lady macbeth exemplar essay

Macbeth – A* / L9 Full Mark Example Essay

This is an A* / L9 full mark example essay on Macbeth completed by a 15-year-old student in timed conditions (50 mins writing, 10 mins planning).

It contained a few minor spelling and grammatical errors – but the quality of analysis overall was very high so this didn’t affect the grade. It is extremely good on form and structure, and perhaps could do with more language analysis of poetic and grammatical devices; as the quality of thought and interpretation is so high this again did not impede the overall mark. 

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MACBETH EXAMPLE ESSAY:

Macbeth’s ambition for status and power grows throughout the play. Shakespeare uses Macbeth as an embodiment of greed and asks the audience to question their own actions through the use of his wrongful deeds.

In the extract, Macbeth is demonstrated to possess some ambition but with overriding morals, when writing to his wife about the prophecies, Lady Macbeth uses metaphors to describe his kind hearted nature: “yet I do fear thy nature, / It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness”. Here, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a more gentle natured being who is loyal to his king and country. However, the very act of writing the letter demonstrates his inklings of desire, and ambition to take the throne. Perhaps, Shakespeare is aiming to ask the audience about their own thoughts, and whether they would be willing to commit heinous deeds for power and control. 

Furthermore, the extract presents Macbeth’s indecisive tone when thinking of the murder – he doesn’t want to kill Duncan but knows it’s the only way to the throne. Lady Macbeth says she might need to interfere in order to persuade him; his ambition isn’t strong enough yet: “That I may pour my spirits in  thine ear / And chastise with the valour of my tongue”. Here, Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as a manipulative character, conveying she will seduce him in order to “sway “ his mind into killing Duncan. The very need for her persuasion insinuates Macbeth is still weighing up the consequences in his head, his ambition equal with his morality. It would be shocking for the audience to see a female character act in this authoritative way. Lady Macbeth not only holds control of her husband in a patriarchal society but the stage too, speaking in iambic pentameter to portray her status: “To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great”. It is interesting that Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth in this way; she has more ambition for power than her husband at this part of play. 

As the play progresses, in Act 3, Macbeth’s ambition has grown and now kills with ease. He sends three murders to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, as the witches predicted that he may have heirs to the throne which could end his reign. Macbeth is suspicious in this act, hiding his true intentions from his dearest companion and his wife: “I wish your horses swift and sure on foot” and “and make our faces vizards to our hearts”. There, we see, as an audience, Macbeth’s longing to remain King much stronger than his initial attitudes towards the throne He was toying with the idea of killing for the throne and now he is killing those that could interfere with his rule without a second thought. It is interesting that Shakespeare presents him this way, as though he is ignoring his morals or that they have been “numbed” by his ambition. Similarly to his wife in the first act, Macbeth also speaks in pentameter to illustrate his increase in power and dominance. 

In Act 4, his ambition and dependence on power has grown even more. When speaking with the witches about the three apparitions, he uses imperatives to portray his newly adopted controlling nature: “I conjure you” and “answer me”. Here, the use of his aggressive demanding demonstrates his reliance on the throne and his need for security. By the Witches showing him the apparitions and predicting his future, he gains a sense of superiority, believing he is safe and protected from everything. Shakespeare also lengthens Macbeth’s speech in front of the Witches in comparison to Act 1 to show his power and ambition has given him confidence, confidence to speak up to the “filthy nags” and expresses his desires. Although it would be easy to infer Macbeth’s greed and ambition has grown from his power-hungry nature, a more compassionate reading of Macbeth demonstrates the pressure he feels as a Jacobean man and soldier. Perhaps he feels he has to constantly strive for more to impress those around him or instead he may want to be king to feel more worthy and possibly less insecure. 

It would be unusual to see a Jacobean citizen approaching an “embodiment” of the supernatural as forming alliance with them was forbidden and frowned upon. Perhaps Shakespeare uses Macbeth to defy these stereotypical views to show that there is a supernatural, a more dark side in us all and it is up to our own decisions whereas we act on these impulses to do what is morally incorrect. 

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Sample Gcse Essay About Lady Macbeth As A Powerful Character

Date : 03/10/2017

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Uploaded by : Rahul Uploaded on : 03/10/2017 Subject : English

This article contains a mock essay written by one of my students. When I met him, he was scoring a 3 to 4 in his mock GSCE English language and literature exams.

