power Flashcards
introduction:
In Shakespeare’s tragedy, power is the ultimate goal for both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. They achieve it through their hamartia (ambition) and violent acts, yet it ultimately leads to their own physical and psychological downfall.
what are the 3 key ideas for power:
- M gains power through violence
- Macbeth maintains power with violence
- consequence of power for LM
topic sentence for paragraph 1 (M gains power through violence)
Firstly, Macbeth is able to achieve his power through his violent nature.
quotes to use for paragraph 1 (M power through violence):
- “disdaining fortune…smoked with bloody execution”
- “valiant, worthy gentleman”
analyse “disdaining fortune…smoked with bloody execution”
In Act 1, the first descriptions of Macbeth are of him fighting with “disdaining fortune…smoked with bloody execution”. The verb “smoked” could connote to heat and hell, foreshadowing his malevolent nature he will later face moral and psychological ramifications for. Whilst the phrase “disdaining fortune” depicts a disregard for his fate, and his attempt to manipulate the natural order. This later becomes evident in his disruption of the Divine Right of Kings after he commits regicide.
analyse “valiant, worthy gentleman” (+ rest of “disdaining fortune…smoked with bloody execution”)
Although he receives commendation for his stoic bravery (“valiant, worthy gentleman”), the syntax implies a symbiotic relationship between his downfall and intrinsic proclivity for violence, and thus power. Furthermore, the positioning of “fortune” preceding “execution” foreshadows how Macbeth’s violence enables him to acquire power and wealth, yet it also leads to his own eventual “execution”. The play also uses a cyclical narrative, starting and ending with a battle, suggesting that violence and being power-hungry are inherent and normalised from the start.
paragraph 1 analysis (M gains power through violence):
Firstly, Macbeth is able to achieve his power through his violent nature. In Act 1, the first descriptions of Macbeth are of him fighting with “disdaining fortune…smoked with bloody execution”. The verb “smoked” could connote to heat and hell, foreshadowing his malevolent nature he will later face moral and psychological ramifications for. Whilst the phrase “disdaining fortune” depicts a disregard for his fate, and his attempt to manipulate the natural order. This later becomes evident in his disruption of the Divine Right of Kings after he commits regicide. Although he receives commendation for his stoic bravery (“valiant, worthy gentleman”), the syntax implies a symbiotic relationship between his downfall and intrinsic proclivity for violence, and thus power. Furthermore, the positioning of “fortune” preceding “execution” foreshadows how Macbeth’s violence enables him to acquire power and wealth, yet it also leads to his own eventual “execution”. The play also uses a cyclical narrative, starting and ending with a battle, suggesting that violence and being power-hungry are inherent and normalised from the start.
topic sentence for paragraph 2 (M maintains power through violence):
Yet, as the play progresses, Macbeth understands that the only way to maintain his power is through more violence, as it becomes the means for self-preservation.
quotes to use for paragraph 2 (M maintains power through violence):
- “stepped in so far”
- “wading” “blood”
- “tomorrow” “petty pace”
- “a tale told by an idiot…signifying nothing”
analyse “stepped in so far”
He has “stepped in so far” that he is at the point of no return. Previously, the motif of “blood” (the consequence of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being.
analyse “wading” “blood”
The fact that he used the metaphor of “wading” in this “blood” exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is permanently stained with guilt as a result of his ambition for more power, and there is nothing he can do to change that. The verb “wade” implies imagery of struggling through deep waters, further suggesting that this guilt from his illegitimate power has engulfed him entirely.
analyse “tomorrow” “petty pace” “a tale told by an idiot…signifying nothing”
Later in Act 5, he has achieved everything he wanted, yet his ambition for power has left him empty; life now feels meaningless. The repetition of “tomorrow” creates a tone of despair, highlighting how power has given him nothing but suffering at a “petty pace”. This perhaps could be considered his peripeteia (where he realises that his ambition for power has ultimately led to his downfall), and that life is futile: “a tale told by an idiot… signifying nothing”.
paragraph 2 analysis (M maintain power through violence):
Yet, as the play progresses, Macbeth understands that the only way to maintain his power is through more violence, as it becomes the means for self-preservation. He has “stepped in so far” that he is at the point of no return. Previously, the motif of “blood” (the consequence of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being. The fact that he used the metaphor of “wading” in this “blood” exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is permanently stained with guilt as a result of his ambition for more power, and there is nothing he can do to change that. The verb “wade” implies imagery of struggling through deep waters, further suggesting that this guilt from his illegitimate power has engulfed him entirely. Later in Act 5, he has achieved everything he wanted, yet his ambition for power has left him empty; life now feels meaningless. The repetition of “tomorrow” creates a tone of despair, highlighting how power has given him nothing but suffering at a “petty pace”. This perhaps could be considered his peripeteia (where he realises that his ambition for power has ultimately led to his downfall), and that life is futile: “a tale told by an idiot… signifying nothing”.
topic sentence for paragraph 3 (consequence of power LM):
Alternatively, by Act 5, as a consequence for her unnatural access to power, Lady Macbeth is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming…
quotes to use for paragraph 3 (consequences of power LM):
- “out damned spot out i say”
- “a little water clears us of this deed”
- “[with a taper]”
- “come thick night”
- “the queen, my lord, is dead”
analyse “out damned spot out i say”
Alternatively, by Act 5, as a consequence for her unnatural access to power, Lady Macbeth is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming ‘out, damned spot! Out I say!’ which directly juxtaposes her litotes in Act 1 (‘a little water clears us of this deed’). This allows the audience to view the turmoil within her mind, establishing the impact that regicide and power had on her. This is because the ‘spot’ is emblematic of the scar the regicide has created on her mind.
analyse “[with a taper]”
Furthermore, the stage directions mention how she is always seen to be ‘[with a taper]’, symbolising how she is constantly seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness. This characterisation is also considered to be the antithesis to her earlier presentation in Act 1 where she calls upon the night to help fuel and hide her powerful desires: ‘come thick night’. Essentially, as a direct consequence of her power, she is left as a hollow remnant of her former self.
analyse “the queen, my lord, is dead”
This is emphasised by the indirect revelation of her suicide: “the queen, my lord, is dead”. The detached phrasing suggests that it was expected and also not surprising- emphasising that she could not cope with their power having usurped the natural order.
paragraph 3 analysis (consequence of power LM):
Alternatively, by Act 5, as a consequence for her unnatural access to power, Lady Macbeth is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming ‘out, damned spot! Out I say!’ which directly juxtaposes her litotes in Act 1 (‘a little water clears us of this deed’). This allows the audience to view the turmoil within her mind, establishing the impact that regicide and power had on her. This is because the ‘spot’ is emblematic of the scar the regicide has created on her mind. Furthermore, the stage directions mention how she is always seen to be ‘[with a taper]’, symbolising how she is constantly seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness. This characterisation is also considered to be the antithesis to her earlier presentation in Act 1 where she calls upon the night to help fuel and hide her powerful desires: ‘come thick night’. Essentially, as a direct consequence of her power, she is left as a hollow remnant of her former self.
This is emphasised by the indirect revelation of her suicide: “the queen, my lord, is dead”. The detached phrasing suggests that it was expected and also not surprising- emphasising that she could not cope with their power having usurped the natural order.
conclusion for how power is presented
Therefore, Shakespeare presents power almost as a test of moral character, as when it is tangible, it reveals your true nature. Perhaps he is emphasising the fact that too much power (especially when acquired in the wrong way) will never have a good result.
