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Flashcards in Macbeth - Character Analysis Deck (117)
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1
Q

Who is Macbeth?

A

+The main character

+Macbeth is a strong warrior who fights bravely in battle

2
Q

What main character trait does Macbeth have?

A

+He’s ambitious - he wants to become King of Scotland and will do anything to make this happen, even commit murder.

3
Q

What does Macbeth have that can prevent him from doing certain things.

A

+However, he’s got a conscience and often doubts whether he’s doing the right thing - He spends a lot of time feeling guilty.

4
Q

How easily influenced can Macbeth be by others?

A

+He’s very easily influenced by others, which means he can be weak.

5
Q

How does Shakespeare use language to portray Macbeth’s state of mind?

A

+The way Macbeth speaks reflects his state of mind.

+He asks a lot of questions when he’s feeling uncertain or guilty: “Whence is that knocking?/How is’t with me, when every noise appals me?”.

+At the start and end of the play, his language is more certain and confident: “Stars, hide your fires”, “I will not yield”.

6
Q

Macbeth is…[3]

A

ambitious:“I have no spur/To prick the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition”

brave:“brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name”

guilty:“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand?”

7
Q

How does Shakespeare present Macbeth as a brave hero?

A

+At the start of the play, Macbeth is described as a “valiant” warrior.

+Rosse compares him to “Bellona’s bridegroom” - he’s saying that Macbeth is like Mars, the god of war.

8
Q

Whom does Macbeth’s brave actions impress?

A

+Macbeth’s brave actions impress the King, who names him Thane of Cawdor.

+This title shows that the King recognises Macbeth’s “personal venture” [how bravely he fought] and loyalty.

9
Q

Where does Macbeth seem most comfortable?

A

+Macbeth seems most comfortable on the battlefield - When he’s fighting, he doesn’t have to worry about his guilty conscience and the morality of his actions.

+Macbeth dies in battle too - he fights “bear like” to the end, even though he knows he’s doomed - He’s determined to “try the last” and says that he “will not yield”.

10
Q

How does Shakespeare structure Macbeth’s “brave soldier” character?

A

+Writer’s Techniques - Structure:

+By the end of the play, Macbeth’s come full circle - he’s returned to being the brave soldier he was in Act 1.

+This contrasts with the middle of the play, where he seems weak and uncertain.

11
Q

How is Macbeth also a brutal murderer?

A

+Macbeth’s brave but also a cold and calculating killer - He murders Duncan because he wants to be King.

+He also has Macduff’s family and Banquo killed because he’s worried about losing his position.

12
Q

Give an example of how Macbeth can be easily influenced

A

+Macbeth is easily influenced by the people around him.

+He lets Lady Macbeth persuade him to kill Duncan because he wants to become King - his ambition is stronger than his morality.

13
Q

How has Macbeth’s violent ambition ruined all his noble characteristics?

A

+At the end of the play, Macduff calls Macbeth a “hell-hound” and Young Siward calls him “abhorrèd tyrant” - Macbeth’s violent ambition has ruined all his noble characteristics.

14
Q

How does Macbeth contrast his fate and free will?

A

+Theme - Fate and Free Will: When Macbeth says, “I am settled and bend up/Each corporal agent to this terrible feat”, it sounds like he’s making a deliberate decision to kill Duncan.

+Later, he says that he didn’t have control over his actions because he’s just a “poor player” who’s controlled by fate [or he could be trying to make himself feel less guilty about his crimes].

15
Q

How does Macbeth struggle with his conscience?

A

+Macbeth has a strong sense of right and wrong - He worries about the consequences of his actions because there’s “judgement” on earth and “deep damnation” after death.

+This makes his actions more shocking

16
Q

Why is Mabeth reluctant to kill Duncan?

A

+He’s reluctant to kill Duncan, who has “honoured” him, and says, “We will proceed no further in this business” - He sounds confident, as if he’s made up his mind -

+Macbeth recognises that Duncan trusts him as “his kinsman” and that as Duncan’s “host” he has a duty to protect him.

17
Q

How does Macbeth place his own desires above his love of Scotland?

A

+Macbeth knows that Duncan is a good king - “clear in his great office”, and that killing him would damage Scotland.

+Macbeth places his own desires above his love of Scotland by plotting to kill Duncan - this hints that he’ll be a bad king.

18
Q

What happens to Macbeth once he’s killed Duncan?

