Macbeth: Start here: Developing an essential question

"Nothing so facilitates good writing as actually having something to say." T.S. Eliot

1. Is open-ended; that is, it typically will not have a single, final, and correct answer.
    
2. Is thought-provoking and intellectually engaging, often sparking discussion and debate.
    
3. Calls for higher-order thinking, such as analysis, inference, evaluation, prediction. It cannot be effectively answered by recall alone.
    
4. Points toward important, transferable ideas within (and sometimes across) disciplines.
    
5. Raises additional questions and sparks further inquiry.
    
6. Requires support and justification, not just an answer.
    
7. Recurs over time; that is, the question can and should be revisited again and again.
    
8. It is interesting to YOU!

Source: "What Makes a Question Essential?" ASCD. ASCD, 2014. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.

Shakespeare is such an important writer that he has his own Dewey number. The works by Shakespeare can be found at 822.3. Critical analysis and writings about his work can be found at 822.33.

Try searching Shakespeare, William as a SUBJECT

Consider looking at the overviews and biographies at the beginning of your research. Reviewing what topics are covered in the literature criticism is also helpful - but skim for ideas at this point.

Again, look to see what topics are covered but try not to focus on any one critical essay or academic journal at this stage.