last minute stuff

Question 1

general shakespeare intentions macbeth

Answer 1

General Shakespeare Intentions you can apply to any essay:
- Shakespeare utilises ambition as a central theme to underpin the play, revealing its morally corrosive and blinding influence on individuals driven by self-fulfilling and egocentric aspirations.
- As King James I was a patron to his plays, Shakespeare uses the play as a velled (indirect) allegory). - He intertwines the act of regicide with tormenting guilt, a potent reminder of the potential consequences for those who disrupt the divinely ordained order.
- Shakespeare cautions the audience about the perilous (dangerous) consequences of succumbing to the irresistible allure of supernatural powers, emphasising that such engagement with this dark force inevitably results in a quick and catastrophic demise.

Question 2

macbeth quotes

Answer 2

“vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itfelf and falls on th’other” (act 1)
“I heard a voice cry “sleep no more! macbeth does murder sleep’” (act 2)
“tell me” “call em” (act 4)
“worthy cawdor! … all hail hereafter” to a “coward” (act 1)
“i am in blood/stepp’d in so far that should i wade no more, returning were as tedious” (act 3)

Question 3

macbeth “vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’other” (act 1) analysis

Answer 3

themes : AMBITION, violence, supernatural, a vs r, guilt, gender
- personification: macbeth personifies his ambition, alike to a human force that can corrupt his formerly innocent mind
- verb “fall” shows macbeth’s awareness that his all-encompassing ambition is his hamartia destined to lead to his mental and physical decline.
- metaphor : the metaphorical portrayal of macbeth’s “vaulting ambition” draws a parallel between him and a jockey who is to manage an untameable, almost animalistic force. this is self-deceptive, implies he can control the force.

Question 4

macbeth “I heard a voice cry ‘sleep no more! macbeth does murder sleep!’” (act 2) analysis

Answer 4

themes: GUILT, ambition, violence, supernatural, a vs r, gender
- motif of sleep : motif makes sleep synonymous with innocence. lack of sleep = departure of innocence as he committed regicide.
- went from imperatives like “stars hide your fires” but now is tormented by haunting “cries”
- exclamation sentence : emphasises the enduring and irreversible nature of macbeths loss of innocence. his disruption of the natural order through his wickedness has forever condemned his mind to the relentless torment of guilt.

Question 5

lady macbeth quotes

Answer 5

“dash’d the brains out” (act 1)
“make thick my blood, stop up th’access and passage to remorse” (act 1)
“come you spirits… unsex me here” (act 1)
“a little water clears us of this deed (act 2)
[enters with a taper] (act 5)

Question 6

lady macbeth “dash’d the brains out” (act 1)

Answer 6

themes: violence, ambition, gender, a vs r
- plosive on dash’d : creates a brutal sound, mirroring her brutal rejection of motherly instincts. her proclivity for violence takes precedence over motherhood
- juxtaposition: juxtaposition between “dash’d” and “brains” reflects her character - despite her fragile exterior, she wants to investigate violence and chaos
- ironic, as the very organ she seeks to disrupt in her unborn child becomes the locus of her own downfall

Question 7

lady macbeth [enters with a taper] (act 5) analysis

Answer 7

themes: GUILT, violence, ambition, a vs r, gender
- symbolism of [taper]: as a [taper] provides light it shows she is seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness.
- in christian symbolism, light = hope and divine guidance. this is her pleas for god’s redemption from the sins that torment her.
- character development: her need for light is the antithesis to act 1: “come thick night”
- the motif of darkness and light reinforces how her dark wants for violence causes her desperation to see the light and seek redemption.

Question 8

the witches quotes

Answer 8

“instruments of darkness” (banquo act 1)
“eye of newt”, “fire burn and cauldron bubble”, and “hell-broth” (act 4)
“fair is foul and foul is fair” (act 1)

Question 9

the witches “instruments of darkness” (banquo act 1) analysis

Answer 9

themes: supernatural, a vs r, violence, ambition
- auditory image on “instruments”: the auditory imagery implies a malevolent musicality, their words posses an almost hypnotic trance for macbeth - their speech is a manipulative melodic composition
- plosive on “darkness”: creates a harsh sound foreshadowing the ominous and grim destiny the witches are ready to inflict upon macbeth
- banquos discernment of this “darkness”, indicated his immunity to the hypnotic and malevolent musicality that captivates macbeth.

Question 10

the witches “foul is fair and fair is foul” (act 1)

Answer 10

themes: a vs r, supernatural, ambition
- speak in paradoxes: “foul” and “fair” sense of contradiction and disorientation is established from the offset
- this foreshadows the impending chaos in the play - the Witches’ deceitful nature will leave macbeth bewildered and disorientated
- speak in trochaic tetrameter: gives their speech an eerie songlike quality difference from the other characters who speak in iambic pentameter. this compounds their duplicitousness as even their speech transcends the earthly realm.

