macbeth Flashcards
themes
ambition
violence
gender
appearance vs reality
supernatural
guilt
kingship
CONTEXT - King James I
- King James was a patron of Shakespeares’s company, the King’s Men, and that’s why many believe this play was written for him
Link to play:
- central themes in the play were tailored to fit his interests: treason, regicide, the supernatural
- KJ was a staunch believer in the Divine Right of Kings and the Great Chain of Being
- Banquo’s character is of Scottish nobility, as James I was, and his presence in the play only emphasises KJ’s ancient royal lineage. Banquo is portrayed as noble & stoic - making KJ look good.
CONTEXT - The Divine Right of Kings
!. Belief asserting that a monarch derived their authority from God
2. Any attempt to depose or murder King is an attempt on God himself
God appoints a monarch and his wish is passed down a royal family
LINK TO PLAY:
- Macbeth violates divine right of kings and suffers a gruelling death - his downfall is synonymous with his violation of this
- James I was the patron of Shakespeare’s company. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Duncan’s murder as an act against god was intended to appease his King and patron
CONTEXT - The Great Chain of Being
- God created the world with a clear hierarchical structure encompassing all matter and life.
- Monarch held the seat at the top of the hierarchical structure
- Men were seen as higher in the structure than women, so women were expected to be subordinate to their husbands
LINK TO PLAY:
– When Macbeth kills Duncan, he violates the great chain of being by betraying his superior and thus his god. He tries to move up the chain of being.
– He also breaks the chain of being on a more minor scale when LM emasculates him and forces him into regicide
CONTEXT - Daemonologie
- Published in 1597 by James I, the book explores James’ belief in magic & witchcraft, aiming to prove the existence of such forces.
- He dictates the punishment that should be given for practicing them.
LINK TO PLAY:
– In his book he looks at the ability of witches to control the weather, vanish / fly, and create potions, along with their propensity for chanting.
— Shakespeare’s depiction of the witches seems to meet most of James’ expectations of witchcraft.
CONTEXT - Religion & the 7 Deadly Sins
1, Jacobean society was highly religious.
2. The 7 Deadly Sins are a group of vices intended to prevent sin in Christian teachings: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath & sloth
3. Committing any one of these was considered straying from God’s Will.
LINK TO PLAY:
– Each of the deadly sins can be found in the actions of key characters. Macbeth is guilty of pride, greed, anger (wrath), envy and his death can be seen as punishment for this.
CONTEXT - The Patriarchy
Themes: GENDER Key Ideas
- LM’s guilt isn’t solely fueled by the regicide itself, but also by the transgression of her prescribed femininity. Her ambition and ruthless actions, defying the rigid gender roles of her time, become intertwined with the guilt that consumes her. It’s as if the breach of the cosmic order - ‘the great chain of being’ - adds another layer of torment to her conscience.
- In Jacobean England, masculinity was a potent and precarious force. Men, Like Macbeth, derived their very indentity from societal expectations of heroism and strength. any threat to this image - a questioning of their strength, a perceived weakness - could trigger a devastating downfall.
gender- shakespeare’s intentions
- shakespeare masterfully dismantles the idea of rigid gender roles in macbeth. while portraying the expected battlefield heroism of men like macbeth and macduff, he simultaneously undermines these stereotypes. lady Macbeth’s ambition and ruthlessness shatter the image of the passive, subservient woman. the witches, existing outside the binary all together, further disrupt the established order. this juxtaposition between conformity and subversion exposes to the audience the fragility of societal expectations.
- (alternative to one above) in macbeth, shakespeare disrupts gender norms with lady macbeths tyrannical ambition. however, her tragic end as a feeble hysterical woman and macbeth’s death as a warrior king on the battlefields, through defying roles, confine them within different stereotypes. their fates expose the enduring power of the great chain of being - they die not just physically, but symbolically, trapped within the very roles originally prescribed to them by society.
Macbeth - Gender - quotes
LM goes from calling him “worthy cawdor…all hail hereafter” to a “coward” (Act 1)
“With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design” (Act 2)
Quote analysis:
Macbeth gender - “worthy cawdor…all hail hearafter” to a “coward” (Act 1)
- Juxtaposition: LM’s initial flattery curdles into a poisonous insult which emasculates Macbeth. Having hailed him as a soon-to-be-king, she now reduces him to a mere “coward”. Her robbing him of his masculinity leaves him confused and vulnerable and therefore easier to manipulate.
- It pierces his core. It’s not just questioning his masculinity, it’s a brutal attack on the very essence of his identity and his battlefield reputation.
- Contextual link: Within the rigid gender roles of Jacobean society, a man’s dominance over his wife was paramount. LM recognised that M’s ambition, his hamartia, was deeply intertwined with his perceived masculinity.