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EXEMPLAR ESSAY on LADY MACBETH in 'Macbeth' GCSE 9-1 English Literature

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

10 February 2021

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This resource is a model essay answering the following question: How does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth in ‘Macbeth?’

It is of GCSE standard and targeted at teachers who want to show their students a grade 8/9 answer that they can analyse and obtain ideas from.

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MACBETH ALL ESSAY RESPONSES 9-1 NEW GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE

This bundle resource includes essays answering the following questions: * How does Shakespeare present ambition in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present Banquo in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present guilt in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in 'Macbeth'? * How does Shakespeare present the Witches in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present violence in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present Macduff in Macbeth? This resource is targeted at students sitting the 9-1 GCSE English Literature Exam. Teachers are encouraged to purchase this resource so that they can show their students exemplar essay responses to analyse and obtain ideas from. All essay responses in this resource cover all aspects needed for a grade 8/9 answer.

MACBETH ESSAYS ON CHARACTERS NEW GCSE 9-1 ENGLISH LITERATURE

This bundle resource includes essays answering the following questions: * How does Shakespeare present Banquo in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present Macduff in Macbeth? * How does Shakespeare present the Witches in Macbeth? This resource is targeted at students sitting the 9-1 GCSE English Literature Exam. Teachers are encouraged to purchase this resource so that they can show their students exemplar essay responses to analyse and obtain ideas from. All essay responses in this resource cover all aspects needed for a grade 8/9 answer.

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Lady Macbeth: Shakespeare’s Enigmatic Powerhouse

This essay offers an in-depth exploration of one of Shakespeare’s most complex characters, Lady Macbeth, from the play ‘Macbeth.’ It begins by highlighting her unique position in Elizabethan literature as a character who defies traditional gender norms with her overwhelming ambition and strength. The essay delves into her famous “unsex me here” soliloquy, which sets the stage for her role as a driving force in Macbeth’s rise to power, showcasing her willingness to abandon morality for ambition.

As the narrative progresses, the essay examines the transformation of Lady Macbeth from a figure of control to one tormented by guilt, particularly evident in her sleepwalking scene. This shift underscores Shakespeare’s skill in creating psychologically complex characters. Additionally, the essay discusses the evolving dynamics between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, emphasizing the psychological toll of their actions.

Concluding with reflections on her enduring legacy in modern interpretations, the essay positions Lady Macbeth as a timeless figure in Shakespeare’s canon, continuously fascinating audiences with her depth and complexity. This exploration not only sheds light on her character but also on broader themes of gender, power, and morality in literature. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Lady Macbeth.

How it works

When diving into the works of Shakespeare, few characters captivate and intrigue as thoroughly as Lady Macbeth from the Scottish play, ‘Macbeth.’ Often regarded as one of the Bard’s most complex and enigmatic figures, Lady Macbeth’s character has been the subject of extensive analysis and debate. She defies the conventional expectations of women in Elizabethan literature, simultaneously embodying strength, ambition, and a deep-seated vulnerability.

At her introduction, Lady Macbeth is presented as the driving force behind her husband’s ascent to the throne.

Her ambition is palpable, so strong that it appears to eclipse Macbeth’s own. This fierce determination is most vividly captured in her chilling “unsex me here” soliloquy. Here, she calls upon dark forces to strip her of feminine weakness and fill her with cruelty, underscoring her willingness to abandon gender norms and morality for power. This scene sets the tone for her character – a woman who defies the patriarchal expectations of her time, wielding influence over her husband and the events that unfold.

However, Lady Macbeth’s strength and resolve are not one-dimensional. As the plot progresses, her initial ruthlessness unravels, revealing a profound psychological complexity. The guilt from her actions manifests in the famous sleepwalking scene, where she desperately tries to wash the imagined bloodstains from her hands. This shift from a figure of immense control to one haunted by the consequences of her actions offers a window into the psychological realism Shakespeare infuses in his characters. It’s a portrayal that humanizes Lady Macbeth, portraying her not just as a figure of ambition and power, but also as a person grappling with guilt and moral disintegration.

