Macbeth at the start of the play
oA good man who knows his place
oA loyal servant of the King.
oThe King is appointed by God to rule.
oIf the King rules well, then his subjects will love him and he will reward them with his gratitude and generosity.
oThis is the ideal state of affairs at the start of the play thought just before it, there has been a rebellion, and the play opens with an account of the defeat of the rebels.
oAlthough God appoints the ruler, it is possible for a gross disturbance of the natural order of things to happen.
oThis may allow a rebel (usurper) to overthrow the rightful monarch.
oThis is what happens when the witches dabble in the affairs of men.
oMacbeth is very loyal to begin with, so his treachery against Duncan is especially shocking.
oIt is only believable because of the way the witches arouse powerful ambition in him.
oBut, though they suggest things to him, the witches do not force M to kill D.
oHis evil action is freely chosen and premeditated.
oIn fact M sees very good arguments against D’s murder but is stung into firmness by his wife’s scorn.
oShe says that if she had made a promise like her husband’s, she could even have dashed out the brains of her own child.
oPerhaps, though, this is bravado – later she admits that she could not have killed D bcos he resembled her own father.
The murder of Duncan
oWhen M learns from Ross and Angus that he is now Thane of C, he thinks seriously about the third greeting of the witches.
oHe thinks that they do speak true, but wonders what it means.
oCan he wait for chance to crown him king, or must he act to bring it about?
oLM sees this as a kind of hypocrisy.
oHe wants the reward of evil but does not dare commit the evil act:
“Wouldst not play false
And yet would falsely win”.
Seeing him waver, LM goes to stiffen his resolve. She takes a familiar line of belittling his manhood which M seems very insecure about.
oD has discovered from the previous Thane of C that you cannot see “the mind’s construction in the face”, but is confident enough of M’s loyalty to place himself in his keeping.
oM sees that this makes killing him even worse than it would be anyway.
oThere are several powerful reasons against it:
oD is the king, to whom everyone owes complete loyalty
oD has been a particularly good and holy king
oM, as the host, has a duty to protect all visitors to his castle from harm – not be the cause of that harm.
oD’s visit gives M a unique opportunity – but it is only for one night.
oLM knows this, but is sure that she can arrange things and manipulate her husband to ensure that the deed is done.
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
PLOT SUMMARY
CHARACTERS
SETTINGS
THEMES:
Ø Great ambition, or inordinate lust for power, ultimately brings ruin.
Ø Evil wears a pretty cloak.
Ø Temptation can defeat even the strongest human beings.
Ø Guilt haunts the evildoer.
IMAGERY: Darkness, Blood, Temptation, Ambition.
WITCHCRAFT
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
Characters: (i) Macbeth
nM quickly regains his composure.
nWholly hypocritical and deceitful.
nFeigns surprise and outrage at news of the murder.
nFirst speech is an elaborately false expression of sorrow.
nUnbalanced state of mind still shown.
nGreets king’s sons with inappropriate remark
nIn his fear and insecurity he has panicked and killed the guards to cover his tracks
nThis rash act immediately arouses suspicion
nM desperately tries to explain his actions
nGross hypocrisy shown in his vivid account of his love for D
nDescribes how the sight of D’s murdered body goaded him to instant revenge.
nNot very convincing, so LM comes to her husband’s aid
nScene shows how evil is hardening M’s mind and heart to make such outrageous deceit possible
nM still needs LM’s sharp mind to guide him.
Characters: (ii) The Porter
nDrunken character with crude humour and coarse language
nA striking personality despite a brief appearance
nDramatic function – to delay and increase tension after D’s murder; to introduce idea of Hell to M’s castle
Characters: (iii) Macduff
nGood-natured and patient in the way he tolerates the Porter.
nCharges with special honour of personally waking the king
nPersonal reaction to the murder – speechless with horror
nDirect contrast to the insincere, elaborate speech from Macbeth
nRealises that it is the most “sacrilegious” of acts which will lead to serious disorder and “confusion”
nDeeply moved by the horror
nBegs the others not to bid him speak further
n takes control of situation, sounds the alarm
nExpresses instant doubt about M’s news that he’s killed the guards in his rage
Characters: (iv) Banquo
nResponds to LM’s insensitive regret that the murder has taken place in her house
nReminds her of the seriousness of the matter (“Too cruel, anywhere”)
nToo genuinely moved by grief for words
nCalls to all present to take positive and determined steps to resolve the matter.