- by stripping him of the mantle of a dominant husband, through the epithet “coward” she threatened the very foundation of his self-worth.
- this emasculation becomes a key factor in macbeth’s downfall, as his ambition crumbles when his image of a powerful man is shattered.
Lady Macbeth - Gender - quotes
“make thick my blood, stop up th’access and passage to remorse” (Act 1)
“dash’d the brains out” (Act 1)
The Witches - Gender - quote
“beards” (Banquo Act 1)
Quote analysis:
The witches gender ‘beards’ (Act 1)
- Masculinity synonymous with power: presented as synonymous throughout the play, thus the description imbues them with a threat of dominance.
- They therefore appear androgynous, alike to LM, and their lack of gender conformity exacerbates them as duplicitous and powerful beings.
- In a patriarchal society where power is associated with a clear gender identity, the witches’ ambiguity becomes a potent symbol of their threat.
- They represent a chaotic force that can unravel carefully constructed social order.
Theme: VIOLENCE Key Ideas
- Critical theme that is inextricably linked with a relentless pursuit of ambition. The allure of power and unchecked ambition inevitably causes violence to be a means of fulfilling this human desire.
- Theme of violence illuminates psychological & social implications of tyranny
- Motif of blood highlights the consequences of murder and is a poignant reminder of the violence that underpins the play
- Highlights the erosion of morality when power is tangible. Violence is a way to legitimately aquire this power.
Theme: VIOLENCE
Shakespeare’s Intentions
- Shakespeare constructs a cautionary tale to highlight the detrimental consequences on morality when in the face of corrupting power and violence.
- S. does not outright condemn the concept of violence; rather he critiques the potential for violence to spin out of control when driven by personal ambition. Initially, M’s commendable “valour” and the approval of his justified use of force does not demonise the overarching theme. Instead, they serve as a narrative device to demonstrate the swift transformation of justifiable violence into something disgusting and devastating.
- Shakespeare constructs M & LM to personify violence through their tyrannical actions and bloodthirsty nature. This portrayal serves as a vehicle for conveying a profound message: the true consequences of violent actions are not in the deeds themselves but the psychological and physiological consequences that follow.
Macbeth - Violence - quotes
“Disdaining fortune…smok’d with bloody execution” (Act 1)
“I am in blood/stepp’d in so far that should i wade no more, returning were as tedious” (act 3)
macbeth violence “I am in blood/stepp/d in so far that shoul i wade no more, returning were as tedious” (act 3) analysis
motif of blood: previously, the “blood” (motif for consequences of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire sense of being.
- macbeth’s response to fear and guilt has transitioned from being horrified to indulging further in heinous act, murder now becomes his means of self-preservation.
- “wade” has biblical allusions: macbeths metaphorical wading in blood exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is permanently stained with guilt as a result of his violence.
- similar to Cain in the book of genesis who commits the first murder in the bible, his irreversible acts of murder of his brother Abel results in his punishment by god.
Quote Analysis:
Macbeth - Violence
“Disdaining fortune…smok’d with bloody execution”
- “smok’d” connotations: this could connote to heat and hell, foreshadowing his malevolent nature he will later face moral and psychological ramifications for.
- The phrase “disdaining fortune” shows a disregard for his fate, and his attempt to manipulate the natural order. This later becomes evident in his disruption of the Divine right of kings. He believes that his fate is predestined - this means that whatever acts he commits it is not his faount as it is predetermined.
- Syntax: Although Macbeth receives commendation for his stoic bravery as a soldier in Act 1, the syntax implies a close relationship between his downfall and his intrinsic proclivity for violence. His violence (“smok’d”) will lead to his “bloody execution”, foreshadowing Macbeth’s acquisition of an illegitimate title and wealth through violent means, but now this will also lead to his eventual “execution”.
Lady Macbeth - Violence - quote
“Dash’d the brains out” (Act 1)
[enters with a taper] (act 5)
lady macbeth violence [enters with a taper] (act 5) analysis
- symbolisim of [taper]: as a [taper] provides light, this is emblematic of how ladu ,acbeth is seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness.
- in christian symbolism, light often represents hope and divine guidance. thus, her [entering] with it can be seen as a desperate grasping for solace and perhaps even a subconscious plea for god’s redemption from the sins that torment her.
- character development: her need for light is the antithesis to her earlier presentation in act 1 where she calls upon the night, wanting darkness to help fuel her violent and malevolent plans: “come thick night”.
- the motif of darkness and light reinforces how lady macbeth’s depraved and dark wants for violence consequently cause her desperation to see the light and seek redemption.
Quote analysis:
Lady Macbeth - Violence / Gender / A vs R
“dash’d the brains out”
- Plosive on dash’d: the plosive on “dash’d” creates a brutal sound, mirroring her brutal rejection of motherly instincts.
