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English literature Paper 1 > Macbeth (charachters) > Flashcards

Macbeth (charachters) Flashcards

1
Q

How is Macbeth presented at the start of the play?

A

As a brave and noble warrior, loyal to Duncan and admired by others.

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2
Q

What is Macbeth’s fatal flaw?

A

Ambition – it drives him to murder and causes his downfall.

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3
Q

How does Lady Macbeth manipulate Macbeth?

A

She questions his masculinity and uses persuasive language to encourage murder.

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4
Q

What does Malcolm represent by the end of the play?

A

Order, rightful leadership, and the restoration of natural balance.

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4
Q

How does Lady Macbeth challenge gender roles?

A

She rejects femininity and asks to be “unsexed” to gain power.

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5
Q

What do the witches represent?

A

Supernatural evil, temptation, and the disruption of natural order.

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6
Q

How is Banquo different from Macbeth?

A

Banquo resists the witches’ prophecy and remains loyal and moral.

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7
Q

How does Macbeth change after Duncan’s murder?

A

He becomes paranoid, violent, and increasingly isolated.

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7
Q

What motivates Macduff’s actions?

A

: Justice, loyalty to Scotland, and revenge for his family’s murder.

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7
Q

How is King Duncan portrayed?

A

As a fair, kind, and god-like ruler who rewards loyalty.

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8
Q

What does Macbeth’s downfall suggest about ambition?

A

That unchecked ambition leads to moral and personal destruction.

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8
Q

How does Macbeth react to the witches’ prophecy in Act 1, Scene 3?

A

Macbeth is initially skeptical, but then becomes obsessed with the idea of becoming king. The prophecy sparks his ambition, and he begins contemplating murder as the way to achieve the throne.

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8
Q

How does Lady Macbeth change throughout the play?

A

She shifts from dominant and ruthless to guilt-ridden and mad.

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9
Q

What does Macbeth mean when he says, “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly”?

A

Act 1, Scene 7. Macbeth is contemplating the murder of Duncan, expressing hesitation and his desire to avoid the consequences. He wants the act to be quick and painless, reflecting his inner turmoil.

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10
Q

How does Macbeth feel after murdering Duncan?

A

Macbeth feels immense guilt and paranoia. In Act 2, Scene 2, he says, “I am afraid to think what I have done,” showing his overwhelming regret.

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11
Q

What is the significance of Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 5, Scene 5?

A

in his soliloquy (“Out, out, brief candle!”), Macbeth reflects on the meaninglessness of life after Lady Macbeth’s death, showing his deep despair and nihilism.

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12
Q

What motivates Macbeth to kill Banquo?

A

Macbeth is driven by fear and jealousy. He sees Banquo as a threat to his throne, particularly because the witches prophesied Banquo’s descendants would be kings.

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13
Q

How does Lady Macbeth manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan?

A

In Act 1, Scene 7, Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth’s masculinity and bravery, pushing him to commit the murder. She also plans the details of the crime.

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14
Q

What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “Out, damned spot!”?

A

In Act 5, Scene 1, she’s sleepwalking and trying to wash away the imagined bloodstains from her hands. It shows her guilt and mental deterioration after the murder of Duncan.

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15
Q

How does Lady Macbeth’s character change over the course of the play?

A

Lady Macbeth starts as a strong, manipulative figure but gradually descends into madness due to the guilt from the murder of Duncan, ultimately leading to her death.

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16
Q

How does Lady Macbeth view her femininity?

A

She sees it as a weakness. In Act 1, Scene 5, she calls on spirits to “unsex” her, wishing to be stripped of feminine traits in order to be ruthless enough to kill Duncan.

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17
Q

What role does Lady Macbeth play in Macbeth’s downfall?

A

While Lady Macbeth initially spurs Macbeth into action, her guilt ultimately consumes her. She becomes a symbol of the consequences of unchecked ambition and manipulation.

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18
Q

How does Banquo react to the witches’ prophecy?

A

Banquo is skeptical of the witches, but unlike Macbeth, he does not act on their prophecy. He remains loyal to Duncan and refuses to let ambition cloud his judgment.

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19
Q

Why does Macbeth have Banquo killed?

