ESSAY 2

O full of scorpions is my mind…

Analyse how imagery was used to present one or more themes.

• What sort of imagery is used throughout the play?– Darkness, light and dark– Animals, esp nasty stingy bitey animals like snakes– Blood– Omens, curses, demonic images, devils, supernatural…– Research the web

• What are the important themes in the play?– Trust and betrayal– Appearance and reality– Leadership and kingship

Check the AS

Check the explanatory notes

Check the exam specification

An essay plan

Paragraph Content

introduction

conclusion

Writing the introduction (1)

In the drama script Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, he uses imagery to show themes. The main sorts of imagery are blood, animal imagery and the supernatural. These all are important because they help show themes about trust, betrayal and appearance vs reality.

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Writing the introduction (2)

• Don’t do the obvious.– Use a quotation.– “Unpack” it.– Attack the question and foreshadow your approach.• No shopping lists.

– Create a bridge to your first paragraph.

• Don’t use the first person or second person.– Refer to the audience

• Mention the historical context if it is relevant.

Essay under exam conditions

• You have 45 mins to do the essay.

• Spend at least 5 mins doing a proper plan.– A sequence of developed ideas.

• Spend 40 mins writing.• Adapt what you know to show that you “dominate the question.”

Work smart

• Analyse how imagery was used to present one or more themes.

• Analyse how the writer developed a theme or important idea.

• Analyse how techniques were used to create a strong impression of a character.

Analyse how imagery was used to present one or more themes.

The imagery of darkness is crucial in developing the theme of evil throughout the play. Darkness and the colour black have often had connotations of evil and Macbeth is no exception. Lady Macbeth calls on the “dunnest smoke of hell” to conceal her evil intentions, and in an incantation similar to that uttered by the weird sisters, she pleads, “Come thick night.” This is effective at developing the theme of evil because darkness is such a powerful motif in the play, reflecting the “dark deeds” of Macbeth and his wife.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Analyse how the writer developed a theme or important idea.

Shakespeare’s imagery is a crucial method by which he develops the theme of evil throughout the play. Darkness and the colour black have often had connotations of evil and Macbeth is no exception. Lady Macbeth calls on the “dunnest smoke of hell” to conceal her evil intentions, and in an incantation similar to that uttered by the weird sisters, she pleads, “Come thick night.” This is effective at developing the theme of evil because darkness is such a powerful motif in the play, reflecting the “dark deeds” of Macbeth and his wife.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Analyse how techniques were used to create a strong impression of a

character. The imagery of darkness is crucial in developing a striking impression of Lady Macbeth throughout the play. Darkness and the colour black have often had connotations of evil and Macbeth is no exception. Lady Macbeth calls on the “dunnest smoke of hell” to conceal her evil intentions, and in an incantation similar to that uttered by the weird sisters, she pleads, “Come thick night.” This is effective at developing Lady Macbeth’s evil nature because darkness is such a powerful motif in the play, reflecting the “dark deeds” of Macbeth and his wife. By Act V, however, Lady Macbeth has been driven mad by her conscience and she can no longer bear any darkness, always carying a taper with her. Her insanity and aversion to darkness creates a powerful impression on the audience.