20-minute plan
- Locate the line in your Macbeth text and note its immediate context
- Brainstorm 2 links between the line and Macbeth's later actions
- Draft one thesis statement using the line as evidence
Keyword Guide · study-guide-general
Macbeth: 'What's Done Is Done' Study Guide
This line appears at a turning point in Macbeth, after a violent act seals the character's fate. High school and college students use this quote for class discussions, quiz answers, and thesis statements. This guide gives you concrete, copy-ready materials to apply to assignments right away.
Macbeth's line 'what's done is done' reflects the character's shift from guilt to fatalism after a irreversible violent choice. It ties to themes of moral decay and the impossibility of undoing harmful actions. Write this line and its core theme in the margin of your Macbeth notes for quick reference.
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Answer Block
The line 'what's done is done' in Macbeth marks a pivotal moment where the speaker abandons attempts to reconcile with their violent actions. It signals acceptance of a dark, unchangeable path rather than seeking atonement. The line is often linked to the play's exploration of guilt, free will, and consequence.
Next step: Circle this line in your text (or note its scene placement) and label it with 'fatalism turning point' to reference in discussions.
Key Takeaways
- The line signals a shift from guilt to acceptance of irreversible harm
- It ties to core Macbeth themes of moral decay and fatalism
- It works as evidence for character development or thematic analysis essays
- Teachers look for connections between the line and the character's later choices
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Find 2 other moments in Macbeth where characters grapple with irreversible choices
- Compare the line's tone to the speaker's earlier, guilt-driven lines
- Create a 3-point essay outline using the line as the core evidence
- Write one body paragraph that connects the line to a major play theme
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Map the line's context
Output: A 2-sentence note on what happens right before and after the line is spoken
Action: Link to themes
Output: A list of 3 Macbeth themes tied to the line, with 1 context clue for each
Action: Practice application
Output: A 1-paragraph response to a prompt asking how the line reveals character growth
Discussion Kit
- What specific event leads the speaker to say 'what's done is done'?
- How does this line differ from the speaker's attitude toward their actions earlier in the play?
- What would change about the play if the speaker had chosen to seek atonement alongside saying this line?
- How does the line reflect the play's views on free will and. fate?
- Can you think of another character in literature who says a similar line? How is it different?
- Why do you think this line has remained a widely quoted phrase outside of the play?
- How would the scene's tone shift if the line was spoken with guilt alongside resignation?
- What does this line reveal about the speaker's relationship to power?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In Macbeth, the line 'what's done is done' marks the speaker's irreversible shift from guilt to fatalism, which drives their descent into further violence.
- The phrase 'what's done is done' in Macbeth encapsulates the play's critique of avoiding accountability, as the speaker uses it to justify abandoning moral responsibility.
Outline Skeletons
- 1. Intro: Hook with the line, thesis linking to fatalism; 2. Body 1: Speaker's guilt before the line; 3. Body 2: The line as turning point; 4. Body 3: Later actions fueled by fatalism; 5. Conclusion: Line's role in the play's thematic message
- 1. Intro: Context of the line, thesis on accountability; 2. Body 1: The line as a rejection of guilt; 3. Body 2: Parallel moments of avoided accountability in the play; 4. Body 3: The line's impact on the play's tragic ending; 5. Conclusion: Broader relevance to modern discussions of accountability
Sentence Starters
- When the speaker says 'what's done is done', they reject the possibility of atonement by...
- Unlike earlier moments of guilt, the line 'what's done is done' signals that the speaker has...
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can identify the scene and speaker of the line 'what's done is done'
- I can link the line to 2 core Macbeth themes
- I can explain the line's role in character development
- I have 2 examples of how the line connects to later play events
- I can draft a thesis using the line as evidence
- I know common misinterpretations of the line
- I can compare the line to other key phrases in the play
- I can cite the line's context without quoting copyrighted text
- I can outline a 3-point essay using the line as the core
- I can answer a short-answer question about the line in 2-3 sentences
Common Mistakes
- Claiming the line shows the speaker feels no guilt, rather than resignation to guilt
- Using the line out of context without linking it to the play's themes
- Confusing the speaker of the line with another main character
- Focusing only on the line itself, not its impact on later plot events
- Using the line as a standalone quote without explaining its thematic meaning
Self-Test
- Explain how 'what's done is done' reflects the speaker's changing relationship to guilt
- Name 2 core Macbeth themes tied to this line and give one context clue for each
- Write a 2-sentence response that uses the line as evidence for a thematic argument
How-To Block
Action: Anchor the line in context
Output: A 2-sentence note on the event that immediately precedes the line being spoken
Action: Link to character and theme
Output: A table with 2 columns: 'Character Shift' and 'Thematic Link', each with 1 entry tied to the line
Action: Practice application
Output: A 1-paragraph response to a class discussion question using the line as evidence
Rubric Block
Contextual Understanding
Teacher looks for: Clear grasp of when and why the line is spoken, with no factual errors
How to meet it: Double-check the line's scene placement and the immediate event that triggers it, then note this context in all responses
Thematic Analysis
Teacher looks for: Links between the line and 2+ core Macbeth themes, supported by context
How to meet it: Brainstorm 3 potential themes, then match each to a specific detail from the line's surrounding scene
Character Connection
Teacher looks for: Explanation of how the line reveals the speaker's evolving personality or moral state
How to meet it: Compare the line's tone to the speaker's earlier lines about guilt or responsibility, then note the specific shift
Contextual Breakdown
The line occurs after a violent, irreversible act that changes the speaker's place in the play. The speaker moves from expressing intense guilt to accepting the act as unchangeable. Use this before class to prepare for discussion of character shifts.
Thematic Links
The line connects to three core Macbeth themes: fatalism, moral decay, and accountability. Each theme ties to the speaker's choice to abandon attempts to fix their harm rather than seek atonement. List these themes next to the line in your notes for quick exam reference.
Character Development
Before this line, the speaker grapples with the weight of their actions and fears consequences. After the line, they embrace a dark path with no attempts at reconciliation. Highlight this shift in your character analysis notes to use as essay evidence.
Common Misinterpretations
Some students misread the line as a sign the speaker feels no guilt, but it actually reflects resignation to unavoidable guilt. The speaker does not deny harm; they stop trying to make amends. Jot this correction in your text margin to avoid quiz mistakes.
Real-World Relevance
The line is often used outside of literature to justify avoiding accountability for mistakes. You can draw this parallel in class discussions to make the play feel more relatable. Write one real-world example of this phrase being used to share in your next group session.
Exam Prep Tips
On quizzes or essays, always pair the line with a specific context clue (like the triggering event) and a thematic link. Avoid using the line as a standalone quote without explanation. Practice writing 2-sentence responses to short-answer questions about the line to build speed.
Who says 'what's done is done' in Macbeth?
The line is spoken by one of the play's main characters, after a pivotal violent event. If you're unsure, cross-reference your text or ask your teacher for clarification to avoid factual errors.
What does 'what's done is done' mean in Macbeth?
The line means the speaker accepts their violent action as unchangeable, abandoning attempts to seek atonement or fix the harm. It marks a shift from guilt to fatalism that drives later plot events.
How can I use 'what's done is done' in a Macbeth essay?
Use it as evidence for character development (the shift from guilt to fatalism) or thematic analysis (moral decay, accountability, or fate). Pair it with context about the triggering event to strengthen your argument.
Is 'what's done is done' a soliloquy line in Macbeth?
The line is spoken in a private moment, but not as a formal soliloquy. Check your text's stage directions or scene notes to confirm its delivery context for class discussion.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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