Madness - Macbeth

Question 1

Which CHARACTERS are linked to this theme?

Answer 1

Lady Macbeth, Macbeth and Duncan

Question 2

Which EVENTS are mostly linked to this theme?

Answer 2

Dinner Party, Blood Spot and Dagger Scene

Question 3

Which SYMBOLS are mostly linked to this theme?

Answer 3

Dagger, Blood and knocking.

Question 4

Does the theme develop gradually, or does is change gradually throughout the play?

Answer 4

Both. Duncan’s death causes the insanity but then it gradually increases.

Question 5

‘Out, ………… …………….!’ What act? Explain.

Answer 5

‘Out, damned spot’ - Act 5. Lady Macbeth begins to relive the moments of Duncan’s death.

Question 6

‘Wash you hands, put on your …….-….., look not so pale.’ What act? Explain.

Answer 6

‘Wash your hands, put on your night-gown, look not so pale.’ - Act 5. She is re-performing the lines that she said within Act 2.

Question 7

‘There is ………. at the gate.’ What act? Explain.

Answer 7

There is knocking at the gate - Act 5. Knocking is a motif/symbol with Act 2 that Macbeth hears, however it is vice versa.

Question 8

‘Is this a …….. that I ….. before me?’ What act? Explain.

Answer 8

‘Is this a dagger I see before me?’ - Act 2. This is the earliest symbol of Macbeth’s madness. The guilt that he is facing due to the dilemma of killing his brother.

Question 9

’ a …….. ……… proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? What act? Explain.

Answer 9

‘a false creation proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain’ - Act 2. He notices that he is slowly turning insane due to hallucinations.

Question 10

‘wicked dreams ……. the …………… sleep.’ What act? Explain.

Answer 10

‘wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep’ - Act 2. the prophecy has really effected Macbeth’s mental state.

Question 11

‘Will all great …………. ………. wash this ……. clean from my hand?’ What act? Explain.

Answer 11

‘will all great Neptune’s oceans wash this blood clean from my hand’ - Act 2. He is gone mad with guilt, so he is unaware of reality and mixes it with imagination.