Macbeth Essay Helps Part 2

Quotation usage notes

We may use direct or indirect quotations to provide evidence for our argument.

1. An indirect quotation may paraphrase a given text, but we must cite the Act,
Scene, and Verses in ( ) to show where we obtained our evidence.

Example: Macbeth reasons upon ethical grounds that the sworn duty of a
good host is to provide safety and security for a guest, especially if it
happens to be the king (15-16).

2. A direct quotation may be cited as follows

a. Macbeth exclaims that he is both “kinsman” and “subject” to the

king (12).

b. Macbeth claims that he should “shut the door” to prevent any

intruder from entering his castle to kill the king (15).

c. Macbeth reasons that he is Duncan’s “host/Who should against

his murderer shut the door” (14 -15).

3. When directly citing a passage, you will want to do three things.

a. Establish the context for the quotation. Do not merely present it

without briefly explaining why it will appear.

b. Ensure that you quote verbatim or use … to omit words or use

[ ] to add a word of your own that is not in the original quotation.

4. Some quotation set up types.

a. Macbeth asserts that he is Duncan’s “kinsman and . . . subject” (13).

b. “He’s here in double trust” (12) claims Macbeth, noting that there are two
reasons why he should not murder Duncan.
Passage LEP Argue Questions
He's here in double trust; 1. What legal meaning does “trust” have?

Explain how this legal term relates to the

three roles Macbeth will legally serve.

2. What other meaning can “trust” have?

Explain how this other meaning applies to

reliability, safety, etc.

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Define

Strong both against the deed:
a. kinsman and the role in relation to Duncan

b. subject and the role in relation to Duncan

c. how do the two roles relate to the red part?

then, as his host, Define

Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. a. host and role in relation to Duncan

b. how does this role relate to the red part?

c. why is there an affirmation and negation

being used?

d. why is there an explanation of the act

instead of just referring to the idea of the
deed ?

e. why is there a shift in who is the murderer

(his vs myself)
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