MACBETH ESSAY PLAN Flashcards
who is macbeth and his significance
the eponymous character
his rise + fall drive the plot
shakespeare uses him to explore ambition guilt and disruption of natural order
quotes showing macbeth beginning as a loyal character, admired for his valour with explanation, SI and AR
brave macbeth - well he deserves that name
o valiant cousin
bellonas bridegroom (husband of roman goddess of war)
explain : establishes m as a hero + trusted by D
SI : make m eventual downfall more impactful
AR :J : admiration for his loyalty , DRoK
M : sympathy for m - noble but flawed
paragraph 2 : macbeths ambition and moral conflict - quotes explain SI AR
Point : his unchecked ambition drives him to betray
Quotes : i have no spur to prick the sides of my intent but only vaulting ambition
he’s here in double trust
stars hide your fires let not light see my black and deep desires
Explain : shows m internal conflict - ambition or loyalty
catharsis : anticipation of justice for m moral failure
SI : highlight dangers of ambition
AR : J : fear of ambition leading to chaos/defiance of DRoK
M : greater empathy
Para 3 : macbeths tyranny and guilt after duncan’s death
quotes explain SI AR
quotes : full of scorpions is my mind
will all great neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand
blood will have blood
explain : his paranoia makes him commit further crimes - GPP - rule like james 1 did after
SI : warn audience of consequences of regicide - GPP!
AR : J : outrage at m betrayal of DRoK
M : ms psychological detenoation , pity and condem him
para 4 : ms downfall and restoration of order
point explain quotes SI and AR
point : his death restores order , his despair reflects emptiness of his ambition
quotes : life’s but a walking shadow… signifying nothing
out out brief candle !
explain : ms realisation of life’s futility underscores the consequences of his ambition
SI : show that disrupting the GCoB and DRoK leads to despair and death
AR : J : relief , justice = served divine order = restored
M : M = tragic figure , shaped by his flaws
