Here’s an L5/ C grade GCSE Essay Example and feedback on Shakespeare’s Macbeth written by a student in timed conditions.
Thanks for reading! If you find this resource useful, you can take a look at our full online Macbeth course here.
This course includes:
- A full set of video lessons on each key element of the text: summary, themes, setting, characters, context, attitudes, analysis of key quotes, essay questions, essay examples
- Downloadable documents for each video lesson
- A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback
- A bonus Macbeth workbook designed to guide you through each scene of the play!
THE ESSAY:
How does Shakespeare present guilt in this scene, and elsewhere in the play? (Scene: Act 2, Scene 2)
Shakespeare presents guilt in the play “Macbeth” in several different ways: exploring the idea of progression of guilt through the characters Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Also, Shakespeare utilizes guilt as a catalyst for Macbeth’s downfall and Lady Macbeth’s downfall.
In the speech in act 2 scene 2, the character Macbeth has murdered the king, Duncan. At this point, Macbeth is sharing his thoughts about his guilt not moments after the incident. In the quote “I could not say “amen””, represents how guilt ridden this character already is and feels as though God is watching upon him, judging him. Shakespeare uses the technique on the Jacobean audience to warn them against killing the King. The audience would feel fear due to the Christian beliefs which enwrap Jacobean society at the time and the constant fear of hell.
Furthermore, Shakespeare imitates Macbeth’s downfall showing his immediate guilt that can only grow stronger as the play progresses.
On the other hand, Lady Macbeth is presented by Shakespeare feeling no guilt whatsoever shown in the quote “a foolish thought to say a sorry sight.” The fact that she calls guilt, “foolish“ at this point of the play presents her strong and masculine side which she so desperately yearns for. Also, this strong character front gives the Jacobean audience a presentation of almost shock as this is not what a woman would do during these times. However Shakespeare does this on purpose to really emphasise his theme of guilt throughout the play and how no matter how strong you act guilt will always catch up to you. However, as the play continues, it is clear that guilt will be Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeth’s downfall.
“Out damn spot” (in act 5), spoken by Lady Macbeth is an excellent construction (by Shakespeare) to represent Lady Macbeth’s progression of guilt. It is representing how she is almost trying to force out the guilt like its an object which clearly isn’t. Also, the irony used by Shakespeare of her telling Macbeth to just “wash the blood from his hands” when her end downfall was the character attempting to wash blood from her own hands which was simply a hallucination and represent how the guilt of killing a King who is chosen by God through the Divine Rights of Kings will never escape you no matter what you try. This appeals to King James as he is always fearful of his own murder.
Macbeth’s guilt also morphed into hallucination like that of his head being “full of scorpions”. This is a metaphor representing his guilt as almost poisoning his mind which is shown by Shakespeare through Macbeth’s many more hallucinations.
In the end, Lady Macbeth kills herself, due to overwhelming guilt. This shows that actually the progression of her guilt was was in fact worse than Macbeth’s in the end and even she could not escape her fate. Macbeth could also not escape his fate and the fact that even though he did become King, his life was miserable due to his constant regret and guilt ridden mind. Shakespeare uses this idea of guilt as a warning. He knew that James I would accept his play for his fear of regicide after the gunpowder plot. This made “Macbeth” the perfect score and warn against this through the inseparable guilt they should feel. Shown to them through two perspectives, both ending the same way. His progression of guilt is what really highlights the downfall however, and shows it will never get better if you kill a King chosen by God.
How to read and understand Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’
FEEDBACK:
Positive Comments:
- Some really good ideas and it’s clear that the student has learned a lot about the play
- A good length of writing for an essay written in timed conditions
- Good introduction – clear ideas, exploring the question
- Some use of context points and interpretation of perspectives – applied at relevant moments
- Strong exploration of the theme of guilt, broken down into different aspects
- Some occasional good use of language analysis – such as in the exploration of irony in the line ‘wash this blood clean from my hands’
Points to improve:
- The main issue is the structure – the essay seems to be a range of thoughts on the topic rather than clear, ordered paragraphs. With some planning, the essay would be much clearer and likely receive a L6 / B grade.
- Some grammatical errors and informal phrasing – more academic, formal phrasing needed
- More awareness of the progression of the plot and characters needed
- Deeper sensitivity to the form, structure and language
- A much deeper analysis of Shakespeare’s methods and intentions needed
- Conclusion to summarise the ideas would help tie everything together
- Start with topic sentences that explore different points about guilt, rather than looking at scenes or characters (starting with evidence)
Thanks for reading! If you find this resource useful, you can take a look at our full online Macbeth course here.
This course includes:
- A full set of video lessons on each key element of the text: summary, themes, setting, characters, context, attitudes, analysis of key quotes, essay questions, essay examples
- Downloadable documents for each video lesson
- A range of example B-A* / L7-L9 grade essays, both at GCSE (ages 14-16) and A-Level (age 16+) with teacher comments and mark scheme feedback
- A bonus Macbeth workbook designed to guide you through each scene of the play!
