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MacBethby William ShakespeareNational 5 EnglishContents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Plot Overview PAGEREF _Toc441658825 \h 2Characters PAGEREF _Toc441658826 \h 2Literary Terms PAGEREF _Toc441658827 \h 3Themes, Motifs and Symbols PAGEREF _Toc441658828 \h 4Comprehension Questions PAGEREF _Toc441658829 \h 7Additional Revision Questions PAGEREF _Toc441658830 \h 11Key Quotations PAGEREF _Toc441658831 \h 12Critical Essays PAGEREF _Toc441658832 \h 16Critical Essay – Relationship PAGEREF _Toc441658833 \h 18Practice Critical Essay Questions PAGEREF _Toc441658834 \h 20Example Essays PAGEREF _Toc441658835 \h 20Plot OverviewThe play begins with the brief appearance of a trio of witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish King Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated two separate invading armies—one from Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonald, and one from Norway. Following their pitched battle with these enemy forces, Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches as they cross a moor. The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be made thane (a rank of Scottish nobility) of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. They also prophesy that Macbeth’s companion, Banquo, will beget a line of Scottish kings, although Banquo will never be king himself. The witches vanish, and Macbeth and Banquo treat their prophecies skeptically until some of King Duncan’s men come to thank the two generals for their victories in battle and to tell Macbeth that he has indeed been named thane of Cawdor. The previous thane betrayed Scotland by fighting for the Norwegians and Duncan has condemned him to death. Macbeth is intrigued by the possibility that the remainder of the witches’ prophecy—that he will be crowned king—might be true, but he is uncertain what to expect. He visits with King Duncan, and they plan to dine together at Inverness, Macbeth’s castle, that night. Macbeth writes ahead to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her all that has happened.Lady Macbeth suffers none of her husband’s uncertainty. She desires the kingship for him and wants him to murder Duncan in order to obtain it. When Macbeth arrives at Inverness, she overrides all of her husband’s objections and persuades him to kill the king that very night. He and Lady Macbeth plan to get Duncan’s two chamberlains drunk so they will black out; the next morning they will blame the murder on the chamberlains, who will be defenseless, as they will remember nothing. While Duncan is asleep, Macbeth stabs him, despite his doubts and a number of supernatural portents, including a vision of a bloody dagger. When Duncan’s death is discovered the next morning, Macbeth kills the chamberlains—ostensibly out of rage at their crime—and easily assumes the kingship. Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, respectively, fearing that whoever killed Duncan desires their demise as well.Fearful of the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s heirs will seize the throne, Macbeth hires a group of murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. They ambush Banquo on his way to a royal feast, but they fail to kill Fleance, who escapes into the night. Macbeth becomes furious: as long as Fleance is alive, he fears that his power remains insecure. At the feast that night, Banquo’s ghost visits Macbeth. When he sees the ghost, Macbeth raves fearfully, startling his guests, who include most of the great Scottish nobility. Lady Macbeth tries to neutralize the damage, but Macbeth’s kingship incites increasing resistance from his nobles and subjects. Frightened, Macbeth goes to visit the witches in their cavern. There, they show him a sequence of demons and spirits who present him with further prophecies: he must beware of Macduff, a Scottish nobleman who opposed Macbeth’s accession to the throne; he is incapable of being harmed by any man born of woman; and he will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle. Macbeth is relieved and feels secure, because he knows that all men are born of women and that forests cannot move. When he learns that Macduff has fled to England to join Malcolm, Macbeth orders that Macduff’s castle be seized and, most cruelly, that Lady Macduff and her children be murdered.When news of his family’s execution reaches Macduff in England, he is stricken with grief and vows revenge. Prince Malcolm, Duncan’s son, has succeeded in raising an army in England, and Macduff joins him as he rides to Scotland to challenge Macbeth’s forces. The invasion has the support of the Scottish nobles, who are appalled and frightened by Macbeth’s tyrannical and murderous behavior. Lady Macbeth, meanwhile, becomes plagued with fits of sleepwalking in which she bemoans what she believes to be bloodstains on her hands. Before Macbeth’s opponents arrive, Macbeth receives news that she has killed herself, causing him to sink into a deep and pessimistic despair. Nevertheless, he awaits the English and fortifies Dunsinane, to which he seems to have withdrawn in order to defend himself, certain that the witches’ prophecies guarantee his invincibility. He is struck numb with fear, however, when he learns that the English army is advancing on Dunsinane shielded with boughs cut from Birnam Wood. Birnam Wood is indeed coming to Dunsinane, fulfilling half of the witches’ prophecy.In the battle, Macbeth hews violently, but the English forces gradually overwhelm his army and castle. On the battlefield, Macbeth encounters the vengeful Macduff, who declares that he was not “of woman born” but was instead “untimely ripped” from his mother’s womb (what we now call birth by cesarean section). Though he realizes that he is doomed, Macbeth continues to fight until Macduff kills and beheads him. Malcolm, now the King of Scotland, declares his benevolent intentions for the country and invites all to see him crowned at Scone.CharactersMacbeth?-?Macbeth is a Scottish general and the thane of Glamis who is led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the three witches, especially after their prophecy that he will be made thane of Cawdor comes true. Macbeth is a brave soldier and a powerful man, but he is not a virtuous one. He is easily tempted into murder to fulfill his ambitions to the throne, and once he commits his first crime and is crowned King of Scotland, he embarks on further atrocities with increasing ease. Ultimately, Macbeth proves himself better suited to the battlefield than to political intrigue, because he lacks the skills necessary to rule without being a tyrant. His response to every problem is violence and murder. Unlike Shakespeare’s great villains, such as Iago in Othello and Richard III in Richard III, Macbeth is never comfortable in his role as a criminal. He is unable to bear the psychological consequences of his atrocities.Lady Macbeth?-?Macbeth’s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. Early in the play she seems to be the stronger and more ruthless of the two, as she urges her husband to kill Duncan and seize the crown. After the bloodshed begins, however, Lady Macbeth falls victim to guilt and madness to an even greater degree than her husband. Her conscience affects her to such an extent that she eventually commits suicide. Interestingly, she and Macbeth are presented as being deeply in love, and many of Lady Macbeth’s speeches imply that her influence over her husband is primarily sexual. Their joint alienation from the world, occasioned by their partnership in crime, seems to strengthen the attachment that they feel to each another.The Three Witches?-?Three “black and midnight hags” who plot mischief against Macbeth using charms, spells, and prophecies. Their predictions prompt him to murder Duncan, to order the deaths of Banquo and his son, and to blindly believe in his own immortality. The play leaves the witches’ true identity unclear—aside from the fact that they are servants of Hecate, we know little about their place in the cosmos. In some ways they resemble the mythological Fates, who impersonally weave the threads of human destiny. They clearly take a perverse delight in using their knowledge of the future to toy with and destroy human beings.Banquo?-?The brave, noble general whose children, according to the witches’ prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne. Like Macbeth, Banquo thinks ambitious thoughts, but he does not translate those thoughts into action. In a sense, Banquo’s character stands as a rebuke to Macbeth, since he represents the path Macbeth chose not to take: a path in which ambition need not lead to betrayal and murder. Appropriately, then, it is Banquo’s ghost—and not Duncan’s—that haunts Macbeth. In addition to embodying Macbeth’s guilt for killing Banquo, the ghost also reminds Macbeth that he did not emulate Banquo’s reaction to the witches’ prophecy.King Duncan?-?The good King of Scotland whom Macbeth, in his ambition for the crown, murders. Duncan is the model of a virtuous, benevolent, and farsighted ruler. His death symbolizes the destruction of an order in Scotland that can be restored only when Duncan’s line, in the person of Malcolm, once more occupies the throne.Macduff?-?A Scottish nobleman hostile to Macbeth’s kingship from the start. He eventually becomes a leader of the crusade to unseat Macbeth. The crusade’s mission is to place the rightful king, Malcolm, on the throne, but Macduff also desires vengeance for Macbeth’s murder of Macduff’s wife and young son.Malcolm?-?The son of Duncan, whose restoration to the throne signals Scotland’s return to order following Macbeth’s reign of terror. Malcolm becomes a serious challenge to Macbeth with Macduff’s aid (and the support of England). Prior to this, he appears weak and uncertain of his own power, as when he and Donalbain flee Scotland after their father’s murder.Hecate?-?The goddess of witchcraft, who helps the three witches work their mischief on Macbeth.Fleance?-?Banquo’s son, who survives Macbeth’s attempt to murder him. At the end of the play, Fleance’s whereabouts are unknown. Presumably, he may come to rule Scotland, fulfilling the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will sit on the Scottish throne.Lennox?-?A Scottish nobleman.Ross?-?A Scottish nobleman.The Murderers?-?A group of ruffians conscripted by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (whom they fail to kill), and Macduff’s wife and children.Porter?-?The drunken doorman of Macbeth’s castle.Lady Macduff?-?Macduff’s wife. The scene in her castle provides our only glimpse of a domestic realm other than that of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. She and her home serve as contrasts to Lady Macbeth and the hellish world of Inverness.Donalbain?-?Duncan’s son and Malcolm’s younger brother.Literary TermsDRAMATIC IRONY: When the audience knows more about what is happening in the play than the characters. e.g. “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust” (KING DUNCAN – I.3.13-16)Duncan trusted the former Thane of Cawdor, but was betrayed by him. Macbeth is about to enter, and we know evil deeds are afoot.TRAGEDY: A tragedy is a serious play with an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character. TRAGIC HERO: The central character – male or female – in a tragedy. The tragic hero starts off in a position of power and seems to have everything going for him/her. During the course of the play the tragic hero falls from this position and by the end, is dead. FATAL/TRAGIC FLAW: The fatal/tragic flaw is the character trait which is responsible for the tragic hero’s fall from grace. HYPERBOLE: A deliberate exaggeration. e.g. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?” (MACBETH – II.2.63-64)EUPHEMISM: A gentler way of saying something, when stating the truth is difficult.e.g. “Is he dispatched?” (MACBETH – III.4.15) Here “dispatched” is used instead of the words “dead” or “murdered”.PATHETIC FALLACY: It is the "trick" of harmonising the weather with the events in the story so that the atmosphere is intensified and the significance of the action is broadened to affect not only the two or three people in the story, but the whole universe. IMAGERY: As in poetry, imagery paints vivid pictures with words. e.g. “Here lay Duncan His silver skin laced with his golden blood” (MACBETH – II.3.104-105)Much of Shakespeare’s language is very elaborate and poetic. Blood, sleep, darkness and light, illness, animals and children all feature in the imagery of Macbeth. RHYMING COUPLETS: This is another technique borrowed from poetry, where two lines rhyme with each other. e.g. “Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.” (MACBETH – II.1.63-64)Shakespeare often uses this technique as a neat way of ending many of his scenes. It would signal to the audience that a scene was coming to a close. COMIC RELIEF: A device used in tragedy to diffuse some of the tension after major scenes. e.g. “Here’s a knocking indeed: ….yet I made shift to cast him” (PORTER – II.3.1-34)ASIDE: An aside is when other characters are on stage and one speaks his/her thoughts without the other characters hearing. Often shows the contrast in how they appear to other characters and their private intentions/thoughts.SOLILIOQUYA character is alone on the stage and is speaking aloud his thoughts and feelings. This gives the audience a better understanding of the character, and how their emotions lead to later actions. It can also be used to show a character is isolated from others or confused/conflicted.Themes, Motifs and SymbolsThe Corrupting Power of (Unchecked) AmbitionThe theme of ambition in Macbeth is linked to that of good and evil. Like many other passions and impulses, ambition can be both foul and fair. Through Macbeth, we see that it can be fair when put to good uses, and when it is kept in check by one’s sense of right and wrong. But ambition is foul when it becomes so powerful that it destroys a person’s morality.Unleashed, such ambition wreaks havoc on the individual, and on his society.Macbeth is driven by the ambition for personal status, and for power. The play is deeply concerned with political power: with the power of a king over his subjects, and with the good and bad uses of power. The ideal is a king who governs wisely, justly, and strongly.The theme of ambition blinding man reoccurs in many of Shakespeare’s works. Just as this theme played an important role in Julius Caesar, the blinding powers of ambition also affect the main in Shakespeare’s famous play, Macbeth. Ambition has the ability to positively drive a character to accomplish great things in life. However, when taken too far, ambition can become a character’s leading fatal flaw that ultimately ends his drive for success. In the play, Macbeth is constantly seen trying to achieve more in life all deriving from the initial prophecy that he would one day be king of Scotland.The first time ambition plays a harmful role in Macbeth’s quest for power is when he in fact plans to kill the king. King Duncan, the present king when Macbeth hears the prophecy, honours Macbeth with great fervour after his many military accomplishments in the name of Scotland. Because Macbeth desires kingship over his own morals, he kills Duncan in the night after honouring Duncan with a feast. This initial submission to his ambitions begins a long, corroding path that will eventually lead to his self-destruction.The second time Macbeth’s ambition gets the best of him occurs when he orders the death of both Banquo and Macduff’s family. In killing these people, specifically Macduff’s family, Macbeth shows his true ambition of reigning as king by killing all possible threats to his reign displaying such a state of paranoia. This ambition in Macbeth’s life eventually leads to his fall from power because he cannot control its influences. If Macbeth had not given in to the murderous temptations and deceptive actions that came from his ambition for power, then he might have had a peaceful and successful rule as king of Scotland.The main theme of Macbeth—the destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints—finds its most powerful expression in the play’s two main characters. Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement. He kills Duncan against his better judgment and afterward stews in guilt and paranoia. Toward the end of the play he descends into a kind of frantic, boastful madness. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, pursues her goals with greater determination, yet she is less capable of withstanding the repercussions of her immoral acts. One of Shakespeare’s most forcefully drawn female characters, she spurs her husband mercilessly to kill Duncan and urges him to be strong in the murder’s aftermath, but she is eventually driven to distraction by the effect of Macbeth’s repeated bloodshed on her conscience. In each case, ambition—helped, of course, by the malign prophecies of the witches—is what drives the couple to ever more terrible atrocities. The problem, the play suggests, is that once one decides to use violence to further one’s quest for power, it is difficult to stop. There are always potential threats to the throne—Banquo, Fleance, Macduff—and it is always tempting to use violent means to dispose of them.The Relationship Between Cruelty and MasculinityCharacters in Macbeth frequently dwell on issues of gender. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband by questioning his manhood, wishes that she herself could be “unsexed,” and does not contradict Macbeth when he says that a woman like her should give birth only to boys. In the same manner that Lady Macbeth goads her husband on to murder, Macbeth provokes the murderers he hires to kill Banquo by questioning their manhood. Such acts show that both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth equate masculinity with naked aggression, and whenever they converse about manhood, violence soon follows. Their understanding of manhood allows the political order depicted in the play to descend into chaos.At the same time, however, the audience cannot help noticing that women are also sources of violence and evil. The witches’ prophecies spark Macbeth’s ambitions and then encourage his violent behavior; Lady Macbeth provides the brains and the will behind her husband’s plotting; and the only divine being to appear is Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. Arguably, Macbeth traces the root of chaos and evil to women, which has led some critics to argue that this is Shakespeare’s most misogynistic play. While the male characters are just as violent and prone to evil as the women, the aggression of the female characters is more striking because it goes against prevailing expectations of how women ought to behave. Lady Macbeth’s behavior certainly shows that women can be as ambitious and cruel as men. Whether because of the constraints of her society or because she is not fearless enough to kill, Lady Macbeth relies on deception and manipulation rather than violence to achieve her ends.Ultimately, the play does put forth a revised and less destructive definition of manhood. In the scene where Macduff learns of the murders of his wife and child, Malcolm consoles him by encouraging him to take the news in “manly” fashion, by seeking revenge upon Macbeth. Macduff shows the young heir apparent that he has a mistaken understanding of masculinity. To Malcolm’s suggestion, “Dispute it like a man,” Macduff replies, “I shall do so. But I must also feel it as a man” (4.3.221–223). At the end of the play, Siward receives news of his son’s death rather complacently. Malcolm responds: “He’s worth more sorrow [than you have expressed] / And that I’ll spend for him” (5.11.16–17). Malcolm’s comment shows that he has learned the lesson Macduff gave him on the sentient nature of true masculinity. It also suggests that, with Malcolm’s coronation, order will be restored to the Kingdom of Scotland.The Difference Between Kingship and TyrannyIn the play, Duncan is always referred to as a “king,” while Macbeth soon becomes known as the “tyrant.” The difference between the two types of rulers seems to be expressed in a conversation that occurs in Act 4, scene 3, when Macduff meets Malcolm in England. In order to test Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland, Malcolm pretends that he would make an even worse king than Macbeth. He tells Macduff of his reproachable qualities—among them a thirst for personal power and a violent temperament, both of which seem to characterize Macbeth perfectly. On the other hand, Malcolm says, “The king-becoming graces / [are] justice, verity, temp’rance, stableness, / Bounty, perseverance, mercy, [and] lowliness” (4.3.92–93). The model king, then, offers the kingdom an embodiment of order and justice, but also comfort and affection. Under him, subjects are rewarded according to their merits, as when Duncan makes Macbeth thane of Cawdor after Macbeth’s victory over the invaders. Most important, the king must be loyal to Scotland above his own interests. Macbeth, by contrast, brings only chaos to Scotland—symbolized in the bad weather and bizarre supernatural events—and offers no real justice, only a habit of capriciously murdering those he sees as a threat. As the embodiment of tyranny, he must be overcome by Malcolm so that Scotland can have a true king once more.MotifsMotifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.HallucinationsVisions and hallucinations recur throughout the play and serve as reminders of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s joint culpability for the growing body count. When he is about to kill Duncan, Macbeth sees a dagger floating in the air. Covered with blood and pointed toward the king’s chamber, the dagger represents the bloody course on which Macbeth is about to embark. Later, he sees Banquo’s ghost sitting in a chair at a feast, pricking his conscience by mutely reminding him that he murdered his former friend. The seemingly hardheaded Lady Macbeth also eventually gives way to visions, as she sleepwalks and believes that her hands are stained with blood that cannot be washed away by any amount of water. In each case, it is ambiguous whether the vision is real or purely hallucinatory; but, in both cases, the Macbeths read them uniformly as supernatural signs of their guilt.ViolenceMacbeth is a famously violent play. Interestingly, most of the killings take place offstage, but throughout the play the characters provide the audience with gory descriptions of the carnage, from the opening scene where the captain describes Macbeth and Banquo wading in blood on the battlefield, to the endless references to the bloodstained hands of Macbeth and his wife. The action is bookended by a pair of bloody battles: in the first, Macbeth defeats the invaders; in the second, he is slain and beheaded by Macduff. In between is a series of murders: Duncan, Duncan’s chamberlains, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff’s son all come to bloody ends. By the end of the action, blood seems to be everywhere.ProphecyProphecy sets Macbeth’s plot in motion—namely, the witches’ prophecy that Macbeth will become first thane of Cawdor and then king. The weird sisters make a number of other prophecies: they tell us that Banquo’s heirs will be kings, that Macbeth should beware Macduff, that Macbeth is safe till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, and that no man born of woman can harm Macbeth. Save for the prophecy about Banquo’s heirs, all of these predictions are fulfilled within the course of the play. Still, it is left deliberately ambiguous whether some of them are self-fulfilling—for example, whether Macbeth wills himself to be king or is fated to be king. Additionally, as the Birnam Wood and “born of woman” prophecies make clear, the prophecies must be interpreted as riddles, since they do not always mean what they seem to mean.SymbolsSymbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.BloodBlood is everywhere in Macbeth, beginning with the opening battle between the Scots and the Norwegian invaders, which is described in harrowing terms by the wounded captain in Act 1, scene 2. Once Macbeth and Lady Macbeth embark upon their murderous journey, blood comes to symbolize their guilt, and they begin to feel that their crimes have stained them in a way that cannot be washed clean. