Macbeth Essay

Introduction

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.  Writing about it, however, can be difficult because of how complex the play actually is.  To help get you over the hump, try this Macbeth essay outline and see what a difference it can make.  We break one aspect of the play down into its most important parts—how Macbeth’s ambition is exploited by the witches, and how his weakness is exploited by his wife to get him to become a king-killer. 

Below is our basic essay outline template that we use for creating our example outline for a Macbeth essay.  After looking over the template be sure to examine the example that follows for more details on how we would put this essay together.  Keep in mind that all good essays and outlines should center around a single main point.  So while there are a lot of different things you could say about Shakespeare’s play, we’re looking at just one specific topic—Macbeth’s pursuit of power.  Enjoy!

Macbeth Essay Outline Template

I. Introduction

a. Ask a question about the play that is likely to get the reader’s attention.

b. Briefly allude to the answer by noting some important details from the play that will support your main argument.

c. Finish with your thesis statement—the main point that your essay will make that answers the question and that is supported by the details highlighted above.

II. First Supporting Paragraph

a. Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph.

b. Support the topic sentence with relevant details from the play, including quotes from specific scenes or literary analysis from scholars.

c. Use a transition thought to prepare the reader for the next supporting paragraph.

III. Second Supporting Paragraph

a. Same as the first paragraph, begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph.

b. Support the topic sentence with similarly relevant information.

c. Use a transition thought to prepare the reader for the next supporting paragraph.

IV. Third  Supporting Paragraph

a. Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph.

b. Support the topic sentence with relevant information.

c. Use a transition thought to prepare the reader for the conclusion.

V. Conclusion

a. Reiterate the main point of the essay.

b. Highlight the supporting points that back up your argument.

c. Close out with a final thought to give the reader something upon which to reflect after reading.

Macbeth Essay Outline Example

I. Introduction

a. Why does Macbeth make the fatal mistake of killing Duncan in an ill-advised attempt to gain power?

b. Part of the reason for Macbeth’s poor decision is his ambition: he wants to be king.  Another part of the reason has to do with the witches, his wicked wife and his own weakness.

c. This essay will show how Macbeth pursues power because he is ambitious, enticed by the vision the witches present to him, cowed by his wife, and talked into doing what goes against his own better judgment.

II. First Supporting Paragraph

a. The witches entice Macbeth by appealing to his ambition and telling him that he will be king.

b. When they hail him “that shall be king hereafter,” he recoils as though they have touched something poisonous in him that he has dared not deal with up to this point.  Banquo does not understand but sees that something has happened (Shakespeare, 2020).

c. Macbeth’s ambition to be more has arisen and it will drive him forward—even though he attempts to subdue it before it gets out of hand.

III. Second Supporting Paragraph

a. Macbeth’s attempt to subdue his ambition is thwarted by his wicked wife Lady Macbeth, who cudgels her husband with her words so badly that he puts his tail between his legs and renews his promise to go ahead with the deed—although it is against his good sense.

b. So while ambition and the witches initially spur him on, it is his wife who pushes him to go through with it.  He is too weak to stand up to her bullying and do what is right.

c. He is like Adam, falling from virtue; and thereafter he is cut off from innocence and is compelled to continue on his bloody course—come what may.

IV. Third  Supporting Paragraph