Macbeth Essay Assignment
Now that you have read and analyzed the play, you will write an analytical essay on Macbeth. The essay
is worth 150 points and will be the first major assignment of the 2nd Semester, so I expect everyone to
work on and submit this assignment so that the 2nd Semester starts on a positive note.
Your essay should be a response to one of the following prompts.
1. Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most dynamic tragic heroes. Analyze his character. (You can think
about the significance of his experience, what he represents, examine his mental deterioration, etc.)
2. Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful female characters. Analyze her character. (You
can think about the significance of her experience, what she represents, her influence on her husband,
her attraction to the supernatural, etc.)
To write this essay, use the prompts and scripts to help you write your essay. You’ll put them all
together and be done.
Introduction:
1. Provide a brief summary of Macbeth.
2. What qualities about humanity does the play highlight?
3. Which character would you like to focus on AND why? (Macbeth or Lady Macbeth).
4. What three ideas about their character do you wish to discuss?
Body Paragraphs (repeat this process three times): Focus on character and character traits.
One idea about _________________________ that stands out is _____________________
___________________________________________. This idea first appears when ____________
______________________________________________________. This begins to show (what quality)
about __________________ because ____________________________________________. On page __,
it states that “___________________________________________________________.” This quote
relates because ________________________________________________________________________.
Later on in the play, this idea is further developed when _______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________. A quote found on
page __ states that “_________________________________________________________________.”
This is important, too, because it shows how ________________________________________________.
Conclusion:
1. Summarize your main idea.
2. Explain why literature is important to study (in your opinion).
3. Explain what you were able to take away form reading this play (a lesson or moral value).