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” Macbeth cries after he has killed Duncan, even as his wife scolds him and says that a little water will do the job (2.2.58–59). Later, though, she comes to share his horrified sense of being stained: “Out, damned spot; out, I say . . . who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” she asks as she wanders through the halls of their castle near the close of the play (5.1.30–34). Blood symbolizes the guilt that sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, one that hounds them to their graves.The WeatherAs in other Shakespearean tragedies, Macbeth’s grotesque murder spree is accompanied by a number of unnatural occurrences in the natural realm. From the thunder and lightning that accompany the witches’ appearances to the terrible storms that rage on the night of Duncan’s murder, these violations of the natural order reflect corruption in the moral and political prehension QuestionsACT ONEScene One1. What mood/atmosphere is established at the beginning of the play? How?2. Who do the witches plan to meet after the battle?3. What is the dramatic purpose of this scene? Explain.Scene Two1. What qualities of (a) Duncan’s character, and (b) Malcolm’s character are brought out in their first appearance in the play? Provide textual support for your answer.2. What news is brought to King Duncan by the captain and Ross? What is his reaction to the news about the Thane of Cawdor?3. How does scene two introduce the absent Macbeth? Provide textual proof.Scene Three1. What prophecies are given by the witches to Macbeth and Banquo?2. How could Banquo be “lesser than Macbeth and much greater” and “not so happy, yet much happier”? Explain. What term could be used to describe these phrases?3. What examples are there of dramatic irony in this scene? Explain.4. What qualities of Macbeth’s character are brought out in his first soliloquy?Scene Four1. How does the Thane of Cawdor die? How had King Duncan always felt about Cawdor? What does this say about Duncan’s character?2. Of what significance are the following:(a) Duncan’s naming Malcolm his successor?(b) Duncan’s decision to visit Inverness?3. Identify and explain two examples of dramatic irony in this scene.Scene Five1. How was Lady Macbeth advised of the witches’ prophecies?2. What purpose is served by Lady Macbeth’s invocation of the powers of evil and darkness?3. How is Lady Macbeth characterized in this scene? Explain providing examples.Scene Six1. How is a peaceful atmosphere created at the beginning of this scene? How does this add pathos?2. What is ironic about the conversation between Lady Macbeth and Duncan?3. What qualities does Lady Macbeth exhibit in this scene? Provide examples.Scene Seven1. Summarize Macbeth’s long soliloquy at the beginning of the scene. How does it (a) create sympathy for him; (b) destroy sympathy for him?2. What taunts are used by Lady Macbeth to spur Macbeth on to commit the crime?3. What plan has Lady Macbeth formulated for Duncan’s demise?4. What is Lady Macbeth’s function in this scene? Explain.5. How is Lady Macbeth both admirable and despicable in this scene?ACT TWOScene One1. What evidence is there in the text that;(a) Banquo has been tempted by the prophecy?(b) Banquo is trying to resist this temptation?2. How does the dagger soliloquy create atmosphere, advance the plot, and reveal character?Scene Two1. How does Lady Macbeth save the situation in this scene? Explain.2. Show that Macbeth’s imagination and conscience are both active in this scene.3. Provide examples of a pun, metaphor, and onomatopoeia. Explain how Shakespeare uses each of these to create atmosphere.4. What is the dramatic purpose of this scene?Scene Three1. What purposes are served by the episode involving the porter?2. Why did Macbeth murder the grooms? In what ways was this wise? In what ways was it foolish?3. Provide reasons for thinking Lady Macbeth’s faint was (a) genuine, (b) feigned. What effect would each have on your opinion of her?4. What roles do Banquo and Macduff play in this scene? Explain providing examples.Scene Four1. How successful has Macbeth been in the achievement of his ambition? Support your response with examples.2. What details are used to reveal the unnatural aspects of the murder?3. What purpose is served by the Old Man?4. What information is provided about the following characters?(a) Macduff(b) Duncan(c) Malcolm(d) Donalbain(e) RossAct Two ResponseWho was more responsible for the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth or Lady Macbeth? Argue your position using examples and quotations from the play. Use proper paragraph format.ACT THREEScene One1. How does Macbeth react to success? Explain, citing specific examples from the play.2. What evidence is there in this scene that Banquo suspects Macbeth of the murder of Duncan? Be specific.3. Refer to Macbeth’s soliloquy (approx. III.i.48-72) and summarize his reasons for wanting Banquo murdered.4. How are Macbeth’s plans for the second murder different from those made for the first one? What does this indicate about Macbeth’s character? Explain.5. Why are the murderers prepared to carry out Macbeth’s wishes?Scene Two1. Does Lady Macbeth appear to be enjoying her new position? Explain.2. Illustrate how the relationship between Macbeth and his wife has altered by referring to specific examples from the text.3. What evidence is there of Macbeth’s growing ruthlessness and his tormented conscience?4. What does the darkness and the night symbolize in the scene / play? Explain providing specific examples.Scene Three1. Explain how the murder of Banquo could be considered the crisis of the play.2. Who is the third murderer? What is the purpose of the third murderer? Provide support for your opinion.3. What is the significance of Fleance’s escape? Consider the effects on plot and characters.4. To what extent did Banquo deserve the death that befell him? Support your response with textual evidence.5. Outline the similarities and differences between the murder of Banquo and King Duncan. Which do you regard as the greater crime of Macbeth? Why?Scene Four1. What is the significance of Banquo’s ghost? What arguments can be sued to support the idea that Banquo’s ghost is the crisis / turning point in the play?2. What arguments and methods are used by Lady Macbeth to try to restore Macbeth to normality?3. Explain the significance of the following:(a) Macbeth’s thought turn at this time to Macduff.(b) He is determined to seek out the weird sisters.Scene Five1. What details in this scene link it with what has happened before in the play and what may happen later in the play?2. What is revealed about the conditions of Scotland?Scene Six1. What information is the audience given about the following characters:(a) Malcolm?(b) Macduff?(c) Edward the Confessor?(d) Siward?2. Explain how this scene provides an effective conclusion to Act 3. What is its dramatic purpose?ACT FOURScene One1. Explain why the witches’ chant is given in such detail.2. What do each of the Apparitions represent? State the prediction given by each. Explain the paradox of the Apparitions.3. Describe “Banquo’s revenge”. What is the effect on Macbeth?4. What evidence is there of the degeneration of Macbeth’s character in this scene?Scene Two1. Characterize Lady Macduff as she appears in this scene. Provide examples to support your opinions.2. What dramatic purpose is served by Ross and the nameless messenger?3. Why may the third great crime be considered the worst? What does it prove about Macbeth?4. Illustrate the following devices that are exemplified in this scene:(a) suspense (b) dramatic irony (c) pathos (d) humour (e) antithesisScene Three1. What dramatic elements emerge at the beginning of this scene?2. From this scene, provide evidence of Malcolm’s high moral standard.3. Of what vices does Malcolm accuse himself?4. What qualities does Malcolm eventually state he possesses?5. What information does Ross have for Macduff? Of what dramati importance is the testing of Macduff?6. What contrasts are implied between Macbeth and Edward the Confessor?7. Why does Shakespeare choose to make Macduff rather than Malcolm the agent of nemesis? Explain.ACT FIVEScene One1. How does Shakespeare seek to create sympathy for Lady Macbeth?2. Of what importance are the Doctor and the Gentlewoman? Explain.3. Compare Lady Macbeth’s first appearance in the play with her appearance in this latest scene.4. Describe the rituals of Lady Macbeth’s disorder.5. What is the Doctor’s ‘prescription’? What would a modern doctor prescribe? Explain your choice.6. Analyze the meaning of Lady Macbeth’s action of washing her hands. What does it symbolize? How is it ironic?Scene Two1. Why is it significant that Macbeth is now referred to as a tyrant?2. What does the audience learn of Macbeth and his plans?3. How does this scene suggest the growing isolation of Macbeth and the solidarity of the forces that oppose him? 4. What is the significance of the clothing imagery? Explain.Scene Three1. Macbeth receives news in this scene. What is the effect of each of the items of news he receives?2. How does Macbeth reveal his basic insecurity? Provide specific examples.3. Prove that Macbeth is placing his trust in the second and third prophecies of the Apparitions.4. Compare Lady Macbeth’s state of mind in this scene with that in V.i.Scene Four1. Show that Malcolm is the unconscious agent of destiny. How does Malcolm’s command create dramatic irony?2. What do we learn of Macbeth’s plans?3. Explain the significance of the following:(a) Macbeth’s thought turn at this time to Macduff.(b) He is determined to seek out the weird sisters.Scene Five1. What details in this scene link it with what has happened before in the play and what may happen later in the play?2. What is revealed about the conditions of Scotland?Scene Six1. What information is the audience given about the following characters:(a) Malcolm?(b) Macduff?(c) Edward the Confessor?(d) Siward?2. Explain how this scene provides an effective conclusion to Act 3. What is its dramatic purpose?Additional Revision QuestionsAct I, scene iii1. Re-read the scene until Macbeth enters. What are the witches doing?2. What is the effect of Macbeth’s line “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”?3. How do the witches greet Macbeth? What is unusual about this? How does he respond?4. What do the witches prophesy for Banquo?5. What does Macbeth say about the Thane of Cawdor and his chance of becoming King?6. What news does Ross have for Macbeth? How does Banquo respond?7. What is the effect of Macbeth’s aside “Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind”?8. What does Banquo say to Macbeth about his ambitions?9. What does Macbeth’s short soliloquy tell us about his thoughts at the end of the scene?10. What effect have the witches had on Macbeth?Act I, scene ivThere are two examples of dramatic irony in this scene – lines 11-12 and 22-27. What is being discussed in these lines and why are these examples of dramatic irony?What is Macbeth saying in his aside (lines 48-53)? What is he going to do?Act II, scene i Identify and explain two examples of dramatic irony from this scene.What differences are there in the way in which Banquo and Macbeth have responded to meeting the witches? What might these differences be caused by?Look at Macbeth’s soliloquy (lines 31-64). How would you describe his state of mind at this time? What evidence is there for your opinion? What might be causing this?What imagery is used by Macbeth, and why?PredictionsAnswer the following questions in as much detail as you can.1. How do you think Macbeth will cope with the murder of King Duncan?2. Is Lady Macbeth as strong as she seems?3. Will the Macbeths get away with murder?4. What problems might they encounter now?Act II, scene ii – Group TaskDiscuss the answers to the following questions, and prepare a presentation for the class.1. Why do you think that the murder of Duncan is not shown on stage? If you were writing the play, would you have included it? Why/why not?2. What evidence is there that Macbeth feels guilt over what he has done?3. What is Lady Macbeth’s main concern now that Duncan is dead? What evidence is there for this?Act II scene ii: The Aftermath?Macbeth feels considerable guilt over what he has done: “I could not say ‘Amen’” (line 31); “Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep’” (line38-39); “Look on’t again, I dare not” (line 55); “every noise appals me” (line 61); “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (line 63-64).?He feels that his act has changed him forever: “to know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself” (line 76).?Lady Macbeth seems to feel no guilt: “A foolish thought” (line 24); “consider it not so deeply” (line 33); “These deeds must not be thought after these ways” (line 36-37); “the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures” (line 56-57).?She is critical of Macbeth’s response: “You do unbend your noble strength to think so brain-sickly of things” (line 48-49); “Your constancy hath left you unattended” (line 71-72).?She is concerned that they will not be suspected: “Go get some water and wash this filthy witness from your hand. Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there.” (line 49-52).?The bloodstained hands……become a crucial image to the play.Think about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s different responses – to Macbeth, the blood is a stain on his character, to Lady Macbeth it is evidence to be disposed of, and can simply be washed away. Act III, scene i & ii1.What does Banquo say in his soliloquy (lines 1-10)?2.Why does Macbeth fear Banquo? Quote from his soliloquy, lines 49-73 in your answer.3.What does Macbeth decide in lines 72-73?4.How does Macbeth manipulate the murderers in lines 77-85 and 87-92? How does this change in 94-110? Who does this remind you of?5.Why can Macbeth not kill Banquo himself, and how does he want the murderers to carry out the act?6.What do Lady Macbeth’s words at lines 4-7 reveal?7.What do Macbeth’s words at lines 13-26 tell us about his character?8.List as many quotes as you can find that tie in with the theme of deceptive appearances in these two scenes.Act III, scene iv – The Banquet?This is an important scene as it gives us an insight into Macbeth’s state of mind after the death of Duncan and Banquo. We also get a further insight into the dynamic between Lady Macbeth and her husband.?Take notes on both of the above points, making observations about the two characters and their relationship. Use quotes to back up your points, and be prepared to share your opinions with the class.Act IV, scene i1.What is Macbeth’s speech at lines 49-60 reminiscent of? Why do you think this is?2.The First Apparition tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. What reason does Macbeth have to fear him? (Think back to the previous scene.)3.What are the Second and Third Apparitions? What do they tell Macbeth, and how does he respond to them?4.What is the final thing the Witches show Macbeth? What is his reaction?5.Look at Macbeth’s aside at lines 143-155. What does he resolve to do, and what are his immediate plans?Act V, scene i – pre reading1.What is your opinion of the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and their relationship at this stage in the play? Back up your opinion with evidence from the text.2.What state is the country of Scotland in at this point? What imagery is used to illustrate this?Act V, scene i – post reading1.What impact has this scene had on your understanding of the character of Lady Macbeth? Has your opinion of her changed? Give a detailed answer, supported by evidence from the text.2.What is the significance of light in this scene? How can this be related to your observations about changes in Lady Macbeth?Act V scenes ii - ix Questions1.In scene ii, how do the Thanes speak of Macbeth? Does this scene remind you of any other scenes in the play? Why?2.Re-read lines 1-10 of scene iii. How is Macbeth feeling at this point?3.Look at lines 22-29 of scene iii. What idea do you think Macbeth is expressing here?4.What impression do you get of Macbeth’s attitude towards his wife at the end of this scene (lines 40-57) and in scene v (lines 16-27)?5.How have the Witches tricked Macbeth? Act V scenes ii - ix 6.How do you respond to Macbeth’s final fight in scene viii? Do you think he regains some of his dignity and nobility, or not? Why?7.What is your opinion of the ending of the play? Do you think it is appropriate, an anti-climax, a warning?Key QuotationsMacbethIii – brave, noble character at start“For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name”‘Till he unseam’d him from the nave to the chaps’Iiii – Witches’ prophecies and reactions to these‘The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress meIn borrow’d robes?’ (imagery, symbolism, foreshadowing)‘and oftentimes, to win us to our harmThe instruments of darkness tell us truths,Win us with honest trifles, to betray’sIn deepest consequence.’ (foreshadowing)‘[Aside] why do I yield to that suggestionWhose horrid image doth unfix my hairAnd make my seated heart knock at my ribs,Against the use of nature?’[Aside] ‘If chance may have me king, why, chancemay crown meWithout my stir.’Iiv – Malcolm named heir to throne/ Macbeth’s reaction[Aside] that is a stepOn which I must fall down, or else o’er leap.For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires!Let not light see my black and deep desires’Ivii –debating what to do – troubled/deeply conflicted ‘He’s here in double trust:First as I am his kinsman and his subject,Strong both against the deed; then as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door,Not bear the knife myself.’ (soliloquy)“I have no spurTo prick the sides of my intent, but onlyVaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itselfAnd falls on the other.” (soliloquy)“We will proceed no further in this business:He hath honour’d me of late; and I have boughtGolden opinions from all sorts of people,Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,Not cast aside so soon.’ (symbolism)IIi – hallucination of dagger caused by guilt over what he must do‘art thou butA dagger of the mind; a false creation,Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain.’ (soliloquy)‘It is the bloody business which informsThus to mine eyes.’ (soliloquy)IIii – Aftermath of Duncan’s murder‘‘I am afraid to think what I have done.’‘Macbeth does murder sleep’ (metaphor, foreshadowing)‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this bloodClean from my hand?’ (hyperbole)‘To know my deed ‘twere best not know myself’IIIi – Feels threatened/title unsecured(Banquo about Macbeth)‘I fear,Thou play’dst most foully for ‘t’‘To be thusIs nothing;But to be safely thus.’‘upon my head they plac’d a fruitless crown, And put a barren sceptre in my gripe’ (oxymorons)‘For Banquo’s issue have I fil’d my mind’‘mine eternal jewelGiven to the common enemy of man, To make them kings’ (symbolism)IIIii – deeply affected by remorse/starts to act secretly/without Lady M’s knowledge. More dominant now/eager to secure title whatever it will take‘In the affliction of these terrible dreamsThat shake us nightly.’‘O full of scorpions is my mind’ (metaphor)‘be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck’IIIiv – hallucination of Banquo’s ghost/breaking mentally‘Thou canst not say I did it: never shakeThy gory locks at me’‘you can behold such sightsAnd keep the natural ruby of your cheeksWhen mine is blanch’d with fear.’ (anger at how Lady M is unaffected by murder)IVi – receives new prophecies/reassured but still acts rashly‘Something wicked this way comes’ (evil witches referring to Macbeth)‘none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth’‘Then live Macduff: what need I fear of thee?But yet I’ll make assurance double sureThou shalt not live,’ (conflicted mind/thoughts)‘Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be untilGreat Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane HillShall come against him’[Aside] ‘The very firstlings of my hear shall beThe firstlings of my hand.’“give to the edge of the swordHis wife, his babes, and all unfortunate soulsThat trace him in his line.”IViii consequences of Macbeth’s selfish rule/lack of self-restraint/control on country/citizens‘This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues.’ ‘Not in the legionsOf horrid hell can come a devil more damn’dIn evils to top Macbeth.’ (hyperbole)‘I think our country sinks beneath the yoke;It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gashIs added to her wounds.’ (personification/symbolism)‘Alas! Poor country;Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot Be called our mother, but our grave.’ (personification/symbolism)‘fiend of Scotland’ (hyperbole)Vii – citizens’ growing hatred/disgust for Macbeth and realisation of what he has done‘Some say he’s mad; others, that lesser hate himDo call it valiant fury; but, for certain,He cannot buckle his distemper’d causeWithin the belt of rule.’ (clothes imagery, symbolism)‘Now does he feel his titleHang loose about him, like a giant’s robeUpon a dwarfish thief.’ (imagery, symbolism)Viii (weariness of life)‘I have lived long enough’‘And that which should accompany old age,As honour, love, obedience, troops of friend,I must not look to have’‘I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack’d’Vv (weariness/futility of life)‘To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,Creeps in this petty pace from day to day.’ (repetition, word choice)‘Out, out, brief candle!Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stage,And then is heard no more; it is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.’ (symbolism)‘There is nor flying here, nor tarrying here.I ‘gin to aweary of the sun.’Vvii – knows he is defeated‘They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly,But bear-like I must fight the course.’‘But get thee back, my soul is too much charg’dWith blood of thine already.’Lady MacbethIv – planning manipulation of Macbeth and Duncan’s murder‘yet do I fear thy nature;It is too full o’ the milk of human kindnessTo catch the nearest way.’‘that I may pour my spirits in thine ear’ (symbolises her manipulation/power over Macbeth)‘The raven himself is hoarse,That croaks the fatal entrance of DuncanUnder my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me hereAnd fill me from the crown to the toe topfullOf direst cruelty’ (soliloquy, symbolism)‘look like the innocent flowerBut be the serpent under ‘t’ (imagery)‘He that’s comingMust be provided for; and you shall put This night’s great business into my dispatch. (euphemism)‘Leave all the rest to me’IIii – Aftermath/reactions to Duncan’s murder“Had he not resembledMy father as he slept, I had done’t.” (sense of conscience)“These deeds must not be thoughtAfter these ways; so, it will make us mad.” (foreshadowing, dramatic irony)‘My hands are of your colour, but I shameTo wear a heart so white.’ (imagery)‘A little water clears us of this deed;How easy is it, then.’ (litotes)IIIii - (drifting apart, no longer as close, alienation from husband)‘I would attend his leisureFor a few words.’ IIIiv – protecting/reassuring Macbeth ‘my lord is often thusAd hath been from his youth’ Vi – broken mentally/sleepwalking/full of guilt‘What, will these hands ne’er be clean?’‘Out damned spot! out I say.’‘All the perfumesof Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.’ (hyperbole)“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” – The Witches make it clear from the opening that all will not be as it seems.“Brave Macbeth…well he deserves that name” – Captain tells the audience of Macbeth’s courage.“He unseam’d him from the nave to the chops and fixed his head upon our battlements” – The Captain highlights Macbeth’s impressive performance in battle but also shows his ruthless side.“O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” – Duncan respects Macbeth not knowing what the future holds.“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” – Macbeth’s first words instantly link him to the witches.“If chance will have me King, why chance may crown me without my stir” – Macbeth seems to be relying on good fortune, suggesting that he won’t take any dramatic action against Duncan.“Stars hide your fires / Let not light see my black and deep desires” – Macbeth is beginning to act on his ambition but realises he must keep this hidden.“Yet I do fear thy nature / It is too full of the milk of human kindness” – Lady Macbeth is concerned that Macbeth is not evil or malicious enough to take action to kill Duncan.“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it” – In this simile and metaphor Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to act innocently while planning the evil act in secret.“We will proceed no further in this business” – Macbeth states clearly he does not want to kill Duncan.“False face must hide what the false heart doth know” – Macbeth tries to maintain the secretive plot.“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” – Macbeth is hallucinating with the guilt and worry he feels.“Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it” – Lady Macbeth admits she couldn’t kill the King perhaps hinting towards a slightly softer side than we’ve seen previously.“Macbeth shall sleep no more” – Macbeth imagines hearing a voice which highlights his guilt and causes him to feel regret almost immediately.“Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand” – Macbeth worries that he won’t be able to get over the guilt he feels as if his hands will be stained red forever.“My hands are of your colour but I shame to wear a heart so white” – Lady Macbeth also has blood on her hands but claims that she is not a coward she claims Macbeth is. “A little water clears us of this deed” – Lady Macbeth tries to reassure Macbeth by stating that they can simply wash the blood away and with it, the guilt.“Wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou could” – Macbeth regrets killing Duncan.“Thou has it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all / And I fear thou played most foully for it” – Banquo clearly suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan.“Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck” – Macbeth begins to take control of business (murder of Banquo) himself without consulting his wife.