Macbeth Flashcards
“I heard a voice cry ‘ sleep no more ! Macbeth does murder sleep”
(Macbeth)
Act 2: Guilt, ambition, violence, supernatural, appearance vs reality, gender
Motif of sleep: Motif that makes sleep synonymous (linked) to innocence
Lack of Sleep = departure from innocence as he committed regicide
Went from imperative commands like “ stars hide your fires” But now is mentally haunted by “cries”
Exclamative sentence: emphasises the enduring and irreversible nature of Macbeth’s loss of innocence. His disruption of the natural order through his wickedness has forever condemned his mind to the relentless torment of guilt.
“Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and sells the “other” “
(Macbeth)
Act 1: Ambition, violence, supernatural, appearance vs reality, guilt, gender
Personification : M personifies his ambition, alike to a human force that can corrupt his formerly innocent mind
“fall” shows M’s awareness that all encompassing ambition is his hamartia (Fatal flaw leading to his downfall) destined to lead to his mental and physical decline
Metaphor: The metaphorical portrayal of M’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 this force
” I am in blood / stepp’d in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious”
(Macbeth)
Act 3: ambition, violence, guilt
Motif of blood: “blood” was merely on his hands, yet now its has enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being.
M’s response to fear/ guilt has transitioned from being horrified to indulging further in heinous acts, murder now becomes his means of self preservation
“ Wade “ - biblical allusions: M’s metaphorical wading in blood exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is permanently stained with guilt as a result of his violence
“Dash’d the brains out” (Lady Macbeth)
Act 1 : Violence, ambition , gender, appearance vs reality
Plosive on “dash’d” : The plosive on “dash’d” creates a brutal sound, mirroring her brutal rejection of motherly instincts. Her proclivity (tendency) for violence takes precedence over motherhood.
Juxtaposition between “dash’d” and “brains” reflects her character
Despite her fragile exterior, she wants to instigate violence and chaos.
Ironic, as the very organ she seeks to disrupt in her unvorn child beconmes the locus (particular place something occurs) of her own downfall
[enters with a taper] (Lady Macbeth)
Act 5: Guilt, violence, ambition , appearance vs reality, gender
Symbolism of taper: As a taper provides light shows she is seeking light, hope and solace (comfort) in her eternal mental darkness
In Christian symbolism, light = hope and divine guidance, This is her plea for God’s redemption from the sins that torment her
Character development: Her needs 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
” A little water clears us of this deed” (Lady Macbeth)
Act 2: Gender, guilt , violence , ambition
Litotes (under exaggeration) : Lady M’s omnipotent ambitions blind her to the profound mental turmoil Macbeth is experiencing
Her callousness becomes apparent as she employs litotes such as the understatement “ a little” not only to trivalise the acts of murder but also to emasculate M encouraging further along his murderous path
She employs euphemism to characterise regicide as a mere “deed” highlighting a paradoxcial aspect of her character. Despite her ambitions to shed feminine traits and embrace tyrannical brutality, she struggles to articulate the gravity of the heinous act.
Foreshadows her descent into a melodramatic state of insanity in Act 5 where she grapples with an inability to fully grasp the enormity of the sins committed
“Instruments of darkness” - Banquo (Witches)
Act 1 : supernatural, appearance vs reality , violence , ambition
Auditory image “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 already to inflict upon Macbeth
Banquos discernment of this “ darkness” indicates his immunity to the hypnotic and malevolent musicality that captivates Macbeth
“Fair is foul and foul is fair” (Witches)
Act 1: Appearance Vs reality , Supernatural , ambition
Speak in paradoxes : “foul” and “fair” sense of contradiction and disorientation that 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 song like quality different from the other characters who speak iambic pentameter. This compounds their duplicitousness as even their speech transcends the earthly realm
“eye of newt” “fire burn and cauldron bubble” and “Hell - broth”
(Witches)
Act 4 : Supernatural
Semantic field of hell: the selection of words such as “ fire burn” “hell broth” and “bubble” crafts a semantic field of hell. This strengthens the idea that the witches supernatural abilities are intrinsically linked to malevolence and they are agents of the devil
Links to context : the elements contained in their potion adhere to the archetypal (perfect example) portrayal of witches outlined in King James is “daemonologie” This conformity taps into the audiences pre existing apprehensions and anticipiations related to witchcraft during that historical era
” i dream’d of the 3 weird sisters last night”
Act 2 : Supernatural
abstract noun “dream’d” : signifies Banquo’s affliction suggesting that he is haunted not only in his waking moments but also in the realm of sleep. Implies the intrusion of superstition into Banquo’s consciousness trespassing on his unconscious mind. Motif of sleep becomes synonymous with the loss of innocence
As M grapples with guilt he declares he “sleeps no more” echoing 2M’s state. Banquo’s retains the capacity to sleep but acknowledges his ability to “dream”.
This contrast illuminates B’s presentation of innocence, as he admits to being captivated by the supernatural
Foil to M : B’s moral chracterisation is employed to heighten the contrast with M’s dishonesty and duplicity
“He hath wisdom that cloth guide his valour to actin safely” said by M in Act 3
Act 3 : Ambition , appearance vs reality, violence , supernatural
7 deadly sins : M epitomises [perfect example] the 7 deadly sins openly - he envies Banquos capacity for courage in abstaining from succumbing to these “ deep desires”
Connotation “guide” connotes leadership , mirrors Macbeths initial attempt to and lead his ambition but he succumbs to these to its potent influence. Banquo emerges as a figure capable of self guidance , steering clear of the temptations of sin
The ambivalent (uncertain) portrayal of Banquo stands as the antithesis (contrast) to Macbeth’s bloodthirsty depiction
“Brave Macbeth well he deserves that name”
King Duncan fairly promoted Macbeth
Shows his generosity
Loyality
But also how he is naive (too trusting) and as a result is perceived as weak
In great chain of being
At start of the play Macbeth displays all qualities that a contemporary Audience would agree to be a great king (strong violent) at the end he is a tyrant during his rule
“ new orphans cry, new sorrows”
Corrupted by power , merciless
“His virtues plead like angels”
King Duncan is a well meaning and fair king
Using a simile and comparing him to angels connotes Macbeths perceived purity in the eyes of King Duncan
“Hang those who talk of fear”
Malcom shows he has learned from his Fathers mistakes and doesn’t trust easily, testing Macduff
Because he is in great chain of being he has these God appointed values making him an ideal king