The dynamics of her relationship with Macbeth also serve as a critical aspect of her character. Initially, she appears to be the dominant force, goading Macbeth into committing regicide. However, as the play progresses, their relationship undergoes a dramatic inversion. Macbeth descends into tyranny and paranoia, while Lady Macbeth becomes increasingly isolated and tormented by guilt. This transition highlights the psychological and emotional toll of their actions, serving as a poignant commentary on the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition and power.

In modern interpretations, Lady Macbeth has been portrayed in various lights – from a manipulative femme fatale to a tragic heroine crushed by the weight of her own ambitions. Her character continues to be a subject of fascination in theatrical productions and academic discussions. She stands as a testament to Shakespeare’s ability to create multifaceted characters that resonate across centuries.

In conclusion, Lady Macbeth remains one of Shakespeare’s most compelling and debated characters. Her journey from a powerful, ambitious figure to a broken shell of guilt offers a rich study in character development and psychological complexity. Her role in ‘Macbeth’ challenges and expands the portrayal of women in literature, highlighting issues of gender, power, and morality. As audiences and readers continue to revisit and reinterpret her character, Lady Macbeth endures as a timeless figure in Shakespeare’s canon, captivating and intriguing with each portrayal.

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GCSE Study Notes and Revision Guides

Macbeth (grades 9–1) york notes, william shakespeare, examiner's notes, you assessed this answer as grades 8–9 . hover over the highlighted text to read the examiner’s comments., question: read from act ii scene 2 ‘ methought i heard a voice cry, “sleep no more ...” ’ (line 38) to ‘ look on’t again, i dare not ’ (line 55). in this scene, macbeth has just returned from killing duncan..

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents guilt in Macbeth .

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about guilt in this extract
• how Shakespeare presents ideas about guilt in the play as a whole.

This scene comes after Macbeth has killed Duncan and he seems guilty straight away. He is hearing strange voices, which shows that he is upset. ‘Sleep no more!’ This shows that Macbeth is so guilty that he will never be able to sleep again.

He has murdered the king while he is sleeping, which is a deceitful thing to do especially as the king is in line to God. In Shakespeare’s time people believed in the Divine Right of Kings, which meant that there was a social hierarchy with God at the top. The king was next and so to murder a king would be considered even more awful than by today’s social values. Macbeth’s punishment for this is that his own sleep is murdered. Macbeth says ‘the innocent sleep’ showing that Duncan was blameless and this makes him more guilty for killing him. The two characters contrast and as the play goes on we see this more and more. Macbeth becomes a violent king, largely as a result of his guilt and fear of being exposed. Compared to Duncan, he is unpopular and disliked to the extent that Malcolm eventually gathers an army to overthrow him.

When he says ‘Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefor Cawdor/Shall sleep no more’ he is talking about his titles that Duncan gave him. At the start of the play, Macbeth was Thane of Glamis and then Duncan gave him the title Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his efforts in the war. This was part of the witches’ prophecy that led to Macbeth killing Duncan. His two titles represent the old and new Macbeth and show that every part of him is guilty.

Then Lady Macbeth takes command and orders him to wash away the guilt. She says ‘wash this filthy witness from your hand’, which means get rid of the evidence.

She is also guilty because she has persuaded her husband to go through with the murder, though she doesn’t show it here. Earlier in the scene she says she couldn’t kill Duncan herself because he reminded her of her own father. Her part in the murder is not physical, though she does go back into Duncan’s room to lay the daggers on the guards. She is composed around the murder, whereas Macbeth’s guilt is evident from the start. Lady Macbeth’s guilt does seem to haunt her though and this reference to hand washing comes back later in the play when we see her sleepwalking and attempting to wash out a ‘damned spot’ from her hands. This is a metaphor for her feeling guilt. Lady Macbeth’s guilt leads to her madness.

Later in the play Macbeth wishes he could sleep like Duncan and be at rest. He is not able to gain any sense of peace because of his actions. His guilt makes him afraid of his friend Banquo and he ends up having him killed as well. The fact that he sends murderers to find and kill Banquo suggests that Macbeth is not prepared to risk the guilt of killing another friend with his own hands.

Overall Shakespeare uses this scene to show Macbeth’s guilt very clearly and shows how the guilt will get worse for both of them later in the play.

Having read our examiner’s notes, select another grade if you would like to change your own assessment. Click NO CHANGE if you are happy with your assessment.

