macbeth q+a Flashcards
Ambition- ‘Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires’ (act one)
-Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s ambition as dangerous and morally corrosive through this desperate plea. The use of the imperative ‘hide’ conveys Macbeth’s awareness of his unnatural and unchecked ambition and how he is willing to defy divine order to achieve status. The contrast between ‘light’ and dark imagery reinforces his inner conflict between morality and ambition.
Violence- ‘Give to th’ edge o’ the sword. His wife, his babies, and all unfortunate souls’ (act four)
-The violent imagery of this emphasises the brutality of his intentions proving he no longer kills out of necessity but pure cruelty. The use of the word “give” suggests a disturbing detachment from his violence and showcasing this as a casual order rather than a weighted moral decision. Macbeth seeking to murder Macduff’s entire lineage reinforces the persisting theme of his power corrupting his morality.
Guilt- ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (act two)
-The hyperbolic imagery of an entire ocean unable to cleanse Macbeth’s guilt intensifies his psychological torment, portraying guilt as indelible.
-The contrast between water (traditionally cleansing) and blood (a symbol of guilt and sin) establishes a paradox— suggesting that purification is impossible once the bounds of morality have been transgressed.
- In Christian theology, blood is synonymous with both guilt and redemption However, for Macbeth, atonement is unattainable, aligning with Shakespeare’s depiction of a tragic protagonist doomed by his own actions. Ultimately, Shakespeare uses this rhetoric to emphasise that guilt is inescapable, corrupting both the individual and the world around them—a key theme in the play.
Gender- ‘I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none “ (act one)
Macbeth is wrestling with his masculinity after Lady Macbeth questions his courage for hesitating to kill Duncan. The phrase suggests that Macbeth defines masculinity by honor and restraint, believing that committing regicide is unnatural and excessive. However, the assertion “Who dares do more is none” implies that anyone who goes beyond these boundaries—by murdering a king, loses their humanity rather than proving their strength.
This quote contrasts with Lady Macbeth’s belief that masculinity is tied to violence as she later mocks Macbeth for his hesitation. Shakespeare uses this tension to challenge traditional gender roles, as Lady Macbeth adopts traits typically associated with masculinity while Macbeth initially struggles to conform to this brutal definition of manhood.
Appearance v Reality- ‘Mine eyes are made fools o the other senses or else worth all the rest’
-Shakespeare utilises this moment to highlight the danger of self-deception. Macbeth’s hallucination blurs the line between truth and illusion, foreshadowing how he will later believe in false prophecies and become trapped in his own distorted reality. The play suggests that ambition and guilt can manipulate perception, making people see what they want to believe rather than what is true. Ultimately, Macbeth warns that those who place too much trust in appearances—whether visions, prophecies, or even people—will inevitably be led to ruin.
Supernatural- ‘Tell me, Call em’ (act 4)
-The bluntness of these commands indicates his belief that he can control even the supernatural forces that the witches represent, and by addressing them with such commanding authority Macbeth reveals how his hubris has corrupted his judgement. His commands are deeply personal illustrating that his sense of identity is now entirely entwined with his ambition and belief in his own invincibility. The focus on “me” shows that manner is no longer considering the greater good or moral consequences; instead he is solely obsessed with his own wants as a tyrant.
Fate v Free Will- ‘If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir’ (act one)
-The repetition of “chance” presents fate as an impersonal, almost divine force, initially positioning Macbeth as a passive recipient of destiny rather than an active manipulator.
-The phrase “without my stir” suggests restraint; however, this is dramatic irony, as Macbeth later directly intervenes through regicide, defying his earlier acceptance of fate.
-Structurally, this moment establishes Macbeth’s internal conflict between determinism and autonomy, a theme Shakespeare threads throughout the play.
-The Jacobean audience, deeply superstitious, would recognise
Macbeth’s hubris—his later attempts to control fate align with contemporary fears about divine punishment for disrupting the natural order.
