Macbeth - the 2022 AQA GCSE Question
Here’s the official June 2022 AQA GCSE English Literature essay question for Shakespeare’s Macbeth! If you’re looking for help with the play, check out our complete revision course below:
This course contains everything you need to get top marks in exams - a full breakdown of plot, characters, form, structure and language, key quotes, themes, context, example questions, student essays, mark scheme breakdown + more!
THE QUESTION
Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 1 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows. At this point in the play, Macbeth is thinking of his feelings about Banquo.
MACBETH
To be thus is nothing,
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be feared. ’Tis much he dares,
And to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety. There is none but he,
Whose being I do fear; and under him
My genius is rebuked, as it is said
Mark Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me
And bade them speak to him. Then prophet-like,
They hailed him father to a line of kings.
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If’t be so,
For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;
For them, the gracious Duncan have I murdered,
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace
Only for them, and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man,
To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings.
Rather than so, come Fate into the list,
And champion me to th’utterance. Who’s there?
Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears. Write about:
• How Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears in this speech
• How Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s fears in the play as a whole. [30 marks] AO4 [4 marks]
Link to the full paper: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/sample-papers-and-mark-schemes/2022/june/AQA-87022-QP-JUN22.PDF
Thanks for reading!
If you’re looking for full support with the play, check out our complete revision course! This course contains everything you need to get top marks in exams - a full breakdown of plot, characters, form, structure and language, key quotes, themes, context, example questions, student essays, mark scheme breakdown + more!
