Macbeth

Question 1

How is Appearance vs Reality conveyed?

Answer 1

• Macbeth on his way to kill Duncan
• The old Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal
• Macbeth hiding his desire to kill Duncan
• Lady Macbeth telling Macbeth to hide his true emotions before he kills Duncan
• Malcolm/Donalbain fleeing Duncan’s murder scene

Question 2

Macbeth context?

6 things

Answer 2

• James I believed in the Divine Right of Kings, and that he was the ultimate authority
• Shakespeare wanted to please his patron, James I
• Great Chain of Being (theatre seats, poetry vs prose, women)
• The Plague was a major crisis, Shakespeare uses illness/disease in the play to reflect this
• James I wrote a book on witchcraft called “Daemonologie”
• Macbeth and L.Macbeth receive punishment for conspiring with witches
• In Shakespearean tragedies, the hero’s hubris leads to their downfall

Question 3

What is the quote for L.Macbeth telling Macbeth to hide his true emotions?

Answer 3

“Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t”
“Come thick night”

Question 4

What is the quote for Macbeth having to conceal his murderous intentions to kill Duncan?

Answer 4

“Stars hide your fires, let light not see my black and deep desires”

Question 5

What is the quote for when Duncan hears of the traitorous Thane of Cawdor’s execution?

Answer 5

‘There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face”

Question 6

What is the quote for when Macbeth is on his way to kill Duncan?

Answer 6

“Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation”

Question 7

How is order conveyed?

Answer 7

• Duncan being a good King
• Macbeth’s loyalty to Duncan
• Lady Macbeth controlling Macbeth
• Killing of Duncan

Question 8

What are the main themes in Macbeth?

Answer 8

• Order
• Conflict
• The supernatural
• Appearance vs Reality
• Ambition

Question 9

What is the quote for Malcolm and Donalbain fleeing Duncan’s murder scene?

Answer 9

“There’s daggers in men’s smiles”

Question 10

What is the quote for the disorder caused by Duncan’s murder?

Answer 10

“The night has been unruly” (Lennox)
“Falcon” killed by a “mousing owl” (Old man)
“Amen stuck in my throat”
(God has turned his back on Macbeth, divine right of kings)

Question 11

What is the quote for L.Macbeth controlling Macbeth?

Answer 11

“A coward in thine own esteem”
Interrupts him

Question 12

What is the quote for Macbeth’s loyalty to Duncan?

Answer 12

“Deep damnation”
“We will proceed no further in this business”

Question 13

What is the quote for Duncan being a good King?

Answer 13

“Go get him surgeons” (the captain)
Cares about the welfare of his people

Question 14

How is Macbeth portrayed?

Answer 14

• Connected to the supernatural
• Brave soldier
• Loyal to Duncan
• Ambitious

Question 15

How is Macbeth portrayed as ambitious?

Answer 15

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition”

Question 16

How is Macbeth portrayed as connected to the supernatural?

Answer 16

“So foul and fair a day I have not seen”

Question 17

How is Macbeth portrayed as loyal to Duncan?

Answer 17

“We will proceed no further in this business”
“Wake Duncan with thy knocking”

Question 18

How is Macbeth portrayed as a brave soldier?

Answer 18

“O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!”
“Carved out his passage”

Question 19

How is Lady Macbeth portrayed?

Answer 19

• Ambitious
• Manipulative/controlling
• Connected to supernatural
• Decisive

Question 20

How is Lady Macbeth portrayed as ambitious?

Answer 20

“Unsex me here”

Question 21

How is Lady Macbeth portrayed as manipulative?

Answer 21

“A coward in thine own esteem”

Question 22

How is Lady Macbeth portrayed as being connected to the supernatural?

Answer 22

“Sprits that tend on mortal thoughts”
“Unsex me here”1

Question 23

How is Lady Macbeth portrayed as being decisive?

Answer 23

“A little water clears us of this deed”