Macbeth Flashcards
Macbeth-Supernatural
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen”
What does “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” show?
The use of a paradox. Adjectives ‘foul’ and ‘fair’ contrast. Macbeth meets witches, uses oxymoronic language to subtly link Macbeth with the supernatural as it echoes the witches words, this could spark a slight suspicion in the audience of Macbeth as the supernatural is closely linked to the idea of evil. James killed 2,500 witches, James believed witches were responsible for causing a storm that nearly sunk a ship he was on when he was travelling to Denmark, James was obsessed with witches, James wrote a booklet called Demonologie in which he talked about them. Shakespeare may have done this to interest James and gain his performing company patronage.
What is a hamartia?
A fatal flaw.
What is Macbeths hamartia?
Ambition.
Macbeth-Bravery and violence
“Bloody execution”
What does “Bloody execution show”?
Shows he is ruthless and brutal, noun ‘execution’ is usually a word used do describe killing somebody as a punishment which makes his fighting seem very one sided as if the enemy couldn’t fight back, showing he is a brutal warrior. The adverb ‘bloody’ creates violent imagery in the minds of the reader and Shakespeare might have done this to set him up as a tragic hero by first labelling him as loyal and brave to his country. The violent imagery could also contrast to him being womanised later on by Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth-Power and ambition
“Speak I charge you”
What does “speak I charge you” show?
Macbeth demands that the witches tell him more which hints at his underlying ambition and interest in gaining more power, even at this early stage, the noun ‘charge’ is very commanding showing him to be a controlling person who gets his own way. Furthermore, the imperative verb ‘speak’ shows how he has power over the women of the play to begin with as he is speaking to the witches.
Macbeth-Loyalty
“Noble Macbeth”
What does “Noble Macbeth” show?
Shows that Macbeth’s brutality is in the honourable context of defending his country at this point in the play, creating a relatively good first impression of the character within the audience.
Macbeth-Religion
“I could not say ‘Amen’”
What does “I could not say Amen’” show?
After Duncan’s murder, the fact that he could not say the holy word shows that by committing regicide he has become disconnected from God and all goodness, possibly because at the time the king was seen to be chosen by God. Here Shakespeare uses religion to illustrate Macbeth’s illustration as a character.
Macbeth-Ambition and indecision
“I have no spur, to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself, and falls on th’other”
What does “I have no spur, to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself, and falls on th’other” show?
The verb ‘vault’ means jump or leap. He has the desire and intent but no spur to get him to do it, is Lady Macbeth the spur. Complex metaphor used to characterised his ambition as a horse that neds a spur to satisfy his ambition. Imagery shows that he stuck between not acting, or acting too much which will lead to him falling.
Explain some context in link to ambition.
The great chain of being had monarchs above all living things on earth, to kill one would be committing regicide and going against God himself. Due to the great chain o being, it is a transgressive act even to think about moving up a step to become king. Transgressive means the violation of accepted social boundaries.
Macbeth-Ambition and mental weakness
“Art not without ambition, but without the illness that should attend it”
What does “Art not without ambition, but without the illness that should attend it” show?
Repetition of ‘without’ emphasises his lack of wickedness which Lady Macbeth calls illness. The verb ‘attend’ here means to have as a servant and Lady Macbeth is suggesting that if you have ambition, you mist have the immorality that comes with it. Macbeth’s superego is getting in the way.
Macbeth-Ambition and mental weakness 2
“Like the poor cat i’th’adage”
What does “Like the poor cat i’th’adage” show?
Simile. This proverb is about a cat who wanted to eat a fish in a river but didn’t want to get his feet wet. Lady Macbeth is urging him to be physically and mentally brave to follow through on his actions.
What does “Like the poor cat i’th’adage” show?
Simile. This proverb is about a cat who wanted to eat a fish in a river but didn’t want to get his feet wet. Lady Macbeth is urging him to be physically and mentally brave to follow through on his actions.
Ambition-Natural disorder
“Strange screams of death”
What does “Strange screams of death” show?
Alliteration and sibilance draws attention to the supernatural and mystery. This could create an eerie atmosphere in the audience and make them unsure about what is going to happen next. The proper noun ‘death’ has connotations of grief which the nation may have been feeling due to the murder of the righteous king as they fall into the hands of the unstable Macbeth. Additionally, James wanted people to believe that is the divine right of kings was disrupted, then it would cause pure chaos. To protect his place as king. Did not want to be executed or for his company to be shut down.
What were the audience?
Jacobean era.
What is the play propoganda for?
Showing what happens to you if you kill the king.
What happened a year before the play was written?
The gunpowder plot, Guy Fawkes and some Catholics tried to kill James but they were captured and tortured and their heads were placed on spikes on London gate as an example. Shakespeares double talk could be a clever way to avoid accusations of having catholic sentiments as the king was protestant.
Who did women belong to?
Fathers and then their husbands.
What could women not do?
Attend school or university, could not vote, could not go on stage, wives expected to be obedient.
How much older was Anne Hathaway?
8 years older so had previous sex so did she trap him?
When did they have a baby?
6 months after marriage so sex before marriage.
Why was LM created?
Challenge patriachy?
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How is Macbeth described at the start?
Bloodthirsty.
Macbeths lack of fear to the witches.
“What need I fear of thee?” Rhetorical question.
Macbeth invincible.
“No man born of woman shall harm great Macbeth”.
Violent imagery, fighting.
“I’ll fight till all my bones my flesh be hacked”.
Metaphor showing Macbeth is scared of losing the crown?
“Fruitless crown”.
Metaphor for appearance v reality.
There’s daggers in men’s smiles.
What else does the vaulting ambition quote show?
Vaulting shows he is committed, ambition is destructive.
Lady Macbeth milk.
“And take my milk for gall”>
What does “And take my milk for gall, show”?
LM wants all of her good and purity to be taken out to leave her with evil. Her drive for power has lead to her becoming insane and leads to her downfall. She is acting like a witch so could be under influence of with.
Witches setting quote.
“Thunder, lighting or in rain?”
What does “Thunder, lightning or in rain” show?
Pathetic fallacy, weather and environment sets the mood, witches meet in eerie spooky times. Witches caused storm in Denmark. Power over weather. Thunder and lightning is seen as evil and happens when the witches enter, Shakespeare making the audience anxious as something is coming, startles them.
LM flower quote.
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it”
What does “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it show”?
LM is directing M in how he should act, manipulation. Shows how controlling she is as she drives for power. Challenge to patriarchy. Anne Hathaway, shock as it goes against typical views of Victorian women.
What does “Serpent” show?
Reminder of Adam and Eve and how Eve was tempted and so was LM. Link.
What is parasomnia?
Sleepwalking.
Natural order being disrupted again.
“The earth was feverous and did shake”
What does “The earth was feverous and did shake” show?
Divine right of kings has been disturbed. Audience believed this would cause chaos.
LM spirits.
“Pour my spirits in thine ear”
What does “Pour my spirits in thine ear” show?
Metaphor suggests she wishes to share her thoughts with here husband, supernatural.
Banquo ambition?
“say which grain will grow and which will not, speak them to me”
What is masculinity associated with?
Cruelty.
“Unsex me here”
Take her womanhood away.
