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English 20-1 > Macbeth > Flashcards

Macbeth Flashcards

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1
Q

Background info on composing and first appearance?

A

It was composed between the years of 1603 and 1610. It appeared in the First Folio which was published in 1623 (seven years afrer Shakespeare’s death).

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2
Q

Background info on hecate austhorship debate?

A

Some portions of the text are thought to be written by someone els like Thomas Middleton (wrote the play “The Witch”). He might have helped Shakespeare in the original play’s composition or made additions to it after Shakespeare’s death. The parts believed to be written by Middleton feature Hecate, who does not appear in any other sections of the play. Also those parts use octosyllabic couplets, a different writing style than the rest of the play. It also includes the opening words to two songs found in Middleton’s play.

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3
Q

Third background info about Shakespeare’s tragedies?

A

It is the shortest of the great tragedies (events happening over seventeen years are happening in a short period of time).

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4
Q

Background info on originate of story?

A

It is based on Raphael Holinshed’s “Chronicle”. Shakespeare used this source which revo0rded the evnets during the reigns of Duncan and Macbeth. Occasionally he followed Holinshed’s wording, and other times he deciated from it to a great extent. The witches, Macbeth’s evil and introspective sides, adn Duncan’s saintly qualities were developed to make the play more dramatic. The character Lady Macbeth originated in Holinshed’s account of an earlier Scottish king’s murder. duff was killed in his castle by Donwald who had been encouraged to do so by his wife.

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5
Q

Background info on historical details?

A

Macbeth existed and was a member of the ruling family of Moray (region in northern Scotland). Duncan ruled Scotland until 1040, until Macbeth likely killed Duncan in battle. It was very common to acquire the throne by murdering the present kind. Macbeth assumed the throne due to his royal ties. He was probably occupied in a struggle with Duncan’s son Malcolm, over the throne. Earl Siward of Northumbria invaded Scotland in 1054 and defeated the Scots. Siward’s son and newphew were both killed in the battle. In 1058, Macbeth died at the hands of Malcolm.

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6
Q

Sixth background info about the mainpatron?

A

Macbeth was written and performed for King James I for many reasons

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7
Q

Reasons Macbeth was written and performed for King James I?

A
  • King James I was formerly Kind James VI of Scotland (play is set there)
  • he regarded Banquo as his direct ancestor (The Stuarts, the Scottish monarchy)
  • eight Stuart Kings were believed to have preceded James (mentioned in play)
  • and the English King (Edward the Confessor) is praised for the capacity to cure (James also prided himslef on this ability)
  • King James I showed an interest in the “dark side” (witches
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8
Q

What did the Divine Right of Kings State?

A

That God chose the individual to ascend to the monarchy. As God was supreme in heaven, and the Sun was the supreme planet, so the King was supreme in relationship to the State.

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9
Q

What could happen to the King that would result in disorder?

A
  • injury
  • threatened by civil war
  • have his succession threatened
  • usurped
  • assassinated
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10
Q

In order to be a good ruler what did the King have to be/do?

A
  • a good judge of men
  • consider the State ahead of his own personal feelings
  • be capable of maintaining order within the State
  • be responsible for justice in the State
  • have the ability to make and abide by difficult dicisions
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11
Q

What could the wrong person on the throne result in?

A

Chaos in the state; could take form of plagues, epidemics, threats of war from other states, civil war, etc. For order to be restored, the rightful heir must assume the role of ruler.

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12
Q

What first “truth” do the witches tell Macbeth? His Reaction?

A

That he is Thane of Glamis. He isn’t surprised.

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13
Q

What is Macbeth’s first real “prophecy?” His reaction?

A

That he will be thane of Cawdor. He is surprised and says “How of Cawdor/Thane of Cawdor lives” showing that he is unaware of the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor.

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14
Q

What is Macbeth’s final prophecy? His reaction?

A

That he shall be king hereafter.

In his aside he talks of “behind”, indicating that his best years are still to come since the greatest prophecy must still happen. He says that two truths are told, the Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor (so the third one must come true too)

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15
Q

What does Macbeth debate after hearing his prohpecies?

A

He debates killing Duncan and getting the power promised. He imagines horrid images of himself killing Duncan, which makes his hair “unfix”ed (stand up in horror). His heart is also beating fast and his entire body is shaking.

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16
Q

What is Banquo’s first prophecy?

A

That he will be lesser than Macbeth and greater (oxymoron).

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17
Q

What is Banquo’s second prophecy?

A

That he will not be so happy but much happier (oxymoron).

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18
Q

What is Banquo’s last prophecy?

A

that he “shalt get kings, though thous be none”
(paradox)

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19
Q

what is Banquo’s reaction to the prophecies?

A

He questions if they’re going insane or on drugs. Then he questions whether the witches speak the truth.

