AQA English literature Macbeth Sample Exam Question
Sample exam question
The question
Starting with this extract, how does Lady Macbeth use language to
manipulate her husband in the play?
Write about:
how she persuades him to her point of view in this extract
how she uses her powers of persuasion in the rest of the play
The extract
MACBETH
, We will proceed no further in this business.
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.
LADY MACBETH
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time,
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting I dare not wait upon I would,
Like the poor cat i'th'adage?
2
Sample exam question
The question
Starting with this extract, how does Lady Macbeth use language to
manipulate her husband in the play?
Write about:
how she persuades him to her point of view in this extract
how she uses her powers of persuasion in the rest of the play
The extract
MACBETH
, We will proceed no further in this business.
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.
LADY MACBETH
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time,
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting I dare not wait upon I would,
Like the poor cat i'th'adage?
2