Characters: (v) Lady Macbeth
nActs like the innocent sleeper woken by the alarm
nPretends to be deeply concerned about the cause for alarm
nHer remark seems impulsive
nPretends to faint in order to extricate M from his awkward indiscretion of killing the guards
nShows her quick-thinking resourcefulness
Charcters: (vi) Malcolm
nDeeply disturbed by father’s murder
nRemains shrewd and perceptive
nRealises his first priority is personal survival
nAware of real threat against his and his brother’s life.
nNot concerned with showing false grief or about what people may think of his actions.
nKnows that his position as heir makes him particularly vulnerable
n“the near in blood,/The nearer bloody”
nFeels that he is justified in going to England
nDonalbain, his brother, displays a similar awareness and understanding in his decision to go to Ireland
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
oWhen Lady Macbeth says, “That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold”, what does she mean? Who are “them” and why should she want them to be drunk?
oWhat elaborate plans has she arranged for the murder?
oSometimes Shakespeare shows killing onstage (mostly at the end of the play). Why, in your view, is the killing of Duncan not shown, but understood to happen offstage?
Why the murder takes place off
So that our attention is focused firmly on:
othe murderers and not on the murdered
othe effect of the murder on M and LM
oLM’s imaginary commentary (“He is about it. The doors are open…”)
-stage.
oHow is Macbeth’s mind affected by the murder of Duncan?
oWho is more practical after the killing, Macbeth or his wife? Can you think of reasons for this?
Macbeth’s reaction
oNot what we would expect of a cold-blooded assassin
oIn a state of deep shock at what he has just done
oOverwhelmed by fear, anxiety, guilt and remorse.
oAs if in a trance
oCannot focus his thoughts
oRambles on about the details he cannot erase from his mind
oUtterly horrified that he could not pronounce the blessing ‘Amen”
oIgnores wife’s instructions to abandon such thoughts
oContinues with strange account of the ‘voice’
Lady M’s reaction
oRelieved that the murder has been done
oQuickly tries to bring M back to his senses
oDismisses his fears
oTells him not to dwell “so deeply” on such things
oWarns M that to do so will make them “mad”
oConcerned with practical necessities – wash away evidence of blood, have daggers returned, according to her plan.
oAngry that M lacks her sense of urgency, determination and clear-thinking
oAfter returning from D’s room
oLM smeared with blood
oEven more contemptuous of M
oCompletely in control
oConcerned with essential details (return to room, change into nightgown)
oCasually dismisses the danger of guilt
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
Comment on Banquo’s speech beginning “There’s husbandry in heaven…” and ending “…in repose”. Remember that this play would originally have been performed in the daytime, using natural light.
oAfter his servant leaves him (line 33 and following) Macbeth imagines he can see something (in some film version the audience may be shown this, too). What is it? Explain why, you think, Macbeth sees this, especially at this time and place.
Atmosphere
oTense and ominous atmosphere
oEntrance of Macbeth breaks the dark silence
oMacbeth’s description of the sleeping night – atmospheric and poetic
oImages of terror, violence and treachery
oScene creates atmosphere for the murder of D.
oIssue of the supernatural surfaces again
oTalk of the witches and their prophecies
oThe dagger – real or just a figment of Macbeth’s imagination?
Macbeth’s character
oScene reveals the new Macbeth
oMore determined to commit the murder
oMore steeped in evil
oNow capable of outright lying and deceit
oStill seems to contemplate some from of secretive conspiracy with B.
oPromises honour to B if he remains true to M
oFollows the devious details of the treacherous plan
oAppears casual and unconcerned when instructing his servant about the ringing of the bell
oThe dagger episode is the first of a series of hallucinations
oReveals an unsteady mind, fearful heart and fevered imagination
oProbably stemming from feeling of guilt
oThe apparition serves to strengthen his evil resolve
oNew tone evident in his description of the dark, silent night.
oFeels in tune with the images of stealth and destruction he describes
oScene ends on menacing note (couplet)
Banquo’s character
oB, too, is tempted by the witches’ prophecies of great things
oYet, in direct contrast to M, he struggles against the thoughts he knows to be wrong.
oThough tempted by promises of grandeur, does not succumb to such thoughts.
oHis final words to M indicate that he is already concerned, even suspicious, about what M might have in mind.
oStresses that although a loyal friend of M’s, he is above all else a man of honour.
Duncan’s character
oGift of diamond for LM
oA further example of his generosity
oIncreases the impending irony and horror of what is about to happen.
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
Review of Act One, Scenes 4 – 7.
