Macbeth Flashcards

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1
Q

What motivates Macbeth to commit terrible deeds?

A

Ambition

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2
Q

How does Macbeth show that ambition can make people ruthless and selfish?

A

Once Macbeth starts killing, he has to kill more people to get what he wants and to try and make his position secure.

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3
Q

Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth eventually destroyed by their ambition, what is this trying to tell the reader?

A

The play can be read as a warning against ambition, that isn’t balanced by reason or morals.

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4
Q

Ambition is Macbeth’s what?

A

Fatal flaw

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5
Q

What foreshadows Macbeth’s own tragic downfall?
-by the end of the play, Macbeth‘s lost everything, and he dies an “abhorrèd tyrant”.

A

He knows that ambition, often, “o’erleaps itself/and falls”, -It can lead a person to aim too high so that they fail and lose everything.

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6
Q

Who doesn’t act on the predictions from the witches in the violent way that Macbeth does?

A

Banquo is ambitious for his sons – he hopes that “there come truth“ from the witches prophecy.

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7
Q

Macbeth says that, if killing Duncan had no earthly consequences, he would _________

A

“ jump the life to come”- he would accept damnation in the afterlife in order to become king. this would have made his ambition even more immoral to Elizabethan audiences.

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8
Q

How has Banquo shown loyalty through his actions?

A

Banquo is loyal to his own sense of honour – he says that he will keep his “allegiance clear”. He won’t let ambition or the witches prophecies affect him.

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9
Q

How have the thanes been loyal to Duncan?

A

The thanes are loyal to Duncan, because he’s been a “great” king.
Macbeth gives Duncan “service and loyalty” by fighting for him in act 1.

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10
Q

Macbeth is initially loyal to Duncan as “his Kingsman and his subject”.What does this show?

A

This makes it even more shocking when Macbeth puts his own desires ahead of his loyalty to the king.

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11
Q

What words are used to describe Duncan as an example of an ideal King?

A

“Gracious“ and “most sainted king“

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12
Q

What words are used to describe Macbeth as a bad rulers?

A

“Tyrant“ and “Devilish”.

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