Act 1 Flashcards
What is the effect of thunder and lightning being the first thing seen or heard?
immediately shows that conflict is coming and sets the frightening, negative tone of the play.
Analyse ‘fair is foul, foul is fair” spoken by the witches in act 1 sc 1
theme of evil-doing and deception recurs in the story. This is the first indication that things may not always be as they appear.
obnubilates (darken or cover with or as if with a cloud) the idea of good vs evil and suggests they intertwine, good is evil, evil is good.
Macbeth appears to be a good friend and a heroic character. But when he is tempted by power, he becomes a villainous, selfish character who murders numerous people, including his own friends.
What is the quotation to describe how Macbeth kills macdonald in act 1 sc 2? What does this suggest about Macbeth?
“unseam’d him from nave to th’ chops”
He is a great, expert swordsman as the motion unseam’d indicated the fluid motion.
Also portrays his violence.
How is Macbeth portrayed as a heroic character in the eyes of Duncan in act 1? (How does he describe him)
‘valiant cousin, worthy gentleman’. Act 1 sc 2
‘Brave Macbeth’
‘Noble Macbeth’ act 1 sc 2
What is the significance and irony of Macbeth being given the title thane of Cawdor? What does Duncan say about the previous thane of Cawdor?
Title originally belonged to ‘a most disloyal traitor’
What are the witches 3 prophecies to Macbeth act 1 sc 3
He is thane of glamis
He will be thane of Cawdor
‘All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.’
What is Macbeth’s original synopsis on the prophecy that he will be king in act 1 sc 3 during his soliloquy
He decides that, if fate has decided he will be king, he can become king without doing anything: ‘If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me / Without my stir.’
What is the significance of Banquo suggesting the witches and their prophecies regarding him and Macbeth are ‘The _______ of darkness’
metaphor here suggests that he thinks the witches might be evil, and that they might be using their ability to see the future to hurt Macbeth and Banquo.
He is less willing to believe their prophecies, viewing them as evil creatures with dark intentions.
Act 1 sc 3 banquo says Macbeth is ‘rapt withal’ what does this show?
Macbeth is “rapt withal” which bears connotations of being entranced and absorbed by the Witches, clearly tempted and interested in the thought of the prophecies.
“Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, / Against the use of nature? “ what is Macbeth thinking about at this point. Act 1 sc 3.
At this point in the play, he does not want to harm King Duncan, as he recognises the Divine Right of Kings, knowing that King Duncan was chosen by God to rule Scotland.
He is also scared of the consequences. -going to hell after disrupting the great chain of being.
Act 1 sc 4 “Stars hide your _____, / let not light see my black and ____ desires” this quotation is said after Macbeth is told Malcolm will be the heir to the throne. Why does Macbeth say this? Analyse the quote.
Stars, hide your fires, / Let not light see my black and deep desires’
In an aside, Macbeth says that Malcolm is now an obstacle for him.
He admits that he wants the crown, even though it is disloyal to want it.
It reflects his desire to conceal his ambition and guilt from others and, perhaps, from his own conscience.
he juxtaposition of “light” and “black” emphasizes the moral conflict within Macbeth, as he is torn between his conscience and his vaulting ambition.
What happens in act 1 sc 5? (Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth about everything that has happened. What is lady Macbeth’s thoughts and reactions to what he says?
Lady Macbeth is worried that Macbeth is too good and soft-hearted to take action to get the crown. She wants to manipulate him into taking action and getting the crown.
Lady Macbeth talks to the spirits. She asks them to make her less womanly so that she can be cruel and do what she needs to do for Macbeth to become king
Lady Macbeth in act 1 sc 5 worries Macbeth is too kind and soft to kill the king. ‘It is too full o’th’ ____ of human kindness
‘It is too full of O’th’ milk of human kindness’
What quotation does L Macbeth say to emphasise how she will manipulate Macbeth? Why does she feel she needs to play her part by manipulating him?
‘chastise with the valour of my tongue.’
Direct Macbeth, spur him on to kill Duncan and usurp the throne.
Lady Macbeth intends on defying societal norms and subvert Jacobean gender roles in terms of taking control of her husband.
She wants her husband to be more powerful so that she, in turn, shares the power. She realises she can’t do this by herself. She must make herself no longer feminine and because of her position, only Macbeth can perform the acts necessary to get her into power.
What quote from L Macbeth is her request to ‘change her gender? (act 1 sc 5) who is she seeking to provide this for her?
‘Unsex me here’
Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to make her less womanly.
Women were supposed to be kind and nurture life and friendships, but she wants to be more masculine (‘unsex me here’). She wants to adopt the more traditionally male traits of anger and ferocity.
