Macbeth

Question 1

What does the line ‘Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep’ signify?

Answer 1

It signifies Macbeth’s immediate guilt following the murder of King Duncan

This line evokes a small amount of sympathy for Macbeth but highlights the unforgivable nature of regicide in Jacobean society.

Question 2

How does Macbeth’s guilt challenge the perception of him as a villain?

Answer 2

It adds depth to his character, making him more complex than a typical two-dimensional villain

This complexity would have sparked interest among Shakespeare’s 1600s audience.

Question 3

What does the word ‘sleep’ symbolize in Macbeth’s context?

Answer 3

Innocence

Macbeth’s lack of sleep emphasizes his guilt.

Question 4

What does the line ‘Stars, hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires’ reveal about Macbeth’s feelings?

Answer 4

It reveals his guilt about his thoughts of murdering King Duncan

He acknowledges his ambition and recognizes that the thought is wrong.

Question 5

What societal belief is linked to Macbeth’s ambition and thoughts of regicide?

Answer 5

Kings were believed to be appointed by God

The belief states that even the thought of regicide was considered a great sin.

Question 6

What do the plural nouns ‘stars’ and ‘fires’ create in Macbeth’s speech?

Answer 6

A semantic field of light

This connotes religious imagery and reflects Macbeth’s desire to hide his wrong thoughts from God.

Question 7

What does the juxtaposition of light and the adjective ‘black’ suggest about Macbeth?

Answer 7

It suggests his internal conflict between ambition and morality.

Question 8

What literary device is used in the phrase ‘deep desires’?

Answer 8

Alliteration

This emphasizes how Macbeth is consumed by overpowering ambition.