Macbeth: Post-Reading Activities
Plot the Relationship
When you are required to write about the play, Macbeth, one question or topic you can
be fairly sure you will be presented with will involve an examination of the changing
relationship between Macbeth and his wife. Consider the following questions for your
exploration of the changing nature of their relationship;

When is their relationship close?

Who is in charge at the beginning?

At what point in the play does this change?

Signs the relationship is beginning to fall apart.

How Macbeth reacts to his wife’s death.
‘Greatness
is promised
thee’.
‘My
dearest
partner in
greatness…
‘O full of
scorpions is
my mind,
dear wife!’
‘
‘My
dearest
love’
‘Be innocent of the
knowledge, dearest
chuck
Till thou applaud
the deed’
‘Bring forth menchildren only!
For thy undaunted
mettle should compose
Nothing but males.’
‘You make me
strange
Even to the
disposition that I owe
When now I think you
can behold such sights
and keep the natural
ruby of your cheeks,
When mine is
blanched with fear’
©Christo Christopoulos2013
‘Thou
marvell’st at my
words, but hold
thee still,’
‘She should
have died
hereafter,
There would
have been time
for such a
word.’
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‘The thane of Fife had a
wife: where is she now? –
What will these hands
never be clean? – No more
o’that my lord, no more
o’that.’
‘Yet I do fear thy
nature:
It is too full o’the
milk of humankindness’
‘O, these flaws and
starts
Impostors to true fear,
would well become
A woman’s story at a
winter’s fire.’
‘What beast was’t
then
That made you break
this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it,
then you were a man.’
‘Infirm of
purpose!’
‘My hands are of
your colour, but I
shame
To wear a heart so
white.’
‘Say to the King I
would attend his
leisure
For a few words’
Present your findings in any
form you wish such as a
concept / mind map, Prezi
Presentation, animation, etc.,
©Christo Christopoulos2013
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King Duncan’s Obituary
Write a fitting obituary for King Duncan. Use the following areas to make notes on and
which will be covered in your obituary;
King Duncan’s
Achievements/ Actions
Events leading up to
Duncan’s death
How He Was Viewed
By His Subjects
How Duncan Will Be
Remembered
Events after his death
Thoughts & Feelings
of his people.
©Christo Christopoulos2013
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Macbeth On Trial
You’ll need to imagine that you are part of the defence or prosecution team during an
investigation of King Duncan’s murder.
 Present your case to the court after collecting your evidence in the form of
interviews, character profiles, witness statements, forensic evidence, and exhibits
such as alleged murder weapons.
 Make use of diagrams, maps and crime scene photos.
 Don’t forget to make full use of the text of Macbeth.
Macbeth: The Bold & The Corruptible
Write and perform your own script about any segment from the play.
 You can alter the characters, language, add scenes, use modern characters &
settings, base it on popular TV soapies and series.
Once Upon A Time......
Rewrite some scenes, an act or the whole play in the form of a children’s short story.
Your audience would be primary school age children who are unfamiliar with the play.
This will determine the kind of language you will need to use as well the content of your
story. Pictures are going to play a significant role too.
©Christo Christopoulos2013
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MACBETH ESSAY
PLANNING WORKSHOP CHECKLIST
Your planning for a possible essay might take a similar form to the student example shown
here. Despite any imperfections, it is still a start and can be tweaked.
1. My topic is___. ‘Macbeth’s tragedy is that he understands the evil nature of his actions,
but proceeds with them anyway.’ Discuss.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
2. The words I would underline are



Tragedy
Understands
Discuss
3. The words can be defined as follows;



Tragedy - an event in life that evokes feelings of sorrow or grief
Understands - to know or be able to explain to yourself the nature of somebody or
something, or the meaning or cause of something
Discuss - to consider a particular topic in speaking or writing
4. I would paraphrase the topic by stating