A

+Once he’s killed Duncan, Macbeth swings between killing anyone who threatens his position as King and moments of despair when he struggles with terrible guilt.

  • +His guilty conscience makes him imagine things:
    • Immediately after killing Duncan he hears a voice saying, “Macbeth does murder sleep”.
    • After arranging for Banquo to be murdered, he sees Banquo’s ghost at the feast and almost gives himself away - Lady Macbeth thinks he’s hallucinating.
19
Q

What happens to Macbeth by the end of the play?

A

+By the end of the play, Macbeth seems world-weary and cynical - he no longer seems to feel guilty because he thinks that a person’s actions don’t matter and that life means “nothing” [nihilism]

20
Q

How is Macbeth easily influenced?

A

+Lady Macbeth greatly influences Macbeth - he wouldn’t kill Duncan if it wasn’t for her - Macbeth acts because he doesn’t want to be seen as unmanly or a “coward”.

+Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism: Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan by suggesting that he’ll be “more the man” - Throughout the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth link masculinity with strength and courage.

21
Q

How does Lady Macbeth’s influence over Macbeth decline through the play?

A

+Lady Macbeth’s influence over Macbeth declines after Duncan’s murder - once he’s murdered Duncan, the other murders seem to come more easily to Macbeth, so he acts alone.

22
Q

How is Macbeth influenced by the supernatural?

A
  • The first time he meets the Witches, he trusts them straightaway, saying “Two truths are told”. - However, Banquo is suspicious of them and thinks they want to “win us to our harm”.
  • He sees a dagger that leads him to Duncan’s room
  • As the Witches’ prophecies start to come true, Macbeth’s belief in them increases - He begins to rely more heavily on what they say, and panics when their prophecies are fulfilled unexpectedly.
23
Q

Write about Macbeth’s good qualities as well as his bad ones…

A

+Poor Macbeth - he wants to be good but he just can’t stop murdering people – it’s a shame because he starts off as such as a hero.

+It all goes downhill when his wife and his ambition get the better of him.

24
Q

What is Lady Macbeth’s main characteristics?

A

She is cruel and ruthless

25
Q

Who is Lady Macbeth?

A

+Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife - she’s an important character because she influences Macbeth, especially at the start of the play.

+She’s ambitious and doesn’t want mind commiting commiting terrible crimes to get what she wants.

26
Q

How does Lady Macbeth change over the course of the play?

A

+Lady Macbeth changes over the course of the play.

+At the beginning she’s dominant and confident - she persuades Macbeth that killing Duncan is the best thing to do.

27
Q

Lady Macbeth is…[3]

A

+cruel:“And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull/Of direst cruelty”

+cunning:“look like th’innocent flower,/But be the serpent under’t”

+disturbed:“she is troubled with thick coming fancies”

28
Q

What happens once Lady Macbeth has commited murder?

A

+Once Macbeth has committed murder, Lady Macbeth is slowly driven mad by guilt.

+Macbeth distances himself from her and she kills herself because she can’t live with what they’ve done.

29
Q

Describe how Lady Macbeth is very ambitious.

A

+Lady Macbeth is just as ambitious as Macbeth - when she gets his letter, she immediately assumes that they need to kill Duncan - She’s more ruthless than her husband.

+Theme - Good and Evil: Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth is “too full o’th’milk of human kindness” - she thinks that his goodness makes him a “coward” and stops him from achieving his ambitions.

30
Q

What does Lady Macbeth think about ordinary women?

A

+She thinks that no ordinary woman would plan this murder - That’s why she appeals to the spirit to “unsex” her and fill her with “direst cruelty”.

31
Q

What does Lady Macbeth know about her husband?

A

+Lady Macbeth knows her husband’s weak spots - she uses his ambition and fear of being seen as a coward to manipulate him into killing Duncan.

32
Q

What does Lady Macbeth link masculinity to?

A

+Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism: Lady Macbeth links masculinity to strength and violence, but Shakespeare shows that women can be just as ruthless and cold-hearted as men.

33
Q

How is Lady Macbeth clever and quick-witted?

A

+Lady Macbeth is the one who comes up with the cunning plot to drug Duncan’s servants and frame them for murder - This shows that she’s clever as well as cruel and heartless.

34
Q

What does Lady Macbeth do when Duncan’s murder is discovered?

A

+When Duncan’s murder is discovered, Lady Macbth faints - This could be a pretence, which cleverly draws attention away from the unconvincing speech that Macbeth’s making.

