Essay 3 Prompt: Macbeth
Immediately upon learning of Lady Macbeth’s death, Macbe
Essay 3 Prompt: Macbeth
Immediately upon learning of Lady Macbeth’s death, Macbeth speaks the following (Act 5, Scene 5, lines 22-31):
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Assignment:
In an essay of no less than 1,200 words do two things:
1. Connect this speech to one primary theme within the play
2. Analyze and then describe how Macbeth’s perception of this theme — as revealed in this speech — has broader implications for the human condition generally. Example themes to consider (though you may choose whatever you wish): Fate v. freewill, chances at redemption, the futility of existence.
Requirements:
Develop a specific and limiting thesis statement
Analyze. Do not simply summarize
Develop discussion paragraphs around sub-claims expressed in topic sentences
Use specific examples from the text (even beyond this quote is ok!) to support your claims
Use MLA format and parenthetical citations, with a works cited page
Write at least 1,200 (minimum), not including the Works Cited page.