Macbeth Paper Assignment: A how-to guide

For this assignment you will write a 5 paragraph essay exploring the larger significance of a quote you chose for your Macbeth homework. The purpose of the paper will be to expand on your initial discussion of the quote and its importance to the play.

Choose a strong quote from your homework Ross: And Duncan’s horses – a thing most strange and certain – Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would Make war with mankind. Old Man: ‘Tis said they ate each other ( Macbeth ).

What’s going on in this quote? Ross: And Duncan’s horses – a thing most strange and certain – Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would Make war with mankind. Old Man: ‘Tis said they ate each other (Macbeth ). Macbeth has just murdered Duncan Larger context of Act 2, Scene 4: The natural world is in chaos Nature becomes unnatural: the horses eat each other! Nature no longer seems to obey the will of humans The horses contend “‘gainst obedience” and “make war with mankind” The horses “turned wild in nature”

Introduction Start with a strong topic sentence: In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is a profound relationship between Macbeth murdering Duncan and disorder in the natural world.

Introduction Next, establish a strong sense of context including the quote: In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is a profound relationship between Macbeth murdering Duncan and disorder in the natural world. For example, immediately following the untimely death of the king in Act 2, several characters note that nature seems to be in upheaval. In particular, during a conversation between Ross and the Old Man, the former remarks that “Duncan’s horses... broke their stalls, flung out, /... as they would / Make war with mankind,” to which the latter character responds, “‘Tis said they [the horses] ate each other” ( Macbeth ).

Introduction Following the context, provide a brief explanation concerning the significance of your quote: In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is a profound relationship between Macbeth murdering Duncan and disorder in the natural world. For example, immediately following the untimely death of the king in Act 2, several characters note that nature seems to be in upheaval. In particular, during a conversation between Ross and the Old Man, the former remarks that “Duncan’s horses... broke their stalls, flung out, /... as they would / Make war with mankind,” to which the latter character responds, “‘Tis said they [the horses] ate each other” ( Macbeth ). In this conversation between Ross and the Old Man, Shakespeare implies that the murder of Duncan by Macbeth casts the natural world into disarray. The fate of Duncan’s horses, cannibalizing each other unto death, demonstrates that Macbeth’s heinous deed sets nature against mankind.

Introduction Finally, close your intro with a strong, argumentative thesis: In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is a profound relationship between Macbeth murdering Duncan and disorder in the natural world. For example, immediately following the untimely death of the king in Act 2, several characters note that nature seems to be in upheaval. In particular, during a conversation between Ross and the Old Man, the former remarks that “Duncan’s horses... broke their stalls, flung out, /... as they would / Make war with mankind,” to which the latter character responds, “‘Tis said they [the horses] ate each other” ( Macbeth ). In this conversation between Ross and the Old Man, Shakespeare implies that the murder of Duncan by Macbeth casts the natural world into disarray. The fate of Duncan’s horses, cannibalizing each other unto death, demonstrates that Macbeth’s heinous deed sets nature against itself and mankind. Ultimately, the demise of Duncan’s horses is important to the overall play because it illustrates how Macbeth’s homicidal ambition not only goes against the morals of his society, but also the natural order of the world.

The Body Paragraphs In your body paragraphs, you must provide support for your thesis. Since this is a five paragraph essay, you should find three moments in the text (one moment per body paragraph) that support your thesis and demonstrate the importance of your quote.

So, if your thesis is, “Ultimately, the demise of Duncan’s horses is important to the overall play because it illustrates how Macbeth’s homicidal ambition not only goes against the morals of his society, but also the natural order of the world,” you should find 3 moments in the play that support this argument. Make sure to connect these supporting moments back to your original quote (i.e. the conversation about the horses).

Any questions?