+Lady Macbeth also covers up Macbeth’s strange behaviour when he thinks that he sees Banquo’s ghost - She’s the one in control of the situation.

+Theme - Reality and Appearances: If Lady Macbeth only pretends to faint, she’s taking advantage of the way women were viewed at the time - She’s using the stereotype of a weak woman overcome by shock to hide the reality of her cruel, cold-hearted nature.

35
Q

How does Shakespeare use Lady Macbeth to explore gender and power?

A

+Women were traditionally seen as kinder and weaker than men, but Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth to show that this isn’t always true - She says she would kill her own baby if she’d sworn to do it; Shakespeare contrasts her with Lady Macduff, who’s a caring mother.

+Writer’s techniques - Symbolism: Lady Macbeth thinks women are made weak by their maternal instincts - she tells the spirits to “Come to my woman’s breasts/And take my milk for gall”; she wants to lose her femininity.

36
Q

What is Lady Macbeth’s power?

A

+Lady Macbeth’s power lies in manipulating people - This shows that non-violent ‘female’ traits are just as powerful as violent ‘male’ ones.

37
Q

How does Lady Macbeth have a softer side?

A

+Lady Macebeth does have a softer side - She says that she couldn’t kill Duncan herself because he reminded her of her father; this shows that she’s not as cold-hearted as she appears.

+Theme - Ambition: Macbeth is set in a violent, male-dominated society, so Lady Macbeth can only achieve her ambitions through Macbeth.

38
Q

What does Lady Macbeth become by the end of the play?

A

+She goes mad with guilt and kills herself.

+At first, it’s Macbeth who struggles with his guilty conscience - By the end of the play, Lady Macbeth is driven mad by guilt.

39
Q

When does Lady Macbeth start sleepwalking?

A

+At the end of the play [Act 5 Scene 1]

+The doctor calls this a “great pertubation in nature” because her mind is so disturbed that it’s affected her ability to sleep soundly.

+Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism: Sleepwalking was thought to be unnatural in Shakespeare’s time - sleep is the “Balm of hurt minds”, so the fact that Lady Macbeth can’t sleep peacefully emphasises her madness.

40
Q

How does Shakespeare use Language to reflect Lady Macbeth’s state of mind?

A

+Language - The way Lady Macbeth speaks reflects her state of mind - at the beginning, she speaks confidently in verse.

+By the end, her speech is made up of mad ramblings and repetitions - “Come,come,come,come,give me your hand.” - It shows that she’s lost all self-control.

41
Q

What does Lady Macbeth do in her sleep by the end of the play?

A

+In her sleep, she keeps washing her hands in the hope that she can wash away her feelings of guilt just as easily as the blood after Duncan’s murder: “Out,damned spot!”

42
Q

Why does Lady Macbeth kill herself?

A

+Guilt and isolation affect Lady Macbeth so much that she kills herself - she can’t live with what she’s done.

43
Q

What is the Macbeths’ marriage like?

A

+The Macbeths’ marriage is intense

+Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship changes - At the beginning, their marriage seems loving and passionate; Macbeth calls Lady Macbeth “my dearest partner of greatness”.

+As the play develops, it becomes clear that Lady Macbeth dominates Macbeth - she manipulates him into killing Duncan and covers up his strange behaviour when he sees Banquo’s ghost.

+As Macbeth reveals less about his plans to his wife, Lady Macbeth becomes increasingly anxious and alone - Even though she’s domineering at the beginning, she can’t cope without her husband.

44
Q

How does Shakespeare portray Lady Macbeth overall?

A

+“look like th’innocent flower,/But be the serpent under ‘t”

+Lady Macbeth is as ambitious as her husband, and she’s the brains behind Duncan’s murder - But her tough-girl attitude soon gives way to terrible guilt - By the end of the play she’s an emotional wreck.

45
Q

Who is Duncan?

A

+Duncan’s kind, but too trusting

+Duncan’s the King at the start of the play - He’s a kind an generous man who rewards loyalty; he hands out honours to Mathbeth and Malcolm.

+Nobody has a bad word to say about Duncan - even Macbeth says that “his virtues/Will plead like angels”.

46
Q

Duncan is…[3]

A

+kind:“let me enfold thee/And hold thee to my heart”

+trusting:“There’s no art/To find the mind’s construction in the face”

+a good king:“So clear in his great office”

47
Q

What is Duncan’s flaw?

