Macbeth Flashcards
Historical Context - King James I
Macbeth was written during the reign of King James I, who was deeply interested in witchcraft and the supernatural. James I wrote a book called Daemonologie (1597), which explored witchcraft and its dangers. The witches in Macbeth reflect this interest, as they embody the fear of supernatural forces. Additionally, the play’s emphasis on the divine right of kings and the consequences of regicide would have resonated with James I, who believed in the absolute authority of monarchs.
Historical Context - The Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which a group of Catholics attempted to blow up Parliament and kill King James I, influenced Macbeth. The play explores themes of treason, regicide, and the consequences of disrupting the natural order, which would have been highly relevant to an audience still reeling from the plot. The Porter’s speech in Act 2, Scene 3, references the plot, as he mentions “equivocation,” a term associated with the Jesuit priest Henry Garnet, who was implicated in the plot.
Context - The Great Chain of Being
The Great Chain of Being was a hierarchical structure that placed God at the top, followed by angels, kings, nobles, and commoners. In Macbeth, the murder of Duncan disrupts this order, leading to chaos in Scotland. Macbeth’s usurpation of the throne is seen as a violation of the natural order, and the play emphasizes the importance of restoring rightful kingship to maintain stability. The unnatural events following Duncan’s murder, such as horses eating each other, reflect the disruption of the Great Chain of Being.
Social Context - Gender Roles
In Jacobean society, women were expected to be submissive and nurturing, while men were seen as strong and dominant. Macbeth challenges these norms, particularly through Lady Macbeth, who rejects her femininity and takes on a traditionally masculine role by manipulating Macbeth into committing murder. However, her eventual descent into madness reflects the societal belief that women who overstep their roles will face consequences. Macbeth’s masculinity is also questioned, as he is manipulated by his wife, highlighting the tension between traditional gender roles and ambition.
Historical Context - Divine Right of Kings
The divine right of kings was the belief that monarchs were chosen by God and therefore had absolute authority. In Macbeth, Duncan is portrayed as a rightful and benevolent king, while Macbeth’s usurpation of the throne is seen as a violation of this divine order. The chaos that follows Duncan’s murder reflects the consequences of disrupting the natural order, and the restoration of order under Malcolm reinforces the importance of rightful kingship.
Cultural Context - Supernatural Beliefs
Jacobean audiences believed in the existence of supernatural forces, such as witches, ghosts, and visions. The witches in Macbeth are portrayed as real and powerful, reflecting the belief that supernatural forces could influence human behaviour. Macbeth’s hallucinations, such as the dagger and Banquo’s ghost, also reflect the belief in the supernatural and the idea that guilt could manifest in physical forms. These elements create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, which would have resonated with a superstitious audience. King James I was particularly interested in witchcraft, and his book Demonologies influenced public perception. The witches in Macbeth embody these fears, as they are portrayed as evil, manipulative, and capable of influencing human behaviour.
Context - Shakespeare’s Patronage
King James I was a patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, the King’s Men, and Macbeth was likely written to appeal to his interests. The play includes themes of witchcraft, the divine right of kings, and the consequences of regicide, all of which would have resonated with James I. The character of Banquo, who is portrayed as noble and virtuous, is believed to be an ancestor of James I, flattering the king and reinforcing his legitimacy. The play’s emphasis on rightful kingship and the restoration of order would have pleased James I, who believed in the absolute authority of monarchs.
Plot summary of Macbeth
Act 1:
The play opens with three witches planning to meet Macbeth. After a battle, Macbeth is praised for his bravery and named Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, fulfilling part of the witches’ prophecy that he will become king. Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches, who also prophesy that Banquo’s descendants will rule. Lady Macbeth, learning of the prophecy, convinces Macbeth to murder Duncan to seize the throne. Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle, and Macbeth hesitates, but Lady Macbeth pushes him to commit the deed.
Act 2:
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger leading him to Duncan’s chamber and kills the king. Overwhelmed with guilt, he is comforted by Lady Macbeth, who frames Duncan’s guards for the murder. The next morning, the murder is discovered, and Macbeth kills the guards in a feigned rage. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee Scotland, fearing for their lives. Macbeth is crowned king, but the unnatural events following Duncan’s murder hint at the disruption of the natural order.