Act One, Scene 4
Q1. Why does Macbeth call Malcolm “a step on which” he “must fall down or else o’er leap” ? Which of these alternatives do you expect Macbeth to choose and how might he do it?
Act One, Scene 5
Q1. What does Lady Macbeth fear about her husband, after she has read his letter?
Q2. Lady Macbeth tells her husband to “look like the innocent flower/ But be the serpent under it”. Explain what she means (either generally or specifically or both, as you think appropriate).
Act One Scene 6
Q1. What is the purpose and effect of Duncan’s and Banquo’s comments when they approach Macbeth’s castle?
Q2. Explain what you understand by ‘Dramatic Irony’.
There are several instances of ‘dramatic irony’ in this scene. Locate the examples and consider the effect they have.
Act One, Scene 7
Q1. Why, in Macbeth’s opinion, is the murder of Duncan so wrong?
Q2. How does Lady Macbeth make sure that her husband murders King Duncan?
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
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Is impt for what it reveals of the two main characters. M’s delay and hesitation prolong the suspense of the coming murder.
Macbeth – why he hesitates
-Fear of consequences of murdering Duncan
-Aware of the dangers of guilt, suffering and divine justice
-Fully aware of his duty of loyalty to his king, kinsman and guest
-Aware of the enormity of the sinful crime he is contemplating
-Momentarily firm with LM
-“will proceed no further in this business”
-Reminds LM of the many honours D has bestowed upon him
-As LM bombards him with bitter accusations, he begins to weaken
-Quickly reconsiders the plan
-Overwhelmed by admiration of wife’s spirit
-Persuaded and encouraged to do the necessary
-New tone of grim confidence
Lady Macbeth
-Test of her shrewd knowledge of how to handle her husband
-Draws upon her spirit and determination to win her husband over
-Not expecting opposition from M initially
-Responds instantly and decisively to crisis when M’s resolve weakens
-Challenging accusation of cowardice
-Powerful expression of deep disappointment and disillusionment
-Suggests he is being “less than a man”
-Attacks his soldierly pride and esteem
-Once M weakens, she resorts to positive, confident encouragement
-Details and arrangements are HER plan, not Macbeth’s
-Confidence and conviction, determination, shrewdness and resourcefulness
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
“Fair is foul and foul is fair”-Talk about this phrase from the first scene of the play, when the witches first appear.
-What does this phrase suggest about the mood at this stage in the play?
The witches will re-appear in this scene. Here are some of the things they say. Can you tell from these extracts whether the witches are:-Good
-Evil
-Neither good nor evil
-Ordinary women labelled as witches
-Supernatural beings
How do you know from:-What they say
-How they say it
Reading the scene up to 1.88-Talk about the reactions of Macbeth and Banquo
-What’s the men’s view on whether the witches are good/evil/supernatural?
-What happens next?
-What are the reactions of Macbeth and Banquo?
Look through the scene and find as many examples as you can of questions and riddles. Pick which of these motifs you think are developed in this scene by the use of so many questions and riddles: Anger / Ambition / Uncertainty / Trust /
The difference between appearance and reality / Love / Good and evil
Macbeth - characterMacbeth at the start of the play:-A good man who knows his place
-Loyal servant of the King
Macbeth as a military leaderAn able general - plans the tactics of the battle well
(able to respond to the attacks of Sweno and Macdonwald)
- A brave fighter on the battlefield (as Ross and the Captain show in Iii).
-Especially ferocious in killing Macdonwald; hates traitors
-Very loyal
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
King Duncan receives a report of the battle from the wounded sergeant :
Pg 29 – 31;
Pg 33;
Pg 35
-From the account of the battle scene, what does King Duncan learn about Macbeth?
-How does Duncan react to the news of Macbeth’s military prowess?
-How does the news influence Duncan’s impression of Macbeth?
Saturday, October 07, 2006;
the end
what is happening?its like you have changed...taking me for an invisible person who like is only visible to you when you need or want me to do something...maybe you just asked me to do it since i was there, but yea..you could have answered my questions when i asked?is that hard?
i have a load full of problems that cant seem to be solved.dont add to it..all these are driving me nuts....
Saturday, August 26, 2006;
the end
today is a great day and it marks the end of the stressful month of activities. now, its the stressful month of preparing for EOYs! ahhhhh.jiayou everybody.its only 7 weeks left now. i am going to cry.that is like 49 days? which is like minus off all the school hours and the time you can actually study is like half of that? ahhhhhh.
wish me luck.
I MUST DO WELL.
Sunday, August 06, 2006;
the end
