Literature Paper 1 - Shakespeare (Macbeth) Flashcards
What are two features of Macbeths downfall?
He started off as a hero then
He begins to kill people for his owns selfish needs
What were people afraid of in the 17th century, especially King James I?
Witches
In Jacobean time, women were expected to be subordinate to their husbands.
What does subordinate mean in this sense?
Women were supposed to obey their husbands
What character in Macbeth contrasts to the patriarchal view of the Jacobean times?
Lady Macbeth
What religion was James l?
Protestant
What was Shakespears message through macbeth that King James l was pleased with?
It warned about what could happen to people if they commited treason
What was the divine right of kings?
The belief that Kings were appointed by God
What does Shakespeare begin with 3 withces at the start of macbeth
To show that Supernaturals are throught the play
What key qoute do the witches say in the beginning of macbeth?
“Fair is foul and foul is fair”
What does the oxymoron ‘ fair is foul and foul is fair’ suggest to the audience?
Things are not always what they seem to be
What title in Macbeth given in Act 1 scene 2
Thane of Cawdor
Macbeth orders the witches to explain how he is Thane of Cawdor, but they vanish
What does this show?
Macbeth cant control them
What does the qoute “If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me” mean in act 1 scene 3
He can become king without doing anything because fate has decided it for him
What does the qoute “If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me” in act 1 scene 3 SHOW about his ambition?
Very weak as he wont take any action to become king
What are the three prophecies that the witches tell in Act 1 Scene 3?
Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdow
Macbeth will become King
Banqous children will become kings
Why is Macbeth uncomfortable when he hears the news about becoming king?
He realises something would have to happen to King Duncan
When Macbeth enters in Act 1 Scene 3, what does he say?
So foul and fair a day i have not seen
What can you analyse in “So foul and fair a day i have not seen?” (Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3)
Echos the witches - is already being influenced
Macbeth uses ‘and’ instead of ‘is’ which dhows he can distinguish good and evil
“Stars, hide your fires, let motnlight see my black and deep desires” (Macbeth Act 1 Scene 4)
What are Macbeth’s ‘black and deep desires’?
Wanting the crown
Why does Lady Macbeth worry about Macbeth?
Thinks Macbeth is too good and soft to take action to get the corwn
Why does Lady Macbeth want Macbeth to become the King and powerful?
So she can share the power
What does the qoute “I may pour my spirits in thine ear” (Lady Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5)
She wants to manipulate macbeth
What is the significance of Lady Macbeth saying “unsex me here” in Act 1 Scene 5?
She wants to the spirits to make her less womanly so she can embrace the traditional male traits of anger and ferocity
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth ‘Look like th’innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t’.
What does this mean?
Macbeth should hide his true feelings
He needs to come across as innocent even though he has violent intentions
