A guide to writing a literary essay based on William Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

1. WRITING A
LITERARY ESSAY
A guide focused on William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

2. EXAMPLE OF A LITERARY ESSAY
TOPIC:
“Lady Macbeth is directly responsible for Duncan’s death. If not for her,
Macbeth would have never committed the murder. ”
Discuss the truth of this statement and what it reveals about Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth’s characters in an essay of 300 – 350 words.
(1½ - 2 pages)

3. STEP ONE:
ANALYSIS OF THE TOPIC:
The topic usually has 2 or more components:
1. THE STATEMENT/QUESTION:
Lady Macbeth is directly responsible for Duncan’s death. If not for her,
Macbeth would have never committed the murder.”
HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE STATEMENT/QUESTION?
1. The statement is the platform from which your essay begins.
2. You will need to PROVIDE EVIDENCE from the play to either support, reject or equally
evaluate the statement.
3. You need to read the rest of the question in order to understand how to plan/focus your
research…

4. STEP ONE:
ANALYSIS OF THE TOPIC (PART 2)
The ‘instruction’ tells you how to approach your essay.
2. INSTRUCTION:
“Discuss the truth of this statement and what it reveals about Macbeth
and Lady Macbeth’s characters.”
HOW DO YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION?
1. This instruction relates directly to the manner in which you structure your
research. i.e. Discuss the truth of this statement.
2. Your essay will not need to ‘take a side’ – this instruction requires you to
consider all options, before deciding whether or not the statement is true/false.

5. EXAMPLES OF OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Compare these two characters/scenes…….etc.
Focus on finding similar information on both aspects in order to COMPARE.
2. Contrast these two characters/scenes…….etc.
Focus on finding different information on both aspects in order to CONTRAST.
3. Examine the role a character plays in…
Focus on the specific character & how they contributed to the events/outcome of the
play.
4. Discuss something specific e.g. a character.
Focus on the details related to the character and only the character.
5. How do the female characters differ from….e.g. modern day women.
Focus on the characters and collect information on them and the other aspect of the
question as well.

6. RESEARCH
◦ You will be required to include evidence from the relevant
sections of the play in your essay.
◦ Examples of evidence:
1. Summaries of important sections
◦ e.g. Reference to scenes in which Lady Macbeth directly manipulates her
husband.
2. Quotes that link to the statement – must be INTEGRATED
◦ e.g. Lady Macbeth feels that Macbeth’s nature “is is too full o' the milk
of human kindness,” to kill Duncan and obtain the crown. (Act 1, Scene
5)

7. STEP TWO:
STRUCTURE OF A LITERARY ESSAY
◦ The basic format of all essays is the same:
◦ 1. Introduction – Usually 4-5 lines allowing the reader a glimpse
of the focus of and direction your essay has taken.
◦ 2. Body – Divided into paragraphs, the body allows you to present
relevant information in a logical and organised manner.
◦ 3. Conclusion – Usually 6-7 lines rounding off your discussion and
explaining what the evidence has revealed in relation to the topic.

8. HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION:
◦ A broad statement introducing the author, title, genre and topic in a
general way:
◦ “In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Macbeth”, it is clear that Lady Macbeth played a
pivotal role in influencing her husband to commit murder.
◦ A quote that links to the statement: (If possible)
◦ Lady Macbeth’s wish to “pour [her] spirits in [Macbeth’s] ear” is a reflection of her
desire to manipulate him.
◦ A statement presenting the general direction of the paper in one
sentence – look to the ‘instruction’:
◦ However, Macbeth is capable of autonomy and therefore, Lady Macbeth is only
partially responsible for Duncan’s murder.

9. HOW TO STRUCTURE THE BODY:
◦ Remember to use words that link each paragraph to the next in a logical
manner.
◦ Each paragraph must contain ONE idea ONLY.
◦ Try as far as possible to write each paragraph in the order the events
occurred in the play.
◦ Determine how many paragraphs you need to devote each to the
statement and instruction.
◦ Use the “Statement, Quote, Comment” technique…

10. PARAGRAPHS:
“THE STATE, QUOTE, COMMENT
TECHNIQUE”
◦ State: Make a statement relating to topic
◦ Macbeth appears initially to be an honourable, fearless and loyal leader who is willing
to die defending his King.
◦ Quote: Find a quote to support your statement.
◦ King Duncan refers to Macbeth as “brave” and “valiant” after hearing of Macbeth’s
skill in battle and there is a collective agreement that Macbeth is a noble hero.
◦ Comment: In your own words, write down your observation.
◦ Macbeth, therefore, seems to be a very loyal servant to his King and would not seek
to cause him harm – certainly not to the extent of killing him.

11. STRUCTURING THE
CONCLUSION:
◦ It answers the "so what?" question, i.e. You have introduced the essay,
presented the evidence…so what?
◦ The conclusion ends your argument with a final decision – the meaning
of all that you have written in relation to the topic.
◦ Refer to the content you have discussed in the essay above – mention
each point.

12. CONCLUSION:
◦ Linking sentence:
◦ Based on the evidence provided in the essay above, it is clear that
◦ Reference to essay points:
◦ Macbeth was a noble, loyal servant, and it was Lady Macbeth’s manipulation
that gave him the motivation to kill Duncan. However, Macbeth did have a
choice in the matter, even acknowledging that he “had no spur to prick the
sides of his intent save vaulting ambition.”
◦ Final statement:
◦ This proves that while Lady Macbeth was a force for evil in causing Duncan’s
murder, she was only partially responsible for his death – Macbeth’s role must
also be acknowledged.