Macbeth: Macbeth Flashcards
Act 1 scene 7: Ambition
“I have no spur, to prick the sides of my intent, but only, vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself/ And falls on th’other”
Macbeth knows that his only argument for killing Duncan is to satisfy his ambition. He also knows that blinding obeying ambition will end in disaster. The phrase “o’erleaps itself, and falls on th’other” suggests ambition makes people think illogically, so that they overestimate their own abilities and get ahead of themselves. Additionally, it portrays ambition as self destructive. It “o’erleaps itself” rather than having someone or something else make it “o’erleap”.
Can be seen as metaphor of horse riding/jumping or a personification of his ambition highlighting its extensive nature and self destructive features.
Act 1 Scene 2: Captain/Battle vs Norway
“Brave” and highly skilled with his sword - both traits typically associated with heroism. Shakespeare shows how violence and bloodshed are romanticised in the context of war, with impressive imagery such as “disdaining fortune” and “smoked with bloody execution”.
As Macbeth is fighting for his country, his actions are righteous and honourable. It’s displays hypocrisy, as he behaves in the same later on the play, he’s viewed as tyrannical and horrific.
Shakespeare could be criticising the culture as of aggressive masculinity and honourable warfare.
Act 1 scene 2: further of the further
Macbeth is referred to with the simile “like valour’s minion”, portraying him as the epitome of courage and chivalry. “Valour” refers to a demonstration of courage in the face of danger, especially in battle, while “minion” suggest a loyal followers. This implies Macbeth can be trusted because he will always show courage in battle, and is dedicated to victory in the face of defeat. He is a saving grace for Scotland. Alternatively, “minion”, connotes a slave or an unimportant servant. This would mean Macbeth is inferior servant of a greater power, in this case Valour. This implied he will blinding turn to violence and conflict, and foreshadows his viscous and brutal ambition.
Act 1 scene 4: deep desires
“Stars, hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires”
This quote exemplifies the contradictory, fragmented nature of Macbeths character. The duality between light and dark, such as “stars” and “black and deep desires”, is a symbol for the conflict between Macbeth’s conscience, or moral compass, and his ambition. Here, he finally admits to himself that he wants to become king no matter what, but isn’t prepared to face the reality of what that means.
Act 1 scene 4: deep desired (further)
The phrase “stars, hide your fires” could refer to several things. Firstly, the “stars’ might represents the gods or the heavens. In this case, Macbeth doesn’t want them to see his sins, in the hopes that he will still be blessed by them and have salvation. Equally, he fears their judgment and disappointment. Alternatively, asking the “stars” to “hide (…) fires” could show how Macbeth wants to operate in darkness. This means he can avoid detection from others, but more importantly, doesn’t have to witness his own corruption and villainy.
Act 5 Scene 5: Candle
“Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but walking shadow, a poor player. That struts and frets his hour upon the stage. And then is heard no more. It is a tale. Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Macbeth knows his end is near at this point in the play. The change in tone and the pathos this whole soliloquy evokes gives the impression that Macbeth has suddenly awakened from his stupor. His wife is dead, his kingdom is falling apart, and he is truly alone. All his ambition and sacrifice has been for nothing.
The imagery and metaphor used in this excerpt emphasise how life is a facade, with no purpose of meaning to it. The nouns “candle”, “shadows”, “player” and “tale” all connote imitation and emptiness. Also, they are all temporary or delicate. Shakespeare suggests that everyone is insignificant, a mere candle flame compared to the light of the whole universe. The semantic field of facade could show how people, particularly Macbeth, focus on the wrong things in life, so that they are looking at “shadow” or “tale” rather than the reality.
Macbeth has been so fixated on his ambition and power than he has missed what really matters - or, in a more nihilistic interpretation, he never realised that nothing really matters. His ambition can’t live on past his death, and nor can his power. His crisis is caused by undeniable truth of his own morality, which nothing can contend with. For all his “sound and fury” - his violence and painful guilt - he has accomplished nothing everlasting: it signifies “nothing”
Act 5 Scene 5: candle (further)
The extended metaphor of theatre is meta technique by Shakespeare, almost breaking the fourth wall. He suggests that everything is playing a path rather than being their authentic selves, so that appearance don’t match reality. For Macbeth, he was playing the part of a moral and righteous servant, when really he was a murderer. You could also argue he was playing that part of being the chosen king. Another implication of this motif links to the influence of fate and fortune. No one is in charge of their own lives: like Macbeth, their lives are dictated external forces.
Macbeth: eye wink at hand
“The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see”
Metaphor “the eye wink at the hand” is a synecdoche. In this case, the “eye” represents Macbeth’s consciousness or awareness - his mind - while the “hand” represents his actions and reality. Despite it being what “the eyes fears’, he wants it to be “done”. This paradox causes a lot of tension and tragedy for Macbeth. It’s impossible to be unaware of your own actions, but he is torn apart in his attempts to do just that.