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20
Q

What does Banquo predict is happening after they hear prophecies from the witches?

A

That the witches are making it all sound good but are really setting them up.

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21
Q

What kind of irony is Banquo discussing when talking about the witches and their prophecies?

A

Cosmic irony

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22
Q

What are Macbeth’s 7 reasons for not killling Duncan?

A
  1. He is scared of going to hell
  2. He is scared of getting executed
  3. He feels guilty for killing his family member
  4. He is Duncan’s subject, and killing your King at the time was one othe worst acts you could commit
  5. He is Duncan’s host, he should be protecting him
  6. Duncan is a good man and a good King
  7. There would be an uproar because Duncan is a good King and his followers would not sit still at his murder
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23
Q

What are Lady macbeth’s four persuasive techniques?

A
  1. He looks awful, he isn’t able to do what they planned
  2. She accuses him of being scared and belittles him
  3. She accuses him of being a coward and not being able to go after what he wants
  4. She feels he is breaking a promise to her, and makes the comparison that she could kill her own child if that’s what she promised him
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24
Q

What are the Macbeths’ final plan?

A
  1. They will wait for Duncan to fall into a deep sleep
  2. Lady Macbeth will get his two servants, the Chamberlins, drunk
  3. The two will Kill Duncan with the servants’ daggers
  4. They will plant the daggers on the servants to frame them
  5. They will clean up and later fake extreme grief when Duncan’s death is discovered
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25
Q

What does Lady Macbeth ask the spirits to do during her soililoquy?

A
  • take away all her feminine qualities
  • block her emotions and any guilt
  • make her cruel through and through
  • replace her milk with bitter bile (take away nurturing qualities)
  • make her bitter and evil
  • for darkness and smoke that can conceal her evil self from the eyes of others
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26
Q

What is the first apparation? What does it symbolize?

A

an armed head (usually just looks like a guard or Macbeth), symbolizes teh protection of Macbeth

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27
Q

What is the second apparation? What does it symbolize?

A

A bloody child, symbolizes a child not born of woman

28
Q

What is the third apparation? What does it symbolize?

A

a crowned child with a tree in his hand (usually just a branch). Symbolizes the forest and a king (may hint at Banquo’s bloodline growing).

29
Q

What is the fourth apparation? What does it symbolize?

A

8 kings appear and walk across stage, the last with a glass in his hand, and Banquo’s ghost follows. Symbolizes Banquo’s long continued royal bloodline.

30
Q

What does the first apparation say?

A

beware Macduff, beware the thane of fife

31
Q

What does the second apparation say?

A

No one born of women can harm Macbeth

32
Q

What does the third apparation say?

A

Macbeth won’t be defeated until birnam wood (tree) move to high Dunsinane Hill (Macbeth’s castle location).

33
Q

What does the fourth apparation say?

A

nothing

34
Q

What is Macbeth’s reaction to the first apparation?

A

He isn’t worried as he is already dealing with the Macduff issue.

35
Q

What is Macbeth’s reaction to the second apparation?

A

He feels reassured, his confidence grows as he believes he is safe from all harm (since there is no person not born of women)

36
Q

What is Macbeth’s reaction to the third apparation?

A

his confidence is still growing since now he believes he will never be defeated (since trees don’t move)

37
Q

What is Macbeth’s reaction to the fourth apparation?

A

he is horrified and in dismay (as he realizes he will never get an heir)

38
Q

How is Macbeth made Thane of Cawdor?

A

Duncan takes the title from a traitor and gives it to Macbeth

39
Q

What is one reason that it is difficult to determine the gender of he witches is that, although they look like women, they:

A

Have beards

40
Q

What is the purpose of making the witches essentially genderless?

A

It makes them look more mysterious. Also it makes them more powerful, since women seen as powerless during those times.

41
Q

True or False? Malcolm convinces Duncan to listen to the soldier near Forres becasue he saved Malcolm from becoming a prisoner of war.

A

True

42
Q

Why does Lady Macbeth think Macbeth has a poor chance of achieving power?

A

His ambition is not of a ruthless nature

43
Q

So foul and fair a day is an example of a/an?

A

paradox

44
Q

What role does the porter play in act two?

A

He eases the tension built up from teh previous scene (comic relief)

45
Q

What is teh best evidence that shows Macbeth struggled immediately with the killing of Duncan?

A

He forgets to leave the false evidence of daggers and blood smears on the servants

46
Q

Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave the scene of the crime?

A

They do not wnat to be murdered

47
Q

There is debate on whether Lady Macbeth really faints or pretends to. What does this reveal about her character?

A
  • if she really faints it proves she has a more sensitive side. She could be shocked by her husband’s impulsive actions and faint out of teh horror that he will be found guilty and killed. It could have been a reaction out of her love for Macbeth.
  • If it was only pretend, it only shows how clever and calculated all her actions her. It could have been an act to draw the attention off of Macbeth.
48
Q

At the end of Act two, a new king is going to be coronated. Who is it and how, specifically, does the audience hear about this?