“Thou canst not say I did it: never shake thy gory locks at me” – Macbeth is tormented by his vision of Banquo’s ghost.“From this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand” – After the witches’ prophecies Macbeth states he will act quickly and decisively without hesitation.“Out damned spot” – Lady Macbeth has become mentally tormented by guilt and feels that she can’t remove the bloodstains from her hands.“Here’s the smell of blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” – As above.“I have almost forgot the taste of fears” – Macbeth has become confident (perhaps over-confident) after killing so many people who stand in his way.“I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked” – Despite Macbeth’s terrible crimes we can still admire his determination to fight to the death.“I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff, / And damned be him that first cries, “Hold, enough!” – Macbeth now knows that Macduff can kill him but he does not give up and invites Macduff to fight. “This dead butcher and his fiend like queen” – Malcolm’s final judgement of the two characters provides a clear summary of our view of their behaviour and actions.Critical EssaysWith close reference to Act I Scene 3, Act 2 Scene 1 and Act 2 Scene 2, how does Shakespeare use language and dramatic devices to reveal the changes in character of Macbeth?Comment on:The dramatic effects on the audience;Context of Shakespeare’s time;Your personal and critical response;The dramatic devices Shakespeare uses.HOW Shakespeare communicates the meaning: LANGUAGE (words which create images through metaphor, simile, allusion, symbolism); STRUCTURE (the order in which things happen); FORM (a play – stage directions, dramatic irony, dialogue, props).19050055245“Brave Macbeth”00“Brave Macbeth”156210055246“Valiant cousin”00“Valiant cousin”302895055245“One who is...infirm of purpose”00“One who is...infirm of purpose”543877545721“dead butcher”00“dead butcher”Introduction:Introduce the period the play was written in and what it’s about. (James I)Explain who the main characters in the play are, and that a Shakespearean audience might view these characters in a different way to a modern audience.Highlight the fact that Macbeth changes in the play – say how he is at the beginning and how he is towards the end of the play.Include the themes that are present in the play and relate them back to Macbeth and the essay question.Section 1:Macbeth as a loyal subjectHow is Macbeth presented at the beginning of the play? Why does Shakespeare present Macbeth like this (use what you know about what happens later on in the play)Comment on the techniques Shakespeare uses to present Macbeth as a loyal subject – How does he show this?How does this make what happens later on in the play MORE dramatic?Focus on the language used to described Macbeth in the opening scenes.Section 2: Macbeth and the witchesAnalyse the purpose and effect of our first meeting with the weird sisters: How do we meet them? What does it tell us about their characters?How the characters fit into traditional roles at the time - how does this make the audience feel? Include context – how does Shakespeare’s use of the witches linked to James I (Witches were feared – think about what they represent, Gunpowder Plot.)How does Macbeth react to their prediction? Compare it to Banquo’s reaction. (Act 1 Scene 3)Analyse the language used, the theme of the supernatural vs. religion.How and why are the witches used for dramatic effect?Interpretation: What different reactions might an audience have now, to an audience in Jacobean England? Section 3: Lady Macbeth’s influence over MacbethExplore the initial presentation of Lady Macbeth. How is her character introduced? What do you think would be expected of her as a wife to a nobleman? How does she break this tradition?Look at the content of her language – is it respectful? Is it ambitious? Mention the Dramatic irony – Duncan’s visit – what do we know that Duncan doesn’t?How does Shakespeare develop the character of Lady Macbeth – how does she convince Macbeth to kill Duncan?What is the dramatic effect of her involvement in Duncan’s murderThemes to mention: POWER and AMBITIONHow does the structure of the play so far demonstrate the change in Macbeth’s character?Section 4: After the murder of King DuncanExplore the ways that Shakespeare develops Macbeth’s character in Act 2, scene 2 – focus on the language Macbeth uses. (AMEN) What does Macbeth do wrong after the murder?What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to the murder of Duncan?How does Shakespeare present the relationship between the couple here?Section 5: Macbeth as KingWhy does Macbeth arrange for Banquo to be murdered? Think about context of the time.How has Macbeth changed so far? Who is responsible for this?What does it tell us about the state of Macbeth’s mind when he sees Banquo’s ghost? THEMES.Mention the murder of Macduff’s family. Why does Macbeth do this? Mention themes.What dramatic devices does Shakespeare use in this part of the play?Section 6: Macbeth’s demise (downfall)Mention the witches final predictions – Why does Macbeth think he is invincible?Themes: AMBITION, GREED AND THE SUPERNATURAL.Mention Lady Macbeth’s suicide – how does Macbeth react to this?What other events lead to his downfall? Why do you think Shakespeare did this?Include some interpretation about the layers of meaning.Conclusion:Consider the difference in Macbeth’s character throughout the play?Why did Shakespeare choose to present Macbeth like this?Think about what else was going on at the time the play was written.How do we see the progression and deterioration of Macbeth in the play? Why does Shakespeare do this?How does the form of a play affect the way that the audience feels about Macbeth?What is your personal response to the downfall of Macbeth? Do you think he deserved his ending? Which parts did you find most dramatic/exciting/interesting and why?Overall how is Macbeth presented as a changed man by the end of Macbeth?Before we even meet him we first hear of ‘brave Macbeth’ in the wounded Captains account. He begins the play as a strong character, who is greatly admired for he had defended his king against treachery. The initial downfall in Macbeth’s nature begins when he meets with the three witches. They have a great influence on his subsequent actions, when they tell him he is to become Thane of Cawdor and then king ‘Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter’. Although the witches did not invite him to murder Duncan or even suggest such a thing, their information did tempt him. It is doubtful that Macbeth would have carried out the murders without the push given by their predictions. His physical courage was joined by a consuming ambition, but he lacked strength of character. The witches used this weakness to cause mischief, they played him like puppeteers. They plant a seed of evil in him and seem to take delight in using their knowledge of the future to destroy human beings. Lady Macbeth is a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. At the beginning of the play she is a far stronger individual than her husband. She desperately wants Macbeth to be king and calls upon the aid of the spirits to fill her with direst cruelty ‘Come, you spirits/Fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty!’. Using the supernatural world hardens her heart and makes it possible for her to carry out her malicious plans, as she becomes bloodthirsty.She throws away her morals for the sake of gaining her title, with the help of the spirits she is able to make preparations towards the evil acts. She is extremely cunning and has the future all worked out. She, along with the witches, manipulate him with amazing effectiveness and override him when he hesitates. She then steadies his nerves immediately after the crime, she is a very clever woman. Macbeth and his wife are presented as being deeply in love, many of Lady Macbeth’s speeches she questions his manhood ‘be so much more the man’. Their joint alienation from the world and partnership in crime seems to strengthen their feelings for one another. Their fates are joined but whereas she supports Macbeth, he becomes too preoccupied to give her any support in return.Macbeth wants the prophecy that he is to become king, to be true. He lacks the enthusiasm to commit the murder so Lady Macbeth urges him to act on his desire. He is worried that their plan will fail ‘If we should fail?’ To which Lady Macbeth replies ‘We fail?’. Her words settle him to the terrible feat, but even then Macbeth is not totally innocent in the play, he must have a violent streak in him to commit such brutal acts in the first place. He is very easily influenced in the direction he secretly wants to go. He is tempted into murder to fulfil his ambitions to the throne. After the first murder, he embarks on further horrific deeds with increasing ease. His response to each problem is murder and/or violence, although he is not entirely comfortable in his role as a criminal, he constantly questions what he is doing. Even when he kills Duncan, he cannot return to the scene to dispose of the daggers, so it is Lady Macbeth who takes them, and constantly encourages him through what he had just done. If only Macbeth had listened to his conscience, he and his wife may have lived.Critical Essay – RelationshipChoose a play in which there is an important relationship between two of the main characters. Describe the nature of the relationship, and referring to appropriate techniques, explain how it is developed throughout the play.Para 1. IntroductionYou must relate your introduction directly to the question. It needs to be clear at the start of your essay what you are writing about.1.State what text and writer you are evaluating.2.State that Lady Macbeth’s relationship with Macbeth is crucial to the outcome - Briefly explain how you believe they impact on each other's behaviour.3.Explain that Shakespeare has helped you to understand the relationship through successful use of imagery, word choice, key scenes, persuasive language.?Try to use your own words for an original introduction.?Perhaps you could also use a simple quote to grab the reader’s attention?2. Brief Summary – Plot highlighting the relationshipBriefly summarise the key events of “Macbeth” focusing on the presentation of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.You may also briefly mention other scenes but these should all clearly link to the key idea of the relationship and how it develops.Main body of your essay - Analysis & EvaluationYou now need to discuss the play in more detail, identifying the most important scenes and explaining how they help you to understand the relationship between the main characters.In each paragraph you need to do the following:1. Point - Topic Sentence - Make a clear point related to the task.2. Example - Identify the example (& technique) and support with evidence from text.3. Explain - What effect does this have - why is it used?4. Link - How well does the example help you to understand the relationship and how this impacts on the events in the play?EXAMPLE – When Macbeth hesitates before killing Duncan his wife again asserts control in the relationship. Lady Macbeth states that Macbeth is a coward and that she is more committed to the murder. She shows she is ruthless by stating she would kill a baby if she had promised to as she says she would “Pluck my nipple from his (the baby’s) boneless gums and dash the brains out” if she had said she would. This demonstrates that even though the crime she describes is despicable and violent she believes she would do it instead of hesitating like Macbeth does. At this point in the play, Macbeth is made to feel like a coward and is forced into killing Duncan to maintain his feeling of manliness. This episode contrasts with the relationship later in the play when Macbeth takes on the more dominant role.I suggest that you analyse the relationship in the order that the plot follows. This will allow you to comment on the changes in his character as the play progresses.A suggested structure could follow the pattern below. You should choose four or five of the scenes and explore them in detail using PEELAct 1, Scene 5 - Lady M reads letter and plots to kill DuncanAct 1, Scene 7 - Macbeth vows not to kill Duncan - Lady M persuades himAct 2, Scene 2 - Macbeth has killed Duncan but already feels fear and guilt - Lady M mocks him and takes control.Act 3, Scene 2 - Lady Macbeth feels uneasy. Macbeth takes control and has not told her of his plan to murder Banquo.Act 3, Scene 4 - Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and Lady M has to take control to avoid suspicion.Act 5, Scene 1 - Lady M's madness