Question 11

banquo quotes

Answer 11

“he hath wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety” (said by macbeth in act 3)
“i dream’s of the three weird sisters last night” (banquo act 2)
“i think not of them” (macbeth act 2)

Question 12

“he hath wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety” (said by macbeth in act 3)

Answer 12

themes: AMBITION, a vs r, violence, supernatural
- 7 deadly sins: macbeth epitomises the 7 deadly sin of envy - he envies banquo’s capacity for courage in abstaining from succumbing to these “deep desires”
- “guide” connotes leadership, mirrors macbeths initial attempt to lead his ambition but he succumbs to its potent influence. banquo emerges as a figure capable of self-guidance, steering clear of the temptations of sin.
- the ambivalent portrayal of banquo stands as the antithesis to macbeths bloodthirsty depiction.

Question 13

macduff quotes

Answer 13

“turn, hell-hound, turn” (act 5)

Question 14

macduff “turn, hell hound turn” (act 5) analysis

Answer 14

themes: VIOLENCE, ambition, a vs r
- repetition on “turn”: emphasises macbeth’s upheaval of order through his tyrannical rule. ALT - once scotland “turns” to face macbeth, macduff will be able to reinstate order within scotland
- epithet “hell-hound”: the epithet creates an infernal image that emphasises macduff’s condemnation of macbeth’s diabolical ambitions and the ensuing turmoil.
- macduff is the antithesis of macbeth - macbeth prioritises his own selfish ambitions whereas macduff places his country and the people that reside in it at the forefront of his concerns.

Question 15

acc themes

Answer 15

SSSKRR
selfishness/materialism
social injustice/poverty
supernatural
kindness/family
religion
regret/redemption

Question 16

dickens’ intentions

Answer 16

• Dickens crafts an allegorical (story with moral message) novella with a didactic (to teach) purpose, aiming to convey a message about the virulent (harmful) consequences of avariciousness (greed) and frugality (stinginess) in society. He criticises the upper classes for their apathy (lack of concern) toward the poor and their complicity in perpetuating dehumanising laws and social structures through ignorance.
  • Dickens crafts the ghosts as vehicles for conveying his condemnation (criticism) of the ignorance and callousness (cruelty) prevalent among the materialistic upper classes. Thus, the ghosts serve as Dickens’ mouthpiece (can’t be in the novel so they speak his beliefs), delivering a powerful message advocating for compassion and societal reform.
  • Dickens communicates to his upper-class readers the important role of repentance (remorse) and compassion increasing both personal and societal moral redemption.
  By holding up a mirror to his readership, he prompts them to introspect (look in at themselves) and assess whether their attitudes perpetuate social injustice or contribute to social reform.
  11

Question 17

scrooge quotes

Answer 17

“squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” (stave 1)
“he seized the extinguisher-cap and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head” (stave 2)
“yellow” “wolfish” “scowling” (stave 3 - ignorance and want shown by ghost of christmas present)
“i will live in the past, the present, and the future. the spirits of all three shall strive within me” (stave 4)
“quite a baby” “merry as a schoolboy” (stave 5)

Question 18

scrooge “squeezing wrenching, grasping , scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” (stave 1) analysis

Answer 18

themes: SELFISHNESS, social injustice, religion
- asyndetic listing: portrays scrooge’s immoral characteristics as ongoing, casting him as an unrepentant “sinner”
- 7 negative adjectives mirrors the 7 deadly sins. the parallels between scrooge and the sins are used by dickens to highlight how the rich, symbolised by scrooge are more inclined towards moral transgression than the poor.
- “squeezing” and “wrenching” connotes a struggle: shows scrooge struggles to see the detrimental consequences of his frugality and thus, his role in perpetuating social inequality.

Question 19

“Quite a baby””merry as a schoolboy” (stave 5)

Answer 19

themes: REDEMPTION, kindness, selfishness, religion, social injustice, supernatural
- infantile language : this indicates his rebirth, as both a “baby” and “schoolboy” connote innocence and youth, scrooge is showcasing his ability to see the world in an untainted light
- as a “baby” is the start of life, this signifies that scrooge has been reborn as he has gone from a selfish “old sinner” back to the most innocent form of human life - he has had the ultimate rebirth.
- christian ideas of rebirth: in christianity, rebirth is a spiritual renewal and connection with god. this is deeply intertwined with the belief in jesus christ’s rebirth, which offered salvation to humanity - scrooge holds promise of salvation for the poor.

Question 20

Marley quotes

Answer 20

“I wear the chain i forged in life… i made it link by link” (stave 1)
“mankind was my business” (stave 1)

Question 21

Marley “i wear the chain i forged in life… i made it link by link” (stave 1) analysis

Answer 21

themes: SELFISHNESS, social injustice, supernatural, religion, regret
- symbolism of chains: as chains are made of link, which are all interconnecting, this is alike to how marley is warning scrooge that his covetousness is interconnected to his anguish.
- chain symbolises restriction and entrapment. through marley “dragging” the chain, his chain is a conceit for the restricting and eternal consequences of being parsimonious and perpetuating social injustice
- personal pronoun: the use of the personal pronouns “I” implies that Marley acknowledges with remorse the consequences of his own personal and selfish pursuit of material wealth, leading to his eternal and spiritual poverty.

