Macbeth Analysis Flashcards
Brave Macbeth
Captain reporting to King Duncan on Macbeth’s bravery on the battle field. We do not see Macbeth at the beginning. Shakespeare presents him as courageous through the perspective of other characters
Valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen, noble gentlemen
Duncan says this on hearing of Macbeth’s bravery. Adjectives suggest he is a character of integrity, someone who stands up for what is right, someone worry of praise
So foul and fair a day I have not seen
Macbeth speaking to Banquo as they return from battle and before they meet the witches for the first time. Macbeth’s first words he speaks in the play. The words echo the words of the witches in scene 1. Shakespeare might be suggesting a connection between Macbeth and the witches, introduces a more sinister side to him
Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?
Macbeth speaking to Ross after he tells him that he is the name Thane of Cawdor. He asks this oblivious to the fact that the old thane of Cawdor was a traitor and about to be executed for treason. This is ironic as Macbeth becomes the new thane of Cawdor and also betrays the King. This metaphor suggests that Macbeth is taking on a new position that does not belong to him. This is reinforced when he takes the crown from Duncan, the repeated motif of wearing an ill-fitting costume suggests Macbeth is playing a part that does not belong to him.
Let not light see my black deep desires
Macbeth says this to himself. He has just learnt that Duncan’s son Malcolm is going to be the next King of Scotland. Macbeth is far from being King, he not only has Duncan in his way but also Malcolm, he is clearly frustrated, he needs to hide this frustration from the world reminding us that Macbeth realises he needs to wear a mask to cover up how he is feeling. The ‘desire’ he is referring to is to become the next King. We know this desire is evil as it is referred to as ‘black’ which connotes what he desires is evil
False face must see what the false heart doth know
Macbeth says this after lady Macbeth persuades him to go through with the murder. Mask imagery is repeated. Macbeth’s repetition of the word ‘false’ suggests that he accepts that he will need to be dishonest and deceptive. The image of a ‘false heart’ also contrasts sharply with the previous images of ‘noble’ Macbeth. The alliteration of the fricative sounds evokes his own self disgust with what he is becoming
Is this a dagger which I see before me
Macbeth is waiting for LM to ring the bell which will indicate the time to go and kill the King. He is thinking out loud. He questions what he’s seeing but he’s not sure if it’s real.the number of questions in this soliloquy suggests his rising anxiety, not only is this treason but also going against the divine right of kings. About to commit the greatest sin so he is understandably nervous.
Macbeth does murder sleep
Macbeth telling LM what he thought he heard when he killed the King. Sleep symbolically represents peace, metaphorically by killing the King Macbeth had murdered his own peace of mind, he fears he will never be able to sleep again because only the innocent can rest peacefully
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No
Macbeth sees the blood from killing the King and asks himself. He is horrified by the blood, here blood symbolises guilt. He asks if all the waters of the world will wash this blood away, the answer comes quickly ‘no’ does not feel as if he will get rid of guilt and clear he feels a deep sense of remorse for his actions
Full of scorpions in my mind, dear wife!
Macbeth has just arranged for the murder of his very best friend Banquo. This metaphor is suggesting his mind is full of poisonous and evil thoughts.
I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more
Macbeth says this to LM at the end of the banquet. He realises that he can no longer return to being the man he was once. Metaphorically he imagines that he is walking through a river of blood (of all his victims) and he has gone too far to return. In other words, he must keep going forward and killing anyone in his way. He has gained nothing from killing Duncan
I have almost forgot the taste of fears
Hears LM’s cry and speaks to himself. The noise makes Macbeth feel fear. The adverb ‘almost’ reminds us that he has not quite lost all human feelings
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Macbeth speaks to himself on hearing that lady Macbeth is dead. The slow pace of this line and the repetition of tomorrow conveys Macbeth’s feelings that life has become meaningless, sense of hopelessness
At least we’ll die with harness on our back
He hears Malcolm’s army is approaching. The courageous soldier we see at the beginning returns, he is going to fight for his life and honour