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Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and frightening female characters. When we first see her, she is already plotting Duncan’s murder, and she is stronger, more ruthless, and more ambitious than her husband. She seems fully aware of this and knows that she will have to push Macbeth into committing murder. At one point, she wishes that she were not a woman so that she could do it herself.

This theme of the relationship between gender and power is key to Lady Macbeth’s character: her husband implies that she is a masculine soul inhabiting a female body, which seems to link masculinity to ambition and violence. Shakespeare, however, seems to use her, and the witches, to undercut Macbeth’s idea that “undaunted mettle should compose / Nothing but males” (1.7.73–74). These crafty women use  female  methods of achieving power—that is, manipulation—to further their supposedly male ambitions. Women, the play implies, can be as ambitious and cruel as men, yet social constraints deny them the means to pursue these ambitions on their own.

Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband with remarkable effectiveness, overriding all his objections; when he hesitates to murder, she repeatedly questions his manhood until he feels that he must commit murder to prove himself. Lady Macbeth’s remarkable strength of will persists through the murder of the king—it is she who steadies her husband’s nerves immediately after the crime has been perpetrated.

Afterward, however, Lady Macbeth begins a slow slide into madness—just as ambition affects her more strongly than Macbeth before the crime, so does guilt plague her more strongly afterward. By the close of the play, she has been reduced to sleepwalking through the castle, desperately trying to wash away an invisible bloodstain. Once the sense of guilt comes home to roost, Lady Macbeth’s sensitivity becomes a weakness, and she is unable to cope. Significantly, she (apparently) kills herself, signaling her total inability to deal with the legacy of their crimes.

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‘Macbeth’ Grade 9 Example Response

Grade 9 – full mark – ‘Macbeth’ response

Starting with this extract (from act 1 scene 7), how does Shakespeare present the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

In Shakespeare’s eponymous tragedy ‘Macbeth’, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship is a complex portrait of love, illustrating layers of utter devotion alongside overwhelming resentment. Though the couple begins the play unnaturally strong within their marriage, this seems to act as an early warning of their imminent and inevitable fall from grace, ending the play in an almost entirely different relationship than the one they began the play with.

In the exposition of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth initially appear immensely strong within their marriage, with Macbeth describing his wife as ‘my dearest partner of greatness’ in act 1 scene 5. The emotive superlative adjective ‘dearest’ is a term of endearment, and acts as a clear depiction of how valued Lady Macbeth is by her husband. Secondly, the noun ‘partner’ creates a sense of sincere equality which, as equality within marriage would have been unusual in the Jacobean era, illustrates to a contemporary audience the positive aspects of their relationship. Furthermore the lexical choice ‘greatness’ may connote ambition, and as they are ‘partner(s)’, Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are equal in their desire for power and control, further confirming their compatibility but potentially hinting that said compatibility will serve as the couple’s hamartia.

However, the strength of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship falls into a rapid downward spiral in the subsequent scenes, as a struggle for power within the marriage ensues. This is evidenced when Macbeth, in act 1 scene 7, uses the declarative statement ‘we will proceed no further in this business’. Here, Macbeth seems to exude masculinity, embracing his gender role and dictating both his and his wife’s decisions. The negation ‘no’ clearly indicates his alleged definitive attitude. However, Lady Macbeth refuses to accept her husband’s rule, stating ‘when you durst do it, then you were a man’. She attempts to emasculate him to see their plan through. The verb ‘durst’ illustrates the risk taking behaviour that Lady Macbeth is encouraging; implying an element of toxicity within their relationship, and her harsh speech makes the cracks in their relationship further visible to the audience. It is also probable that a contemporary audience would be made severely uncomfortable in the presence of Lady Macbeth’s unapologetic display of power, and it is possible that Shakespeare attempts to paint Lady Macbeth as the villain of the play, playing upon the audience’s pre-determined fears of feminine power. Though Lady Macbeth appears to be acting entirely out of self-interest, another reader may argue that she influences her husband so heavily to commit the heinous act of regicide, as she believes that he crown may as a substitute for the child or children that Shakespeare suggests she and Macbeth have lost previously, and in turn better Macbeth’s life and bring him to the same happiness that came with the child, except in another form.

