Act 1 Flashcards
Act 1, Scene 1
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
- Theme of Paradox: This is one of the most important lines in the play. It introduces the theme of appearance vs. reality, a recurring motif in Macbeth. What seems good (“fair”) may actually be evil (“foul”) and vice versa. This theme runs throughout the play, especially as Macbeth’s actions seem noble on the surface but are morally corrupt.
- Moral Confusion: The line suggests the blurring of moral boundaries, foreshadowing the confusion and chaos that will follow.
- Foreshadowing: It hints at the deceptive nature of Macbeth’s rise to power and the overall reversal of the natural order in Scotland.
Act 1, Scene 5
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”
• Imperatives & Metaphor - Lady Macbeth uses imperatives (“Come”, “unsex me”) to summon dark forces to remove her femininity, which she associates with weakness.
• Gender roles - This line challenges traditional gender expectations. Lady Macbeth wants to rid herself of the qualities seen as feminine (compassion, gentleness) so she can be ruthless enough to commit murder.
• Supernatural: Her plea to spirits links her to the witches and other supernatural forces, blurring the lines between the human and the unnatural.
Gender Expectations in Jacobean Society:
• In the early 17th century, society held rigid views on gender roles. Women were expected to be passive, nurturing, and subservient, particularly within marriage. Men were seen as the dominant gender, embodying traits like strength, leadership, and aggression. Lady Macbeth’s desire to be “unsexed” directly opposes these norms.
• By rejecting her femininity, she subverts societal expectations and wishes for traditionally masculine traits like cruelty and power, reflecting the play’s exploration of gender dynamics. This line challenges the Jacobean belief that women were the “weaker sex,” both physically and morally, and suggests that Lady Macbeth views feminine qualities as obstacles to achieving her ambitions.
Act 1, Scene 4
“The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step / On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, / For in my way it lies.”
- Meaning: Upon hearing that Malcolm has been named heir to the throne, Macbeth realises that this new obstacle stands in the way of his ambition. He must either give up his desire for the throne or overcome this hurdle by any means necessary.
- Significance: This quote shows Macbeth’s growing frustration and determination.
The decision to “o’erleap” suggests his willingness to commit murder to achieve his ambitions. - Macbeth moves from a passive acceptance of the prophecy to actively considering murder.
Act 1, Scene 4
“Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires.”
• Meaning: Macbeth, in an aside, reveals his secret ambition to become king and his desire to hide his evil thoughts from the world.
• Significance: This is one of the first moments where Macbeth acknowledges the depth of his ambition. He recognises the darkness within himself and wants to conceal it, foreshadowing his moral descent.
• The personification of stars and fires, along with imagery of darkness, emphasises the idea of secrecy and hidden intentions.
Act 1, Scene 1
“When shall we three meet again / In thunder, lightning, or in rain?”
- Tone: The witches speak in a chant-like rhythm (trochaic tetrameter), which makes their speech sound unnatural and unsettling, adding to the supernatural atmosphere.
- Weather Imagery: The witches associate themselves with turbulent, destructive weather, symbolising chaos and evil forces at play. Thunder, lightning, and rain represent turmoil, mirroring the conflict that will arise in the play.
- Foreshadowing: The witches’ plan to meet again foreshadows their involvement in Macbeth’s fate, which is linked to disorder and moral confusion.
