1. How does Lady Macbeth’s understanding of Macbeth’s character help her to manipulate him to carry out the murder of King Duncan? Explain Macbeth as a “tragic hero.” How does he meet all the necessary traits of a tragic hero? Explain Lady Macbeth as a villain. What was her motivation for her manipulation? What do literary critics say about both characters? Explain role reversal as it exists in the play and gender inequality that existed at the time the play was written. Was there something in Shakespeare’s life and times that influenced the development of these characters?
2. Does Macbeth’s faith in the apparitions ultimately lend itself to his defeat? Use specific examples from several different scenes to describe how Macbeth’s character has evolved. What are the apparitions? What do they tell Macbeth? How does he respond to their messages? What do these images represent? Think about foreshadowing. What do literary critics say about the apparitions and Macbeth’s response to them? Was there something in Shakespeare’s life that influenced Macbeth’s decision to trust the apparitions?
3. Explain the importance and role of the witches and the prophecies to the outcome of the play. What was the witches’ motivation for tricking Macbeth? Did they control the outcome of the play or simply influence it? Would the story have been different without them? Was there something in Shakespeare’s personal life and times that shows a fascination with witchcraft? What do the literary critics say about the witches and their influence on Macbeth? What evidence from the play (quotes and examples) supports your thesis concerning the role of the witches?
4. The term tragic hero refers to a central character who has a authoritative status in the drama, but through a flaw in his or her character brings about his or her demise. The flaw may consist of a poor decision that is made and creates a situation the character cannot change or control. The tragic hero recognizes his or her flaw, however there is nothing that can be done to avert tragedy. Macbeth is seen as a tragic hero. Write a paper tracing the sequence of events that contribute to Macbeth’s demise and tragic end. What do literary critics say about Macbeth as a tragic hero?
5 Who is responsible for Macbeth’s downfall? (The witches, Lady Macbeth and/or Macbeth himself?).
As a research project, this paper must include at least two different secondary sources (sources other than the play itself). Examples:
All sources should be parenthetically cited throughout the paper, as well as on the Works Cited page. The paper and citations should be written in MLA format. We will spend some time in the library in order to provide you with time to do research, however, this is not the only time that should be spent working on the paper.
The format for parenthetical (in-text) ciatations is as follows:
(Name of Play Act number.scene number.line numbers)
(Macbeth 5.1.5-12)
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