Essays and Research Papers on Macbeth

A 4 page paper that provides an overview of the major themes in one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. This paper contends that the play is effective because it demonstrates support for the themes of prophecy, heresy, guilt and temptation as significant elements in tragedy. No additional sources cited.

A 9 page examination of superstition and the supernatural as used by Shakespeare in Macbeth. Thesis is argued by focusing specifically upon the play's infamous Cauldron Scene and other key events. Writer is very analytical and uses several quotes to support ideas. Bibliography cites 9 sources.

An 8 page paper analyzing the role of the witches in Shakespeare's drama. The paper argues that the witches in no way forced Macbeth to take the path he chose, but rather that they merely served as a psychological justification for him to do what had been in his secret heart all along. Bibliography lists ...

A 6 page paper discussing how imagery is used in Shakespeare's Macbeth, in order to set the stage for violence. Shakespeare is renown for his violent plays and Macbeth is no exception. Shakespeare uses many powerful images to portray the violence that is on the verge of occurring throughout the entire play. The particulars that ...

A 6 page paper exploring the transformation of Macbeth from a brave, noble man who is loyal to his king to one who kills his king and best friend. He continually suffers anguish for his deeds. Macbeth is seen regarded as a "good man"-- but in danger of falling into the temptations of evil, ...

A 6 page character analysis in which the writer attempts to answer this very question. Examined are Macbeth's perception of himself as a "good man," Macbeth's conscience, and some of the outside forces that adversely affect him. No Bibliography.

A 10 page paper looking at how spoken communication emerges as a potent leadership skill in Shakespeare's play. The paper concludes that both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are, at different times, able to influence others to do their will; but in neither case could they establish leadership roles based on inspiration, respect, or loyalty, which ...

A 10 page paper which analyzes William Shakespeare’s use of light, darkness, sight and blindness in his play, 'Macbeth,' through the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A five page look at this speech in Act II, Scene I, of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” This speech illustrates Macbeth’s lack of a sense of reality, and how his self-delusion colors his behavior in the rest of the play. No additional sources.

A 6 page paper which compares the treacherous antagonist Clytamaenestra, who is featured in “Agamemnon’ & “The Libation Bearers,” and as a ghost in “The Eumenides” of Aeschylus’ trilogy, “The Oresteia” with William Shakespeare’s ambitious antagonist, Lady Macbeth, to determine if Shakespeare used Aeschylus’ female character as a model. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

In 5 pages, the author discusses the use of religion in William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Macbeth." Religion is being used less and less in modern literature just as in modern society. This has a great deal to do with the times. It is evident that people in general are stereotyped as ...

A 5 page analysis of the theme of guilt in Macbeth. The writer demonstrates through verses how blood acts as the symbol of guilt and how this is depicted in the play. No bibliography.

A 6 page paper which discusses many aspects of the character MacBeth in Shakespeare's play. The paper discusses MacBeth's losses, gains, lust for power, and his general character changes. Also discussed is how Lady MacBeth influences MacBeth and what the play tells us about life in general through these gains and losses. No additional sources cited.

This 7 page report discusses the ways in which in much of Shakespeare’s work, the supernatural -- in the form of ghosts, fairies, strange creatures, and unnatural weather phenomena -- exist as much as a character in the play as any of the flesh and blood characters. In several of Shakespeare’s other works, the function of the supernatural is a ...

A 5 page paper discussing portrayal of natural events relating to human nature as provided by Dante, Shakespeare, Sophocles and Homer. The images portrayed here all can be related to conditions of the human mind at various stages. Emotions can take the form of the churning sea that the master calms, they can result in murder in ...

A 5 page paper which examines the similarities and differences between William Shakespeare's tragic plays, "Hamlet" and "Macbeth," specifically concentrating on the roles of the supernatural, the effect Ophelia and Lady Macbeth have on the main characters, and comparing and contrasting the protagonists Hamlet and Macbeth. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

(10 pp) In any tragedy, it is tension or conflict which keeps the play moving. Modern jargon would call it "spin" and "counterspin." In this discussion we will compare the sources of conflict in two plays, Othello and Macbeth. Iago and Lady Macbeth are our major obessives, the first prompted ...

(10 pp) In any tragedy, it is tension or conflict which keeps the play moving. Modern jargon would call it "spin" and "counterspin." In this discussion we will compare the sources of conflict in two plays, Othello and Macbeth. Iago and Lady Macbeth are our major obsessives,the first prompted by ...

5 pages in length. Seneca's Oedipus is a quite more violent and gruesome version than that of the play by Sophocles. By comparing the characters in Macbeth and Seneca's Oedipus, one can see what the playwright is able to create in terms of manipulating the audience and how the characters are used in this way. Bibliography lists ...

This 5 page paper provides three literary critiques of Shakespeare's Macbeth, as well as a tutorial on writing a critique based on the thesis: William Shakespeare, in Macbeth, balances the evil of the murder of the King with the acknowledgment of the difference between good and evil, making the reader more sympathetic to the crime. A tutorial critique of ...

A 10 page paper which examines if William Shakespeare's social commentaries (as represented by three plays) were financially motivated or if he was trying to prove something. Specifically considered is how Shakespeare was able to diplomatically handle the political and religious aspects of his plays in order to secure funding for them, i.e., what he ...

(5pp) When we met Macbeth with the witches we hear with him...that "fair is foul and foul is fair" (I i 10). Initially you can brush it off as witch talk of rhymes and bubbles, but then when looking at the characters of both Lord and Lady Macbeth, and the things ...

A 5 page summation and analysis of Shakespeare's Macbeth, in which the writer argues that issues of security provide a pivotal point in the thematic treatment of the play. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines moral issues in a trio of Shakespearean plays. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper analyzes the plot of Macbeth and determines the responsibility for the fate of the protagonist. Lady Macbeth and the sisters are evaluated in depth. No additional sources cited.