| Characterize the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. If the main theme of Macbeth is ambition, whose ambition is the driving force of the play—Macbeth’s, Lady Macbeth’s, or both? | Partners in crime, mutual madnessShe can control him, her ambition drove everythingHe wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for her |
| One of the important themes in Macbeth is the idea of political legitimacy, of the moral authority that some kings possess and others lack. With particular attention to Malcolm’s questioning of Macduff in Act 4, scene 3, try to define some of the characteristics that grant or invalidate the moral legitimacy of absolute power. What makes Duncan a good king? What makes Macbeth a tyrant? | Noble’s think Macbeth is acting bossyMalcolm tests MacduffKings should be coolPut people above self Macbeth wishes to be king to gratify his own desires, while Duncan and Malcolm wear the crown out of love for their nation. |
| An important theme in Macbeth is the relationship between gender and power, particularly Shakespeare’s exploration of the values that make up the idea of masculinity. What are these values, and how do various characters embody them? How does Shakespeare subvert his characters’ perception of gender roles? | Manhood, for most of the characters in Macbeth, is tied to ideals of strength, power, physical courage, and force of will, not intelligence or moralsLady M asks ‘are you a man?’Macbeth should be a man and avenge family |
| 1. The fantastical and grotesque witches are among the most memorable figures in the play. How does Shakespeare characterize the witches? What is their thematic significance? | They have a beard |
| 2. Compare and contrast Macbeth, Macduff, and Banquo. How are they alike? How are they different? Is it possible to argue that Macbeth is the play’s villain and Macduff or Banquo its hero, or is the matter more complicated than that? | Macbeth is cruel |
| 3. Discuss the role that blood plays in Macbeth, particularly immediately following Duncan’s murder and late in the play. What does it symbolize for Macbeth and his wife? | Shows guilt |
| 4. Discuss Macbeth’s visions and hallucinations. What role do they play in the development of his character? | Feels guilty and has regret |
| 5. Is Macbeth a moral play? Is justice served at the end of the play? Defend your answer. | Yes, moral and social tragedy |
| 6. Discuss Shakespeare’s use of the technique of elision, in which certain key events take place offstage. Why do you think he uses this technique? | To act as a conscious |
| Tone | Dark and ominous, suggestive of a world turned topsy-turvy by foul and unnatural crimes |
| Major conflicts | he struggle within Macbeth between his ambition and his sense of right and wrong; the struggle between the murderous evil represented by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and the best interests of the nation, represented by Malcolm and Macduff |
| Rising actions | Macbeth and Banquo’s encounter with the witches initiates both conflicts; Lady Macbeth’s speeches goad Macbeth into murdering Duncan and seizing the crown. |
| Climax | Macbeth’s murder of Duncan in Act 2 represents the point of no return, after which Macbeth is forced to continue butchering his subjects to avoid the consequences of his crime. |
| Falling actions | Macbeth’s increasingly brutal murders (of Duncan’s servants, Banquo, Lady Macduff and her son); Macbeth’s second meeting with the witches; Macbeth’s final confrontation with Macduff and the opposing armies |
| Themes | The corrupting nature of unchecked ambition; the relationship between cruelty and masculinity; the difference between kingship and tyranny |
| Motifs | The supernatural, hallucinations, violence, prophecy |
| Symbols | Blood; the dagger that Macbeth sees just before he kills Duncan in Act 2; the weather |
| foreshadowing | The bloody battle in Act 1 foreshadows the bloody murders later on; when Macbeth thinks he hears a voice while killing Duncan, it foreshadows the insomnia that plagues Macbeth and his wife; Macduff’s suspicions of Macbeth after Duncan’s murder foreshadow his later opposition to Macbeth; all of the witches’ prophecies foreshadow later events. |
| Quote: Lady M before Duncans arrival ( Act 1, scene 5,) | ‘Unsexx me here” She is read y to take him downHer husband wavers. Take her womans milk for bitterness. Her woman parts hold her back from being like a man. |
| Quote: Macbeth (Act 1, scene 7, lines 1-28, Macbeth debates ) | Should I kill Duncan? He’s cool, and we tight. This is bad. He will be plagued. (Foreshadow) Wife helps push him into it |
| Macbeth says this in Act 2, scene 2, lines 55-61. | Macduff knocks, his doom. Blood is guilt. In the end, they both can’t take it |
| Lady Macbeth in Act 5, scene 1, lines 30-34 | Guilt and madness. Foreshawdowed by voice screaming when they killed king. |
| Macbeth after he hears of Lady Macbeth’s death, in Act 5, scene 5, lines 16-27. | No purpose in life. |
| Themes: Corrupting power of ambition | BOth go into destructive phases just trying to gain advances in power. Using violence for power, it’s hard to stop. |
| THemes: Mahood versus masculinity | Qestioning manhood followed by violence, Witches encourage |
| Themes: Kingship versus tyranny | Rule violently |
| Quote “Foul is fair” | Things are not as they seem. Riddle |
| This play | physchological (inner thoughts and emotions) playwith sololquis |
| Macbeth in the beginning | viewed positively, brave, ruthless, violent, no problem with blood, valoe |
| Appearances deceiece | Duncan trusts too easily |
| Mbs letter to wife | partner of greatness, both ambitious |
Macbeth essay
August 3, 2019