Macbeth
Essay Assignment
Shakespeare uses the soliloquy technique extensively in The Tragedy of Macbeth. There are several functions of
soliloquy, among them being to reveal character, to explicate themes, and to establish plot. Choose one of the
following prompts and address it in an essay of at least 5 paragraphs.
1. Examine Lady Macbeth’s “sleep-walking scene” in Act V, scene i. Even though Shakespeare
intersperses Lady Macbeth’s comments with those of the doctor and lady-in-waiting, the scene
functions as a soliloquy. Even though Lady Macbeth did not take part in all of them, the details of
all the murders are jumbled together. What are Shakespeare’s purposes in having Lady Macbeth
relive the crimes here? What is he communicating to the audience? Areas which may be of
particular interest (n.b.; you should NOT attempt to address more than one of these items in your
essay) to you are:
 her imagined objects
 the imagery of her words
 her confused chronology
 the degradation of her sanity
 her almost clairvoyant knowledge
 echoes of earlier lines
 use of literary devices
2. Examine Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act V, scene v from its beginning “I have almost forgot the taste of
fears” to its end – “signifying nothing.” This soliloquy appears (at first) to stand in two distinct
sections: before and after Seyton brings the news that Lady Macbeth is dead. However,
Shakespeare’s lines are carefully interwoven so that the entire soliloquy has a thematic connection.
What does the speech reveal about Macbeth at this particular point in the play? What is Shakespeare
communicating to the audience through this soliloquy? Areas which may be of particular interest
(n.b.; you should NOT attempt to address more than one of these items in your essay) to you are:
 The references to time
 Multiple references to and meanings of
darkness
 The use of literary devices

Relationship to earlier lines
 The theatrical imagery
 Knowledge and ignorance
Your essay must contain an introductory paragraph, at least three body paragraphs, and a concluding
paragraph. You must use evidence from the text to support your ideas, including properly cited quotations.
You must have a source reference and a thesis statement.
Point Distribution:
Brainstorm –
Outline (including Thesis) First Draft Revising Notes Second Draft Editing Notes FINAL DRAFT -
10 points
15 points
40 points
30 points
20 points
35 points
150 points
DUE: _________
DUE: _________
DUE: _________
DUE: _________
DUE: _________
DUE: _________
DUE: _________
Each portion of your essay will be checked in when you finish it. You will lose points if any portion is not
finished by its due date. No one is excused for any reason from completing any portion of the essay.
Remember that you are trying to improve your essay from the first draft to the second draft and from the
second to the final draft.
Students who are future Pre-AP or AP students should try to consider the soliloquy’s relation to the rest of
the work; making connections between the soliloquy and themes, figurative language, imagery, etc. However,
students must maintain the focus of the essay on the soliloquy itself.