ESSAY 2
O full of scorpions is my mind…
Analyse how imagery was used to
present one or more themes.
• What sort of imagery is used throughout the
play?
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Darkness, light and dark
Animals, esp nasty stingy bitey animals like snakes
Blood
Omens, curses, demonic images, devils, supernatural…
– Research the web
• What are the important themes in the play?
– Trust and betrayal
– Appearance and reality
– Leadership and kingship
a d n a ™ em i Tk ci uQ
r o s s er p m o c e d
. e r ut c i p s i ht e e s o t d e d e e n er a
Check the AS
Check the explanatory notes
Check the exam specification
An essay plan
Paragraph
introduction
conclusion
Content
Writing the introduction (1)
In the drama script Macbeth written by
William Shakespeare, he uses imagery
to show themes. The main sorts of
imagery are blood, animal imagery and
the supernatural. These all are
important because they help show
themes about trust, betrayal and
appearance vs reality.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Writing the introduction (2)
• Don’t do the obvious.
– Use a quotation.
– “Unpack” it.
– Attack the question and foreshadow your
approach.
• No shopping lists.
– Create a bridge to your first paragraph.
• Don’t use the first person or second person.
– Refer to the audience
• Mention the historical context if it is relevant.
Essay under exam conditions
• You have 45 mins to do the essay.
• Spend at least 5 mins doing a proper
plan.
– A sequence of developed ideas.
• Spend 40 mins writing.
• Adapt what you know to show that
you “dominate the question.”
Work smart
• Analyse how imagery was used to
present one or more themes.
• Analyse how the writer developed a
theme or important idea.
• Analyse how techniques were used to
create a strong impression of a
character.
Analyse how imagery was used to present
one or more themes.
The imagery of darkness is crucial in developing
the theme of evil throughout the play. Darkness
and the colour black have often had
connotations of evil and Macbeth is no
exception. Lady Macbeth calls on the “dunnest
smoke of hell” to conceal her evil intentions, and
in an incantation similar to that uttered by the
weird sisters, she pleads, “Come thick night.” This
is effective at developing the theme of evil
because darkness is such a powerful motif in the
play, reflecting the “dark deeds” of Macbeth and
his wife.
Analyse how the writer developed a theme
or important idea.
Shakespeare’s imagery is a crucial method by
which he develops the theme of evil throughout
the play. Darkness and the colour black have
often had connotations of evil and Macbeth is no
exception. Lady Macbeth calls on the “dunnest
smoke of hell” to conceal her evil intentions, and
in an incantation similar to that uttered by the
weird sisters, she pleads, “Come thick night.” This
is effective at developing the theme of evil
because darkness is such a powerful motif in the
play, reflecting the “dark deeds” of Macbeth and
his wife.
Analyse how techniques were used to
create a strong impression of a character.
The imagery of darkness is crucial in developing a striking
impression of Lady Macbeth throughout the play. Darkness
and the colour black have often had connotations of evil
and Macbeth is no exception. Lady Macbeth calls on the
“dunnest smoke of hell” to conceal her evil intentions, and
in an incantation similar to that uttered by the weird sisters,
she pleads, “Come thick night.” This is effective at
developing Lady Macbeth’s evil nature because darkness
is such a powerful motif in the play, reflecting the “dark
deeds” of Macbeth and his wife. By Act V, however, Lady
Macbeth has been driven mad by her conscience and she
can no longer bear any darkness, always carying a taper
with her. Her insanity and aversion to darkness creates a
powerful impression on the audience.