MACBETH is a play that requires a SWEET summative in the form of an essay
Essay Topics
Macbeth is a tyrant. This is true which results in some kind of new situation that is bigger and more thematic in nature (i.e. human universality - humanity - society - people in general)
1. In the play Macbeth, the audience is presented with a king who gains his throne through violence and betrayal. Once in power, he becomes the worst example of a king - a tyrant whose vicious rule leads to his inevitable death, as it must for all such tyrannical rulers.
What is a tyrant? Define terms
Show how Macbeth satisfies that definition.
Show how his actions as a tyrant lead directly to his doom
You could widen this out and compare Macbeth’s end to some real-life leader.
2. Macbeth is not an evil man, he is a man who is manipulated and victimized by powerful forces around him, including his wife, a coven of witches, and the supernatural beings they conjure to reveal to him his future.
3. Macbeth is not an evil man, he is a man suffering from mental torment and insanity and, as a result, he cannot be held responsible for his violent actions.
4. Macbeth is a tragic hero and, as such, follows the classic trajectory of that archetype.
Greatness
Hubris - Tragic Flaw
Point of no return
Doom
5. Lady Macbeth is ultimately the most ruthless and evil character in the play and her suffering reflects the cost of her terrible decision-making.
6. Lady Macbeth meets her tragic end as a direct result of her desire to rise above her station, which lead to her upending the natural order, damaging the status quo, and breaking the social structure under which she lived.
What does she do that fights the pattern? Breaks the natural order? What does that mean?
DO NOT FEEL CONSTRAINED TO USE THE FOLLOWING:
Intro.
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Conclusion
New Possibility:
Thesis and introduction
1. General observation of introduction (hook). About the play, the writer, the character, etc.
2. Thesis statement!
3. Directional statements - the areas of discussion which you will utilize to prove your thesis
Area of Discussion
This is the meat of the essay and it is the area where most students will struggle.
Okay, the job is to prove that some aspect of your thesis is as you believe it to be.
Simplified Thesis to Illustrate
Mr. Lobb is a bad teacher and he is hurting young people through his terrible practices.
Areas of Discussions for Mr. Lobb’s Bad Teaching
- His constant need for attention and to be the centre of the class
SHOW that there is a constant need for attention - discuss how that works
DEMONSTRATE that it is true through use of EXAMPLE
EXPLAIN HOW THIS MAKES YOUR THESIS TRUE! - show the reasoning
2. His sarcastic attitude and disaffect in his demeanour
SHOW that there is a sarcastic attitude
3. His need to force the students to take ownership over their learning at the expense of their end product
Area of Discussion 1
Area of Discussion 2
Could there be a 3? Yes.
Or there could also be a 4.
Or there could only be two!
Conclusion
1. Macbeth is not fully responsible for his evil actions in the play. Instead, he must be seen as a pawn, manipulated by supernatural forces into hurtling himself towards his ultimate doom.
2. Macbeth is not fully responsible for his evil actions in the play. Instead, he must be seen as the victim of irrationality. If he was tried in a court of law, Macbeth would be found not fit to stand trial by reason of insanity. (this requires primary source plus secondary source research)
3. Macbeth fulfills the classical definition of the tragic hero and is by that definition responsible for his own brutal end. Driven by his ambition and blinded by hubris, he falls from the heights of his social milieu to the depths as a result of his own actions.
4. “Fair is foul and foul is fair.” These words define the very essence of Macbeth, and set the stage in terms of plot, character and thematic elements.
5. Lady Macbeth is the key force of evil in Macbeth. It is not the witches, nor Macbeth’s own ambition that takes him to his doom. Instead, it is the direct manipulation and vicious ambition of his wife that sets everything in motion and maintains Macbeth’s vicious course leading to his own death.
This assignment will be marked in modules, with an eye towards the importance of the writing process.
The following will be worth 50% of the essay level-
Student-Teacher Conference – show initial rough notes
Essay Skeleton – as per the format we have used all semester
Rough Draft of Essay – peer edited with comments, corrections, etc
The criteria for getting a good mark above is NOT having a crappy version of the above.
The following will be worth the remaining 50% of the essay level-
Final Good Copy of Essay
Style/Structure, Quality of writing, proof and support, use of references, depth of thinking as shown in argument, level of understanding of the play
Criteria for Essays
Your essay will be graded on your handling of the following:
-Depth of understanding of the concepts and issues (ie. detailed discussion/in-depth analysis)
-Knowledge of the subject and relevant contexts of the subject (ie. competence with topic/text)
-Relevance to the essay topic (ie. answer the question)
-Logical argument, organisation, and linking of ideas (ie. overall argument and coherence)
-Personal evaluation of issues under discussion (ie. original thinking [not personal opinion])
-Suitability, originality, and relevance of examples used (ie. effective use of sources and texts)
-Clarity of expression (ie. good writing style, persuasive and effective argument)
-Appropriate tone (ie. formal and academic, not sarcastic or informal)
-Critical use of secondary material (ie. to support and defend your argument and points)
-In-text and bibliographical references (ie. proper referencing of all material used)
-Correct usage of grammar, spelling, punctuation (ie. proofread and edit)
INSTEAD OF THE SCENE:
Front Page of the Dunsinane Daily
In a small group (2-3 students), create a front page of the daily newspaper that serves the castle where Macbeth rules – using material from the play, come up with 2-3 news articles that reflect what the citizens of the castle and surrounding area would be talking about. Try to make this paper resemble a tabloid or gossip blog.
Elements I’m Looking For: a dominant graphic/image, inverted triangle story format, correct layout/design, highly descriptive writing style, spelling and grammar - DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE OF PLAY
FORCED BONUS below
In the style of classic movie posters, create a one-sheet for Macbeth. Using the elements of good design, come up with a poster that utilizes at least three of the iconic motifs elements we’ve discussed as well as the tone of the play. Work in the same group as #2.