Act 3:
Macbeth, now king, grows paranoid about Banquo’s prophecy that his descendants will rule. He hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Banquo is murdered, but Fleance escapes. At a banquet, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost and reacts with horror, alarming his guests. Lady Macbeth tries to calm him, but the feast ends in chaos. Meanwhile, Macbeth’s tyranny grows, and other lords begin to suspect him of Duncan’s and Banquo’s murders.
Act 4:
Macbeth visits the witches again, who give him three new prophecies: beware Macduff, no man born of a woman can harm him, and he will remain king until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. They also show him a vision of Banquo’s descendants as kings. Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s family, and Macduff, who has fled to England, learns of their deaths. He vows revenge and joins Malcolm, who is raising an army to overthrow Macbeth.
Act 5:
Lady Macbeth, consumed by guilt, sleepwalks and tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands. Macbeth, overconfident due to the witches’ prophecies, prepares for battle. Malcolm’s army cuts down branches from Birnam Wood to use as camouflage, fulfilling the prophecy. Macbeth learns of Lady Macbeth’s death and reflects on the meaninglessness of life. In the final battle, Macduff reveals he was born via Caesarean section and kills Macbeth. Malcolm is crowned king, restoring order to Scotland.
Theme:Ambition
Ambition is the driving force behind Macbeth’s actions, leading to his rise and eventual downfall. Initially, Macbeth is a loyal soldier, but the witches’ prophecies ignite his ambition to become king. His unchecked ambition leads him to commit regicide and further atrocities, ultimately resulting in his demise. Lady Macbeth also embodies ambition, pushing Macbeth to seize power, but her guilt eventually consumes her. Ambition becomes Macbeth’s Hamartia.
Key Quote:
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition.” (Act 1, Scene 7)
Macbeth admits that ambition is his only motivation for killing Duncan, highlighting its destructive power.
Theme: Fate vs. Free Will
The witches’ prophecies suggest that fate controls Macbeth’s destiny, but his actions are driven by his own choices. While the prophecies set events in motion, Macbeth actively chooses to commit murder to fulfill them. The play raises questions about whether Macbeth is a victim of fate or responsible for his own downfall.
Key Quote:
“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir.” (Act 1, Scene 3)
Macbeth considers whether he should let fate take its course or take action, reflecting the tension between fate and free will.
Theme:Kingship
The play contrasts the rightful kingship of Duncan and Malcolm with Macbeth’s tyrannical rule. Duncan is portrayed as a benevolent and just king, while Macbeth’s rule is marked by violence and fear. The restoration of order under Malcolm emphasizes the importance of a rightful and virtuous ruler.
Key Quote:
“The Lord’s anointed temple.” (Act 2, Scene 3)
Macduff describes Duncan as a divinely appointed king, highlighting the sacred nature of kingship.
Theme:Supernatural
The supernatural is a central force in the play, represented by the witches, visions, and prophecies. The witches’ prophecies set the plot in motion, tempting Macbeth with power. Visions, such as the floating dagger and Banquo’s ghost, symbolize Macbeth’s guilt and descent into madness.
Key Quote:
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (Act 1, Scene 1)
The witches’ chant introduces the theme of moral confusion and the supernatural’s role in creating chaos.
Theme:Loyalty and Bravery
Loyalty and bravery are initially associated with Macbeth and Banquo, who fight valiantly for Duncan. However, Macbeth’s loyalty turns to betrayal, while characters like Macduff and Malcolm remain loyal to Scotland. Macduff’s bravery in avenging his family and defeating Macbeth restores order.
Key Quote:
“Brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name.” (Act 1, Scene 2)
Macbeth is praised for his bravery in battle, but his loyalty is later corrupted by ambition.
Theme: Gender and Masculinity?
Lady Macbeth rejects traditional femininity, asking to be “unsexed” to carry out the murder of Duncan. She manipulates Macbeth by questioning his masculinity, suggesting that violence and ambition are masculine traits. However, her eventual madness and Macbeth’s descent into tyranny critique the destructive nature of these gender norms.
Key Quote:
“When you durst do it, then you were a man.” (Act 1, Scene 7)
Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth’s masculinity to manipulate him into committing murder.
Theme: Guilt
Guilt consumes both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after Duncan’s murder. Macbeth is haunted by visions, such as the bloody dagger and Banquo’s ghost, while Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands. Their guilt leads to their psychological decline and eventual deaths.