A

Macbeth is paranoid and fearful of Banquo’s descendants, as the witches prophesied that Banquo’s children would inherit the throne.

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20
How does Banquo’s ghost contribute to Macbeth’s downfall?
Banquo’s ghost appears at the banquet in Act 3, Scene 4, symbolising Macbeth’s guilt and fear. It disrupts Macbeth’s public persona and accelerates his mental deterioration.
21
How does Banquo’s character contrast with Macbeth’s?
Banquo is noble, loyal, and cautious, whereas Macbeth is ambitious, willing to sacrifice his integrity for power. Banquo’s morality is unwavering compared to Macbeth’s corruption.
22
how does Macduff contribute to the final defeat of Macbeth?
Macduff kills Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 8, fulfilling the witches’ prophecy. He is the agent of Macbeth’s destruction, bringing justice to Scotland.
22
what does Banquo’s death signify in the play?
Banquo’s murder represents Macbeth’s complete moral corruption. He sacrifices a loyal friend to secure his power, showing how far he has fallen.
23
How do the witches influence Macbeth’s actions?
The witches plant the seeds of ambition in Macbeth by prophesying his rise to power. Their cryptic words drive him to murder Duncan and later pursue more violent actions to secure his rule.
23
What is significant about Macduff’s birth?
Macduff was born by caesarean section, not "of a woman born." This fulfills the witches’ prophecy that Macbeth will be killed by someone who is not “born of woman,” leading to his downfall.
24
How does Macduff react to the news of his family’s murder?
: In Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff is devastated by the news. His grief turns to rage, and he vows to avenge their deaths by killing Macbeth.
25
What is Macduff’s relationship with Macbeth like?
Macduff is initially loyal to King Duncan, but becomes an enemy of Macbeth after Duncan’s murder. He is one of Macbeth’s most vocal critics and ultimately brings him down.
25
What does Macduff’s reaction to Duncan’s murder show about his character?
Macduff’s shock and horror at Duncan’s murder (Act 2, Scene 3) demonstrate his nobility and moral integrity. He is deeply disturbed by the violation of the natural order.
26
What is the significance of the witches’ prophecy?
The witches’ prophecy sets the entire plot of the play in motion. It foreshadows Macbeth’s rise to power and his eventual downfall, and it manipulates his actions through their half-truths.
26
What is the role of the witches in Act 4, Scene 1?
The witches show Macbeth apparitions that give him a false sense of invincibility. This misleading information contributes to his overconfidence and eventual death.
27
How do the witches embody the theme of fate vs. free will?
The witches predict Macbeth’s future, but it is ultimately Macbeth’s own choices that lead to his downfall. This raises questions about whether fate controls his destiny or if he has the free will to change his path.
27
What drives Macbeth's actions throughout the play?
His overwhelming ambition and desire for power.
28
How do the witches manipulate Macbeth’s ambition?
The witches feed his ambition by telling him he will be king. They manipulate his desire for power, even though their prophecies are vague and ultimately misleading.
28
What role does Malcolm play in the play?
Malcolm is the rightful heir to the throne. He represents order and justice, and in the end, he leads the forces that defeat Macbeth and restore peace to Scotland.
28
What is Macbeth's initial reaction to the witches' prophecy?
He is intrigued and fascinated but also conflicted about the consequences.
28
How does Malcolm test Macduff’s loyalty in Act 4, Scene 3?
Malcolm pretends to be worse than Macbeth to test Macduff’s loyalty. When Macduff expresses horror, Malcolm knows he is loyal and not a traitor.
28
How is Malcolm presented as the opposite of Macbeth?
Malcolm is loyal, morally upright, and just, in stark contrast to Macbeth, who is treacherous, ambitious, and corrupt.
29
What does Malcolm’s victory symbolize?
Malcolm’s victory represents the restoration of order and the rightful kingship. It also signals the return to a moral and just rule after the chaos caused by Macbeth’s reign.
29
How does Malcolm represent hope for Scotland’s future?
As the rightful heir to the throne, Malcolm is seen as a symbol of renewal and hope for Scotland, offering a return to stability and good governance after Macbeth’s tyranny.
30
What does Macbeth mean when he says, "To be thus is nothing; But to be safely thus"?
He fears that his power is insecure, and he must eliminate threats to his reign.
31
What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
His unchecked ambition.
31
