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English Essay question - please help!

'Lady Macbeth is a character who changes throughout the play'
How far do you agree with this statement?
Create a detailed plan before you begin writing your essay.
(Sorry if this isn't any great, doing my A levels now and barely remember any quotes or any scenes from MacBeth - these are just bullet points you should refer to)

Agree

Starts off strong, manipulative

Uses her sexuality to coerce MB (refer to letter scene) -> This also plays into her being a strong idependent woman, challenging gender stereotypes at the time

L.M. is the one who plans Duncan's death, if anything, she's the ambitious one

Ambition very quickly takes a toll on her

She is unable to go through with killing Duncan herself (slip of weakness; mask is slipping? Almost foreshadowing her downfall)

She succumbs to guilt (refer to sleepwalking scene, all perfumes of arabia cant sweeten her little hand = referring herself to little, vulnerable)

perfumes of arabie = extremely sweet, can't mask her guilt like she use to mask who she was in the beginning

commits suicide - guilt overcomes her. cant fight it anymore

she started off strong and overcomes gender roles but eventually plays into them



if you want a high grade you should refer to themes that arent directly addressed in MB (+ other texts) and maybe add your own opinion, somewhat like a critic.
A good theme to talk about when on the topic of Lady Macbeth is how feminism is portrayed through shakespeare's texts (feminism during his time)

picking up on these little 'subtler' themes will get you high marks.

Another example of a subtle theme is Kingship, which was predicted for the 2023 exam but will probably never be chosen as an exam topic because its a subtle theme and not many people will pick up on it/know what to write.
Original post by reallycringename
(Sorry if this isn't any great, doing my A levels now and barely remember any quotes or any scenes from MacBeth - these are just bullet points you should refer to)
Agree

Starts off strong, manipulative

Uses her sexuality to coerce MB (refer to letter scene) -> This also plays into her being a strong idependent woman, challenging gender stereotypes at the time

L.M. is the one who plans Duncan's death, if anything, she's the ambitious one

Ambition very quickly takes a toll on her

She is unable to go through with killing Duncan herself (slip of weakness; mask is slipping? Almost foreshadowing her downfall)

She succumbs to guilt (refer to sleepwalking scene, all perfumes of arabia cant sweeten her little hand = referring herself to little, vulnerable)

perfumes of arabie = extremely sweet, can't mask her guilt like she use to mask who she was in the beginning

commits suicide - guilt overcomes her. cant fight it anymore

she started off strong and overcomes gender roles but eventually plays into them


if you want a high grade you should refer to themes that arent directly addressed in MB (+ other texts) and maybe add your own opinion, somewhat like a critic.
A good theme to talk about when on the topic of Lady Macbeth is how feminism is portrayed through shakespeare's texts (feminism during his time)
picking up on these little 'subtler' themes will get you high marks.
Another example of a subtle theme is Kingship, which was predicted for the 2023 exam but will probably never be chosen as an exam topic because its a subtle theme and not many people will pick up on it/know what to write.

Awesome - thank you so much!
Reply 3
Original post by bobblewobblebw
'Lady Macbeth is a character who changes throughout the play'
How far do you agree with this statement?
Create a detailed plan before you begin writing your essay.

You can structure it like this:

1.

Intro

2.

Explain how Lady Macbeth is unconventional and desiges Jacobean norms

3.

Paragraphs:

4.

Each paragraph focuses on a different aspect of Lady Macbeth's character and her role in the play, framed by a thematic lens.
Paragraph 1:

5.

Discusses Lady Macbeth’s relationship with Macbeth and her initial portrayal as a partner in ambition, analyzing the dynamics of their relationship and societal expectations.
Paragraph 2:

6.

Examines her Machiavellian strategies and use of manipulation, particularly through biblical allusions, to persuade Macbeth to commit regicide. This section considers how Shakespeare may have used these traits to reflect societal fears of female authority.
Paragraph 3:

7.

Reflects on the possibility that Shakespeare mirrored his relationship with his wife, Anne Hathaway, suggesting an alternative, more sympathetic reading of Lady Macbeth's motivations.
Paragraph 4:

8.

Analyzes Lady Macbeth's rejection of motherhood and traditional female roles, interpreting it as both a defiance of societal norms and as a critique of those norms.

9.

Conclusion:

10.

Summarizes the various interpretations of Lady Macbeth’s character, reaffirming her complexity and significance in "Macbeth". Discusses the implications of her actions and character within the context of societal views on gender and power.

11.

Reflects on her symbolic death as representative of societal rejection and fear of female autonomy.

Draft something and att it on Tilf website then get feedback and re write until you Tilf gives you the mark you aim for!

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