Grade 9 Macbeth model answer on Lady Macbeth in Act 5

Year 10 /Year 11 resource for the study of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, geared towards the AQA Literature specification. Using the beginning of the ‘sleep-walking’ scene (from Act 5, Scene 1) as an extract, this essay explores the ideas of Lady Macbeth’s loss of power and resulting ‘weakness’. Ideal for modelling academic writing and the detailed development of ideas and interpretations for high ability GCSE students.

Also useful for demonstrating how to synthesise quotations / methods and draw connections between an extract and the rest of the play.

Snippet from second paragraph: 'Shakespeare also employs fragmented, disjointed utterances in Lady Macbeth’s dialogue to mirror her fragmented psyche: ‘To bed, to bed. There’s knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come.’ This sense of desperation may suggest weakness and perhaps evoke pity, however, its parallels with her earlier harsh, commanding dialogue means that it mostly reminds the audience of her culpability. ’