A

+Duncan’s flaw is that he’s too trusting - He trusts Macbeth and doesn’t suspect he’s plotting to kill him, and he describes the treacherous Thane of Cawdor as “a gentleman on whom I built/An absolute trust”.

+However, Duncan can be firm when needed - he executes the Thane of Cawdor when he betrays him.

48
Q

How does Shakespeare present Duncan as an example of a good king?

A

+Shakespeare presents Duncan as a model king - he’s kind,honest and fair.

+Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism: Duncan uses a lot of plant imagery - he says he will “plant” Macbeth and make sure he is “full of growing” - This shows how he nurtures his subjects.

49
Q

Why does Macbeth think he shouldn’t kill Duncan?

A

+Macbeth says that one of the reasons that he shouldn’t kill Duncan is because he’s a good leader with many “virtues”.

+Macduff also calls him “a most sainted king”, reminding the audience that kings were thought to be chosen by God.

50
Q

What are Duncan’s main characteristics?

A

+Duncan is kind, generous and trusting, and puts Scotland’s needs ahead of his own.

+This contrasts with Macbeth, who is a bad king - he’s a tyrant who’s feared and hated; Macbeth puts his own selfish desires ahead of his country.

+Theme - Kingship: In Act 4, Scene, Malcolm talks about what a good king should be like - He says a ruler should have “stableness”, “mercy” and “justice” - qualities that Duncan has.

51
Q

How isn’t Duncan like other men?

A

+Duncan isn’t a soldier like Macbeth or Macduff - he’s gentle and less aggressive; He doesn’t fight himself, but sensibly sends his best soldiers to fight for him.

+He’s not afraid to be emotional - he shows “drops of sorrow” because he’s so happy and talks about his “gentle senses” - this could be seen as unmanly.

+Writer’s Techniques - Symbolism: Duncan doesn’t have the qualities that other characters associate with manliness, but Shakespeare shows that he’s kind,fair and generous - This leads to the audience to question whether a good leader really needs to be a violent warrior.

52
Q

How does Shakespeare present Duncan overall?

A

+“his virtues/Will plead like angels”

+Shakespeare leaves the audience in no doubt that Duncan is loved by all his subject - He’s kind and trusting - but it’s these qualities that lead him to trust Macbeth, and put Scotland in the hands of a tyrant.

53
Q

Who are Malcolm and Donalbain?

A

+Malcolm and Donalbain are Duncan’s sons - Malcolm is the eldest, and Duncan makes him his heir; This means that he should be the next King of Scotland, not Macbeth.

54
Q

What do Malcolm and Donalbain do?

A

+They learn from their father’s mistakes

55
Q

What is Malcolm like?

A

+Malcolm is fair and honest, like his father - However, unlike Duncan, Malcolm and Donalbain are aware that they’re in danger from those closest to them: “They’re daggers in men’s smiles, the near’r in blood,/The nearer bloody”.

+They have common sense to flee Scotland after Duncan is murdered.

56
Q

What does Malcolm learn he should do?

A

+Malcolm learns that he should only trust people who have proved their loyalty - When Macduff visits him, Malcolm tests his loyalty by pretending to be a tyrant; He knows that even people who seem good can be evil - “all things foul would waer the brows of grace”

57
Q

What happens to the partnership of Malcolm and Macduff in the end?

A

+In the end, Malcolm and Macduff make a good partnership because Macduff’s experience gives Malcolm the confidence to take action.

58
Q

Malcolm is…[2]

A

+wise:“wisdom plucks me/From over-credulous haste”

+honest:“delight/No less in truth than life”

59
Q

What are Malcolm and Donalbain not?

A

+They aren’t impulsive

+Malcolm and Donalbain don’t react to their father’s murder immediately - Malcolm says that their sorrow is too “strong” to act on it straight away; It shows that he’s sensible and unwilling to act without waiting for the right time.

60
Q

What are Malcolm and Donalbain annoyed at?

A

+They’re annoyed that Macbeth is making grand speeches which should be made by Duncan’s sons - Malcolm asks Donalbain, “Why do we hold our tongues”.

+Theme - Reality and Appearance: Malcolm is more suspicious of false appearances than Duncan was - he says, “To show an unfelt sorrow is an office/Which the false man does easy”; He’s wary of people like Macbeth.

61
Q

What does Malcolm develop into?