and guilty conscience.Act 5, Scene 5 - News of Lady Macbeth's suicide Conclusion: Summarise your main idea and reaction to the task:How does the relationship develop and how does it influence the events in the play?Identify which examples or pieces of evidence support your point of view.Which scene (or scenes) do you think are MOST IMPORTANT to showing the ment on what you feel the overall message or idea of the play is – Ambition, greed, courage…? & HOW this relates to the RELATIONSHIP of the characters.RememberThis is only a suggested essay structure.You should think carefully about the play to include your own original ideas and evidence.Practice Critical Essay Questions1. Choose a play which has an important scene at a turning point in the play.Give a brief account of the scene and go on to show why it is important in the play as a whole.2. Choose a play which portrays a strong relationship between two of the main characters.Describe the nature of the relationship and explain how the relationship influences the fate of the two characters.3. Choose a play which has a tragic ending.Show how the ending of the play results from the strengths and/or weaknesses of the main character(s).4. Choose a character from a play whose fate is unfortunate or unhappy.Show how much of the character’s misfortune is caused by the personality and decisions of the character and how much by other circumstances in the play.5. Choose a play in which a central character feels increasingly isolated from those around her or him.Explain why the character finds herself or himself isolated, and show what the consequences are for the character concerned.6. Choose a play in which one of the main concerns is love or jealousy or betrayal or reconciliation.Explain what the concern is, and show how it is explored throughout the play.7. Choose a play in which a main character’s actions have a significant effect on the rest of the play.Show how this character’s actions have affected the other characters and/or the outcome of the play.Example EssaysChoose a play in which a character makes a crucial error.Explain what the error is and discuss to what extent it is important to your understanding of the character’s situation in the play as a whole.Shakespeare’s gripping and entertaining play Macbeth is the tale of a man whose ambition and determination make him King. The central character commits many atrocious deeds in order to remain at the top and these affect his mental stability as well as others’ views on him. Shakespeare expertly exploits the crucial mistake made by Macbeth in his reign; his fatal flaw – his ambition.In the beginning of the play Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is seen as an excellent soldier and gentleman by the others:“For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name.”He is portrayed as a courageous and worthy by all those who meet him. Shakespeare has created this perfect image of Macbeth so that we can compare his later contrasting personality and how his kinsmen’s views of him change drastically. Macbeth is indeed brave throughout the play, but it is his crucial error of acting on his extreme ambition and paranoia which earns him the disrespect and fear of others. The use of “well he deserves that name” is ironic. Later on, after the murders of so many innocents, we know he of course doesn’t deserve that compliment.The three witches Macbeth talks to, prophesise that he will become King. The very thought of this causes “[Macbeth’s] seated heart to knock at [his] ribs”, conveying that his ambition lies thick in his blood. The audience know at this point that Macbeth will not simply let it pass, and that he feels he should act on his ambition – the error which leads to his eventual downfall. The use of ‘knock’ suggests that the opportunity is calling to him – another hint that the ambition and determination to be King is within him. The thought excites him greatly and the audience are aware that there is something inside him that will lead him to act on these feelings and do whatever he can to become King.While Macbeth is contemplating whether or not to kill Duncan, the current King, he hallucinates and sees a dagger before him, signifying his troubled mental state:“A dagger of the mind: a false creation proceeding from the heat oppressed brain.”The fact that Macbeth is having visions of a knife just as he is deciding whether or not to murder a King, is a sign as to how haunted his mind is becoming with this whole idea. He is confused and conflicted in making his decision. This soliloquy is where his first crucial error is made – the decision to kill Duncan. Before he was a well respected soldier and after he kills Duncan and takes his place, people immediately begin to suspect him. Shakespeare’s effective use of the phrase “heat oppressed brain” indicates the turmoil inside Macbeth’s head: he is at war with himself. The decision to kill Duncan is what feeds his ambition and leads to him killing more and more people who may pose a threat to his crown.The murder of King Duncan has an immediate effect on Macbeth, causing guilt and remorse to sweep over him:“Will all of Neptune’s great oceans not wash this blood clean from my hands?”Shakespeare’s use of hyperbole here suggests how great yet horrific Macbeth believes the deed to be. Here we see his previous crucial error, deciding to kill King Duncan, affecting the central character in a dramatic way. He believes that not even huge oceans, pure and blue, can wash away his actions. The blood on his hands is a recurring image used by Shakespeare in this play and symbolises the guilt carried by Macbeth (and his wife) throughout. Immediately after the murder of Duncan he wishes the blood – the guilt – would go away; he feels incredible remorse for his actions. We as an audience feel slight pity for Macbeth as we realise his fatal flaw will lead to his mental and literal downfall.Macbeth’s mental state does indeed deteriorate as his troubles increase. He talks of his fear that Banquo’s sons will take his place – he believes that “[Macbeth and his wife] have scorched the snake but not killed it.” The snake represents the threat to his title, and all those who stand in his way. Hence, we see a change in attitude from Macbeth - after the murder of Duncan he was torn and filled with guilt – here he insists that they must continue to eliminate all that poses a threat to his Kingship. This is another of his errors – when he is at the top he continues greedily acting on his hard ambition to remain King for years to come.By the end of the play, however, Macbeth has realised that he has wasted his time. He sees the whole ordeal as pointless: “Out, out, brief candle”. Shakespeare uses a candle as a metaphor for either Macbeth’s time at the top – as King – or simply life itself. Macbeth has realised that it must come to an end, and he has become weary and tired of life. He sees it as monotonous and boring. The audience fully understand now that Macbeth’s cruel errors have affected him profoundly and are the reason for his mental state at the end of the play.In conclusion, the character of Macbeth is undoubtedly a brave and honest person in the beginning of the play but his errors cause him to break himself and his country down. His ambition and greed are the reason he, in the end, after committing many villainous deeds – is eventually killed by Macduff.Analysis of Essay:Strengths:Clearly focuses on the task (character’s fatal flaw and how it affects them)Selected appropriate quotations to substantiate argumentClear line of argumentImprovements:Integrate quotations moreFocus more on consequences of Macbeth’s errors (losing everything)Discussion of overall purpose (what does Shakespeare convey about the consequences of ambition etc.)_______________________________________________________________________________________________Choose a play in which there is conflict between key characters.Explain how the conflict arises and, by referring to appropriate techniques, go on to say how the conflict adds tension to the play, and whether it is resolved.Widely regarded as Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy, “Macbeth” follows the tale of its eponymous protagonist, who after making terrible decisions, Shakespeare leads a brave and noble warrior to his eventual self inflicted demise. The conflict of interests between him and Lady Macbeth lead to them both committing a horrible sin which will ultimately tear apart their relationship and lead to other tragic consequences.Fuelled by his fatal flaw, his drive for ambition and spurred on by the insidious words of his manipulative wife, Macbeth’s decision to commit regicide and corrupt his soul for eternity will result in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s utter desolation. Over four hundred years since Shakespeare wrote it, the timeless lessons to be learned from Macbeth’s tragic story are still applicable today. Macbeth’s downfall occurred because he allowed himself to be manipulated and influenced against his will, which Shakespeare teaches us will neither satisfy yourself or the people manipulating, and the consequences may be dire. Shakespeare also illuminates the destruction that is caused by someone who has abandoned their morals.When Macbeth is hailed as king “that shalt be” by the witches, this excites both him and Lady Macbeth. After receiving a letter that bears the news, Lady Macbeth decides to plot the murder of King Duncan, however she fears her husband is “too full of the milk of human kindness.” She is quite correct and whilst he too entertains the prospect of murder, Macbeth’s noble side decides for now to leave it to chance. Lady Macbeth however already has her mind set on murder and therefore a conflict of interests arises between Macbeth and his wife. Cleverly Shakespeare illuminates how Macbeth’s craving for power results in part of the noble and brave warrior wanting to do the deed.Shakespeare expertly conveys how Lady Macbeth exploits her husband’s fatal flaw so he will commit the murder. This is only possible because sadly, deep down, this is what Macbeth wants. Lady Macbeth taunts him, insisting “when you durst do it you were a man” after Macbeth makes the noble decision that “(he) has no spur to prick the sides of (his) intent/only vaulting ambition which o’er leaps itself and falls on the other.” Macbeth fully addresses that his fatal flaw, the unhealthy lust for ambition, is the only reason he would kill Duncan. Evocatively Shakespeare illustrates that Lady Macbeth is the stronger character between them and she evades all Macbeth’s persuasive words and angles Macbeth towards killing Duncan, as if Macbeth were but a puppet.After executing Lady Macbeth’s devilish plan, Macbeth returns to his quarters, where he is hit by a sudden epiphany of what he has just done. Macbeth uses the hyperbole: “Will all great Neptune’s oceans not wash this blood from my hands?” Portraying that he believes the guilt will never be removed, and he will forever have hands soaked in noble Duncan’s blood. Lady Macbeth realises how badly her husband is reacting and tries to calm him insisting “a little water clears us of this deed.” Her use of litotes and Macbeth’s use of hyperbole conveys the separation and conflict between the characters which adds tension to the play by the contrasting reactions of the characters.As Macbeth becomes increasingly consumed with conserving his kingship the two characters draw further and further apart. Macbeth decides to murder his best friend Banquo as the witches named him father to a line of kings and Macbeth does not wish his reign to be taken from him. Lady Macbeth senses he is plotting something but Macbeth tells her to be “innocent of knowledge” which further emphasises the transition of roles; Macbeth is now clearly the stronger character. Now utterly consumed with power he is beginning to shut his wife out, leading to a conflict as Lady Macbeth now requires reassurance from her husband, who is no longer there for her. This leaves the audience wondering what Lady Macbeth will do next, now she has become isolated from her husband.Upon the eve of Macbeth’s desolation, when everything looks hopeless, Lady Macbeth has the same epiphany Macbeth had shortly after Duncan’s murder. She uses hyperbole similar to Macbeth: “Will all the perfumes of Arabia not sweeten this little hand.”However when Macbeth had his breakdown, Lady Macbeth was there to support him, but now Lady Macbeth is truly isolated, she begins to deviate from Iambic Pentameter which denotes status suggesting she is falling apart and has lost all structure to her life. Evocatively Shakespeare leads to a point where she takes her own life. Macbeth is later killed in battle, and thus, both our protagonists meet their bitter demise and perhaps get what they deserved. The conflict has only resulted in unhappiness for both of them and tore their already fragile relationship apart.To conclude “Macbeth” teaches us the dangers of letting others influence you and also vividly illuminates doing the wrong thing to get what you seek, will ultimately end in unhappiness for you and those around you. