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Shakespeare and the 19th-Century NovelMacbethShakespeareCharacter ChangeTragedy

AQA GCSE · Question 01 · Shakespeare and the 19th-Century Novel

SOURCE TEXT:
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.

MACBETH
Seyton! – I am sick at heart,
When I behold – Seyton, I say! – this push
Will cheer me ever or disseat me now.
I have lived long enough. My way of life
Is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf,
And that which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not.
Seyton!
Enter SEYTON
SEYTON What's your gracious pleasure?
MACBETH What news more?
SEYTON All is confirmed, my lord, which was reported.
MACBETH I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked.
Give me my armour.
SEYTON 'Tis not needed yet.
MACBETH I'll put it on;
Send out more horses; skirr the country round.
Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armour.
How does your patient, doctor?
DOCTOR Not so sick, my lord,
As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies
That keep her from her rest.
MACBETH Cure her of that.
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?

QUESTION:
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.

How to approach this question

1. Begin by closely analysing the provided extract. Identify key quotes that reveal Macbeth's character at this point in the play. Consider his despair, his aggression, and his concern for Lady Macbeth. 2. Formulate a clear thesis statement that addresses the question about how Macbeth changes. 3. Structure your essay with paragraphs that each focus on a different stage of Macbeth's transformation. Start with the 'brave Macbeth' of Act 1. 4. Move on to discuss the turning points: the murder of Duncan, the paranoia leading to Banquo's murder, and his increasing isolation. 5. Use the extract as your starting point and link it to these other parts of the play, showing a clear progression or decline in his character. 6. Conclude by summarising how far he has changed from the beginning to the end of the play.

Full Answer

A strong answer will explore Macbeth's state of mind in the extract, noting his despair ('sick at heart', 'my way of life is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf') and his simultaneous reckless bravado ('I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked'). It will contrast this with the 'brave Macbeth' from the start of the play, who fought for his king and country. The answer should trace his descent into tyranny, paranoia, and nihilism, prompted by the witches' prophecies and Lady Macbeth's influence. Key moments to discuss could include his hesitation before killing Duncan, his murder of Banquo, his reaction to Banquo's ghost, and his final, fatalistic battle with Macduff. The change is from a noble hero to a despised tyrant who has lost everything he once valued.
This question assesses your understanding of Macbeth's character arc. It requires you to analyse how Shakespeare uses language and dramatic action to show his transformation from a valiant soldier to a tyrannical and despairing king. You need to connect his state of mind in the final act with the choices he made throughout the play.

Common mistakes

A common mistake is simply narrating the plot instead of analysing Macbeth's character. Another is focusing only on the extract or only on the rest of the play, without linking the two as the question requires. Avoid making general statements without supporting them with specific textual evidence.
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