Macbeth - Context and Themes Flashcards
What are the 7 themes in Macbeth?
1.Ambition
2.Loyalty and Betrayal
3.Kingship
4.Good and Evil
5.The Supernatural
6.Reality and Appearances
7.Fate and Free Will
How is ambition the main theme in Macbeth?
Ambition
1.Ambition motivates Macbeth to commit terrible deeds - changing him from a ‘valiant’ soldier to a ‘dead butcher’
2.The play shows that ambition is dangerous, as it can quickly spiral out of control - Macbeth considers the morality of killing Duncan, but kills Banquo quickly
3.Once Macbeth starts killing, he has to kill more to get what he wants, so he can be secure - ambition can make people selfish and ruthless
4.Both Macbeth and LM are eventually destroyed by their ambition - the play is a warning against ambition that isn’t balanced by reason or morals.
How is Ambition Macbeth’s biggest weakness?
Ambition
1.Ambition is Macbeth’s fatal flaw, he’s a brave hero at the start, Duncan calls him ‘noble’ and LM says he ‘wouldst not play false’ to get what he wants.
2.Macbeth’s reluctance to kill Duncan shows thay he’s moral, but his actions emphasise how strong his ambition is - his ambition makes him act against his morals.
3.It makes him act against his better judgement. He knows ambition often, ‘o’er leaps itself/and falls’ - it can lead to you aiming to high, and failing, foreshadowing Macbeth’s own demise, when he dies an ‘abhorred tryant’
What do all the main characters of Shakespeare’s plays all share?
Context
THe hero is a noble person with one main flaw - their ‘fatal flaw’
How is ambition good?
Ambition
1.Malcolm and Macduff are ambitious for their country. They want to take Macbeth’s power away from him, not for their own selfish desires, but for the good of Scotland.
2.Banquo hopes ‘there comes truth’ from the witches’ prophecy, but doesn’t act violently like Macbeth, to make it come true.
Who is loyal to their country and how?
Loyalty and Betrayal
Macduff is loyal to Scotland - he chooses to go to England and ask Malcom to defend his country instead of protecting his own family.
Who is loyal to the King and how?
Loyalty and Betrayal
- The thanes are loyal to Duncan, because he’s been a ‘great’ King.
- Macbeth gives Duncan ‘service and loyalty’ by fighting for him in Act 1
Who is loyal to their beliefs and how?
Loyalty and Betrayal
Banquo - he is loyal to his sense of honour. He keeps his ‘allegiance clear’. He won’t let ambition or the Witches’ prophecies affect him.
How is loyalty rewarded in the play?
Loyalty and Betrayal
1.Macbeth’s loyalty is rewarded by giving him the title of Thane of Cawdor
2.Macduff stayed loyal to Scotland, and saved the country from Macbeth
How is betrayal punished in the play?
Loyalty and Betrayal
1.The old Thane of Cawdor is excecuted for being a ‘disloyal traitor’
2.Macbeth is killed for betraying Scotland
3.Macbeth betrays his own morality, whihc leads to his loss of self-worth, and death.
How do Loyalty and Betrayal go hand in hand?
Loyalty and Betrayal
1.Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland, leads him to betray his family
2.Macbeth’s loyalty to Lady Macbeth leads to the Betrayal of Duncan
How does Lady Macbeth fake loyalty?
Loyalty and Betrayal
She tells Duncan thaty she and Macbeth are ‘your servants forever’, whilst plotting his murder
What is the context around the heir to the thrones in Scotland?
In Scotland, the successor didn’t have to be the King’s eldest son.
What is the line of succession in Macbeth?
Kingship
1.Duncan
2.Malcom
3.Donaldbain
4.Macbeth
But when Macbeth kills Duncan, Malcom and Donaldbain both run so Macbeth becomes King.
How is Duncan a good King?
Kingship
1.He is described as ‘gracious’ and inspires loyalty in his subjects
2.His subjects see him as a ‘most sainted King’, therefore the rightful ruler of Scotland.
How is Duncan’s rightful reign, and Macbeth’s tyrannical reign reflected in the country?
Kingship
1.Duncan ‘s rightful reign makes the country oredered and peaceful
2.Under Macbeth’s unlawful reign, the natural order is overturned - day turns to night, horses eat eachother
Why is Macbeth a tyrant?
Kingship
He rules selfishly, using violence. He’s rarely referred to as king, suggesting other characters don’t accept his status
In Act 4, Scene 3 how does Malcom describe a good king?
Kingship
- He says a good king has, ‘King-becoming graces, As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude’
- Malcom may be describing Duncan here, as he shows many of these qualities
In Act 4, Scene 3, how does Malcom describe a bad king?
Kingship
1.He says a bad king is, ‘bloody, Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin That has a name.’
2.Malcom is describing Macbeth here.
How are kings appointed?
Context
They are appointed by God - the divine right of Kings
How are King’s holy in the play?
Kingship
1.King Edward of England has a ‘healing benediction’, and uses ‘holy prayrers’ to cure sick people. He’s surrounded by ‘blessings’ that ‘speak him full of grace’
2.Duncan, and Malcom being the righful heir, are holy as they are appointed by God
How are King’s unholy in the play?
Kingship
Macbeth is ‘devilish’ - he commits murder, speaks to witches and is not the chosen King
How is Macbeth shown to be a good man - who becomes evil
Good and Evil
1.At the beginning Macbeth shows he’s a ‘noble’ person, he has the potential for greatness, which is recognised by Duncan who makes him a Thane
2.He gives in to his ambition, and his goodness is overcome by evil desires, showing even good people can succumb to their desires
3.Macbeth becomes increasingly evil, as he commits more violence
How is the battle for the crown, a battle between good and evil?
Good and Evil
Macbeth is the eivil ‘tyrant’ who must be killed by Malcom - the rightful King - before he destroys Scotland