Macbeth Literary Analysis
Some of you remarked how we “haven’t had tests” this year in English Traditions. You
haven’t had multiple choice tests or benchmarks, but you have had a couple of creative, textbased end-unit projects, and you have diligently and dutifully worked day-after-day on finding
text evidence to support big, important literary elements like themes, motifs, and character
development.
You have also read, annotated, and interpreted Shakespearean sonnets and now, a play.
Some of you have been able to read, annotate, and interpret with more independence than
others. Some of you have had more success than others. You may not notice or realize your
insights and improvements, but I do. I notice them in your class-work, your learning logs, your
comments, your reactions, your questions, your answers, and our conversations. You are doing
good work. Every single one of you.
So: what’s this all about?
Instead of a test, like I think some of you either expected or prefer, we are writing an
essay about Macbeth. You are equipped to do this and to do a good job. Remember productive
struggle? Depending on your experiences, writing this essay might feel more like struggle at
first, but once you find your rhythm, I think you’ll turn out something you can be proud of. This
essay will test your knowledge of the play, your analysis of it, and how well you articulate your
thoughts and ideas, so if you put it that way, it is a test. But it also introduces or reinforces a skill
that you need further down the academic road. Two birds, one stone?
With that said, I’m here to help. Ask questions. Work hard. Be your best.
FOR YOUR ESSAY:
Either use the reverse to help you shape your thesis, or answer one of the following questions:
 How is Macbeth’s character developed from the beginning of the play to the end?
(What happens to him? Conflicts? Personal gain? Sacrifices?)
 How is Lady Macbeth’s character developed from the beginning of the play to the end?
(What happens to her? Conflicts? Personal gain? Sacrifices?)
 In what ways does the idea of (insanity/the supernatural) present itself in Macbeth and
what does it contribute to the plot, characters, or theme?
 How is the theme (fate and free will/the corrupting power of ambition) developed from
the beginning of the play to the end?
You’ve already spent a good bit of time thinking of this, so use your Mac Track outlines to help
you.