"These notes refer to the Cambridge GCE O Level Examination held in November in Singapore. However, they are of general interest to anyone preparing to answer essay questions on Macbeth, in any exam."
" "
"The O Level exam presents a compulsory Context Question,"
"*(See Other Notes - Context Question)"
"followed by a choice of two essay topics. The candidate must answer ONE essay question only in the Shakespeare Section."
" "
"There is a 20% mark allocation for the essay, so about 30 minutes should be allowed for answering this question."
" "
"*Notes on approved essay techniques follow."
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"You are advised to follow these steps in writing your answer."
"*1. "
"Quickly select the topic which seems best suited to the study and preparation you have done. Usually this will be obvious."
"If you have trouble choosing, jot down rough notes about each topic and see which one is easier to give information on."
"*2. "
"Check the question carefully, underlining key words. Be 100% sure that you know exactly what the examiner wants you to do. Many essays are failed because they are off the topic, although the candidate has shown wide knowledge of the play."
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"*3. "
"Now, plan your essay. It may seem that time is very short, but a well-planned essay will be written much more easily than one where you are struggling to think of ideas as you write."
"Any essay topic should fall naturally into some kind of logical form or order. Try to allot one paragraph for each major point you want to make."
"For instance, if you are asked to compare Macbeth and Banquo, a possible arrangement would be:"
"*-at first, both brave generals, almost equals"
"*-reactions to the witches, Macbeth tempted, Banquo not"
"As you plan, try to think of quotations that are relevant to your topic. Jot them down also. It doesn't matter if it is not a long or complete quote, but it should be fully relevant."
"You won't get marks for writng down all the quotations from the play that you have learnt - only those you use to back up some point that you are making."
" "
"Almost as good as a quotation is a precise example from the text. The body of your essay should fall into the pattern of:"
"*Point - Evidence - Point - Evidence etc."
"If you can help it, never make an unsupported statement."
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"Now let's try a sample essay topic."
" "
"I have made up one that deals with one of the major themes of the play."
" "
"*Macbeth's banquet (Act III, scene iv) breaks up in confusion and disorder. Show how this disorder is typical of Macbeth's reign in general, and discuss Shakespeare's attitude to order and disorder, as shown in the play."
" "
"This topic falls naturally into two parts:"
" - show disorder in Macbeth's reign"
" -discuss Shakespeare's attitude to it"
"*My plan follows."
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" ESSAY PLAN"
" "
"*PARA. 1 Mention unnatural happenings on night of Duncan's murder"
" "
"*PARA. 2 Other strange happenings, as told by Old Man/Ross"
" "
"*PARA. 3 Country seen as sick/wounded"
" "
"*PARA. 4 What the above examples show about Shakespeare's attitude N.B. Elizabethan belief in order"
" "
"*PARA. 5 Conclusion - disorder was typical of Macbeth's reign / Shakespeare believed in order under a rightful King."
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"* MODEL ANSWER"
" "
"The disorder of the banquet scene is indeed typical of the whole of Macbeth's reign. Even on the night of Duncan's murder, the natural world is in a state of confusion."
"Lennox tells of an 'unruly' night, when chimneys were blown down, and strange noises were heard. He adds:"
"*'Some say the earth was feverous and did shake.'"
"These unnatural events are a sign of the trouble that is to come under Macbeth's rule. We find that they continue until a legitimate King is back on the throne."
" "
"More symptoms of disorder are reported in the conversation between Ross and an old man in Act II, scene iv."
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"*Model Answer (cont.)"
" "
"It is dark in the middle of the day."
"An owl killed a falcon."
"Duncan's horses went wild and ate each other."
"Other similar references lead us to believe that the country is in a dangerous, confused state."
" "
"Later in the play Shakespeare uses imagery of sickness to describe this disorder. Macbeth's rule is said to be 'distempered' and Caithness calls Malcolm "
"*...the medicine of the sickly weal..."
"This image shows clearly that only the true King could cure the disease brought to the country by the Macbeth's tyranny."
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"*Model Answer (cont.)"
" "
"So we see that when Macbeth's banquet breaks up in confusion, it is indeed typical of confusion and 'sickness' in all of his reign."
"In Shakespeare's time there was a strong belief that the world of man and, in fact, the whole universe should be well ordered. Each man knew his place in the order; God, the King, the Nobles, right down to the lowliest peasant."
"This is clearly the point that Shakespeare is making here by showing Macbeth's rule to be a time of chaos, when even the laws of nature break down, as mentioned above."
"In this case the break-down is caused by the tyrant Macbeth usurping the throne."
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"*Model Answer (cont.)"
" "
"At the end of the play, we can already see Malcolm, as the rightful King, start to impose the new order that will surely follow."
" "
"In conclusion, it is clear from the play that Macbeth's reign produced disorder and confusion in all aspects of life."
"Shakespeare shows us this to put across his own attitude, that order is important, and that a well-ordered society begins with a rightful King on the throne."
