Macbeth - Supernatural Quotes ANALYSED Flashcards
“So foul and fair a day i have not seen”
Macbeth (act 1)
EMULATING THE WITCHES PARADOX: in Macbeth’s first line within the play he echoes the paradoxical expression “fair is foul and foul is fair”. This foreshadows that he will become a wessel for their twisted misconduct right from the offset.
- Alternatively Macbeth’s emulation of the witches paradoxical and oxymoronic phrases before encountering them suggests a predestined susceptibility to manipulation and deception. While his overreaching ambition causes his downfall, the supernatural forces exerted influence over him and are a catalyst for the inevitability of his tragic fate.
VISUAL IMAGE ON “HAVE NOT SEEN”: The phrase evokes a vivid image of blindness, potentially foreshadowing how Macbeth’s will be metaphorically blinded by the irresistible allure of the supernatural prophecies. This blindness foreshadows how his unchecked hubris (ego) becomes a driving force leading him astray.
“Tell me” “call em”
Macbeth (act 4)
Imperative phrases: Macbeth’s hubris is explicit as he enters, he speaks with imperative phrases such as “tell me” and “call em”. fuelled by insatiable greed and unbridled hunger for power, this marks Macbeth’s intentional engagement with the witches for the first time. This deliberate encounter underscores his abandonment of resistance to evil, signifying a departure from any pretence (claim) of morality
PERSONAL PRONOUN “ME”: The imperativeness embodied in the command “tell” coupled with the personal pronoun “me” implies Macbeth’s authoritative demand for universal respect and obedience extending even to the supernatural realm. His illegitimate title of king has evidently inflated his sense of self-importance and his hubris has made him believe he can supersede the power of the supernatural.
“Come you spirits[…]unsex me here” and “pour my spirits”
Lady Macbeth (act 1)
IMPERATIVE “COME YOU”: By employing imperative phrases like “come you” she deomstarted a commanding familiarity with the ominous supernatural realm. Unhesitant and determined she calls upon dark external forced without hesitation seeking liberation from the societal constraints imposed by her femininity - he androgynous nature would be perceived to be supernatural in the jacobean era and gender roles were rigid and any break would show she is possessed by supernatural force
SYNTAX (WORD ORDER): The syntax of “spirits” preceding “unsex” underscores her conviction that supernatural interventions is imperative for her desire to be successfully “unsexed”. The deliberate arrangement of these terms in her speech illuminates the dependence she places on the supernatural revealing how this is a necessity for transcending societal norms.
“Look like th’innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”
Lady Macbeth (act 1)
&
“All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”
Witches (act 1)
BOTH PERSONIFY KEY THEME OF APPEARANCE VS REALITY: LM assumes the role of the fourth witch within the play employing cunning schemes to manipulate M. Significantly both witches and LM embody the central theme of appearance vs reality, skillfully employing deceptive practices to manoeuvre acquiring power over M. (not too important for supernatural but still useful to know)
BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS: LM incorporates a biblical allusion by employing the term “serpent” drawing parallels to the Genesis narrative depicting the fall of mankind. This deliberate choice of diction serves to underscore her belief in the effectiveness of deception akin to the serpent’s manipulation of Adam & Eve. LM adeptly highlights the effectiveness of deception when cloaked in an “innocent” flower like facade (mask) emphasising the ease with which such deceit can be orchestrated especially when temptation and pride are at play
SHORT SENTENCES: through short sentences and prophesies tailored to stroke his ego and satisfy his ambitions the witches effectively obscure his judgement making him susceptible to their manipulative schemes.
“Instruments of darkness”
Banquo’s about the Witches (act 1)
AUDITORY image on “instruments”: the auditory imagery created by the lexis (word choice) “instruments” to characterise the Witches implies a malevolent musicality. This showcases how their words possess an almost hypnotic trance for Macbeth in which catalyses his usurpation of kingship.
- The choice of “instruments” suggests a deliberate orchestration of their deceit framing their speech as a manipulative melodic composition that enchants its victims
PLOSIVE on “darkness”: the ‘d’ plosive sound in the word “darkness” creates a harsh sound foreshadowing the dark, ominous and grim destiny the witches are ready to inflict upon Macbeth due to his blind violation of the divine right of kings.
- significantly Banquo’s discernment ability to judge well) of this “Darkness” indicates his immunity to the hypnotic and malevolent musicality that captivates Macbeth. Banquo’s ability to perceive their looming malevolence distinguishes him as a character not easily swayed by the enchanting allure of kingship that Macbeth falls victim to.
“eye of newt”, “fire burn and cauldron bubble” & “hell-broth”
The Witches (act 4)
SEMANTIC FIELD OF HELL- the selection of the words such as “fire burn”, “hell-broth” and “bubble” crafts a semantic field of hell. This strengthens the idea that the witch’s supernatural abilities are intrinsically linked to malevolence and they are agents of the devil.
LINKS TO CONTEXT: Moreover, the elements contained in their potion adhere to the archetypal portrayal of witches outlined in King James I’s “Daemonologie”. This conformity taps into the audience’s pre-existing apprehensions and anticipations related to witchcraft prevalent during that historical era.
“look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth”
Banquo (act 1)
CONTEXT: The witches physiognomy (when appearance are believed to be reflective of your true character) exposes them as inhumane and evil. Banquo’s perceptiveness in recognising their depraved demeanour is important especially considering the historical belief that he was an ancestor of King James I.
- The perceptiveness serves as a subtle form of indirect flattery aligning Banquo with a quality associated with the monarch and subtly reinforcing his sagacity (deep wisdom)
IMAGE ON “EARTH”: The word “earth” cultivates a natural image accentuating the Witches unnatural essence and their deliberate attempt to subvert the natural order. Banquo’s perceptiveness unaffected by the malevolent allure crafted y the Witches serves as a testament to his purity and moral integrity - he is immune to the corrupting influences that engulf other like Macbeth
