Macbeth Flashcards
What does Macbeth a symbol of in the play?
toxic and repressive masculinity, ultimately associating manhood with violence
What are some of the themes that the character of Macbeth explores?
masculinity, gender, the relationship between cruelty and power
How does ambition affect Macbeth?
-Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is driven by ambition and power
-Macbeth’s ambition leads him to commit evil deeds, such as murdering Banquo and his son
-Macbeth’s ambition ultimately leads him to his downfall
How is Macbeth associated with masculinity?
-Macbeth associates masculinity with violence
-Macbeth fears being emasculated and inherits feminine traits at certain points in the play
-Macbeth and Lady Macbeth equate masculinity with aggression
What does Macbeth’s story tell to the audience?
Macbeth is not only a story of an ambitious man but it narrates the psychology of every person who wants to be powerful by any means
Why is Macbeth a significant character?
he starts out in a position of glory and success, but falls from grace due to an error in judgement of his own making
What is the flaw in Macbeth’s character as a tragic hero?
his unchecked ambition
POWER
‘All Hail, Macbeth, thou…’
shalt be king hereafter!
(witches plant idea of power in Macbeth’s mind)
POWER
‘My thought, whose murder yet is but…, Shakes so my…’
fantastical
single state of man
(regicide was one of the worst crimes to commit as it was rebellion against the divine right of the Kings. Macbeth is meddling with power that he should seriously leave alone.)
POWER
‘And though I could With…sweep him from my sight’
barefaced power
(since Macbeth is King he could simply use his power to get rid of Banquo. he is quick to turn his back on his closest friends after becoming powerful.)
AMBITION
‘Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and…’
deep desires
(Macbeth acknowledges that his ambitious desires are ‘black and deep’ and knows that his ambition is destructive and negative. he starts to realise that for him to be able to follow his ambition there will be casualties.)
AMBITION
‘Two truths are told, As…to the swelling act of this imperial theme’
happy prologues
(Macbeth states this after two of the witches prophecies become ‘truths’ and shows Macbeth’s excited anticipation of becoming King through the word ‘happy’, demonstrating that the seeds of ambition have been sewn in his head.)
AMBITION
‘I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only…, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other’
vaulting ambition
(Macbeth speaks these lines as he starts to doubt his plan to murder Duncan and uses the metaphor that compares his experience to a horse-rider who cannot make his horse faster by the use of his spurs, just like how Macbeth is unable to motivate himself to murder Duncan as he knows his ambition is leading him down a dangerous path.)
Fill in the gap: ‘For none of [_____] born Shall harm Macbeth.’
woman
Fill in the gap: ‘Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great [_____] Wood to high Dunsinane Hill Shall come against him.’
Birnam
Fill in the gap: ‘Turn [_____], turn!’
hell-hound
Fill in the gap: ‘Out of my way, you [_____]!’
coward
Fill in the gap: ‘Yet I will not be afraid of death and bane, Till [_____] Forest come to Dunsinane.’
Birnam
Fill in the gap: ‘The [_____] people, though they may be loyal, are enslaved by his cruelty and fear.’
tyrant’s
Fill in the gap: ‘Of this dead [_____] and his fiend-like queen, who, as ‘t is thought, by self and violent hands took off her life.’
butcher
Fill in the gap: ‘Let me endure your [_____], if not my life, for it is certain I will be your victim.’
wrath
How is Macbeth initially presented as a brave hero?
At the start of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a brave and loyal warrior. He is celebrated by King Duncan as a “valiant cousin” (Act 1, Scene 2) for his heroism in battle, suggesting he is noble and respected.
How does Macbeth’s ambition drive his actions throughout the play?
Macbeth’s unchecked ambition is the catalyst for his transformation. Initially hesitant, he is spurred on by Lady Macbeth and the witches’ prophecy. His desire for power leads to regicide and further violence, showing how ambition can overpower morals.
How does Macbeth’s relationship with Lady Macbeth reflect his character development?
In the beginning, Macbeth is easily influenced by Lady Macbeth, who pushes him to murder Duncan. However, as the play progresses, Macbeth becomes more self-reliant and detached, making decisions without consulting her, indicating his increasing moral corruption.
How does Shakespeare show Macbeth’s internal conflict?
Shakespeare uses soliloquies to present Macbeth’s internal struggle. In Act 1, Scene 7, he reflects on the consequences of murdering Duncan (“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well”), revealing his deep moral hesitation and fear of eternal damnation.
How is Macbeth’s character affected by the witches’ prophecy?
The witches’ prophecy plays a crucial role in shaping Macbeth’s actions. He is tempted by fate but also feels the need to act upon it. His belief in his destiny leads him to make irrational decisions, contributing to his downfall.
How does Macbeth’s paranoia affect his decisions and character development?
As Macbeth’s guilt and fear grow, he becomes increasingly paranoid. He arranges the murder of Banquo (Act 3, Scene 1) and Macduff’s family, showing how paranoia drives him to further violence and isolation. His mental instability escalates throughout the play.
How does Macbeth react to the death of Lady Macbeth?
Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death (“She should have died hereafter; there would have been a time for such a word” Act 5, Scene 5) shows his detachment. His response is cold, suggesting that he has become numb to the emotions of life and death due to his guilt and power obsession.
How is Macbeth presented as a tragic hero?
Macbeth fits the tragic hero archetype. His fatal flaw (hubris), ambition, leads to his downfall. He begins the play as a noble figure but ends in destruction, fulfilling Aristotle’s idea of a tragedy: a great person who falls due to their own flaw.
How does Macbeth’s power corrupt him?
Initially hesitant about power, Macbeth becomes obsessed with retaining control. His violent actions, including the murders of Banquo and Macduff’s family, show how the desire for power turns him into a ruthless tyrant who loses all moral compass.
How does Macbeth’s tragic flaw contribute to his downfall?
Macbeth’s fatal flaw is his ambition, which leads him to make rash decisions and commit murder. His inability to understand the consequences of his actions ultimately leads to his alienation from those around him and his demise.
How does Shakespeare use contrast to show Macbeth’s moral decline?
Shakespeare contrasts Macbeth with Banquo, who remains honourable despite the witches’ prophecy. Banquo’s integrity highlights Macbeth’s moral corruption, emphasizing the choices Macbeth makes in his pursuit of power.
How does Macbeth’s reaction to his own death show his character development?
In the final act, Macbeth becomes detached from life, accepting death with little emotion (“I will not yield” Act 5, Scene 8). His earlier fear of death and guilt has been replaced by a sense of inevitability, showing how his character has changed from a fearful man to a resigned one.
