How do I write an essay on Macbeth?

Teachers will usually give you some guidance when assigning an essay for a book or play.  Normally you will be given a question to answer, called a prompt.  The prompt is very important because it will give you specific topics to address.  However, if you are not given a prompt, there are some basic strategies to follow.

All essays on a piece of literature should have a thesis.  The thesis is a statement that states your argument, or what you are trying to write about or prove.  The thesis should address the prompt if you are given one.  If your teacher just tells you to write an essay on Macbeth, then you have to first decide what you will write about.

Sometimes the easiest way to start is to focus on either a character or a theme.  For example, you could trace Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness, or Macbeth’s arc of ambition.  Whatever you choose, you want to be able to prove your argument.  Avoid arguments that are too vague or are so overly specific that you can’t really write about them.

Next comes textual evidence.  This is very important in a literary essay.  Most essays follow a standard format of introduction (with thesis), body, and conclusion.  The length of the body will vary, but is generally at least three paragraphs.  In each body paragraph, you break down your argument and support it.  The textual evidence would be quotes or examples from the play.

For example, let’s say you are writing about Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness.  You should support her character traits from the beginning of the play, such as her ambition and planning, with a quotation.

The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty! … (Act 1, Scene 5)

A quotation like this supports the fact that Lady Macbeth was very strong-willed, and wanted to be considered like a man.  You can compare it with later quotations of when she was slipping, such as imagining blood on her hands.  This shows that she was losing her mind due to guilt.

The important thing to remember when writing an essay on a book is that you have a strong thesis and support your argument with evidence.  If you do that, then no matter what your essay is about it will be a strong one.  You explain how your evidence is related to your thesis and the meaning of your quotes, and you will be fine.