- Her proclivity for violence takes precedence over motherhood, leading her to an unapologetic willingness to extinguish human life in the relentless pursuit of unchecked violent ambitions. This yet again emasculates M as he should be the violent person that she is being.
- Juxtaposition: the deliberate contrast between the forceful verb “dash’d” and the deliberate nature of the anatomical noun “brains” serves as a poignant symbol reflecting LM’s character.
- Despite her seemingly fragile exterior, she harbours a strong desire to instigate violence & chaos.
— notably her choice of targeting the vulnerable “brains” of infants signifies a recognition of both the paramount importance and extreme fragility of human existence. This is ironic, as the very organ she seeks to disrupt in her unborn child - the seat of morality and reason - becomes the focus of her own downfall.
maduff violence quotes
“I have no words; my voice is my sword” (act 5)
“bleed, bleed, poor country” (act 4)
macduff violence “i have no words; my voice is my sword” (act 5) analysis
- violent metaphot: in employing a violent metaphot, macduff contends that restoration of scotland’s natural order necessitates physical violence. thus, the initial upheaval, brought about by macbeth-s violent tyrannical means, mandates a similar force to rectify the natural order that has been disrupted.
- macduff is the archetype of the avenging hero, motivated by revenge, but with good intentions
- short sentence: the short sentence reflects the short amount of time that scotland will ve to continue to suffer- by slewing macbeth Scotland can be rightly governed and flourish under divine ordain.
macduff violence “bleed, bleed, poor country” (act 4) analysis
- personification: macduff laments scotland, personifying the nation to underscore his profound emotional bond but also reflects the pervasive sense of loss and despair that permeates scotland.
- macduff’s sorrow, then, becomes emblematic of the collective grief felt by the nation, further highlighting the immense political upheaval and chaos that has befallen scotland due to macbeth’s tyranny and violence.
- repetition: the recurrent motif of “bleed” highlights macduff’s despair about scotland’s progressive demise, effectively encapsulating macbeth’s misanthropic disposition.
- macduff’s patriotism emphasises macbeth’s ruthless indifference to dismantling scotland but also serves as a compelling juxtaposition to the inherent nobility expected of a rightful king.
GUILT - Shakespeare’s Intentions
- In Macbeth, S paints a cautionary tale. Those who disrupt the cosmic order, defying the will of Heaven, face brutal consequences. This play suggests an ever-watchful eye, a divine force that punishes those who overstep their place in that Great Chain of Being.
- S crafts a cautionary tale through the ambitious couple. Their unbridled desire for power becomes a consuming fiend, blinding them to both morality & religion. As ambition takes over, guilt consumes around their conscience, tightening it’s grip as their decent from grace unfolds.
- As King James I was a patron to his plays, S uses the play as a veiled allegory. He intertwines the act of regicide with tormenting guilt, a potent reminder of the potential consequence for those who disrupt the divinely ordained order. The audience, witnessing M’s descent into madness, is left with a chilling message: toppling a King, annointed by God, leads not to glory but to a tragic downfall.
Banquo - Guilt - quotes
“I dream’d of the three weird sisters last night” (Act 2)
“I think not of them” (Act 2 Macbeth)
Lady Macbeth - Guilt - quote
“a little water clears us of this deed” (Act 2)
[enters with a taper] (act 5)
lady macbeth guilt [enters with a taper] (act 5) analysis
- symbolisim of [taper]: as a [taper] provides light, this is emblematic of how ladu ,acbeth is seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness.
- in christian symbolism, light often represents hope and divine guidance. thus, her [entering] with it can be seen as a desperate grasping for solace and perhaps even a subconscious plea for god’s redemption from the sins that torment her.
- character development: her need for light is the antithesis to her earlier presentation in act 1 where she calls upon the night, wanting darkness to help fuel her violent and malevolent plans: “come thick night”.
- the motif of darkness and light reinforces how lady macbeth’s depraved and dark wants for violence consequently cause her desperation to see the light and seek redemption.
Macbeth - Guilt - quote
“I heard a voice cry ‘sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” (Act 2)
‘I am in blood/ stepp’d in so far that should i wade no more, returning were as tedious” (act 3)
Macbeth guilt “ am in blood/ stepp’d in so far that should i wade no more, returning were as tedious” (act 3) analysis
motif of blood: previously, the “blood” (motif for consequences of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire sense of being.
- macbeth’s response to fear and guilt has transitioned from being horrified to indulging further in heinous act, murder now becomes his means of self-preservation.
- “wade” has biblical allusions: macbeths metaphorical wading in blood exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is permanently stained with guilt as a result of his violence.
- similar to Cain in the book of genesis who commits the first murder in the bible, his irreversible acts of murder of his brother Abel results in his punishment by god.
