Macbeth Essay Scaffold
“King Duncan’s murder marks the beginning of Macbeth’s downfall. Who can be held most responsible?”
Introduction
• Introduce the play and the main characters.
• Comment on why the play was written (Chain of being – murder of king leads to chaos. This idea would please James I. Why?)
• Introduce the main characters who can be held mostly to blame for Duncan’s.
Lady Macbeth
• Describe her character and explain how she would not have represented a stereotypical woman in Shakespearian times.
• Explain the dramatic effect of her opening soliloquy to the audience.
• What is her role in Duncan’s murder?
How does she contribute to Macbeth ‘s downfall after this?
The Witches
• Explain that the Shakespearian audiences would also have believed in witches.
• Comment on the dramatic effect of these characters – appearance, characteristics etc.
• What part did they play in Duncan’s murder?
• How did they further contribute to Macbeth’s downfall in Act 4?
• Why do you think they told Macbeth the predictions in the first place?
Macbeth
• Comment on his character and how it changes through the course of the play.
• Consider the following: how he is introduced at the beginning of the play – hero, meeting with the witches,
• Lady Macbeth’s influence on him, the murder of Duncan, his doubts, banquo, revisits the witches, Macduff’s family
• What makes Macbeth kill Duncan?
• Who influences him?
• To what extend can he be held responsible for the murder of Duncan and his own downfall.
Conclusion
• Sum up Macbeth’s fate. Explain why you think the play ends as it does and who you blame for the murder of Duncan and Macbeth’s
Introduction
• Introduce the play and the main characters.
• Comment on why the play was written (Chain of being – murder of king leads to chaos. This idea would please James I. Why?)
• Introduce the main characters who can be held mostly to blame for Duncan’s.
Lady Macbeth
• Describe her character and explain how she would not have represented a stereotypical woman in Shakespearian times.
• Explain the dramatic effect of her opening soliloquy to the audience.
• What is her role in Duncan’s murder?
How does she contribute to Macbeth ‘s downfall after this?
The Witches
• Explain that the Shakespearian audiences would also have believed in witches.
• Comment on the dramatic effect of these characters – appearance, characteristics etc.
• What part did they play in Duncan’s murder?
• How did they further contribute to Macbeth’s downfall in Act 4?
• Why do you think they told Macbeth the predictions in the first place?
Macbeth
• Comment on his character and how it changes through the course of the play.
• Consider the following: how he is introduced at the beginning of the play – hero, meeting with the witches,
• Lady Macbeth’s influence on him, the murder of Duncan, his doubts, banquo, revisits the witches, Macduff’s family
• What makes Macbeth kill Duncan?
• Who influences him?
• To what extend can he be held responsible for the murder of Duncan and his own downfall.
Conclusion
• Sum up Macbeth’s fate. Explain why you think the play ends as it does and who you blame for the murder of Duncan and Macbeth’s