Macbeth - chaos/disorder

Question 1

Act 1 Scene 2

Answer 1

At the start of the play, Macbeth’s violence is praised. In the battle Macbeth is described as having
Phrase - “unseam’d him from the nave to th’ chaps” – visceral / organic image – signs of masculinity – praise – so loyal to Duncan and Scotland – everything is in order – violence is seen as normal
War hero

Question 2

Act 2 Scene 2

Answer 2

After murdering Duncan In Act 2, Macbeth is reflective of his despair and anguish and asks
metaphor – “Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” – elemental imagery – reference to the gods shows an awareness of the gravity and violence of the sins committed – implies the chaos about to begin

Question 3

Act 2 Scene 4

Answer 3

Shakespeare depicts the chaos caused by Duncans murder with the violent image of Duncan’s well-trained horses eating each other. The Old Man said that ‘they eat each other’. Foreshadows chaos of Macbeth’s reign.

Question 4

Act 3 Scene 4

Answer 4

First Murderer – “Safe in a ditch he bides with twenty trenched gashes on his head” powerful alliterative image exaggerated violence - ruthlessness - brutality - unjust - chaos of Macbeth’s reign. Verb “bides” makes chaos seem casual

Question 5

Act 4 Scene 3

Answer 5

Macbeth ‘Savagely slaughter’d’ Macduff’s wife and children in act 4.
powerful sibilance - exaggerated violence - ruthlessness - brutality - unjust - sinful execution of violence - uncivilised irrational and animalistic behaviour - Further chaos of Macbeth’s reign.

Question 6

Act 5 Scene 9

Answer 6

At the end of the play, Macbeth’s dies as Macduff enters with ‘Th’ usurper’s cursed head’. the beheading is the moment of catharsis for the audience - Macbeth’s severed head represents the purging of all evil from Scotland and the restoring of order from the chaos and suffering.