A

+Malcolm develops into a good leader

+Malcolm becomes a confident leader - He earns the trust of the Scottish thanes, who say they will “give obedience where ‘tis truly owed”; They will follow Malcolm because he’s the rightful King.

62
Q

What does Malcolm eventually do?

A

+Malcolm eventually returns to Scotland with an army - He proves that he’s clever by disguising the soldiers with branches, and leads his army to victory, which shows he’s a strong leader.

63
Q

How does Malcolm thank the people who stayed with him?

A

+He rewards everyone who fought with him - like Duncan, he’s generous to those who are loyal to him.

+Theme - Kingship: Malcolm has many of the qualities that made Duncan a good King, but he’s less naive than his father - This suggests that he’ll eventually make a better King.

64
Q

Explain how Malcolm demonstrates good Kingship.

A

+Shakespeare has nothing bad to say about Malcolm: he’s cautious, he’s generous, he’s a good leader, he looks great in a kilt… He’s the opposite of Macbeth, and will be an even better King than Duncan.

65
Q

How is Banquo better than Macbeth?

A

Banquo is more honourable than Macbeth

66
Q

Who is Banquo?

A

+Banquo is a thane like Macbeth - he’s there when the Witches first make their prophecies.

67
Q

What is Banquo praised for?

A

+Banquo is praised for his courage in battle - just like Macbeth.

+However, while Macbeth is guided by his own selfish desires, Banquo has a “wisdom that doth guide his valour”. - This suggests that Banquo thinks before he acts and does what is right.

68
Q

Banquo is…[3]

A

+brave:“that dauntless temper of his mind”

+noble:“Noble Banquo, /That hast no less deserved”

+wise:“The instruments of darkness tell us truths, /Win us with with honest trifles - to betray’s”

69
Q

How is Banquo similar to Macbeth?

A

+Like Macbeth, Banquo is ambitious and hopes the Witches’ prophecies come true.

+He doesn’t act on their predictions, so he represents the path Macbeth could have chosen.

+Banquo isn’t corrupted by his ambition like Macbeth is, so he remains honourable.

70
Q

What does Macbeth promise Banquo?

A

+Macbeth promises to “honour” Banquo for his loyalty, but Banquo chooses to keep his “allegiance clear” - his conscience is more important to him than power and glory.

71
Q

Whom does Banquo not trust?

A

The Witches

72
Q

How does Banquo behave when he meets the Witches?

A

+Banquo behaves rationally when he meets the Witches - he questions whether they are real and doesn’t trust them.

+In contrast, Macbeth wants them to tell him more, and is “rapt withal”.

73
Q

What does Banquo tell the Witches?

A

+Banquo tells the Witches that he “neither beg nor fear/Your favours”, but he’s still intrigued to hear what they have to say.

+He admits to having “dreamt last night of the three weÏrd sisters”, which suggests he’s still thinking about the predictions.

74
Q

How is Banquo aware of the Witches?

A

+Theme - Reality and Appearance: Banquo’s aware that the Witches could be “fantastical” and is perceptive enough to realise that they are “instruments of darkness” that could “win us to our harm”.

+He’s more cautious about believing what he sees than Macbeth is.

75
Q

What does Banquo not do?

A

+Banquo doesn’t act to protect himself.

76
Q

What does Banquo suspect?

A

+Banquo suspects that Macbeth murdered Duncan - “I fear, /Thou play’dst most foully”

+However, he doesn’t act on his suspicions and instead reminds himself that he will be the “father/Of many kings” - this shows that ambitious thoughts can distract even the most honourable characters.

77
Q

What does Macbeth see Banquo as during the middle of the play?

A

+Macbeth sees Banquo as a threat - he says that there’s no one except Banquo “Whose being do I fear”.

+When Macbeth’s hired killers surround him, Banquo’s exclamation of “O, treachery!” shows that he didn’t suspect that Macbeth would betray him.

+Theme - Supernatural: Macbeth is haunted by Banquo’s ghost, which shows how guilty Macbeth feels about killing his honourable friend.

78
Q

Make comparisons between Macbeth and Banquo…

A

+Macbeth and Banquo aren’t total opposites - both are warriors and both are ambitious.

+But unlike Macbeth, Banquo distrusts the Witches - he wants his descendants to be kings, but he won’t kill to make it happen.

79
Q

What are Macduff’s main characteristics?

