Macbeth Flashcards
How does the quote “is this the dagger i see before me?” Show violence
The noun “dagger” signifies the motif of death but also Macbeth’s heinous and barbaric nature this is the start of him becoming a tyrant.Furthermore the rhetorical question paired with Macbeth’s hallucination highlights the beginning of Macbeth’s mental decline and his conscience has been plagued with guilt as he has committed the treacherous act of regicide.
How does the quote “upon my head they placed a fruitless crown” show kingship
The verb “placed” highlights that the crown has been carefully crafted not naturally given-he has meticulously manipulated his position as king and acquired it through illegitimacy.The adjective “fruitless” implies that being a king is synonymous with being fruitful to their people in leadership and morality.Macbeth’s omission of fruit signifies his tainted kingship and how he violated natural natural order.
Key words for macbeth
-Blasphemy (going against divine right of kings)
-Usurpation (Taking something by force)
-tragic hero (starts in glory but falls from grace)
How does the quote “false face must hide what the false heart doth know” show ambition
Macbeth is so ambitious that he’s willing to be duplicitous with his intentions as he appears noble and valiant but however he is deceitful and malevolent.The repetition of “false” emphasises his false and unnatural taking of the crown.He is a false king has has committed blasphemy.
