Ambition, Kingship & Tyranny
General Essay Plan
Ambition, Kingship & Tyranny
Thesis statement
An idea
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Reason for idea
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Evidence for idea
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 1
Topic sentence
Quotes
Context
Layer 2
Topic sentence
Quotes
Context
Layer 3
Topic sentence
Quotes
Context
Past Paper Questions
2017
(2017) Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 5 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Lady Macbeth is speaking. She has just read Macbeth’s letter telling her about his meeting with the three witches.
Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents ambition in Macbeth.
Write about:
how Shakespeare presents ambition in this speech
how Shakespeare presents ambition in the play as a whole.
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
2021
(2021) Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Macbeth has murdered Duncan and has returned to Lady Macbeth.
Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Write about:
how Shakespeare presents their relationship in this extract
how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the play as a whole.
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
2022
(2022) Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 1 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Macbeth is thinking of his feelings about Banquo.
Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears.
Write about:
how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears in this speech
how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears in the play as a whole.
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
2023
(2023) Read the following extract from Act 5 Scene 3 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Macbeth hears that the English army is approaching and asks the Doctor for a report about Lady Macbeth.
Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a male character who changes during the play.
Write about:
how Shakespeare presents Macbeth in this conversation
how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a male character who changes in the play as a whole.
[30 marks]
AO4 [4 marks]
2025
(2025) Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 7 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.
At this point in the play, Macbeth is alone. He is thinking about the plan to murder King Duncan.
Starting with this speech, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character.
Write about:
how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character in this speech
how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as an ambitious character in the play as a whole.
[30 marks]
AO4 {4 marks]
