Macbeth scene analyse Flashcards
simple terms what happens in act 1
scene 1
play starts with thunder and lighting suggesting dark and violent mood
the witches are the first characters on stage which shows how important the super natural theme is in the play. also intrigues the reader as we don’t know what there purpose is and they quote “ when will we 3 meet again “
the witches plan to meet Macbeth but don’t explain their intentions
act 1 scene 2
the Scottish army led by Macbeth and Banquo are fighting rebel army’s Norway and Ireland
the contrast of the eerie opening scene and the brutality and “bloody execution” of the battle field in scene 2 sets a violent mood for the rest of the play
Macbeth is described as brave and valiant
act 1 scene 3
the witches are again greeted with thunder - this recurring motif hints at chaos and danger
the witches predict that Macbeth with become thane of Cawdor then king and Banquo’s descendants will become king
act 1 scene 4
Duncan gives Macbeth title of thane of Cawdor meaning the first prediction is true
que quote - extended metaphor - plant thee and make thee full of growing “ see that he sees it a duty to nature and reward those who are loyal too him “
Duncan sees Macbeth as a potential successor suggesting fate might make Macbeth king
Macbeth is confused within this scene as he acts brave and loyal but try’s to hind his underlying ambitions to become king quicker
act 1 scene 5
opens with lady Macbeth reading a letter from Macbeth about the witches prophecies ‘
without a doubt in her mind she knows Duncan needs to be killed and will convince her husband to do it
que quote - unsex me here - she doesn’t want to be a women because she sees women as week and unable to commit murder
act 1 scene 6
Duncan arrives at Macbeth castle and is grateful for everything he’s done for him
lady Macbeth acts like the perfect hostess and flatters Duncan
act 1 scene 7
final scene
opens with Macbeth soliloquy about why he should not kill Duncan
lady Macbeth is forceful and bullies her husband into going through with the murder by questioning his masculinity
act 1 ended with anticipation as the murder has been planned but not happened yet
act 2 scene 1
Banquo and his son Fleance are on a walk at night in this scene Fleance is a reminder about the witches prophies of Banquo’s child becoming king
the scene is set in a dark night time place suggesting the evil that Macbeth is about to do .
act 2 scene 2
lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to come back from killing duncan. she is startled by every noise suggesting she isn’t as strong as we think
the murder takes place of stage causing even more suspense
Macbeth is feeling guilty after the murder but lady Macbeth is not
act 2 scene 3
the porter is the main character in this scene.
his comical monologue relives the tension but also increases the audiences anticipation for the body to be found
the porter describes Macbeths castle as a “ gate way to hell”
and Lenox quotes “ the wind sounded like screams of death “
onto of that the porter and makes a joke about a man who committed treason and went to hell . these events foreshadows the terrible events that are about to unfolded
MacDuff finds the kings body Macbeth admits to killing Duncan’s servants put of rage. lady Macbeth faints to distract everyone from Macbeths suspicious behaviours and Malcom and Donalbain run away making them look guilty and Macbeth become king
act 2 scene 4
this scene is used to act as a bridge between act 2 and act 3 the scene is a falcon ( Duncan ) is being savagely killed by an owl ( Macbeth )
the scene ends with Macbeth being announced king but MacDuff isn’t going suggesting he is suspicious of Macbeth
act 3 scene 1
Banquo soliloquy opening the scene expresses his inner thoughts about his suspicions around Macbeths king ship.
Macbeths soliloquy shows how his attitude has changed about murder and how he is now decisive about murdering Banquo compared to when he killed Duncan
Macbeth hires murders to kill Banquo and his son Fleance and persuaded these murders by just like his wife questioning their masculinity
act 3 scene 2
Macbeth is not including Lady Macbeth in the murders anymore because he might be trying to protect Lady Macbeth from anymore guilt
Banquo is murdered but Fleance escapes meaning the prophies are still alive
act 3 scene 3
Banquo is murdered but Fleance escapes meaning the prophies are still alive
act 3 scene 4
macbeth holds a feast and is in a good mood because he thinks banquo and fleance are dead
one of the murderers tell Macbeth that Fleance escaped and Macbeth suddenly feels trapped and feels as if his kingship is still under attack with Fleance alive
banquo ghost appears infront of Macbeth he starts to act super strange |Lady macbeth tells everyone Macbeth is unwell and should leave to make it less suspicious
