Topics for Macbeth Literary Analysis Essay:
Choose one of the following topics and write a 1 ½ to 2-page typed essay on that subject. Your
essay should be double-spaced and in Times New Roman 12pt, or a comparable sized font.
When you hand in your essay please include – in the following order:
• good copy
• proposal (thesis, outline and lines from the text you plan to use,
*LINES MUST BE CITED!*)
• rough copy (with peer edit marks and name of peer editor).
1) The three witches told Macbeth his fate. Did the events in Macbeth’s life occur because of
the witches’ prophesy or because of the choices he made? Is it a bit of both? What caused
Macbeth to fall: Fate or Free Will? Explain the role of free will in the play. Did Macbeth
suffer because of his decisions? Explain the role of fate in the play.
2) Lady Macbeth is the most interesting and complex character in the play. She is, in fact, the
point on which the action pivots: without her there is no play. To what extent do you agree
with this view of Macbeth?
3) How does Shakespeare use the ‘unnatural’ or ‘supernatural’ to develop one key theme of the
play, Macbeth?
4) Show how the image/symbol of the blood-stained hand contributes to the character
development of either Lady Macbeth or Macbeth.
5) A tragic hero is a protagonist, usually of noble birth or high-standing, who brings about his
own downfall by a choice brought on by a character flaw. Tragic heroes have several other
common features: they undergo meaningful suffering, learn from their mistake somehow, and
arouse pity or fear in the audience through their demise. Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Explain
why or why not.
6) You may also choose to analyze a character of your choice.
Possible areas of analysis:
• how a character has changed or developed throughout the course of the play
• how one character is developed through another characters actions or lines (foil character?)
• how a cutting a minor character would greatly impact the outcome of the play
7) If you have an idea for a topic that is not listed, please okay it with the teacher before you
start.
*No matter what essay prompt you choose you must analyze the text and you must use evidence
from the text to support your argument at least 3 times. I will cover how to cite a play, in class.