Macbeth- Character Flashcards
How would you describe Macbeth?
Ambitious: He desires power and is willing to kill for it.
Easily influenced: He starts as a loyal soldier but is manipulated by Lady Macbeth and the witches.
Guilty and paranoid: His conscience haunts him after killing Duncan.
quote that shows him as he starts as a noble warrior.
“Brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name” (Act 1, Scene 2)
quote that shows his inner conflict before murdering Duncan.
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” (Act 2, Scene 1)
quote that shows his paranoia and descent into evil.
Full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
How does Macbeth change throughout the play?
Loyal and respected soldier → Brave and honourable at the start.
Murderer and usurper → Becomes ruthless after killing Duncan.
Tyrant and paranoid king → Rules with fear and loses control.
Defeated and resigned → Faces death knowing he has lost everything.
quote that shows he Hesitates before killing Duncan.
We will proceed no further in this business.”
quote that shows Now obsessed with power and willing to kill Banquo.
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” (Act 3, Scene 2)
quote that shows he Becomes numb and accepts his downfall.
“I have almost forgot the taste of fears.” (Act 5, Scene 5)
what historical context do you know about Macbeth?
The real Macbeth was King of Scotland (1040-1057) and ruled successfully for 17 years.
He had a legitimate claim to the throne and was not as ruthless as Shakespeare’s version.
Shakespeare’s play was influenced by King James I, who claimed descent from Banquo.
How does Macbeth fit Machiavelli’s idea of leadership?
Machiavelli (The Prince) argued that rulers should be ruthless if necessary.
Macbeth starts as an honourable leader but becomes a Machiavellian ruler who uses fear.
However, he lacks Machiavelli’s advice to maintain control, leading to his downfall.
How does Shakespeare compare Macbeth and Macduff?
Macbeth = Tyrannical, power-hungry, and paranoid.
Macduff = Loyal, honourable, and fights for justice.
Shakespeare contrasts them to show the difference between a good and bad leader.
Why does Macbeth hesitate to kill Duncan?
Macbeth knows Duncan is a good and fair king.
He is Duncan’s subject and host, which makes the murder even worse.
He fears the consequences: “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly” (Act 1, Scene 7).
Lady Macbeth manipulates him, calling him a coward to push him into the murder.
What is Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death?
He reacts with coldness and a sense of emptiness:
“She should have died hereafter; there would have been a time for such a word.” (Act 5, Scene 5)
He reflects on the meaningless of life: “Life’s but a walking shadow.”
This shows how numb he has become—he no longer feels much emotion, even for his wife’s death.
How do the witches influence Macbeth’s decisions?
They plant the idea of being king in his mind: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / Hail to thee, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Act 1, Scene 3).
They never tell him to kill Duncan, but their riddles make him believe fate is on his side.
Their second set of prophecies (Act 4, Scene 1) make him overconfident—he believes no one can harm him.
However, they are deceptive, leading to his downfall.
How does Macbeth react to Banquo’s ghost?
He is terrified, losing control in front of his guests: “Thou canst not say I did it: never shake / Thy gory locks at me!” (Act 3, Scene 4).
This moment shows his guilt and paranoia—Banquo’s ghost is a symbol of his fear of being caught.
Lady Macbeth tries to cover for him, but it’s clear that Macbeth is mentally unraveling.
It marks the point where others begin to suspect him.
- How does Macbeth’s ambition lead to his downfall?
He starts as a noble soldier, but his desire for power grows stronger.
Once he kills Duncan, he feels he must keep killing to stay in control.
His ambition blinds him to danger—he trusts the witches too much.
His overconfidence leads him to underestimate Macduff, and he is ultimately defeated.
Why does Shakespeare decide that Macbeth kills Duncan off stage?
Shakespeare doesn’t show Macbeth killing Duncan on stage becauseThe Murder Is Too Horrible to Show: By not showing it, the audience imagines how bad it is, which makes it scarier.
Focus on Macbeth’s Guilt: It lets the audience focus on Macbeth’s guilt and inner struggle instead of just the murder itself.
Builds Tension: Not showing it makes the moment more suspenseful, and the focus is on how Macbeth reacts afterward.
Keeps Audience Sympathy for Macbeth: If the murder were shown on stage, it might make the audience dislike Macbeth. By not showing it, Shakespeare lets us see Macbeth’s conflict, so we still feel some sympathy for him.
In short, keeping the murder off stage lets the audience feel the emotional weight of Macbeth’s actions without completely turning against him.
How is Macduff a foil to Macbeth?
Macduff contrasts with Macbeth to highlight their differences.
Macbeth is ambitious and ruthless, while Macduff is loyal and honourable.
Macbeth kills Duncan for power, but Macduff fights to restore rightful order.
Macbeth becomes a tyrant, whereas Macduff remains Scotland’s protector.
Macbeth suppresses guilt, but Macduff openly grieves for his family.
➡️ Shakespeare uses this contrast to show Macbeth’s downfall and present Macduff as a hero.
what is a foil?
In the context of Macbeth, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character to highlight their differences. i.e Macbeth and macduff