Key Quote:
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (Act 2, Scene 2)
Macbeth questions whether he can ever be free of his guilt, symbolizing its inescapable nature.
Vocabulary Bank
Ambition – A strong desire for power or success, which drives Macbeth’s actions.
Regicide – The murder of a king (e.g., Duncan’s murder by Macbeth).
Guilt – The feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing, which haunts Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Tyranny – Cruel and oppressive rule, as seen in Macbeth’s reign.
Supernatural – Forces beyond the natural world, such as the witches and their prophecies.
Betrayal – Breaking trust or loyalty, as Macbeth betrays Duncan and Banquo.
Fate – The idea that events are predetermined, as suggested by the witches’ prophecies.
Free Will – The ability to make choices, which Macbeth exercises despite the prophecies.
Masculinity – Traits traditionally associated with men, such as strength and aggression.
Hallucination – Seeing things that aren’t real, like Macbeth’s vision of the dagger.
Paranoia – Extreme suspicion and fear, which consumes Macbeth as king.
Usurpation – Taking power illegally, as Macbeth does by killing Duncan.
Restoration – The return of order, achieved when Malcolm becomes king.
Divine Right – The belief that kings are chosen by God, as seen with Duncan.
Emasculation-To weaken a man by making them feel less masculine.
Downfall – The collapse of power or success, as experienced by Macbeth.
Hamartia – A tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero (e.g., Macbeth’s ambition).
Catharsis – The emotional release or purification felt by the audience after experiencing tragedy.
Peripeteia – A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, often in tragedy (e.g., Macbeth’s rise and fall).
Anagnorisis – The moment of recognition or discovery, where the tragic hero realizes their fate or mistakes (e.g., Macbeth realizing the witches’ prophecies are deceptive).
Hubris – Excessive pride or arrogance, often leading to the downfall of a character (e.g., Macbeth’s overconfidence in the witches’ prophecies).
Foil – A character who contrasts with another character to highlight their traits (e.g., Banquo as a foil to Macbeth).
Tragic Hero – A protagonist with noble qualities who is destined for downfall due to a tragic flaw (e.g., Macbeth).
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition.” (Act 1, Scene 7)-Macbeth
Macbeth admits that his only motivation for killing Duncan is his overwhelming ambition. The metaphor of a “spur” suggests that ambition is like a horse that needs to be controlled, but Macbeth’s ambition is “vaulting,” meaning it leaps recklessly and leads to his downfall. This quote highlights Macbeth’s self-awareness of his fatal flaw and foreshadows his tragic end.
Key theme:Ambition
“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.” (Act 1, Scene 4)-Macbeth
Macbeth asks the stars to hide their light so that no one can see his dark desires to become king. The imagery of light and darkness symbolizes good and evil, showing Macbeth’s awareness that his ambitions are morally wrong. This quote reveals his internal conflict and foreshadows the evil deeds he will commit.
Key Theme:Ambition
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (Act 2, Scene 2)
Macbeth questions whether even the vast ocean can cleanse him of the guilt of Duncan’s murder. The hyperbole emphasises the enormity of his crime and his realisation that his guilt is inescapable. The blood symbolises his guilt, which will haunt him forever, leading to his psychological decline.
Key Theme:Guilt
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (Act 1, Scene 1)-The witches
The witches’ chant introduces the theme of appearance vs. reality, suggesting that things are not as they seem. The paradox reflects the moral confusion and chaos that will dominate the play. It also foreshadows Macbeth’s transformation from a noble hero to a tyrannical murderer, as well as the deceptive nature of the witches’ prophecies.
Key Theme: Supernatural/Appearance vs Reality
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” (Act 2, Scene 1)-Macbeth
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger leading him to Duncan’s chamber, symbolizing his inner conflict and the temptation to commit murder. The vision blurs the line between reality and illusion, reflecting Macbeth’s deteriorating mental state. The dagger also represents the supernatural influence guiding him toward his fate. It can also represent his guilt manifesting in to a hallucination.
Key Theme: Guilt/Supernatural
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it.” (Act 1, Scene 5)-Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to appear innocent while hiding his evil intentions. The metaphor of the serpent links her to Satan, who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, emphasizing the theme of deception. This quote highlights the duplicity of the Macbeths and foreshadows the chaos that will result from their deceit.
