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.

A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph. It states the paragraph’s main idea.

Your thesis should be overarching: it should be an idea that is supported by the whole text, not just one moment from the text.

Judicious is a synonym for wise, well-chosen, sensible.

Planning an analytical essay about Lady Macbeth 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Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.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

What ideas are there around this concept in the play?

You have been given this question: 'To what extent does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth presented as a dutiful wife?'. Match the question fragment to its purpose.

a powerful idea you prove throughout your essay

the first sentence of a paragraph which states its main idea

well-chosen evidence which supports the topic sentence

summary of paragraph with a focus on writer's purpose

Match the essay terms to their definitions.

In his book 'The Prince' (1513), Machiavelli argues that to get and maintain power, you might have to resort to certain tactics. What are they?

She supports Macbeth's ambitions, not her own

She feels guilt at the end of the play and doesn't maintain power

Why might some argue that Lady Macbeth is not a Machiavellian villain?

You are describing the plot, not arguing an idea

You are ready to write your topic sentences

Here is a thesis: Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth is presented as a Machiavellian villain when she uses duplicity; later she is not so Machiavellian because she feels guilty'. What feedback would you give?

Shakespeare might have been influenced by Machiavelli's 'The Prince'.

Jacobeans believed women should run a godly household and not be Machiavellian.

Shakespeare uses Act 1 to establish Lady Macbeth's qualities as a Machiavel.

In 1.5, Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth powerfully with 'unsex me here'.

Ultimately, Shakespeare opposed the patriarchy; perhaps he was a feminist.

Which topic sentence best supports this thesis: 'Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth embodies the qualities of a great Machiavellian ruler, only prevented from realising her ambition due to the patriarchy'?

In 'Macbeth', which characters are presented as having villainous qualities?

She welcomes Banquo to her castle whilst plotting to kill him.

She pretends to be pleased about Macbeth's promotion.

She welcomes Duncan to her castle whilst plotting to kill him.

In 1.6 of 'Macbeth', in what ways is Lady Macbeth duplicitous?

When Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost in 3.4 of 'Macbeth', how does Lady Macbeth try and control his terrified reaction to it?

They should include analysis of quotation.

They give direction and purpose to paragraphs.

They explain the range of topics you will explore in your essay.

Which of the following are true of the purpose and role of topic sentences?

In 1.5 of 'Macbeth', Lady Macbeth asks spirits to "Make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to {{ }}"..

Once she hears about the witches' prophecies in 1.5 of 'Macbeth' via letter from Macbeth, the first thing Lady Macbeth says is, "Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art {{ }}".

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.

Planning an analytical essay about Lady Macbeth in ‘Macbeth’

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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