Sh Act 5

Question 1

out damned spot

here’s the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand

• Lady Macbeth

Answer 1

hyperbole - similair to neptune quote

descent into madness

• deterioration of strong, ruthless, rational characterisation
• downwards spiral
• caught up with her(anyone is susceptible to this inner turmoil if commit regicide)
• consequence

blood is recurring motif

• symbolises guilt
• conscience is tormented by the knowledge of the crimes she and her husband did for power

Question 2

he cannot buckle his distempered cause / within the belt of rule

• caithness

Answer 2

connection is made between the unruliness of Macbeth’s mind and his kingdom: both are beyond his control

• cannot govern his frenzied behaviour
• it is falling apart

extended metaphor

Question 3

Now does he feel his title/ hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe / Upon a dwarfish thief

• angus

Answer 3

simile

robe

• symbol of power and status
• is out of his depth
• heaviness of duty

dwarfish thief
- stole the crown

shows the disrespect the men have for their leader
- they are not serving him out of love or duty, but because they have to

Question 4

I have almost forgotten the taste of fears

• Macbeth

Answer 4

character development
- has become unfeeling, unable to sense and experience ‘fear’

deadpan

Question 5

my fell of hair would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir, as life were in’t

• Macbeth

Answer 5

despite being alive at this point, no longer possesses life

has become completely detached from all life and morality

• emphasising deterioration of his humanity
• caused by tyrannical reign
• stepping beyond the bounds of the natural order and divine right of kings in an attempt to chase his ambition

Question 6

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

• Macbeth

Answer 6

meaningless of life

• shadow connotes falseness and lack of true detail
• only a reflection and product of people’s actions, which are insignificant

breaking divine right of king has deteriorated his character and ambition

• not leading to achievement or fulfilment
• lead to turmoil and strife

Question 7

she should have died hereafter

-Macbeth

Answer 7

temporary nature of life
- inevitability

disillusioned and detached from life
- emotionless

Question 8

Why should I play the Roman fool and die
On mine own sword?

• Macbeth

Answer 8

present Macbeth similarly to how he was characterised at the beginning of the play here
- brave warrior

won’t commit suicide as fighting is nobler