Key Theme: Appearance vs Reality
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” (Act 1, Scene 7)- Macbeth
Macbeth resolves to hide his true intentions behind a false appearance. The repetition of “false” emphasizes the theme of deception and the moral corruption that comes with it. This quote marks Macbeth’s decision to commit regicide, setting him on a path of deceit and destruction.
Key Theme: Appearance vs Reality
“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir.” (Act 1, Scene 3)-Macbeth
Macbeth considers whether he should let fate take its course or take action to become king. The phrase “without my stir” suggests that he initially believes he can achieve power without committing evil deeds. However, his ambition ultimately leads him to take matters into his own hands, highlighting the tension between fate and free will.
Key Theme: Fate v Free will
“When you durst do it, then you were a man.” (Act 1, Scene 7)-Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth’s masculinity, suggesting that only by committing murder can he prove his manhood. This manipulation plays on Macbeth’s pride and ambition, pushing him to act against his moral instincts. The quote reflects the toxic association of masculinity with violence and power in the play.
Key Theme: Gender and Masculinity
“I must also feel it as a man.” (Act 4, Scene 3)
-Macduff
Macduff expresses his grief over his family’s murder, redefining masculinity as the ability to feel and express emotions. This contrasts with Macbeth’s ruthless ambition and Lady Macbeth’s rejection of femininity. The quote highlights the play’s critique of traditional gender roles and the destructive consequences of toxic masculinity.
Key Theme:Gender and Masculinity
Theme: Violence
Violence is pervasive in Macbeth, from the battlefield to Macbeth’s murders. Initially, Macbeth’s violence is celebrated as bravery, but it becomes increasingly senseless and destructive as he seeks to secure his power. The play shows how violence begets more violence, leading to chaos and moral decay.
“Blood will have blood.” (Act 3, Scene 4)-Macbeth
Macbeth realizes that his violent actions will lead to further violence and retribution. The repetition of “blood” emphasizes the cycle of violence and the inescapable consequences of his crimes. This quote reflects Macbeth’s growing paranoia and the inevitability of his downfall.
Theme:Violence
“I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3, Scene 4)-Macbeth
Macbeth acknowledges that he is so deeply involved in violence that there is no turning back. The metaphor of wading through blood emphasizes the extent of his crimes and his moral corruption. This quote marks Macbeth’s acceptance of his descent into evil.
Key Themes: Violence/Guilt
The service and loyalty I owe, in doing it, pays itself.” (Act 1, Scene 4)-Macbeth
Macbeth expresses his loyalty to Duncan, but this loyalty is soon betrayed when he murders the king. The quote highlights the tension between Macbeth’s outward loyalty and his inner ambition, foreshadowing his eventual betrayal. It also reflects the play’s emphasis on the importance of loyalty to the rightful king.
Key Themes: Loyalty and Bravery
“Unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty.” (Act 1, Scene 5)-Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth asks to be stripped of her femininity so she can commit murder. The imperative “unsex” reflects her rejection of traditional gender roles and her desire for power. This quote highlights the play’s exploration of the relationship between gender and power.
Key Themes:Gender and Maculinity
Macbeth character analysis:
Macbeth is a tragic hero whose ambition leads to his downfall. He is influenced by the witches’ prophecies and Lady Macbeth’s manipulation, but his choices are his own, reflecting the tension between fate and free will. His rule as king is marked by tyranny and paranoia, disrupting the natural order. At the beginning of the play, he is described as a valiant warrior, and most comfortable on the battlefield. At the end of the play he dies in battle too. Before killing Duncan, he struggles with his conscience, reluctant to kill him as his guilty conscience makes him imagine things. He his also influenced easily not only by Lady Macbeth but by the supernatural too.
Key Quotes:
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition.” (Act 1, Scene 7)-Macbeth admits that ambition is his only motivation for killing Duncan.
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” (Act 2, Scene 1)-Macbeth hallucinates a dagger, symbolizing his inner conflict and guilt.
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage.” (Act 5, Scene 5)-Macbeth reflects on the meaninglessness of life after learning of Lady Macbeth’s death.
