Macbeth: soliloquies Flashcards
What do Macbeth’s soliloquies provide insight into? (2)
Insights into the mind of Macbeth and also provide a chart which traces the fall of a good man.
What are short descriptions/quotes to describe Macbeth’s chivalrous attributes?
brave Macbeth, valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen, noble Macbeth
Vacillating meaning
wavering between different opinions or actions; irresolute.
What are the 3 reasons why Macbeth argues not to kill Duncan?
He is held back by his code of honour. Duncan is related to him (his kinsman), Duncan is his King, Duncan is a guest in his castle
How is Macbeth’s reasoning (to kill Duncan) by Act 2
both natural forces (lady Macbeth) and supernatural forces (the dagger) seem to combine to whet his blunted purpose.
How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters contrast each other after the murder of Duncan?
His sense of guilt afterward offers a strong contrast with Lady Macbeth’s control of the situation
What does Macbeth lose after committing regicide? How will this affect the prophecies?
He has lost his soul by killing Duncan and that Banquo’s children will benefit from his action.
By act 4, how is Macbeth mentally? (contrasts aftermath of regicide)
Macbeth is no longer a man plagued by doubts or fears. He has gained a false strength. He will act on his impulses in future.
When does Macbeth act on his impulses? (quote for Macbeth confirming this)
When he murders Macduff’s wife and children.
(the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand.)
How does Macbeth still retain some traits of a tragic hero?
He still retains some of the qualities of the tragic hero. He knows he is doomed but is prepared to go down fighting.
What is the art of the witches?
It is the art of these spirits to delude man by gaining their confidence in small matters in order to betray them later.
Define burgeoning (burgeoning ambition)
beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing.
life’s but a _____ shadow a poor ____ that struts and ___ his hour upon the ____ and then is ____ no more
life’s but a walking shadow a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.
What does this quote say about Macbeth’s outlook on life?
life’s but a walking shadow a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.
This is a view that is made more explicit when the image is used later when his life has become meaningless for him
When Macbeth is first debating the idea of becoming king, he realizes the horror of the act that would make him king. How does this come to mind immediately?
The witches have primed him to consider becoming King by foul means, a thought which has long lain hidden in the deep recesses of his mind, and which he is afraid may surface.
