Minor Characters Flashcards
The role of Duncan
THEME OF APPEARANCE VS REALITY AND GOOD VS EVIL
He provides a contrast to Macbeth, he makes Macbeth seem awful
“My worthy Cawdor”- respects Macbeth
“See, see: Our honoured hostess!”-
“Fair and noble hostess”- dramatic irony- we know Macbeth is plotting to kill Duncan
“We live him highly”- dramatic irony- Duncan is portrayed as naive
The role of Banquo
“Why do you… fear things that do sound so Fair?”- the word fear already tells us that Macbeth is a character that is scared and weak, he is afraid, potentially showing he is a coward
“The instruments of darkness tell us truths”- witches, theme of SUPERNATURAL. ‘darkness’- links to “deep and dark desires”, links him to hell and supernatural, theme of AMBITION
“fear thou play’dst most foully for’t”- thinks Macbeth has killed Duncan, Macbeth is king now so Banquo would be going against God if he suggested that God didn’t want Macbeth to be king. K
The role of the Witches
“Fair is foul and foul is Fair”- Juxtaposition, themes of DECEPTION, GOOD VS EVIL, APPEARANCE VS REALITY, DUALITY, Links to Macbeth “So Fair and foul a day I have not seen”
“Something wicked this way comes”- After Macbeth has killed Duncan he goes to the witches because he is scared of Banquo’s ghost, calling Macbeth evil and worse than the witches, they can’t compete with his evilness
APPARITION 1- “Beware Macduff”
APPARITION 2- “For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”
APPARITION 3- “Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.” False reassurance. Power- he thinks he’s invincible but he is a coward
Role of Malcolm
“Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell”- refers to hope, links to “worthy Cawdor” Malcolm has inherited the positive language, “brightest”- links to Duncan and suggests the Divine Rights of Kings
“I think our country sinks… it weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash is added to her wounds”- personification ‘her’. “Weeps”- the country is being tortured from Duncan’s murder and Macbeth taking the throne “her” shows vulnerability of the country, Damsel in Distress, feminising the country, shows it as a victim.
THEMES ARE WEAKNESS/ STRENGTH, POWER, GOOD VS EVIL, DECEPTION AND LOYALTY
The role of Angus
Represents Scotland’s thoughts and feelings people
“Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giants robe upon a dwarfish thief”- About Macbeth’s misuse of power-he stole it he’s a criminal, weak, cowardly, pathetic. “Giant” is Duncan, role of the King
“Giants robe”- reduces Macbeth’s childlike status, dressing up and role playing
THEMES OF POWER, STRENGTH, JUSTICE, DECEPTION