As the play progresses, Shakespeare creates more and more distance between the characters, portraying the breakdown of their relationship as gradual within the play but rapid in the overall sense of time on stage. For example, Lady Macbeth requests a servant ‘say to the king’ Lady Macbeth ‘would attend his leisure/ for a few words’. Here she is reduced to the status of someone far lesser than the king, having to request to speak to her own husband. It could be interpreted that, now as king, Macbeth holds himself above all else, even his wife, perhaps due to the belief of the divine right of kings. The use of the title rather than his name plainly indicated the lack of closeness Lady Macbeth now feels with Macbeth and intensely emotionally separates them. This same idea is referenced as Shakespeare develops the characters to almost juxtapose each other in their experiences after the murder of Duncan. For example, Macbeth seems to be trapped in a permanent day, after ‘Macbeth does murder sleep’ and his guilt and paranoia render him unable to rest. In contrast, Lady Macbeth takes on an oppositional path, suffering sleepwalking and unable to wake from her nightmare; repeating the phrase ‘to bed. To bed’ as if trapped in a never-ending night. This illustrates to the audience the extreme transformation Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship undergoes, and how differently they end up experiencing the aftermath of regicide.

In conclusion, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begin the play almost too comfortable within their marriage, which seems to invite the presence of chaos and tragedy into their relationship. Their moral compositions are opposing one another, which leads to the distancing and total breakdown of their once successful marriage and thus serves as a warning to the audience about the effects of murder, and what the deadly sin of greed can do to a person and a marriage.

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9 thoughts on “‘Macbeth’ Grade 9 Example Response”

wheres the context

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It is also probable that a contemporary audience would be made severely uncomfortable in the presence of Lady Macbeth’s unapologetic display of power, and it is possible that Shakespeare attempts to paint Lady Macbeth as the villain of the play, playing upon the audience’s pre-determined fears of feminine power.

Also ref to ‘divine right of kings’

Thank you! This is a brilliant response. Just what I needed. Could you also please include the extract in the question.

We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon.

—> until end of scene

She did (Act 1 Scene 7)

Another great resource for grade 9 Macbeth analysis https://youtu.be/bGzLDRX71bs

In order to get a grade 9 for a piece like this would you need to include a wide range of vocabulary or could you write the same thing ‘dumbed down’ and get a 9.

If the ideas were as strong then yes, but your writing must AT LEAST be ‘clear’ for a grade 6 or above.

This is really great, I’m in Year 10 doing my Mock on Thursday, a great point that i have found (because I also take history) Is the depiction of women throughout the play, during the Elizabethan era, (before the Jacobean era) many people had a changed view of women as Queen Elizabeth was such a powerful woman, glimpses of this have been shown in Jacobean plays, in this case Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is depicted as powerful although she had to be killed of to please King James (as he was a misogynist) women are also depicted as evil in the play, such as the three witches, I also found that the Witches are in three which could be a mockery to the Holy Trinity.

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Home Essay Examples Literature Macbeth Power

Macbeth: Power Of Lady Macbeth

• Category Literature
• Subcategory Poems
• Topic Macbeth Power

Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a construct to explore the effects of power in a women’s hand as a threatening and disastrous force which is a consequence of her ambition deep rooted with desires in order for her to gain a higher rank in the patriarchy.

Lady Macbeth’s unorthodox ambition has been present since her first soliloquy where she demands the supernatural to follow her commands highlighting her esteemed voice which is even respected by the supernatural. The fact she orders the witches to “come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts unsex me here” reveals how she does not even fear the supernatural possibly because her desires have made her so heart blind, she can no longer distinguish between right and wrong as she has no shame in committing this act. However, another interpretation could be how she is forced to suppress her emotions in order to guarantee the death of King Duncan, which shows the how she would do anything for Macbeth to be king. This is shocking to a Jacobean audience as it was accepted by society that women were the least powerful, but Lady Macbeth has completely substituted the view by showing her will to continue. Shakespeare has done this as Macbeth lacked the motivation to kill King Duncan hence wise Lady Macbeth is the exalted force to change his views where she tempts him into doing this act, foreshadowing her might to change even the greatest warriors who has gotten the title of “thane of Cawdor”. The repetition of the verb “Come” reflects her determination to gain power whether it is moral or not, reflecting the length she will go just to gain the title of the queen. Towards the Jacobean era this act would have been considered disgusting as it was a norm to believe that God has appointed the natural order and the fact Lady Macbeth wants to change this is controversy which exposes her grim side. Shakespeare has also chosen to show Lady Macbeth summoning “spirits” to “unsex” her in order to show the audience that she is going against God where she calls supernatural “spirits” to gain even more power, and the audience would expect to see this power used in evil ways which will eventually lead to her downfall. In conclusion, Lady’s Macbeths will continue to carry on her deeds, reflecting how she will firmly stand on what she believes in, portraying her as an ambitious and mighty character.

