Macbeth - Characters Flashcards
1
Q
Analyse the character Macbeth
A
- The play falls into 2 parts: the rise and fall of Macbeth.
- Early in the play Macbeth is courageous.
- He loses some fearlessness when he doubted himself.
- Violent actions always overcame his morals
- In the first half of the play the battle between Macbeth’s ambition and his moral conscience is evident.
- He is easily influenced by his wife and the supernatural.
- We see many examples of his cruelty. He justifies the murder of Duncan and Banquo as necessities.
- ## As his position became threatened, his cruelty increased.
2
Q
Analyse the character Lady Macbeth
A
- Her harshness and cruelty coexists with feminine tenderness.
- She forced Macbeth to murder Duncan.
- Her cruel strength remained through the banquet scenes, acting as a charming hostess.
- Eventually she lost herself to insanity because of the guilt.
- Her suicide makes her look like a tragic character who fell from power.
3
Q
Analyse the characters the Witches
A
- European cultures maintained a belief in witches and their ability to make prophecies/affect the outcome of events.
- Witchcraft was seen as a reality in Shakespeare’s day.
- The first scene revolves around them.
- Able to control the weather.
- They give the play the supernatural element to match the darkness of the plot.
- The Witches prophecies urge Macbeth on to his rise to the throne, and his downfall.
- They are seen as having control over the lives of mortals, but was Macbeth’s fate in his own hands, regardless of the influence of the Witches?
