Act 1 scene 4 Flashcards
What happens in this scene?
1) The old Thane of Cawdor is executed
2) Duncan announces his sone Malcom will be next in line for the throne
3) Duncan decides he will stay at Macbeth’s castle
4) Macbeth rides ahead of Duncan back to his castle, and sends a letter to lady Macbeth
5) Macbeth realises he must kill Duncan in order to become king
6) Macbeth thinks that casting directing like on his face will reveal his desire to be king- metaphorically
What themes are presented in this scene?
What techniques are presented in this scene?
Ambition
Appearance vs reality
Techniques:
Irony
Objectification
Metaphors
Chremamorphism
Why is scene important?
Macbeths becomes more ambitions and accepts within himself his desire to be king
Duncan reveals Malcom is next in line for the throne
Duncan reflects on how he trusted the old Thane of Cawdor- Ironic as Macbeth will betray him, similarly to how the old Thane did
Key quote: O worthiest ? , The ? of my ingratitude even now
Was ? on ?
Dunacan:
O worthiest cousin, The weight of my ingratitude even now
Was heavy on me.
O worthiest cousin, The weight of my ingratitude even now
Was heavy on me.
What does this quote tell us?
Analyse:
Dunacn expresses gratitude towards Macbeth
.Duncan wishes Macbeth didn’t deserve such a big reward, so his reward for Macbeth would be in proportion to his great feats in battle
The word ‘sin’ also shows how massive Macbeths feat was, as even though they are grateful it isn’t enough.
Macbeth key quote: The Prince of ? ! that is a step
On which I must ?, or else o’erleap
For in my way it ?
The Prince of Cumberland ! that is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap
For in my way it lies
The Prince of Cumberland ! that is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap
For in my way it lies
What does this quote tell us?
Analyse:
Duncan announces that Malcom will be made next in line for the throne
Macbeth sees Malcom as an object that must be avoided, if he wants to succesfully become king
.This shows how Macbeth is detaching emotions from his inhumane ideas and plans- this it makes it easier for him to carry them out
The word ‘lies’ has a double meaning
. Lie- as in lying down in the way
. Lie- to be untruthfull
The word ‘step’ shows Macbeth objectifying Malcom further - a step is an inanimate object
.Malcom is seen as something he can merely ‘step’ over
.This demonstrates Chremamorphism as he is giving people qualities of inanimate objects
Macbeth Key quote:
Stars, hide your ?
Let not see my ? and ? desires
Stars, hide your fires
Let not see my black and deep desires
Stars, hide your fires
Let not see my black and deep desires
What does this quote tell us?
Analyse:
Macbeth thinks that shining light on his face will reveal his desire to be king
‘Black’ and ‘deep’ show how the witches have a lasting influence on Macbeth- as it is the witches predictions that started his desires to be king
.’Black’ and ‘deep’ also show that his prophecies and desires are laced with a sense of foreboding
.The witches were described as ‘Instruments of darkness’
