OVERVIEW Flashcards
Main themes
Morality
Kingship
Deception
Power
Gender
Violence
Adj. to describe Macbeth
Valiant
Corrupt
Ambitious
Flawed
Indecisive
Tyrannical
Deceptive
Adj. to describe Lady Macbeth
Manipulative
Dominant
Emasculating
Calculating
Machiavellian
Controlling
Adj. to describe Duncan
Honourable
Benevolent
Weak
Naive
Ignorant
Respected
Adj. to describe Banquo
Cautious
Virtuous
Sceptical
Moral
Diplomatic
Paternal
Honourable
Adj. to describe Macduff
Reckless
Passionate
Virtuous
Neglectful
Honest
Emotive
Adj. to describe the Witches
Supernatural
Cunning
Prophetic
Sinister
Calculating
Manipulative
Adj. to describe Malcolm
Virtuous
Moral
Cautious
Noble
Righteous
Sincere
Writers intent - James I message to public
The play acts as a warning to those who might consider usurping/rising up against James I
Writers intent - context at time supernatural
Supernatural elements of the play seek to please King James I’s interest in witchcraft
Writers intent - relation to Banquo
The inclusion of ‘Banquo’ a man who in real life is believed to be a distant relative of James I helps to cement James I’s legitimacy for the throne
Writers intent - consequences
The play promotes the message that a greed for power will not go unpunished
Motifs + used by Shakespeare
Light
dark
Blood
Symbols used by Shakespeare
Serpent - evil symbol
Soliloquies used by Shakespeare
Many of the characters give a soliloquy which allows us to hear their deep and personal thoughts - particularly secretive thoughts about regicide
Dramatic irony used by Shakespeare
The audience are aware of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s guilt which helps us understand their actions and to see how they continue to deceive others
Foreshadowing used by Shakespeare
Shakespeare uses the witches cryptic language and prophecies to hint at the turmoil Macbeth will face and bus eventually demise
Context - women
Jacobean women were expected to be subservient to men and fulfil the role of housewife with no complaint - men could punish their wives if they were not doing a sufficient job
Context - James I and witchcraft
James I wrote a book on witchcraft titles ‘demonologie’
He introduced laws which made witchcraft a capital offence
Context - plot against James
On November 5th 1605 an assassination attempt on James I life took place
Commonly known as the ‘Gunpowder plot’
Act 1 plot summary
- after Macbeth fighting for Duncan in battle
- Macbeth and Banquo given prophecies about their futures
- Macbeth considers regicide
- he is encouraged by lady Macbeth who manipulates and emasculates him to do so
Act 2 plot summary
- Macbeth murders Duncan + is filled with regret
- lady Macbeth chastised him for having regrets and she plants the daggers on Duncan’s guards to frame them
- Malcolm and donaldbain, scared for their lives, flee Scotland
Act 3 plot summary
- Macbeth is king and Banquo suspicious of Macbeth
- Macbeth is suspicious of Banquo because of the witches prophecies
- Macbeth arranges murderers for Banquo and Fleance
- after Banquo’s death, Macbeth hallucinates Banquo’s ghost at the banquet
Act 4 plot summary
- Macbeth obsessed with keeping his power
- asks witches for more prophecies
- he must be fearful of Macduff but is reassured as no one can harm him
- Macbeth orders the deaths of Macduff’s family just to be sure
- Macduff leaves Scotland to beg Malcolm to help defeat Macbeth
