Name
Literature Section
Macbeth Research Paper Topic Ideas for English 2 Honors
Directions – Today, I want you to start brainstorming topics. Listed below are several ideas. Topics are due
on Wed., Jan.25th, (A-Day) and Thursday, Jan.26th (B-Day).
1. Character Analysis Paper Topic: Think of a character from the play that you find interesting. Now,
think of what you would like to research about the character from the ideas below. For a character
analysis, you will not have to cover all of these details but focus on 3-4 traits.
a. Consider the choices the character makes, his/her major physical and mental traits (ambitious,
lazy, arrogant, kind, etc.)
b. Relationships with other characters
c. What the character says about him/herself
d. Character’s motivation
e. Character’s strengths and weaknesses
f. The character’s actions
g. Character’s internal conflicts
h. Character’s external conflicts
i. Whether the character grows or remains the same (static, dynamic)
j. Symbolism of the character
k. Character’s downfall
l. Macbeth is the central character in the play who is described as both brave Macbeth and
butcher Macbeth. Which of these descriptions fits Macbeth best?
m. Your choice – you may create a topic but it needs to be approved by me
2. Other topics if you do not wish to do a Character Analysis:
a. Discuss Shakespeare’s effective use of imagery in the play.
b. Discuss Shakespeare’s effective use of symbolism in the play.
c. Who is responsible for Macbeth’s downfall? (The witches, Lady Macbeth and/or Macbeth
himself?)
d. Examine Macbeth's mental deterioration throughout the play.
e. Does Shakespeare want us to believe that the witches are real, supernatural, and/or projections
of Macbeth's imagination?
f. Is Lady Macbeth more responsible than Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan? Is Lady
Macbeth a more evil character than her husband and, if so, why?
g. Compare and contrast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
h. Evaluate the role of men in Macbeth.
i. Discuss the speech Macbeth gives upon hearing that his wife is dead in Act V, Scene V. How do
his words capture one of the major themes in the drama?
j. Evaluate Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s relationship.
k. Do the witches (or weird sisters) control the events in the play? Why or why not?
l. What is the function of (dramatic, situational, and/or verbal) irony in the play?
m. What is the importance of imbalances of nature in Macbeth?
n. How is the mood of evil developed in Macbeth? (Consider the setting, themes, actions of the
characters, etc.)
o. What is the importance of the supernatural elements in Macbeth? How do they affect the
action of the play?
p. The theme of sleeplessness is introduced early in the play and carried throughout. What causes
these sleep disturbances? What ends them for each of the characters involved? Is sleep
regarded as a soothing balm for a life well-lived? (Remember that sleep is often another
metaphor for death.)
q. Some playgoers and readers say that Lady Macbeth is the reason that her husband murders
King Duncan. Others claim that the killing was his responsibility alone. What do you think?
r. Do gender roles actually have an impact upon the course of events in this play? (Consider, for
example, the roles of Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff—and even the witches)
s. Do gender roles actually have an impact upon the course of events in this play? (Consider, for
example, the roles of King Duncan, King Edward, Macbeth, Banquo, etc.)
t. The characters and actions of the play Macbeth suggest very strongly what qualities a good king
needs to have. What are those qualities, and who, if anyone possesses them? (Consider
comparing Duncan, Macbeth and/or Malcolm)
u. What is the purpose of soliloquies in Macbeth? How do they reveal the stages in the process of
Macbeth’s and/or Lady Macbeth’s downfall or moral decline?
v. What would have been the attitude of Shakespeare’s audience toward the supernatural events
in Macbeth? After all, three witches, a ghost, and extremely odd events in nature are included
for a reason. Explore what those reasons are.
w. How is the mood of evil developed in Macbeth? (Consider the setting, themes, actions of the
characters, etc.)
x. One of the major themes in Macbeth is appearance vs. reality. What effect do the episodes or
instances dealing with appearance vs. reality have on our understanding of the play?
y. In what ways is Shakespeare significantly changing the original historic record of the real
Macbeth in his play?
z. Shakespeare writes in several “nods” (meaning, flatteries) to the king of England at the time
Macbeth was produced. Which particular scenes, events, or characters would it be plausible to
say that the king was pleased?
aa. Your choice – you may create a topic but it needs to be approved by me