Lady Macbeth Character Analysis:
Lady Macbeth is a powerful and manipulative figure who challenges traditional gender roles. She pushes Macbeth to commit regicide, but her guilt eventually consumes her, leading to her descent into madness. Her character reflects Jacobean anxieties about women who overstep societal boundaries. She is just as cruel, ruthless and ambitious as Macbeth, proven by her acts to get what she wants. She goes mad due to her guilty conscience at the end where she kills herself. Her relationship with Macbeth initially seems loving but later, the power dynamics shifts in her favour and back to Macbeths at the end of the play.
Key Quotes:
“Unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
Lady Macbeth rejects her femininity to carry out the murder of Duncan.
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
She advises Macbeth to deceive others by hiding his true intentions.
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)
Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, trying to wash imaginary blood from her hands, symbolizing her guilt.
Banquo character analysis:
Banquo is a foil to Macbeth, representing loyalty and morality. He resists the temptation of the witches’ prophecies, unlike Macbeth. His murder and the escape of his son Fleance highlight the theme of fate, as the witches’ prophecy about Banquo’s descendants eventually comes true. Like Macbeth, Banquo is ambitious about the witches prophecies but doesn’t get corrupted by ambition staying an honourable man. Banquo thinks before he acts unlike Macbeth and acts rationally when in contact with the Witches unlike Macbeth who wants the witches to tell him more.
Key Quotes:
“Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird women promised.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
Banquo reflects on Macbeth’s rise to power and the witches’ prophecies.
“O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!” (Act 3, Scene 3) Banquo’s dying words urge his son to escape, ensuring the witches’ prophecy will be fulfilled.
“Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose.” (Act 2, Scene 1)Banquo resists the temptation of the witches’ prophecies, showing his moral integrity.
Macduff Character Analysis:
Macduff is a loyal and honourable nobleman who opposes Macbeth’s tyranny. He represents the forces of good and justice, ultimately avenging Duncan’s murder by killing Macbeth. His grief over his family’s murder and his determination to restore order highlight his humanity and sense of duty. He is honest and sincere but puts his country before his family. However he realises his faults as his family is killed. His wife Lady Macduff shows love and attention for the children in contrast to Lady Macbeth who would of killed her child to make a point.
Key Quotes:
“O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!” (Act 2, Scene 3)Macduff’s reaction to Duncan’s murder shows his loyalty and shock.
“All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?” (Act 4, Scene 3) Macduff’s grief over his family’s murder contrasts with Macbeth’s cruelty.
Duncan character analysis:
Duncan is the rightful and benevolent king of Scotland, representing order and stability. His murder by Macbeth disrupts the natural order, leading to chaos. Duncan’s trust in Macbeth highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality, as Macbeth appears loyal but is secretly plotting against him.
Key Quotes:
“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.” (Act 1, Scene 4) Duncan reflects on the difficulty of judging a person’s true intentions, foreshadowing Macbeth’s betrayal.
“What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.” (Act 1, Scene 2) Duncan rewards Macbeth for his bravery, showing his trust and generosity.
The witches character analysis
The witches, also known as the “weird sisters,” are supernatural beings who play a crucial role in the play. The witches blur the line between reality and appearance, creating a sense of ambiguity and deception. Their prophecies are deliberately vague and open to interpretation, leading Macbeth to misinterpret his fate. They represent the idea that things are not always as they seem, a central theme in the play. The witches’ prophecies raise questions about the extent to which fate controls Macbeth’s actions. While they predict Macbeth’s rise to power, they do not explicitly tell him to commit murder. Macbeth chooses to act on the prophecies, suggesting that free will plays a significant role in his downfall. The witches are the primary representation of the supernatural in the play. They possess the power to predict the future and manipulate events, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Their presence reflects the Jacobean belief in witchcraft and the dangers of meddling with supernatural forces.
Darkness and Light imagery
Darkness and light are used to symbolize good and evil, as well as the disruption of the natural order. Darkness often accompanies evil deeds, while light represents truth, purity, and divine order.
Key Examples:
“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.” (Act 1, Scene 4)
Macbeth asks for darkness to hide his evil intentions, symbolizing his moral corruption.
“Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell.” (Act 1, Scene 5)
Lady Macbeth calls for darkness to conceal Duncan’s murder, aligning herself with evil.
