Critical Essay Plans - Character (Macbeth)

Question 1

PEAR 1

Answer 1

Macbeth is immediately linked with evil, witches sow the seed.

“By Finel’s death, I know I am of Glamis, but how of Cawdor? And to be king stands not within my prospect of belief.”

“Why do I yield to that suggestion?”

Question 2

PEAR 2

Answer 2

Though he tries, he cannot suppress his ambitious thoughts.

“Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires.”

“Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness that should attend it.” - Lady Macbeth

Question 3

PEAR 3

Answer 3

Macbeth now realises ambition is his only motive.

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other.”

“And if we fail?”

Question 4

PEAR 4

Answer 4

After the deed, ambition takes over and he wants more.

“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep.”

“Upon my head they have placed a fruitless crown and put a barren sceptre in my gripe.”

Question 5

PEAR 5

Answer 5

Macbeth could not live up to his ambition, leads to a tragic end.

“Now he does feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief.” - Angus

“I will not yield, to kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet.”