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Shakespeare also uses Lady Macbeth as example of corruption, perhaps to reveal how she may be powerful in terms of controlling others; but she lacks the strength to control herself. The main reason why Shakespeare has deliberately done this is to expose her fragile weakness, and by doing this we see the great downfall of Lady Macbeth which comes in the form of justice to a Jacobean audience. This is seen in the line “thick night”, “smoke of hell”, “the blanket of the dark”. By using semantic fields of darkness, it is evident she has been manipulated by her powers, and it is almost driving her towards madness. Shakespeare has done this to make it seem as if Lady Macbeth has been too interested in power and ironically it is her power which results into her tragic death. The word “hell” is interesting because Lady Macbeth knows she will go to hell but she continues to strive in her corrupt ways; to a Jacobean and a modern audience, this would be an atrocious act because it was a norm to follow a religious life style, but the fact that Lady Macbeth has chosen to live an opposite life style reveals how she has been misguided. In addition she misleads Macbeth by forcing him to “look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it”. This metaphor has been used to show Lady Macbeth as a two faced character, and it proves that she has been deceived because she is constantly switching her personality, possibly because she has been confused. The word “serpent” has biblical connotations of devils and the fact she aspire to be like the devil is seen as an monstrous crime to commit even to a modern day reader which foreshadows her transgression.

However towards the end, Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth as an example to show how women who have power in their hands will lead to destruction where she subconsciously submits to guilt, despite her controlling attitude as well as her deep ignited ambition. This is seen in the line, “Out, damn spot! Out I say!” Here Lady Macbeth is clearly sleep walking due to her remorse which reveals how she cannot control herself, and to a Jacobean audience sleep walking was seen to be a unnatural act which only happened to those who were possessed. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth says “what will these hands ne’er be clean?” The pronoun “these” suggests the hands do not belong to her, and she wants to distance herself from herself both physically and spiritually. However, this is ironic as Lady Macbeth said in the early stages “what’s cannot be undone” so she knew the consequences yet she fails to deal with them suggesting her lack of power.  

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Revision Essay Titles

For your revision you should plan an essay based around each of the following questions., remember that you can use quotes - or even entire paragraphs - in multiple questions, so be wise when you prepare. also, bear in mind that you will have an extract on the day but for revision purposes you're best to plan without one and then incorporate it where you see fit., for each essay, try to plan in the following way:, write your opening paragraph, know what each of your 2 or 3 paragraphs will be about, revise the quotes and key moments that you’ll use in them, ten key questions:, how is macbeth presented as a powerful man, how is lady macbeth presented as a powerful woman, how is ambition presented in this play, how is the supernatural presented in this play, how is guilt presented in this play, in macbeth, how does shakespeare present the idea that things are not what they seem, what role do the witches play in macbeth, how does shakespeare explore betrayal in this play, how does shakespeare present the natural order in this play, how does shakespeare present ideas of good and evil in this play, an example plan:, essay question: how is lady macbeth presented as a powerful woman, opening paragraph:, right from her first moment on-stage lady macbeth dominates the stage - she insults her husband, calls on spirits, and then suggests, plans and ensures the success of the murder. in fact, throughout almost the entire play she dominates those around her. in this respect, she is presented as being the most powerful force on-stage. by the end, however, she discovers that the only person she cannot dominate is herself and her own sense of guilt and eventually she (probably) kills herself. taken as a whole, she has to be seen as a powerful woman, though shakespeare invests so little time in the latter part of her character arc that it's impossible not to feel a little like she is quite underdeveloped., paragraph 1: lm as powerful: come you spirits / my battlements / look like th’ innocent flower / but be the serpent under it also, was she a witch & planning the murder & talking macbeth around in a1 s7, paragraph 2: lm as queen noughts had... etc. / shame itself / go at once lack of real motive for wanting to be queen & macbeth not explaining death of banquo, paragraph 3: lm's death o ut out damn spot was it suicide - sudden change of heart; her being asleep while feeling guilty; realising that they'd lost and not wanting to fall into enemy hands was she killed by seyton - some audience members would have wondered, paragraph 4: powerful women in jacobean times mention of elizabeth and bloody mary and that they both broke the traditional mould of passive women, note : there were loads of different ways i could have approached this essay and this is only one of them. you should look around and find an answer that you're confident with as this will make it much easier to learn and plan for..

