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How can one write a five-paragraph essay on Macbeth?
Quick answer:
To write a five-paragraph essay on Macbeth, start with a thesis statement that clearly conveys your main argument, such as the theme of guilt or the impact of Macbeth's ambition. Structure the introduction with a hook, a topic, and your thesis. Each of the three body paragraphs should focus on a single point, supported by quotes and examples from the play. Conclude by restating your thesis and summarizing your main points.
Traditionally, if you are asked to write a five-paragraph essay (or what is now often called a one-three-one essay), you would do the following.
Determine what point about the play you are trying to make in the paper. For example, you might want to argue that Macbethis using an eerie setting to underscore how killing a king and usurping a throne throw a whole country out of kilter. If this is the case, you would first write a thesis statement arguing this point. The key thing is not just to say that Shakespeare uses spooky settings and events to build an atmosphere of a country out of kilter—you have to state how . For instance, you could say Shakespeare takes pains to create a spooky atmosphere to show the horror of killing a king when he introduces the three witches, introduces the old man who tells of odd...
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happenings afterDuncan's murder, and later brings Hecate into the picture. Then each of the next three paragraphs would deal with one of the points. You would have a paragraph about the witches, a second paragraph about the old man, and a third about Hecate. Finally, your last paragraph would sum up your points and ideally leave the reader with an added thought about the play.
What you want to do is stick to making your points and supporting them with quotes from the play. This is not the place to start editorializing about this as a great play—adhere very closely to what you are arguing.
The introduction should have a hook to grab attention, a topic leading to a thesis statement, and then the major points you will use to support your topic. All of these items work together to make a solid intro.
Example thesis: The story shows [topic] through [point 1], [point 2] and [point 3].
Another example: One of the larger themes of the play Macbeth is guilt. This can be seen through [point 1], [point 2] and [point 3].
The first body paragraph is about point 1, and ONLY point one. You go into detail and use support such as quotes from the story and paraphrased scenes, from the story to back up your thesis. Make sure each paragraph is at least 4-5 sentences long.
The second body paragraph is about point 2, and once again uses details, quotes and paraphrased scenes to support that point.
The third does the same thing.
In your conclusion, you should restate your thesis and main points again, but in different words.
Hope that helps!
How do I write an essay on Shakespeare's character Macbeth?
Whether Macbeth's character is good or evil is sort of the big, tough question. It's big because there is so much evidence to sort through, and it is tough because there is evidence to support each argument! In my view, Macbeth starts off good and then, as a result of his interactions with the Weird Sisters and his wife as well as his own ambition and pride, he is corrupted and becomes evil. Initially, Macbeth is thought of as "brave" and loyal, to the point that the king rewards him for his services to the crown (1.2.18). His wife, the person who arguably knows him the best, feels that he is "full o' th' milk of human kindness" in the beginning (1.5.17). His best friend is Banquo, a man we know to be good and loyal as well, and this friendship would seem to indicate Macbeth's goodness too.
However, once the Weird Sisters tell him that he will become Thane of Cawdor and king, and he becomes Thane of Cawdor, he begins to dream of what it would be like to be king, even acquainting his wife with the news because he knows how happy it will make her to consider what "greatness is promised" to her (1.5.13). He recognizes his own "Vaulting ambition," which might propel him forward, but it isn't really enough until his wife wounds his pride (1.7.27). When he tries to bail out of their plan, she calls him a "coward" and implies that he will not really be a man unless he goes through with it (1.7.47). After she insults him enough to compel him to recommit, he begins the descent into evil. After he murders Duncan, he soon feels the need to kill Banquo (his former best friend) and Banquo's son, Fleance, in order to secure his position. Next, when Macbeth becomes enraged that the Thane of Fife, Macduff, has escaped him, he brutally murders Macduff's wife and children and even servants. Each murder becomes increasingly more atrocious to the audience as Macbeth descends into evil and becomes more and more ruthless and unscrupulous.