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s conflict could have been resolved if Lady Macbeth wasn’t such a strong and assertive character, and Macbeth’s fatal flaw, his ambition had been contained. As it was, Lady Macbeth used her husband’s fatal flaw against him and both meet their untimely demise. It is the very essence of tragedy and a true classic.17/20 On the whole this is a very well expressed and focused answer – a little rushed at the end but you can work on your timing.You certainly have a very good understanding of both characters and use appropriate evidence to back up points. A little more attention to dramatic devices._______________________________________________________________________________________________Choose a play which ends in a way that you find particularly satisfying.Briefly outline how the play ends and, by referring to appropriate techniques, explain why this ending is satisfying. “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, features the eponymous protagonist who disregards his moral values, and has to face the consequences. Macbeth murders his king in order to gain the throne, and seems oblivious to the consequences it will cause. Macbeth is eventually killed, as a result of a serious misuse of power and abandonment of his values.Initially after the death of King Duncan, Macbeth fears for his future. He is worried that he will never be able to rid himself of the guilt he has: “Will all great Neptune’s oceans wash this blood clean from my hand”.He fears that his hands will forever be stained with Duncan’s blood, and he will never be the same again. The trouble Macbeth has caused himself will leave a mark on his mental stability and he never returns to the original Macbeth again. This is satisfying as he had complete disregard for morals and what he knew to be right. The audience can now see Macbeth scared and panicking, as he deserves, for committing regicide for his own personal gain. Macbeth has never felt like this before, and Shakespeare conveys this guilt through the blood on Macbeth’s hands, which will trouble him greatly.The trouble that Macbeth has caused himself results in much mental pain. He describes his mind as “full of scorpions”, in order to convey how much these issues are hurting him. Shakespeare uses the imagery and metaphor of “scorpions”, to illustrate to the audience Macbeth’s rightful pain as a result of his atrocious deed. Macbeth’s memories are haunting him, scratching and pinching him like a scorpion would. This shows that the memory of Duncan is always present in his mind, and that he thinks about it all the time. The pain it is causing him satisfies the audience, as it is a punishment for the murder he committed, which shouldn’t go unnoticed.Macbeth, now King of Scotland, is rightfully hated by the people of his kingdom. They regard him as a monster and a tyrant:“Not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d in evils to top Macbeth”.Macbeth is hated and nearing his end. He will live the rest of his life as a dictatorial lunatic, who has to pay dearly for his errors. Macbeth is no longer loved by those who held much respect for him, all because his greedy heart took control and he ignored what was right. This betrayal has made Macbeth into an outcast-a rightful place for a murderer. The results of his deed have piled onto Macbeth, leaving him in an isolated position-paying for what he did. The audience get a sense of what people now think of Macbeth. He was once loved by his friends, but they turned their back on him when he chose the immoral lifestyle he lives. Macbeth is satisfyingly on his own now, with nowhere to run. Shakespeare conveys to the audience one of the lessons taught through Macbeth: you get what you deserve. Macbeth is now nearing the end of his life. As he does he realises he has nothing of value left to him.“And that which should accompany old age. As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends. I must not look to have”.Macbeth has been deserted by everything he once held dear. All the respect and “golden opinions” he once held have been forgotten and replaced with hatred and fury. He is feeling the repercussions of the murder and getting all that he deserves for what he did. The audience see Macbeth in a lonely world, with nothing of sentimental value left for him. It is pleasing that Macbeth must be punished for what he did and experience justice in its cruellest form, as the greed and corruption that have fuelled his actions are unforgivable. The life of Macbeth means nothing; he realises that he has ruined his chance as he stands close to death, reflecting on his life. He compares it to a “brief candle”, illustrating that whilst life is so bright, it can be blown out quite easily. As a result of his actions, he has discarded any potential he had of being great. He knows that nobody will remember him for his good deeds, but only for his bad ones, and the people he murdered. Rightfully, Macbeth has become a shell of a person, wishing death upon himself. The audience can see Macbeth in ruins, as a consequence of him disregarding his moral values. It is pleasing for the audience to see Macbeth like this, as what he did must be punished and never forgotten.Unfortunately for Macbeth, life carries on. He feels weaker and weaker each day, and his life feels like a torture. Macbeth begins to feel “a weary of the sun”, suggesting that he wants to retreat below the earth, to hell, where he is destined. He is feeling like life is a waste: he no longer has those he loved; he has lost all the respect he gained and his supporters have deserted him. The audience can observe Macbeth is a tired old man, who is paying the cost of his actions. The resultant position for Macbeth is satisfying, as he has faced up to what he did and faced the direst of punishments: death.Macbeth, once a well loved and noble man, dies as a tyrannous animal, and will only be remembered as a murderer, killed by Macduff, who wished to avenge his wife and son who Macbeth had killed. This result is deserving of someone like Macbeth, whose actions have created grief and misery for many. Macbeth rightfully experiences the pain that he has inflicted upon others and dies without any love. It is satisfying that Macbeth should die this way, as he is no longer deserving of a good life as he ignored his morals and settled for corruption. What Shakespeare is trying to tell us, is that we should never depart from our values, or discard what we hold to be right. If we do, we may lose all we have, including friends, respect and love.18/20 A strong personal response to the character and his motivations which remain relevant to the focus of the task throughout. Perceptive analytical comment in support to techniques identified. Tighten up any inaccuracies in expression-e.g. spellings. Pay closer attention to the nature and focus of the task and structure your response using any advice/direction in the task. You were asked to briefly describe the end and analyse why it is satisfying by relating it back to the rest of the play. You tell us why everything that happens to him after killing Duncan is satisfying but fail to link it to earlier incidents in the play._______________________________________________________________________________________________Choose a play in which there is a highly emotional scene. Show how this scene increases the understanding of the characters involved, and how it is important to the unfolding of the plot of the play.Shakespeare’s poignant and evocative tale: ‘Macbeth’ explores the rise and manipulation to power of the fictional medieval eponymous protagonist. The play gradually unfolds to convey Macbeth’s overwhelming lust for power and how this fatal flow leads to his committing regicide. Upon murdering his King and usurping the throne of Scotland, Macbeth becomes a tyrant and it is revealed just how traumatised he is by this cause of action. Shakespeare teaches us, through ‘Macbeth’, to adhere to society’s moral judgement lest we suffer the consequences of such actions – depicted brutally throughout the play. The play opens in medieval Scotland – introducing Macbeth as a heroic noble. Duncan, the King of Scotland, goes on to support this description of Macbeth: “For brave Macbeth, Well he deserve that home’ Shakespeare expertly uses dramatic irony here, as the audience would go on to discover that Macbeth will murder Duncan – obviously contradicting the descriptions of him and the ‘golden opinions’ he has earned. Shakespeare makes the audience believe Macbeth is a good man deliberately, so he can tear away this though and reveal his inner demon later in the play.Macbeth returns home to his wife, Lady Macbeth early on in the play – who is revealed immediately to be a corrupted and soulless woman. Macbeth’s wife is partly the reason as to Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan as she manipulates him into committing this action: ‘That I may pour meth spirits in the ear. Lady Macbeth reflects Macbeth’s inner selfish desires, and shi is conveyed to be the only person who is able to influence his decisions. When Macbeth questions whether he should kill Duncan or not, he becomes conflicted between his own moral judgement and his fatal flow: his ambition. He begins to hallucinate a dagger as he heads towards Duncan’s chambers:“Is this a dagger I see before me? The handle pointed toward mine hand? Or is it the image of the heat oppressed brain?” Macbeth hallucinates this dagger and is tempted by it to kill Duncan – the handle is pointed towards him, symbolizing his choice in whether or not to kill Duncan. The dagger becomes a recurring symbol of Macbeth’s guilt in killing Duncan throughout the play – signifying the effect of Macbeth’s decision to kill his king, and him it affects him throughout the play. Following the murder of Duncan, Macbeth becomes distraught and immediately aware of his action to commit regicide:“Will all Great Neptunes Ocean wash this blood clean from mine hand?”Shakespeare’s expert use of hyperbole here exploits just how tormented Macbeth is over his actions. He believes that not even all the bhust oceans in the world can wash away the red blood from his hands – Shakespeare using blood as a symbol of Macbeth’s guilt once more. This effectively foreshadows just how much Macbeth’s guilt will come to consume him throughout the play, and indeed, how his guilt will forever have an effect on him up until his gruesome demise. Shakespeare’s hyperbole here also contrast neatly with his use of litotes immediately following when Lady Macbeth states: “A little water will wash the blood away.” This contrasts just how affected each individual is by this action. Macbeth is feeling the weight of his guilt while the “de-sexed” Lady Macbeth no longer has her womanly compassion or the consequence/soul to feel troubled by it – she merely sees the advantage and gain in the action. Macbeth is swiftly crowned king – with no-one yet suspecting him of playing ‘most fondly’ for his title. Macbeth goes onto convey his utter shame for his action:“Mine eternal jewel given to the common enemy of man”Shakespeare poignantly expresses just how distraught Macbeth has become due to his decision to murder Duncan. Shakespeare uses any upon reflection, old fashioned phase that could be compared to such as “selling your soul to the devil?” Macbeth has sacrificed everything he worked to create an image of himself for – losing his praise and ‘golden opinions’ in order to fulfil his selfish need for power. Shakespeare evocatively uses the image of the devil, “common enemy of man”, to convey just how evil his action was.Towards the end of the play, Macbeth becomes increasingly aware of the effects and consequences of his actions: “And that which should accompany old age, …..I cannot look to have.” Macbeth now understands the full extent of his decision to kill Duncan and acknowledges how he cannot expect to live a fulfilling life full of friends and acquaintances whom support him and love him. While his short lived position in power existed, it was not as he expected it would be and he feels he has sacrificed everything he is in vain. Overcome by his guilt, Macbeth begins to feel the futility of his life and the weight of his actions and instead chooses the easy way out: “Bring me my armour.” Here, Shakespeare recalls the original personality (heroic, brave) of Macbeth – bringing him to his demise in a poignant end. Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan brings him horrific consequences that – like any tragic hero – brings him to his grotesque, grim demise when he is decapitated by Macduff. 18/20Nicely focuses on task and thoughts and evaluates Shakespeare’s use of techniques. Could have cut some earlier sections and focus on Lady M. so you could have explored the effect on M. more fully. Revise layout of quotes. Integrate fully or set out with a colon. Start the essay with the emotional scene – not the start of the play._______________________________________________________________________________________________Choose a play which has an important scene at a turning point in the play.Give a brief account of the scene and go on to show why it is important in the play as a whole.In William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ there is a key scene which has a drastic impact on the rest of the play.?The play focuses around the character of Macbeth, a rich and noble Scottish thane, who meets 3 witches who prophesise he will be king. Tempted by the witches’ prophecies and spurred on by his wife, he decided to commit regicide.?Shakespeare, through the use of numerous techniques, skilfully illustrates how Macbeth’s fatal decision in a particular scene impacts on the rest of the play. The theme that Shakespeare explores is ambition and how ambition, if left unchecked, can have drastic consequences.The fatal decision takes place in Act 1 scene 7. In this scene Macbeth has a crisis of conscience as to whether or not he should kill Duncan. Throughout the scene he is adamant he will not do so, until his wife begins to manipulate him into the murder. From the moment he decides to commit this murder the entire play, his life and his relationships change.However?before we reach Act 1, scene 7 it is evident that Macbeth is considered noble and brave by those around him. During a battle, he is a topic of discussion for other soldiers;“Brave Macbeth! Well he deserves that name.”This dialogue illustrates quite clearly the other character’s opinions of Macbeth. The word choice of ‘brave’ makes it evident to us that he is considered heroic by those who know him. This very much establishes for the audience the attitude that others have towards Macbeth and makes it evident to use that before the key scene he is considered to be heroic . In contrast to this, though, is another worrying description of the character and helps us better understands this character’s development. When discussing his actions on the battlefield another soldier says;“Unseamead him from the knave to the chaps.”This brutal description of Macbeth’s actions highlights for us a more sinister side to his character. This dialogue makes it evident that Macbeth has a potential to be brutal, thus foreshadowing for us the actions that will later allow him to be labelled as a ‘tyrant’. Thus, it is clear to us that even before we meet Macbeth, and before we reach the key incident where he chooses to murder Duncan, he has the potential to be incredibly barbaric. However, his ambition is not yet so strong that he feels he has to act on it.While he is evidently well thought of, Shakespeare makes it clear that his manipulative wife with whom he does, until Act 1 scene 7, have a good relationship, does not necessarily believe he is capable of killing the king. After hearing of the prophecies, she considers how best to convince him;“Yet do I fear thy nature;It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness”Shakespeare’s use of imagery here very much implies that Lady Macbeth does not feel her husband is capable. This transgressive character feels that, just as milk is placid and natural, so too is Macbeth’s character, making it clear she does not feel he has it in him to commit regicide. She also illustrates her willingness, before Act 1, scene 7, to commit any act she has to in order to help her husband achieve their ambition;“Come, you spiritsThat tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,And fill me from the crown to the toe top-fullOf direst cruelty. Make thick my blood.Stop up the access and passage to remorse…”This is a key monologue in the text, as it illustrates to the audience just how far Lady Macbeth is willing to go in order to achieve her ambition. She is literally engaging with evil spirits, asking them to take away her femininity. This clearly links to the theme of ambition as she is willing to forgo what is natural for a woman, and instead lack remorse and be full of ‘direst cruelty’. ‘Direst’ has connotations of extreme, making it evident to the audience that Lady Macbeth is a character who is willing to do anything to feed her own ambition. This leads us to Act 1, Scene 7 with an understanding of the different characters and how ambition affects their lives.When we reach the key scene there is evident conflict between the couple. Macbeth is refusing, even with his wife’s coercion, to murder Duncan. He discusses the opinions others have of him;“I have boughtGolden opinions from all sorts of people…”The use of metaphor here cleverly highlights how Macbeth feels about the opinions of others. Just as gold is valuable, so too is it evident that Macbeth feels other’s opinions of him are worthwhile. He is clearly concerned on what others will think, and thus decides not to act upon his ambition. However, his wife launches a scathing attack on him and quickly changes his mind. She, first of all, attacks his masculinity;“When you dirst do it, then you were a man”In doing this, Shakespeare gives us an insight into both characters. He makes it evident that Lady Macbeth knows how to upset her husband. She attacks him by saying that a man would do this, thus implying that he is not masculine. This dialogue also helps us understand the character of Macbeth and makes evident that he is an insecure person who will be easily manipulated into following through on his ambition. In this key scene, this is the first example of Lady Macbeth attacking her husband and weakening his resolve. However, she is relentless in her attack. She them goes on to remind him of their dead child and in doing so, illustrates just how pragmatic she is as she describes what she would have done;“I would, while it was smiling in my face,Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gumsAnd dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as youHave done to this.”This graphic monologue is key to Macbeth’s decision to act on his ambition, and serves as the point in the key scene where his resolve is shattered. His wife’s detailed description of what she would have willingly done not only illustrates her transgressive nature but serves to make evident just now willing she is to manipulate her husband, and how low she is willing to stoop. The word ‘dashed’ is cruel and brutal, suggesting it would have been an easy task. This key monologue conveys her desperation for Macbeth to act on his ambition, and brings about his decision to end Duncan’s life.Having made his decision, Macbeth’s final dialogue in the key scene perfectly illustrates that he has decided to act upon his ambition. He considers the deed and says;?”I am settled, and bend upEach corporal agent to this terrible feat.Away, and mock the time with fairest show.False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”He is echoing Lady Macbeth’s requests to the spirits, highlight to us the fact that he is now engaging with evil. He refer to Duncan’s murder as a ‘terrible feat’ which has connotations of the task being awful and difficult, suggesting that he will finds acting on his ambition hard but he is also clear that he is ‘settled’. Shakespeare also cleverly addresses the theme of reality versus appearance here as he conveys how aware Macbeth is of appearing to be welcoming to Duncan, while hiding his ‘heart’; that is, his intentions. The end of this key scene makes it quite clear that Macbeth’s ambition will now be his driving force and ultimately will lead to his downfall.After committing the ‘feat’ he decided upon in Act 1, scene 7 he immediately struggles with the aftermath of what he has done. He discusses with Lady Macbeth how he could not pray;Wherefore could I not pronounce ‘Amen’?I had most need of blessing, and‘Amen’ stuck in my throat.”Shakespeare powerfully draw on the association that would have been made between royalty and God. Macbeth has literally killed God, thus breaking any union he has with him, as the king is God’s representative on earth. This key incident highlights cleverly for us the path Macbeth has chosen and perhaps implies he has no hope left as he cannot pray, suggesting that his ambition has damaged him irreparably. However, his wife is far more pragmatic in her approach to their guilt. She is much better at handling what they have done than her husband, and while he is shocked by the literal blood on his hands, she says;“A little water clears us of this deed.”Her dialogue here effectively dismisses his concerns and she fails to understand that while blood can literally be washed off, the blood on his hands is metaphorical of his guilt and a direct results of his ambition thus introducing the motif of blood to the play. The difference in the reaction of the characters serves to highlight the immediate impact of the decision Macbeth made in the key scene. While Lady Macbeth is practical in her approach to their crime he is already frightened of what he has done, thus bringing about a rift in their relationship directly caused in Act 1, scene 7.With a rift in their relationship appearing it is evident that Macbeth’s choice to kill Duncan as resulted in a clear shift in the dynamic. When Lady Macbeth asks about his plans to murder another character he says;“Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuckTill though applaud the deed.”The evidently dismissive tone of this dialogue, and the use of a pet name to appease her, shows that he is moving away from her and beginning to exclude her from his dealings. This highlights very clearly the impact of his choice in the key scene on their relationship and shows that while he is still ambitious, he now has no concerns for her ambitions and is choosing to exclude her from his life. As well as breaking his relationship it is evident that Macbeth’s choice has had a detrimental impact on his mental health as he become paranoid and unstable. He hallucinates regularly and these can be viewed as a manifestation of his guilt. After killing Banquo he sees his friend’s ghost at the banqueting table;“Don’t shake thy gory locks at me.”Shakespeare’s extensive use of hallucinations and the supernatural in the play further extends the idea that Macbeth has suffered greatly as a result of his ambition and his decision to commit regicide. Not only has his relationship suffered as a result of what he chose in Act 1, scene 7 but his cruel behaviour has now caused those who once called him ‘brave’ to refer to him as a ‘tyrant’. This direct contrast is deliberately used to show how awful his life has become and exemplifies that his decision in the key scene of the play has ruined his life.The play ends on a drastic note and after Lady Macbeth kills herself, Macbeth realises he has little to live for. He contemplates his choices and his wife’s death and says;“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and furySignifying nothing.”Shakespeare’s powerful use of imagery signifies to us that Macbeth has realised his life is worthless. Just as a shadow is empty and lifeless, so too is his life and he is obviously very aware of this. He also compares it to an actor, conveying the idea that it is false and does not last the test of time. This moving monologue explores this idea even further when he says that life is a ‘tale…signifying nothing.’ The bleak, final word-choice here makes it quite evident how this character feels about life as ‘nothing’ conveys it is entirely empty. This monologue acts as a thought-provoking reminder of the choice he made in the key scene and the disastrous effect that this choice has had on his life. It also reminds us of the theme of ambition, helping us fully understand that his ambition has left him with ‘nothing’.In conclusion, William Shakespeare’s tragic ‘Macbeth’ is a play in which a key scene highlights to us the theme of ambition and the dangers of being ambitious. Shakespeare cleverly employs a number of techniques to explore the theme and helps us recognise the dangers of having ambitions that are beyond us and what they can do. ................
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