Machiavellian is an adjective. It describes someone who gets what they want in cunning, ruthless and immoral ways.

A thesis is an argument, a powerful idea that you state at the beginning of an essay and prove throughout your essay.

An embedded quotation puts a quotation inside your own sentence. For example: Lady Macbeth wants to be filled with ‘direst cruelty’.

Methods are techniques a writer uses. These encompass everything: language, form, structure and characterisation.

Context concerns the circumstances in which a text was written; context helps us to understand the writer’s intentions further.

Writing an analytical essay about Lady Macbeth as a Machiavel in ‘Macbeth’

English

In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils focus on the role that Lady Macbeth plays in the downfall of her husband. In 'Macbeth: A Tragic Hero', pupils become more critical of Macbeth's own decisions, evaluating whether he could be considered a tragic hero.

In 'Othello', pupils explore the role that Desdemona played in her husband's downfall. In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils analyse the impact of Lady Macbeth's manipulation.

Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Writers use methods in their work to convey their messages. You should explore these methods in essays. Which of the following count as a writer's methods?

Ideas about expectations of women in Jacobean England.

Ideas about expectations of women in Machiavelli's Italy.

Ideas about the supernatural in Jacobean England.

Ideas about the language Shakespeare uses in the play.

Imagine an essay question which asks you to explore Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian villain in 'Macbeth'. What would serve as the most relevant context for this essay?

Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth. For example, "Art thou afeard?".

Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth, asking "Art thou afeard?".

Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth: "Art thou afeard?".

Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth "Art thou afeard?".

The quotation "Art thou afeard?" proves Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth.

Which of the statements, taken from essays about 'Macbeth', best embeds a quotation?

The witches create a dangerous world in which "fair is foul".

Shakespeare signals Macbeth's "noble" reputation in Act 1.

Shakespeare signals Macbeth's violence for example when he "unseam'd" a traitor.

Macbeth asks the witches to stay. The quote "Tell me more" shows his interest.

Banquo describes Macbeth as "rap't" signalling he is entranced by the witches.

Which of the statements, taken from essays about 'Macbeth', do not successfully embed a quotation?

a statement about the focus of the question

When writing an analytical essay, what should an introduction include?

specific response to your introduction's thesis

When writing an analytical essay, what should a conclusion include?

A key attribute of a Machiavellian villain is their ability to control others. What means does Lady Macbeth use to control Macbeth in 'Macbeth'?

Why might some argue that, in 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth is a Machiavellian villain?

A {{ }} is an argument, a powerful idea that you state at the beginning of an essay and prove throughout your essay.

outline your overarching argument for the whole essay

outline the main argument of your paragraph

summarise your argument; focus on the writer's intentions

evidence from the text that supports your topic sentence

Match the parts of the single paragraph outline to their function.

In 1.5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to "look like the innocent flower, But be the {{ }} under't'".

Lady Macbeth rejects her humanity. For example, "fill me...Of direst cruelty".

Lady Macbeth rejects her humanity "fill me...Of direst cruelty".

Lady Macbeth rejects her humanity asking to be filled with "direst cruelty".

The quotation fill me with "direst cruelty" shows Lady Macbeth rejects humanity.

Which of these statements, taken from essays about 'Macbeth', best embeds a quotation?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Writing an analytical essay about Lady Macbeth as a Machiavel in ‘Macbeth’

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.