How does Macbeth react to the murder of King Duncan?
He is filled with guilt and paranoia, experiencing immediate regret.
32
What role does fate play in Macbeth’s actions?
He believes in fate but also tries to control his destiny, leading to a conflict between his actions and the witches' prophecy.
32
What is the significance of the dagger in Act 2, Scene 1?
It symbolizes Macbeth’s conflicted mind and his descent into madness, blurring the line between reality and hallucination.
32
How does Macbeth react to Lady Macbeth’s death?
He is cold and detached, reflecting on the meaningless of life.
32
How does Macbeth’s character change over the course of the play?
He transforms from a noble and conflicted man to a tyrannical and ruthless ruler.
33
What does Macbeth mean when he says, “Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow”?
He reflects on the futility and brevity of life, showing his despair.
33
How does Macbeth justify his murder of King Duncan?
He believes that it is necessary for his ambition to be fulfilled, but also struggles with guilt and hesitation.
33
What is Macbeth's reaction to the prophecy of Banquo's descendants becoming kings?
He feels threatened and orders Banquo’s murder to prevent the prophecy from coming true.
34
How does Macbeth’s ambition lead to his downfall?
His desire for power leads him to commit murder, which sets off a chain of events that destroy him.
34
How does Macbeth react to the news of Birnam Wood moving towards Dunsinane?
He is initially confident but soon realizes that the witches' prophecy is coming true
35
What does Lady Macbeth ask the spirits to do when she says, “Unsex me here”?
She asks the spirits to remove her femininity and fill her with cruelty to carry out the murder of Duncan.
36
What does the phrase “so foul and fair a day I have not seen” reveal about Macbeth?
It echoes the witches’ paradoxical saying, showing his connection to their dark influence and foreshadowing his tragic journey.
36
How does Lady Macbeth manipulate Macbeth into killing Duncan?
She questions his masculinity and convinces him that he must seize the throne by killing Duncan.
37
What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to Macbeth’s hesitation about killing Duncan?
She scorns him, calling him a coward and persuades him to go through with the murder.
38
How does Lady Macbeth deal with the murder after it happens?
She remains calm and tries to soothe Macbeth, telling him that “a little water clears us of this deed.”
38
How does Lady Macbeth’s character change throughout the play?
She starts as strong and ruthless but becomes overwhelmed by guilt and descends into madness.
39
What is the significance of Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene?
It shows her overwhelming guilt and the mental toll of her actions, as she is unable to wash away the imagined blood on her hands.
40
What does Lady Macbeth mean by "Out, damned spot!"?
She is trying to remove the guilt and bloodstains she imagines on her hands, reflecting her psychological breakdown.
41
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, "A little water clears us of this deed"?
She believes that washing away Duncan’s blood will allow them to move on, but this belief is shattered later by her guilt.
42
What is the significance of Lady Macbeth’s death?
Her death represents the culmination of her guilt and mental unraveling, contrasting with Macbeth’s cold reaction.
43
How does Lady Macbeth's ambition differ from Macbeth’s?
Lady Macbeth is initially the more ambitious and ruthless one, pushing Macbeth to act on his desires, while Macbeth becomes more consumed by his own ambition as the play progresses.
44
How does Lady Macbeth view Macbeth’s nature in Act 1, Scene 5?
She believes that Macbeth is too kind-hearted to commit murder and that she must convince him to act ruthlessly.
45
How does Lady Macbeth's role in the murder of Duncan contrast with her later guilt?
Initially, she is the one who plans and encourages the murder, but later, her guilt overwhelms her, leading to madness and death.
46
What does Lady Macbeth’s request to be “unsexed” reveal about her character?
It reveals her desire to reject traditional gender roles and to adopt qualities that she associates with masculinity, such as ruthlessness.
47
How does Lady Macbeth’s strength as a character contrast with her eventual breakdown?
at the beginning, she is manipulative and strong-willed, but by the end, she is consumed by guilt and becomes mentally unstable.
48
How does Lady Macbeth’s death contribute to Macbeth’s reaction to life and death?
Her death deepens Macbeth's sense of despair, reinforcing his nihilistic view that life is meaningless.

English literature Paper 1 (3 decks)

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