Macbeth: The questions over the years
Leaving Cert students in Fifth Year this year are studying Macbeth. Pat Hunt has scanned over 50 years of Leaving Cert papers to see the questions on the play that came up down the decades . . .
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1953
"Macbeth has physical courage, but moral weakness, and is subject to excited imaginative fears." Discuss this estimate of Macbeth, quoting freely from the play.
Or
"There is at once a grossness, a horrible reality about the witches, and a mystery and grandeur of evil influence." Discuss, with suitable quotation from the play.
1962
"We find in Macbeth rapidity of movement, great diversity of character, and many spectacular scenes." Discuss this estimate of the play and quote in support of the points you make.
Or
"Lady Macbeth dominates the play up to the murder of Duncan; after that her influence gradually diminishes, while her husband's power for evil grows ever greater." Discuss with relevant quotation from the play.
1975
In Macbeth Shakespeare does not present Macbeth as a mere villain, but succeeds in arousing a measure of sympathy for him. Discuss the character of Macbeth in the light of this statement, supporting your answer by relevant quotation and reference.
Or
In Macbeth the inner self is conveyed, not through the ideas expressed, nor through the actions performed, but by means of an elaborate pattern of imagery and symbolism. Test the truth of this statement by considering any two of the play's characters and the images and symbols associated with them. Support your answer by relevant quotation or reference.
1987
"The Banquo Macbeth has killed is not the innocent soldier who met the witches and scorned their prophecies, nor the man who prayed to be delivered from temptation. He is a man whose principles have been deeply compromised." Discuss this view, supporting the points you make by reference to or quotation from the play.
Or
Discuss the way in which the language of the play Macbeth contributes to the creation of the atmosphere of evil and violence that pervades the play. Support your answer by relevant quotation or reference.
1995
Discuss the course and nature of the resistance to Macbeth's rule in the play. Support your answer by quotation from or reference to the play.
Or
"Kingship, with all its potential for good or evil, is a major theme in the play, Macbeth. Discuss this view, supporting your answer by quotation from or reference to the play.
2003
"We feel very little pity for the central characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's play." To what extent would you agree with the above view? Support your answer by reference to the play.
Or
"In Macbeth, Shakespeare presents us with a powerful vision of evil."
Write your response to the above statement. Textual support may include reference to a particular performance of the play you have seen.
