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Macbeth, AQA GCSE Revision

AQA specificationWritten by a 160/160 student

Everything you need to revise Macbeth for AQA GCSE English Literature, written by a student who scored 160/160. Start with the plot summary, learn the key quotes, then go deep on the characters and themes. Every page turns knowing the play into knowing what to write in the exam.

Macbeth Key QuotesEvery quote that matters, by character and theme, with Grade 9 analysis.Macbeth ThemesAmbition, guilt, the supernatural, kingship and appearance vs reality.Macbeth SummaryThe whole play, act by act, in plain English, with every key scene.Macbeth ContextJames I, the Gunpowder Plot, witchcraft and the Divine Right of Kings.Macbeth Practice QuestionsReal AQA past paper questions and exam-style practice, with plans.Macbeth QuizTest yourself on plot, quotes, characters and context.Macbeth FlashcardsPrintable and digital flashcards for fast revision.Macbeth Grade 9 EssaysFull-mark essays, annotated to show exactly why they score.

Character profiles

Every character AQA asks about, each with a brief overview, key themes, key moments and key quotes.

Lady MacbethThe “fiend-like” queen.MacduffThe avenger 'not of woman born', and Macbeth's foil.BanquoThe road not taken, and the father of kings.MacbethFrom loyal Thane to unstoppable tyrant.MalcolmThe rightful heir and the restoration of order.King DuncanThe good king whose murder breaks the natural order.

Quotes by theme

Ambition Quotes in Macbeth'Vaulting ambition', the theme that drives the whole tragedy.Guilt Quotes in MacbethBlood, sleeplessness and 'a mind diseased'.Supernatural Quotes in MacbethThe witches, the dagger, and Jacobean beliefs about witchcraft.

How to revise Macbeth

My personal advice for revising any text for English Literature is to start off slowly.

Rather than jumping straight in and trying to learn 'Grade 9' quotes and analysis, begin by gaining an understanding of the story. Now, I know this won't be easy for everyone, but you can approach this in different ways: for some, understanding the play's story will entail re-reading it cover-to-cover, while for others, reading my detailed plot summary will do the job. Once the plot is clear, move on to understanding the key characters: their role, how they change, and the themes which they fall into. The character profile and themes pages are written specifically to help you gain this level of knowledge. Add a layer of context for your AO3 marks, then test everything by writing mini-essays or completing full past papers.

The exam does not reward retelling the plot. Examiners are looking for a clear argument, with close analysis, that demonstrates an understanding of the play as a whole. That's why, in my opinion, it is better to know a handful of quotes really well than lots of quotes poorly. As you work through these pages, try to ask yourself WHAT Shakespeare is doing, and WHY he is doing it. And don't be afraid to disagree! You must remember that this content is my own analysis, meaning there is always room to argue. If there is a particular section or point you disagree with, try to understand why you feel so, and how you can express your opinion in an essay. This depth of thought is what separates a Grade 5 response from a Grade 7-9 one. Check out the key quotes section to get started.

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