This extract is from Act 4, Scene 3 of Macbeth.

Macbeth has just sought out the witches and

has received the apparitions. The witches have now vanished.

Macbeth
Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious hour
Stand aye accursed in the calendar.
Come in, without there.
[Enter Lennox]

Lennox
What's your grace's will?

Macbeth
Saw you the weird sisters?

Lennox
No, my lord.

Macbeth
Came they not by you?

Lennox
No, indeed, my lord.

Macbeth
Infected be the air whereon they ride,
And damned all those that trust them. I did hear
The galloping of horse; who was't came by?

Lennox
'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word
Macduff is fled to England.

Macbeth
Fled to England.

Lennox
Ay, my good lord.

Macbeth
Time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertook
Unless the deed go with it. From this moment,
The very firstlings of my heart shall be
The firstlings of my hand. And even now
To crown my thoughts with acts — be it thought and done –
The castle of Macduff I will surprise,
Seize upon Fife, give to the edge o' the sword
His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls
That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool,
This deed I'll do before this purpose cool.
But no more sights. — Where are these gentlemen?
Come, bring me where they are.
[Exit]

Starting with this extract, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an evil character.

Explore how Shakespeare presents Macbeth in this extract and in the play as a whole.
Plan

 What does it mean to be “evil”?

 To what extent does this apply to Macbeth? Track his journey throughout the play.

 What events, characters and circumstances develop this?

 What might Shakespeare be trying to suggest about evil in the play? Consider ideas of hell, the supernatural,
Divine Right of Kings, tragedy genre.

Points – jot down your points as three brief bullet points

Introduction

Use these sentence starters as a guide and write them below

As the play progresses, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an increasingly evil character as he is willing to ….. in order
to ….. However, Shakespeare also suggests that Macbeth is not entirely evil both at the beginning of the play
because…., but perhaps not even at the end of the play as…. Therefore, perhaps Shakespeare wants us to consider …

OR

Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an increasingly evil character due to … However, he also suggests that his evil
actions are influenced by…. Perhaps Shakespeare wants us to consider….

Write out your topic sentences. Remember: include the term “evil”; state how he is or isn’t perceived to be this way;
explore Shakespeare’s message, i.e., why he has presented him in this way.

Some potential sentence starters

 In the extract, Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ….

 As the play progresses, it is also clear that he is….
 However, earlier in the play, Shakespeare makes it clear…
 Whilst it can be said that Shakespeare crafts Macbeth as a … character, perhaps we can challenge this from
his earlier presentation….
 It initially appears as though Macbeth is… but it is also evident, even very early on, that he is…

Leave space under each one to add your evidence.

Evidence

For each of your points, go through the text to consider the best three references to support it. These must contain
language that very clearly relate to the theme of evil – either to suggest that he is evil or that he is virtuous, e.g.,
imagery of hell/sacrilege.

Go through your topic sentences and add these to each point.

‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ task – for each of these points, you must write down what you feel Stevenson’s message is.
Refer to the grid you were given at the end of Y10 (and again at the beginning of Y11).

1. Stevenson presents Jekyll as a character who we condemn but also someone we feel sorry for

2. Stevenson suggests that Utterson would go to any lengths to protect Jekyll

3. Stevenson presents Hyde as revolting but also as somewhat compelling

4. Stevenson creates mystery surrounding Lanyon’s death

5. Steven portrays Utterson as an austere character

6. Stevenson presents Jekyll as captivating