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
the end