A

Macbeth is going to become King and we hear about it in the conversation between Macduff and Ross after Duncan’s death. Ross is heading to Macbeth’s coronation in Scone, and Macduff is leaving to Fife.

49
Q

Which character is most skeptical about the choice of a new leader? How do we know this?

A

Banquo initially doesn’t hear of Malcolm and Donalbain’s abscence and is skeptical. He si also most suspicious of Macbeth since he knows about the prophecies. We hear about this in the conversation between him and Macduff.

50
Q

What were the eight unnatural things that happened as a result of Duncan’s death?

A
  • chimneys blown down from harsh winds
  • strange screams of death could be heard
  • dire combustion and confused events
  • owls clamoured all night (omen of death)
  • earth quakes
  • pitch black during the day
  • owl killed a falcoln (weird- unlike food chain)
  • Duncan’s horses misbehaved and broke their stalls
  • the horses ate each other
51
Q

Act three opens with Banquo’s soliloquy where he:

A

suspects Macbeth of killing Duncan

52
Q

What reasons does Macbeth say or imply that he must kill Banquo for?

A
  • already a daring and clever man who might overthrow Macbeth
  • Banquo must be prevented from leaving descndants who will rule Macbeth
  • Banquo might reveal the witches’ prophecies, which would direct suspicion at Macbeth
53
Q

The means of manipulation that Macbeth employs with the two murderers is most similar to that used by?

A

Lady Macbeth

54
Q

Upon receiving the murderers after Banquo’s death, Macbeth:

A

Uses euphemisms in his dislogue while the assassin’s language is marked with brutal imagery

55
Q

During the banquet scene, Macbeth chatises Banquo for being absent. The irony of this speech lies in teh fact that:

A

Banquo later appears as a ghost.

56
Q

Macbeth’s tortured conscience at the banquet then casues him to:

A

challenge Banquo’s ghost

57
Q

During the banquet Lady Macbeth:

A

attempts to explain Macbeth’s odd behavior

58
Q

n scene six we learn that Macduff has gone to England to?

A

Father forces to rid Scotland of Macbeth

59
Q

At the end of act III, Lennox’s discussion with another lord reveals

A

That he clearly sees Macbeth as an extremely flawed and inappropriate King

60
Q

“I sm in blood stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.” Identify the speaker and explain its context and significance.

A

Macbeth says this quote when he is with Lady Macbeth after the disaster at the banquet. He is explaining how he has killed so many people now,m he feels that he cannot go back. He is imagining this/comparing this to walking into a huge pool of blood. He has stepped so far in, he cannot go back, he can only keep going ahead and hope to come out the other end successfully. This signifies Macbeth’s change in hesitation to kill and forebodes many more deaths.

61
Q

What imagery is used to describe Lady Macduff adn her son?

A

Birds

62
Q

Who is old siward?

A

the general of teh English armyHo0w m

63
Q

any men will accompany Siward in the fight against Macbeth?

A

10 000

64
Q

Which euphemism is used by Ross when describing the Macduff family?

A

“They were well at peace when I did leave them”

65
Q

Why is King Edward’s healing powers discuessed?

A

It creates a juxtaposition between Macbeth and Edward. This is a form of teh Good vs. Evil motif and shows how a King should be, compared to what Macbeth is doing. It also implies equal goodness on Malcolm, as he is supporrted by King Edward. It was also Shakespeare’s way of pleasing King James, since he has already killed a king and shown an evil king. He now creates a saintly king to show he has no ill intentions or feelings towards Kings. King James also prided himself on being known for his healing powers.

66
Q

Who is the only person who could have known that the Macduff family was about to be salughtered? Why is this significant?

A

Lennox is teh only person who could have known that the Macduff family was going to be slaughtered. He was teh one to tell Macbeth about MNacduff’s leave and directly hearde Macbeth make the violent command. This is significant as a messsanger attempted to warn the Macduff family, who was likely sent by Lennox. This proves Lennox to be a good man who disagrees with Macbeth’s ruling. He may have also felt guilt, as he was the one who informed Macbeth of Macduff’s flight to England.

67
Q

What lies does Malcolm tell about himself? WHy?

A

He says he is greedy adn would have any woman he wants, even others’ wives and daughtered. He also says he will constantly get into war and conflict as he desires. Another lie he tells is that he is after wealth and will do anything to gain as much as possible. Overall he drawsw himself as a very unfit King and terrible person. He only does this to test Macduff, to be assured that Macduff is not loyal to Macbeth. He feels he must do this since Macbeth has already sent many people to try to lure Malcolm back to Scotland, where he would be killed.

English 20-1 (7 decks)

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