Macbeth’s tragedy is that he is well aware of the evil nature of his actions but chooses
to continue with them anyway despite the implied consequences to himself and
others.
5. Brainstorming
(a) Concept map, or
(b). Six questions I would ask about the topic, along with the likely answers, are;
 Is it evident to the audience that Macbeth realises the mistakes he’s making?
©Christo Christopoulos2013
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



Is Macbeth a weak minded person who can be easily persuaded?
Does Macbeth stick to his instinct?
Is it his ambition that makes him repeat his errors?
What makes Macbeth regret his decisions after its too late?
7. Planning
(a). My introduction will briefly cover the following;



Main reasons for Macbeth carrying out the deed, even though he realises that it’s
unethical.
Changing roles of Macbeth though out the play
His true character at the beginning of the play.
(b). Each main body paragraph will have;
Paragraph 1;

Topic sentence – the reluctance of Macbeth to kill Duncan before being persuaded by
Lady Macbeth.

Evidence: ‘ He’s here in double trust: first as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong
both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the
door, not bear the knife myself’

Explanation - He basically expresses what he truly feels and reminds himself that he’s
not only Duncan’s subject and host but also his relative and it’s his duty to protect the
man who has honoured him and not kill Duncan himself. But all these strong reasons
for not committing the deed are just washed away by Lady Macbeth.

Link – one of the reasons for why Macbeth chooses to continue with his evil deeds
Paragraph 2:

Topic Sentence – Macbeth regretting his actions

Evidence: “this is a sorry sight’

Explanation – again Macbeth is seen regretting his actions and realizing the evil
nature of his deed but however still fails to learn from them.
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
Link – after regretting Duncan’s murder, Macbeth still doesn’t learn a lesson and next
plans to kill Banquo.
Paragraph 3:

Topic sentence – Macbeth repeating the same mistakes all over again only this time
he decides for himself and then regrets breaking the sixth commandment which says
“thou shalt not kill”.

Evidence - “And, with thy bloody and invisible hand cancel, and tear to pieces that
great bond which keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crow makes wings to the
rooky wood; Good things of day begin to droop and drowse, whiles night’s black
agents to their preys do rouse. Tho marvell’st at my words; but hold thee still. Things
bad begun make strong themselves by ill.”

Explanation - He is shown referring to various things that are related to evil spirits
and witchcraft. This shows us his awareness about the evil nature of his actions. Deep
down he also regrets whatever he’s doing but his determination and his ambition to
achieve his goal seems to be so strong that, Macbeth can cross all boundaries and
break any number of commandments to reach it.

Link – clearly show’s his weak mindedness and his inability to stick with the right
thing but at the same time reveals his determination to achieve his goal.
8. I will conclude my essay by

Recapping:_________ The various times in the play where the audience is given the
opportunity to recognize the good side of Macbeth. The side of Macbeth that always
reminds him of the evil nature of his actions and makes him think twice before
committing these sins.

Proving that:________ Macbeth is well aware of the evil nature of his actions but this
doesn’t seem to affect his willpower to achieve what he wants.

Linking back to the topic by:_________ proving the above!
©Christo Christopoulos2013
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Macbeth Essay Topics
1. How, and why does Shakespeare change the audience's perception of Macbeth in
Act One?
2. "Macbeth: Hero or Villain?" Discuss
3. "From control to madness" How does Shakespeare present the character of
Lady Macbeth?
4. “Lady Macbeth is the real driving force behind the murder of Duncan.” Discuss.
5. "How does Shakespeare present Macbeth's moral dilemma in Act 1?"
6. Macbeth’s downfall can be attributed more to elements of the supernatural than
to his own ambition.’ To what extent do you agree ?
7. ‘Macbeth’s tragedy is that he understands the evil nature of his actions, but
proceeds with them anyway.’ Discuss.
8. How does Macbeth’s ambition lead him to his tragic demise?
9. ‘Lady Macbeth has at first too much power and then too little power over her
husband’. Do you agree?
10. “Macbeth shows that even the most ruthless dictator can also be full of selfdoubt and regret for his actions.” Discuss.
©Christo Christopoulos2013
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