Here are some questions that you might want to consider as you begin to narrow your focus in developing a thesis:

• How does power ruin Macbeth's life?
• Is Macbeth a truly powerful man, or does he simply react to people and situations around him?
• Do you see anyone in the play who demonstrates a responsible use of power?

There are other ways you could tackle this, but these initial questions should help you as you begin to consider a thesis.

Once you decide on a central question, you'll begin analyzing the play as you answer that guiding question. Let's imagine that you choose the first question. Certainly the quest for power ruins Macbeth's life, so your thesis might evolve to look something like this:

A quest for power combined with the wrong motives proves to be destructive in Macbeth.

Then you will analyze the text for evidence to support this position. You might consider some of these details:

• Macbeth's desire for power causes him to resort to violence numerous times (think of all the people he kills or orders killed).
• Because Macbeth desires power, he lowers his moral standards, allowing himself to be easily convinced to do things he normally wouldn't do.
• Macbeth betrays those who trust him and dishonors the heroic and brave reputation he is known for at the beginning of the play.
• Macbeth fails to consider the ways his actions could lead to destruction, believing in the witches' prophesies when it suits his own quest and then reacting with skepticism when their predictions don't align with his goals.

Regardless of topic, you'll build a case of evidence for your thesis through the specific details in the text.