A

Macduff is honest and sincere

80
Q

Who is Macduff?

A

+Macduff is a nobleman - He’s honest and has integrity, so he acts as a contrast to Macbeth.

+He discovers Duncan’s murder and is horrified by it.

81
Q

Macduff is…[3]

A

noble:“this noble passion, /Child of integrity”

a soldier:“I have no words: /My voice is my sword”

emotional:“I must also feel it as a man”

82
Q

What does Macduff not go to?

A

+Macduff doesn’t go to Macbeth’s coronation - this suggests that he is suspicious of Macbeth.

83
Q

What does Macduff have a strong sense of?

A

+Macduff has a strong sense of loyalty and love for his country.

+He doesn’t like the way Macbeth rules, so he goes to England to persuade Malcolm to help - he exclaims “O Scotland, Scotland!” which reflects his emotional turmoil about the state of his country.

84
Q

How is Macduff brave?

A

+Macduff is brave - he fights and kills Macbeth, freeing Scotland from “the tyrant”.

85
Q

What does Macduff put before his family?

A

+Macduff puts his country before his family

86
Q

How does Macduff make a mistake?

A

+Macduff makes a mistake by going to England, leaving his wife and children unprotected - His decision shows his strong sense of justice, but also his lack of “wisdom”.

87
Q

What happens when Macduff finds out Macbeth has murdered his family?

A

+When he finds out Macbeth has had his family murdered, he is overcome with grief - His reaction shows his disbelief: “All my pretty ones?/Did you say all?”

+In contrast with the other men who see emotions as a sign of weakness, Macduff says that he will “feel” his grief “as a man”.

+This shows that he sees the ability to show emotion as an important part of his masculinity.

88
Q

Who does Macduff kill?

A

+Macduff kills Macbeth both to put the rightful heir on the throne and to avenge his family.

+He thinks that his wife and children will “haunt” him until he kills Macbeth.

89
Q

What can’t Lady Macduff understand?

A

Lady Macduff can’t understand her husband’s actions

90
Q

What does Lady Macduff say when Macduff goes to England?

A

+When Macduff goes to England, Lady Macduff says that he lacks “the natural touch” - she thinks his behaviour shows a lack of fatherly love.

91
Q

How does Lady Macduff show courage?

A

+Lady Macduff shows courage as she comforts her son, calling him “Poor bird”.

+Her love and affection for him are clear - They speak in prose, which makes the scene feel natural and homely; this makes the murders even more shocking and horrible.

92
Q

What does Lady Macduff’s goodness contrast with?

A

+Theme - Good and Evil: Lady Macduff’s goodness and caring behaviour towards her son contrast with Lady Macbeth’s unnatural, evil desires - she says she’d kill her baby to get what she wants.

93
Q

What do the Witches have?

A

The Witches have supernatural powers

94
Q

What are the Three Witches also known as?

A

+The Three Witches are also known as the Weïrd Sisters.

+The word “weird” comes from the Old English word “wyrd”, which means “fate” - this suggests that the Witches are instruments of fate.

95
Q

How do the Witches look like?

A

+They look like ugly women with beards, which suggests straight away that they’re unnatural and evil.

96
Q

The Witches are…[3]

A

+evil:“instruments of darkness”

+ambiguous:“This supernatural soliciting/Cannot be ill, cannot be good.”

+strange:“So withered and so wild”

97
Q

What can the Witches see?

A

+The Witches can see the future - all their predictions come true eventually.

+They seem to act out of malice - they don’t gain anything from their actions, they just like causing trouble.

98
Q

How do the Witches speak?

A

+They speak in short lines that rhyme - this sets them apart from the other characters.

+Lines like “Eye of newt, and toe of frog, /Wool of bat, and tongue of dog” make them sound gruesome and evil.

99
Q

What is Banquo not sure about the Witches?

A

+Banquo isn’t sure whether the Witches are real or imaginary - “Are ye fantastical, or that indeed/Which outwardly ye show?”.

+He’s suspicious that their appearance is misleading.

100
Q

How do the Witches hint that nothing is as it seems in the play?

A

+Theme - Reality and Appearance: The Witches’ line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” shows that nothing is as it seems in the play.

101
Q

The Witches are evil, but what do they not tell Macbeth?

A

+They do not tell Macbeth to murder Duncan

102
Q

How are the Witches usually accompanied?

A

+The Witches are usually accompanied by “Thunder and lightning”.