Question 22

Marley “mankind was my business” (stage 1) analysis

Answer 22

themes: SELFISHNESS, social injustice, supernatural, religion, regret
- economical language: Marley serves as dickens first mouthpiece using economical language as a critique of society’s obsession with material wealth and the relentless pursuit of profit
- it foreshadows the grim fate awaiting scrooge is he fails to learn the eternal punishment of marley: being reduced to mere economic terms upon his death (“cheap funeral” “marketing the corpse”
- syntax : “mankind” preceding “business” indicates the hierarchal order of values that Scrooge, and by extension society, should prioritise

Question 23

ghost of christmas past quotes

Answer 23

“it was a strange figure - like a child: yet not like a child as like an old man” (stave 2)
“bright clear jet of light” “purest white” (stave 2)

Question 24

Ghost of christmas past “bright jet of light” “purest white” (stave 2) analysis

Answer 24

themes: REDEMPTION, supernatural, family, religion
- motif of light: permeates the novella. “light” evokes images of hope and radiance, symbolising how the ghost is a beacon of enlightenment, tasked with illuminating scrooge’s path towards moral awakening and personal transformation.
- “purest” celestial imagery: of heaven and purity from his previous sin. as the ghost wears a “tunic” of this colour, it is suggestive that his aim is to resurface scrooge’s repressed memories and emotions in order to purify him from his previous sins so he is ready to access heaven
- it foreshadows scrooges spiritual journey towards moral transformation and redemption while also emphasising the theme of forgiveness.

Question 25

ghost of christmas present quotes

Answer 25

“glowing torch, in shape not unlike plenty’s horn” (stave 3)
“if he be like to die, he had better do it and decrease the surplus population” (stave 3)

Question 26

ghost of christmas present “if he be like to die, he had better do it and decrease the surplus population” (stave 3)

Answer 26

themes: SOCIAL INJUSTICE, selfishness, supernatural, religion
- repetition: ghost repeats scrooges quote from stage one emphasising his callous neglect and ignorance towards the plight of the lower classes. through scrooges adoption of malthusian ideology, poverty and starvation are dismissed as inevitable outcomes of a “surplus population”
- the ghost, a symbol of abundance and equality, repeats it back to illustrate the inhumanity inherent in such an apathetic and informal perspective
- plosives: plosives litter the speech, the harshness of the plosives accentuates the harsh callousness of upper class views towards the destitute- causes exploitation of children.

Question 27

ghost of christmas yet to come quotes

Answer 27

“shrouded in a deep black garment” (act 4)
“it was a worthy place… overrun by grass and weeds” (act 4)

Question 28

ghost of christmas yet to come “it was a worthy place… overrun by grass and weeds” (stave 4)

Answer 28

• decaying semantic field: serves as a mocking commentary on scrooge’s life. ironically, the vitality and life of the surrounding plants highlight his own insignificance. this serves as a criticism of his materialistic existence, suggesting that he had become even more insignificant than the decaying plants surrounding his grave.
• through the ghost’s portrayal of scrooge’s proleptic death, dickens emphasised the dire consequences of neglecting one’s moral and civic duties - this neglect will inevitably lead to eternal neglect and oblivion in death
• exclamatice sentence: the exclamatice sentence of “a worthy place!” severed as a form of karmic retribution, where scrooge’s frugal and miserly existence is met with just punishment - evoking a sense of divine justice.

Question 29

Bob quotes

Answer 29

“clerk” stave 1
“i’ll give you mr scrooge, the founder of the feast!”
“my little, little child!” cried bob. “my little child!”

Question 30

bob “i’ll give you mr scrooge, the founder of the feast!” analysis

Answer 30

themes: SOCIAL INJUSTICE, selfishness, religion
- connotations of “founder” : creatorship, reflecting how bob perceieves scrooge with a quasi-divine reverence. this is reinforced through their gratitude towards a “goose”, using the superlative “rarest” despite the irony that this was a cheap bird that replaced turkey in the victorian era
- this quote explores the disheartening reality where the destitute, like bob, feel indented and blindly grateful to those who exploit them.
- exclamative sentence: bob epitomises the power of true wealth. despite their meagre materialistic possession, their gratitude is emphasised by the exclamative sentence - challenging the idea that material wealth equates to moral superiority

Question 31

fred quotes

Answer 31

“all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled” compared to scrooge “frosty rime” “darkness is cheap” (stave 1)
“his offences carry their own punishment, and i have nothing to say against him” (stave 3)