Macbeth deception Flashcards
So foul and fair a day I have not seen - act 1
First word in play , instantly introduced as malleable and susceptible to the witches malevolent schemes. This is because he emulates the witches oxymoronic terms. “Fair is foul and foul is fair”. This presents Macbeth as a mouth piece for their evil and vessel for their misconduct. The witches personify theme of deception as they use their malevolent powers to deceive Macbeth and likewise Macbeth to banquo and Duncan
With Tarquins ravishing strides , towards his designs
So is Macbeths ambition to become a tyrannical and ruthless leader like Tarquin.tarquin tyrannical leader who was overthrown .raped lucretia as he yearned to ruin her purity. Through alluding to Tarquin Macbeth is ambitious to become a third ruler. This is compounded by ravishing which creates an image of enchantment. He is enchanted and deluded by his desire and is willing to deceive those around him to achieve this. Foreshadows him being overthrown.
Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath
The biblical allusion to the Serpent seen in the fall of mankind in Genesis where the serpent tempts Adam and Eve, is used by the lady macbeth to highlight how effective deception can be when executed with an “innocent” facade. Hide evil intention and deceive. James the first had a medal struck bearing a flower and a snake to commemorate discovery of gunpowder plot, Jacobean audience will recognise this this ,shows that murderers will be discovered and punished like mb
Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires
This line shows how Macbeth feels guilty about his thoughts of murdering King Duncan in pursuit of power. He is admitting his ambition and is aware that this thought is wrong. This links in with the societal belief at the time that kings were appointed by God. It was believed that the thought of committing regicide alone was a great sin. Macbeth originally shares these beliefs but has been corrupted by desire and is now deceitful.. The plural noun stars and fires create a semantic field of light which connotative religious imagery. Macbeth wants to hide his desires from God as he knows it’s wrong. Furthermore the juxtaposition between the concept of light and the descriptive adjective black suggest that Macbeth is inwardly conflicted between a part of ambition of morality . alliteration used in deep desires emphasise how Macbeth has become corrupt by overpowering his ambition as it controls his thoughts and soon his actions
Sleep no more , Macbeth does murder sleep
This line demonstrates Macbeth immediate guilt following the murder and deception of the king Duncan. This may have a small amount of sympathy from Bath from the audience, however the activities that were still sinners unforgivable in Jacobean society. I do have a best guilt and regret streets away from the concept of a two-dimensional villain. Macbeth that the character was unusual with an antagonist at the time I would’ve sparked interest among the Shakespeare 1600 Audience. My best frantic language portrays his fear of consequences of his actions.
The common noun sleep symbolises innocence with Macbeths Lack of sleep and emphasising his guilt and culpability