Essays on Power of Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's Play "Macbeth."

A short summary of lady macbeth character in shakespeare play macbeth, attachments.

Lady Macbeth is a complex and fascinating character in William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. She is the wife of the play's protagonist, Macbeth, and plays a significant role in the events that unfold throughout the play.

At the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as a powerful and ambitious woman who is not afraid to take control of a situation. She is the driving force behind Macbeth's decision to murder King Duncan in order to fulfill the witches' prophecy and become king himself. She is portrayed as cunning and manipulative, as she uses her persuasive skills to convince Macbeth to commit the murder, even when he is hesitant.

Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth's character undergoes a significant transformation. As the guilt of their actions begins to weigh on her, she becomes increasingly tormented and unstable. She experiences vivid hallucinations and becomes consumed with guilt and remorse for her role in Duncan's murder. Her descent into madness culminates in her tragic suicide, which is a pivotal moment in the play's dramatic climax.

Lady Macbeth's character is also interesting for her gendered role in the play. As a woman in a patriarchal society, Lady Macbeth must navigate the constraints of her gender in order to achieve her ambitions. She is  aware of the societal expectations placed upon her and uses her femininity as a tool to manipulate and control Macbeth. However, her ambition ultimately leads to her downfall, and she is punished for crossing her boundaries.

In conclusion, Lady Macbeth is a complex and compelling character whose actions drive the plot of the play. Her transformation from a powerful and manipulative figure to a tormented and guilt-ridden woman is a tragic  exploration of the human psyche. Additionally, her gendered role in the play highlights the societal expectations placed upon women during Shakespeare's time, and the consequences of challenging those expectations.

Here, you can find downloadable resources which contain essays written by GCSE students on lady Macbeth's characters.

• GCSE Essay about Lady Macbeth
• A pack of 6 sample essays written by GCSE students on character of Lady Macbeth

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What Does Blood Symbolize In Macbeth

Symbols of Blood in Macbeth Macbeth, the famous play by William Shakespeare, is considered one of the most violent theatrical pieces from the Elizabethan era. Throughout the play, we observe the process of countless murders. Duncan, Banquo, and many others lost their lives at the hands of Macbeth and his wife. The play has many themes tying back to their murders, and many poetic devices to symbolize such themes, with blood being one of the most prominent. In this piece, blood symbolizes murder, guilt, and consequence. Firstly, blood symbolizes the act of murder. When a murder is committed in the play, the blood of the victims persists for multiple scenes and remains a cold reminder of the deed. When characters refer to murder, they often talk …show more content…

In the play, the guilt from the murders sticks in your conscience, just as blood sticks to your hands. The greatest example of this is in Act Five of the play, with Lady Macbeth’s iconic “Out of the Damned Spot” monologue. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth starts to feel guilty about being an accomplice to Macbeth’s murders, the overwhelming guilt driving her insane. She starts to lose her grip on reality and sees imaginary blood on her hands. This leads her to sleepwalk around the castle, trying to wash the blood of Duncan off her hands. Her famous quote said during her episode, “Out damned spot, out, I say, who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” (5.1.25–28), shows how she sees blood, with it being a physical manifestation of the guilt that has accumulated in her mind. However, Lady Macbeth is not the only one who experiences this guilt, Macbeth experiences these manifestations of guilt as well. A famous example of this is the bloody ghost of Banquo appearing while Macbeth is having dinner. Banquo was a good friend of Macbeth, and killing him took a great toll on Macbeth. While confronting the hallucination of Banquo’s ghost, he says, “Thou canst not say I did it: never shake Thy gory locks at me”. The words “Gory locks” imply that Banquo’s appearance is bloody. The blood indicates that the ghost represents Macbeth’s

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