+This makes the atmosphere dark and frightening.

103
Q

What do the Witches make?

A

+The Witches make prophecies but they never explain how they’ll happen.

+In this way, they take advantage of Macbeth’s weakness [his “Vaulting ambition”] and use it to control his actions.

104
Q

What do the Witches not tell Macbeth?

A

+The Witches don’t tell Macbeth to murder Duncan - but they do predict he’ll be king, which pushes him to kill Duncan.

+This is a self-fulfilling prophecy - Macbeth makes it come true.

+Theme - Fate and Free Will: Shakespeare doesn’t make it clear whether the Witches are messengers of fate [so their prophecies are inevitable] or whether Macbeth could change his future.

105
Q

How do the Witches confuse Macbeth?

A

+The Witches confuse Macbeth using paradoxes - for example, telling him that Banqup will be “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater”.

+By not being clear about what the future holds, they keep control of Macbeth.

106
Q

Who is Hecate?

A

+Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft - she’s angry at Macbeth’s behaviour, so she uses the apparitions to punish him.

+They trick him by making predictions that give him a false sense of security, such as “none of woman born/Shall harm Macbeth” - these predictions indirectly lead to his death.

107
Q

What do the Witches predictions influence?

A

+The Witches predictions influence Macbeth’s actions.

+It’s up for debate whether the Witches control fate [by planting the idea of murder in Macbeth’s head] or whether they just tell him what’s going to happen anyway.

108
Q

Who are the other Scottish noblemen in Macbeth?

A

+Lennox, Rosse, Menteith, Angus and Caithness are all thanes - Scottish noblemen.

+None of them are very significant characters - they’re basically there to move the story along and show how power shifts during the play.

109
Q

What do the Scottish noblemen comment on?

A

+They comment on the big events of the play - eg. in Act 3, Scene 6, Lennox sarcastically says that Macbeth “nobly” and “wisely” killed Duncan’s guards

+This shows that the thanes suspect that Macbeth killed Duncan, and suggests that he’s starting to lose power.

110
Q

What do the thanes say regarding loyalty?

A

+The thanes say that they will “give obedience where ‘tis truly owed” - in other words, they’ll be loyal to whoever deserves it.

+They gradually start to question whether Macbeth is the rightful King, and start to resent his tyranny - By the end of the play they side with Malcolm and help him defeat Macbeth.

111
Q

Who does Rosse represent in Macbeth?

A

+Rosse represents the noblemen who comment on the action but are reluctant to put themselves in danger.

+He warns Lady Macduff that “cruel are the times” but makes an excuse to leave before the murderers arrive - This leaves Lady Macduff, who he calls “dearest coz”, unprotected.

112
Q

Who is the Porter?

A

+The Porter appears in Act 2 - He’s a comic character - he talks about his drunken behaviour the night before, saying that drinking makes three things happen, “nose-painting, sleep, and urine”.

+He provides a bit of light relief in between the darker, more tragic parts of the plot.

113
Q

What is the context of the Porter?

A

+In Shakespeare’s time, most plays had a clown-like character to amuse the crowd.

+Usually the clown would be in one or two scenes and would make some rude jokes or silly comments.

114
Q

Who are the three murderers?

A

+The Three murderers appear in Act 3 - they’re hired killers that Macbeth persuades to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance.

+They kill Banquo but let Fleance escape - the murderers show how ruthless Macbeth has become, and possibly that he’s unwilling to commit more murders himself.

+They also kill Lady Macduff and her children on Macbeth’s orders - this shows how desperate and cruel he is.

115
Q

Why does Macbeth send a third murderer?

A

+Macbeth sends a third murderer to help the first two kill Banquo - this shows that he no longer trusts anyone.

+Some people think the third murderer is Macbeth himself.

116
Q

Who is Siward?

A

+Siward is an English Lord - He’s a great fighter and helps Malcolm defeat Macbeth in Act 5.

+He’s got a son, Young Siward, who is killed in battle by Macbeth.

+Theme - Loyalty and Betrayal: Siward shows how important honour and bravery are to him by saying he’s glad that his son died an honourable death and showed loyalty to Malcolm.

117
Q

Who are the other minor characters [Doctor,Gentlewoman]?

A

+There are a few other minor characters such as the Doctor and the Gentlewoman who are with Lady Macbeth when she goes mad.

+They only have small parts but they help to move the plot along and develop the themes of the play.