In this article, you will find an A / L7 Grade example essay on Shakespeare’s play Macbeth which was 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!
Question:
“Macbeth is not an evil man, but one led astray by those around him”.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
Answer:
It could be argued that Macbeth is not an evil man but is one led astray by those around him, I however believe that Macbeth is an evil man and is responsible for his own actions. His sheer greed for power is what has led him astray and it was his choice to kill Duncan, have Banquo and Macduff’s family killed, as well as to try and have Fleance killed. He has shown throughout the play that his greed, not those around him, has led him astray and that only he can be responsible for his actions.
It is evident that Macbeth was not led astray by those around him when he arranged for Banquo and Fleance to be killed, on his own accord. This can be seen in the play when he says, “shall be done/a deed of dreadful note”. The plosive alliteration here, highlights the sheer violence and energy which is present during this scene. It is apparent to the audience at this point in the scene that Macbeth has arranged for Banquo and Fleance to be killed, perhaps suggesting jealousy of bearing a “fruitless crown”, a metaphor that once again highlights his greed which has led him astray. The fact that Macbeth has arranged the murders, without pressure from anybody, highlights the fact that he has not been led astray by anybody. Although it is said that Shakespeare wanted the audience to feel pity for Macbeth, Macbeth’s actions create the opposite effect and in fact make the audience shocked and angry. On the other hand, his endeavours could also be interpreted as following his course of action through to the end until his family name is the heir to the throne, all as a result of being incited by the three witches who told Macbeth that he shall be king, but Banquo’s children shall be kings after him. However, Macbeth decided to try and have Fleance and have Banquo killed, on his own accord, showing his actions to be too evil and severe to be understood by the audience, making it clear to the audience that Macbeth is an evil man, who has acted on his own accord and has only been led astray by his greed.
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Furthermore, the fact that Macbeth has not been led astray by those around him and is evil, is highlighted when he has Macduff’s family and servants killed. This is seen when he says “give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword/ His wife, his babes” The contractions of the line, highlight the fit of anger which Macbeth is in whilst he orders the murders. They euphemistically suggest to the audience that Macbeth does not want to fully sound out the sentence ‘kill them’. There was no need for Macduff’s family to be killed, as it resulted in nothing, which shows how evil Macbeth is. Macbeth arranged the murders without any encouragement, help or incitement, which shows that no one led him astray. On the contrary, one could see the murders as a message to Macduff which needed to be delivered in order that Macbeth’s position as King does not come under threat. Macbeth’s actions could be interpreted as necessary and not evil, making Macbeth not seem like an evil person, but instead someone who does what is necessary. However, Macbeth’s actions did not result in anything and this makes the audience feel that the murders were unnecessary and shows them that Macbeth is an evil man who acts on his own accord, without being incited.
On the other hand, it can be argued that Macbeth has been led astray by his wife, Lady Macbeth. This can be seen when Lady Macbeth says “And live a coward in thine own esteem” which refers to Macbeth hesitating about killing Duncan. This clearly shows that Lady Macbeth has pressured and steered Macbeth towards killing Duncan, showing that he has been led astray by her. The emotive language which is evident in this phrase shocks the audience as it would be highly uncommon for a woman, in Shakespearean times, to contest a man’s manliness. This develops Macbeth’s hubris which leads him to commit the murder in the end. However, though Macbeth has been led astray in Duncan’s murder by Lady Macbeth he has also been pushed to the murder due to his own greed as well. He has not been steered by anyone in the further killings and attempted killings except by his own greed. This shows that Macbeth may have been led astray at first by Lady Macbeth but continued his murderous rampage due to his own greed.
Overall, It is clear to the audience that Macbeth is an evil man who has been led astray by his own greed with one instance in which another person played a vital influence in a murder in the beginning. However, the further murders have been purely down to Macbeth’s evil and sheer greed for power which shows that he has not been led astray by anybody and is an evil man.
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!