Blood Imagery in Macbeth
Blood is one of the most prominent images in the play, symbolizing guilt, violence, and the consequences of Macbeth’s actions. It appears both literally and metaphorically, representing the inescapable nature of guilt.
Key Examples:
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (Act 2, Scene 2)
Macbeth’s guilt over Duncan’s murder is symbolized by the blood on his hands, which he believes can never be washed away.
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)
Lady Macbeth’s obsession with washing imaginary blood from her hands reflects her overwhelming guilt and descent into madness.
Natural order imagery
The disruption of the natural order is a recurring image in the play, reflecting the chaos caused by Macbeth’s actions. Unnatural events, such as storms and animals behaving strangely, symbolize the moral and political disorder in Scotland.
Key Examples:
“Tis unnatural, even like the deed that’s done.” (Act 2, Scene 4)
Ross describes the unnatural events following Duncan’s murder, such as darkness during the day and horses eating each other.
“A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.” (Act 2, Scene 4)
The Old Man describes the unnatural behavior of animals, symbolizing the disruption of the natural order.
Sleep imagery
Sleep symbolizes peace, innocence, and conscience. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s inability to sleep reflects their guilt and moral corruption.
Key Examples:
“Macbeth does murder sleep—the innocent sleep.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
Macbeth realizes that by killing Duncan, he has destroyed his own peace and conscience.
“Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep.” (Act 2, Scene 2)
Macbeth’s guilt over Duncan’s murder haunts him, preventing him from sleeping.
Hallucinations/Visions imagery
Hallucinations symbolize the characters’ guilt and psychological decline. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience visions that reflect their inner turmoil. There is a supernatural aspects to them.
Key Examples:
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” (Act 2, Scene 1)
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger leading him to Duncan’s chamber, symbolizing his inner conflict and guilt.
“Thou canst not say I did it; never shake thy gory locks at me!” (Act 3, Scene 4)
Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, a manifestation of his guilt over Banquo’s murder.
Porter Scene analysis
The Porter scene in Macbeth (Act 2, Scene 3) is a moment of comic relief, but it also serves a deeper thematic purpose. The Porter’s speech is filled with dark humor, irony, and symbolic references that reflect the play’s themes of guilt, sin, and the disruption of the natural order.
Key quotes:
1. “Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key.”
Analysis:
The Porter imagines himself as the gatekeeper of hell, humorously suggesting that the knocking at the door is like the arrival of sinners in hell.
This metaphor connects Macbeth’s castle to hell, symbolizing the moral corruption and evil that now reside there after Duncan’s murder.
The quote also reflects the theme of appearance vs. reality, as the castle appears welcoming but is now a place of sin and death.
- “Knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub?”
Analysis:
The Porter’s reference to Beelzebub (a demon associated with Satan) reinforces the idea that Macbeth’s castle has become a hellish place.
The knocking at the door symbolizes the arrival of more chaos and sin, as Macbeth’s reign of terror begins.
The Porter’s dark humor contrasts with the seriousness of Duncan’s murder, creating a sense of unease and irony.
- “Faith, here’s an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale; who committed treason enough for God’s sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven.”
Analysis:
The Porter refers to an equivocator, someone who uses ambiguous language to deceive others. This is a direct reference to the Gunpowder Plot (1605), in which Jesuit priest Henry Garnet was accused of equivocation to hide his knowledge of the plot.
The quote highlights the theme of deception and appearance vs. reality, as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have also used equivocation to hide their crimes.
The Porter’s mention of treason and equivocation foreshadows Macbeth’s own betrayal and downfall.
- “Drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things… nose-painting, sleep, and urine.”
Analysis:
The Porter’s humorous speech about the effects of alcohol provides comic relief, but it also has a deeper meaning.
Drink symbolizes the loss of control and moral corruption, reflecting Macbeth’s own descent into evil.
The Porter’s speech also contrasts with the serious tone of the play, emphasizing the chaos and disorder caused by Duncan’s murder.
- “But this place is too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further.”
Analysis:
The Porter jokes that Macbeth’s castle is too cold to be hell, but the irony is that it has become a place of evil and sin.
This quote reinforces the idea that Macbeth’s actions have turned his home into a hellish environment, symbolizing the disruption of the natural order.
The Porter’s role as a comic figure contrasts with the dark events of the play, creating a sense of unease and highlighting the tension between appearance and reality.
