close Reading Act 1 scene 1

Close Reading Guilt in Act 2 scene 2

“Of Ambition” by Francis Bacon

“If—” by Rudyard Kipling

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2 Responses

I love to teach Macbeth. I find that it makes a great unit study in order to teach high school children who are aged twelve and over. I like that I can focus on the four key skills at the same time in addition here. Every term I teach a few high school kids Macbeth with a textbook as a aid. Great play Macbeth. Seriously. Five out of five stars. What a man.

They have written essays on the characters and central themes of the play in question. We have used the mind map and colour coding technique in preparation. Flip charts are my best friend really. I’m considering asking them to craft out their own advice letters to Macbeth. We can do this all in a lesson early on Thursday afternoon. Good luck to you.

We do practice exam questions from time to time. It makes a lot of sense to me. I love to discuss personal motives. And have done so recently in a another precious lesson as well. Over the past two terms we have spent a lot of time working on Macbeth in my weekly English classes. My tenth grade sets have literally spent the last few months on Macbeth. We cover a lot of stuff. But it is time to do other things now.

What great ideas! I have had student write love letters from characters in other Shakespeare plays. That might be an interesting idea too as in the Shakespeare Uncovered documentary they talk about how the Macbeths are in fact one of Shakespeare’s only happily married couples.

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Use Your Allusion: See How Many Literary References You Recognize

By J. D. Biersdorfer March 28, 2024

• Share full article

Lines from poems and plays frequently serve as inspiration for later literary allusions. This 12-question quiz is crafted from a running list created by the Book Review’s staff to test your knowledge on a wide variety of referenced works. The source material spans thousands of years and includes ancient Greek history and modern pop songs.

The quiz is in the multiple-choice format, so just tap or click your answers. After you finish, you’ll get your score and a list of links to the original works. (And yes, the headline above does allude to a pair of 1991 albums from the rock band Guns N’ Roses. Give yourself extra credit if you spotted it.)

Video illustration by Erik Carter

Over the years, “I Sing the Body Electric” has been used repeatedly, including as the title for a Ray Bradbury short story (and his “Twilight Zone” script), as a musical anthem to creativity in the 1980 film “Fame” and in the lyrics of a 2012 Lana Del Rey song. But who said it first?

Benjamin Franklin

Mary Shelley

Walt Whitman

Paule Marshall

Chinua Achebe’s 1958 novel “Things Fall Apart,” Joan Didion’s 1968 essay collection “Slouching Towards Bethlehem” and Robert B. Parker’s 1983 thriller “The Widening Gyre” all take their titles from the same poem. What is the original poem — and who is its author?

“The Second Coming,” by William Butler Yeats

“The Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost

“‘Hope’ Is the Thing With Feathers,” by Emily Dickinson

“The Charge of the Light Brigade,” by Alfred Tennyson

“Band of Brothers,” the 2001 World War II television drama, is based on a 1992 book by Stephen E. Ambrose. But which previous work used the phrase “band of brothers” quite notably?

“All Quiet on the Western Front,” by Erich Maria Remarque

“Henry V,” by William Shakespeare

“Richard III,” by William Shakespeare

“The Red Badge of Courage,” by Stephen Crane

Wait! “Band of Brothers” was decades ago and I just finished watching the new “Masters of the Air” series. Is that show’s title an allusion as well? If so, quiz me!

George Orwell

Winston S. Churchill

John Maynard Keynes

Moving on from land and air to water now: The title of “The Sea, the Sea,” Iris Murdoch’s 1978 novel, is also a famous line (“Θάλαττα! θάλαττα!” in the original language) shouted by Greek warriors when they reached the top of a mountain and could see a nearby body of water. What is the name of the Greek work?

“Odyssey,” by Homer

“Lysistrata,” by Aristophanes

“The Persians,” by Aeschylus

“Anabasis,” by Xenophon

Which 1951 poem by Langston Hughes gave the playwright Lorraine Hansberry the title for her 1959 stage play, “A Raisin in the Sun”?

“Let America Be America Again”

“The Weary Blues”

OK, back to Shakespeare, because that guy had a serious literary output that is still influential centuries later: Which one of the following books does NOT take its title from “Macbeth”?

“The Sound and the Fury,” by William Faulkner

“Let It Come Down,” by Paul Bowles

“For Whom the Bell Tolls,” by Ernest Hemingway

“Something Wicked This Way Comes,” by Ray Bradbury

“The Moon Is Down,” by John Steinbeck

The last line of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s 1899 poem “Sympathy” gave Maya Angelou the title for her first autobiography in 1969. What is that title?

“Little Brown Baby”

“Invitation to Love”

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”

Elif Batuman has named both a novel and a nonfiction book after works by a certain 19th-century Russian author who wrote, among other things, “The Brothers Karamazov.” Who is this writer?

Alexander Pushkin

Leo Tolstoy

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Nikolai Gogol

Which novelist is renowned for his allusions to popular music and literature in his work — and named his 1987 novel after a Beatles song on the band’s 1965 “Rubber Soul” album?

Bret Easton Ellis

Haruki Murakami

Paul Beatty

Hanif Kureishi

In the epigraph of his 2015 book, “Between the World and Me,” Ta-Nehisi Coates quotes a passage of a poem with the same title that influenced him. Who wrote that poem?

Gwendolyn Brooks

James Baldwin

Toni Morrison

Richard Wright

Which Scotsman’s work inspired the titles of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” and J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”?

Sir Walter Scott

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Burns

James Boswell

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