You must construct a 3-5 minute speech that analyses the presence of the supernatural in shaping the
character’s personality in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. You must focus on the following aspects: The
plot, themes, characterisation and dramatic language techniques within the text. Your speech must include
relevant references from the text. Please note that the marker will stop grading once you exceed your 5
minutes.
Note - You are to submit a printed copy of your speech to your teacher on the due date.
You will be assessed on how well you:

Understand and elaborate on your chosen character’s personality, thoughts, feelings, motivation
and desires
Integrate key themes which skilfully portray character’s personality and development throughout
out the play
Integrate main events and/ or scenes which effectively shape character’s personality
Provide textual evidence and identification of techniques to support your argument.
Follow the structure of speech writing




THREE PARTS TO THE QUESTION:
Analyse
What are some themes within
the play and how are they
explored by your character?
Personality
How have the character’s
characteristics and personality
changed during the play?
Supernatural
How have the witches, the
prophecy, OR hallucinations
affected ONE of the characters?
What are some quotes about this
character?
What techniques are in this
quote?
Example; Macduff.
Analyse
Themes;


Quotes;
Regicide is punishable
by death
Ambition should not be
left unchecked
Personality
At the beginning;

Macduff is suspicious of
Macbeth but still loyal
to the crown of
Scotland.
By the end:
Supernatural
Prophecy – Prophecy influenced
Macduff indirectly throughout
the play.



His king is killed
His family is
slaughtered
He murders Macbeth

O horror, horror, horror!
Tongue nor heart cannot
conceive nor name thee!
2.3
Technique is repetition or
personification. This shows how
greatly Macduff honoured and
loved the king.

Bleed, bleed, poor
country!
Great tyranny, lay thou
thy basis sure 4.3
Technique is personification.
This shows Macduff’s fear for
his country due Macbeth ruling
Scotland.

I cannot strike at
wretched kerns, whose
arms
Are hired to bear their
staves. Either thou,
Macbeth,
Or else my sword with
an unbattered edge
I sheathe again
undeeded.
Technique is soliloquy. Macduff
is talking to himself, he wants
only to kill Macbeth, this is
dramatic irony as Macbeth
killed people to get his position.


Macduff is willing to
kill Macbeth for
vengeance rather for
loyal to King Duncan
He is willing to lead a
whole army against the
Scottish people
How To Write A Speech
Speech structure
Introduction: Introduce your most important point
Body of Speech: Introduce your strongest point first and make sure you consistently remind your
audience of this point. Remember that a speech is meant to be said, it should be easy to follow and hear.
Conclusion: Make your speech memorable, leave the audience with a question or put forward your main
point again.
TETEL structure





Theme/Topic sentence
Evidence
Technique
Explanation
Link to question