Essay Prompts

Question 1

Lady Macbeth

Answer 1

1. Uses her ambition for power to manipulate MB into regicide
2. Subverts audiences expectations of a women
3. Unchecked ambition leads to pyscological tormen - consumed by guilt

Question 2

Macbeth

Answer 2

1. The witches prophecies spark his ambition
2. Unchecked ambition leads to paranoia and ruthless actions
3. Ultimate downfall

Question 3

Ambition

Answer 3

1. The witches prophecies spark ambition
2. Ambition leads to paranoia and ruthless actions
3. The death of LM and MB show ultimate consequences of ambition

Question 4

Betrayal

Answer 4

1. First act of betrayal is MB disloyalty to King Duncan
2. MB paranoia causes him to rule as a tryrant - betrays Banquo and Scotland
3. MB betrayed Macduff by killing his family - Macduff seeks revenge leading to MB death

Question 5

Masculinity

Answer 5

1. MB links masculinity with violence
2. LM challenges traditional gender roles and manipulates MB by questioning his courage
3. Macduff’s maculinity contrasts MB

Question 6

Kingship

Answer 6

1. Duncan - loyal and genouras rule
2. Macbeth - tryrant who inflicts suffering and chaos on scotland
3. Malcolm - is the righteous king - symbolises return to the divine

Question 7

Supernatural

Answer 7

1. The witchces and the power of the prophecies
2. Lady Macbeth calls on evil spirits to help her pursuit of power
3. In desperation, Macbeth returns to the witches a second time

Question 8

Violence

Answer 8

1. Macbeth’ sviolence is honourable but excalates into acts of tranny
2. Macbeth’s killing rampage
3. Macbeth’s ultimate downfall

Question 9

Appearance vs Reality

Answer 9

1. Duplicitous characters - LM encourages deception, MB conceals his inner thoughts
2. Hallucination sand pyschological torment - blur the line between reality and illusion, symbolising guilt and iternal conflict
3. Break down of appearances - LM sleepwalking, MB false confidence

Question 10

Guilt

Answer 10

1. Macbeth’s intial breakdown vs Lady Mabeth’s composure
2. Macbeth’s guilt is more consuming but Lady Macbeth dismisses it
3. Macduff uses guilt for good and Lady Macbeth is consumed by guilt

Question 11

Power

Answer 11

1. MB is influenced by the witches and LMB, showing how supernatural and psychological power drive his ambition.
2. Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a warning that power without strong morals leads to corruption, paranoia, and violence.
3. Macduff’s power is used for justice, showing that power can be used to restore order when guided by morality.