Symbols and characters Flashcards
Storm ?
Storm: the witches’ power over nature. Also foreshadows chaos.
Fog?
Fog: creates an ominous mood, reinforcing the witches’ ambiguous nature. Could represent Macbeth’s inability to see the righteous path.
Macdonwald’s decapitated head ?
Macdonwald’s decapitated head: this symbolises the consequences of treachery. The fact that Macbeth severs Macdonwald’s head indicates Macbeth’s loyalty to King Duncan.
Wasteland setting ?
Wasteland setting: the witches exist outside of civilisation; they are wild, dangerous and unknowable.
Milk?
Milk: feminine symbol of compassion. LM rejects this, asking the spirits to replace milk with poison (death and destruction).
Flower?
Flower: innocent, fragile, natural - being “fair”
Serpent ?
Serpent: Biblical allusion to the “foul”, malevolent devil.
Spurs ?
Spurs: spikes used to push a horse faster. Macbeth needs a “spur” to propel him to realise his ambition to be king; he admits that he would not murder Duncan without another force (LM? The witches?).
Diamond ?
Diamond: Duncan gave this to LM, emphasising the betrayal.
The dagger ?
The dagger: it could be the witches leading Macbeth to the murder. Or, it could represent guilt.
Blood?
Inescapable guilt
Water ?
Water: connected to Christian baptism: washing away one’s sins. Macbeth thinks he will never cleanse his conscience.
The gate to Macbeth’s castle ?
The gate: the gates of Macbeth’s castle are like the gates of hell. The opening of the gates symbolises how Scotland has now been plunged into a hellish state of horror and chaos.
Nature ?
Nature: order and righteousness in the world. Yet here, natural chaos reflects moral and political chaos.
Fruitless crown ?
Fruitless crown: Macbeth regrets his childlessness; there will be no dynasty of kings.
Snake ?
Snake: threats to Macbeth’s kingship and absolute power. A Biblical allusion to the devil; Macbeth sees these threats as evil.
Innocent victim ?
Innocent victims: represent the depths of Macbeth’s malevolence.
The banquet ?
The banquet: should symbolise Macbeth’s power, but as it deteriorates into chaos it represents his illegitimate kingship and unbalanced state of mind.
Macbeth’s armour ?
Macheth’s armour: Macbeth’s readiness t‹ fight and his belief that he is invincible. It also reminds us of his heroic status in 1.2.
Hand-washing ?
Hand-washing: a desperate attempt to wash away guilt
Candle blown out ?
Candle blown out: the fragility and vulnerability of life.
Macbeth’s decapitated head ?
Macbeth’s decapitated head: Macbeth’s body is physically distorted to reflect his unnatural and immoral acts. Links to 1.2.
Lady Macbeth ?
Lady Macbeth: Lady Macbeth’s manipulation of her husband positions her as the catalyst of his downfall. Like Macbeth, her death serves as a warning against unchecked ambition.
Macbeth, the tragic hero ?
Macbeth, the tragic hero: Shakespeare uses Macbeth to show the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition on society, family, and one’s own psychological state.
King Duncan ?
King Duncan: Whilst Duncan may appear to be the ideal king - he is benevolent, virtuous, and godly - his death serves as a stark warning to King James I: leaders should not be overly trusting, as this can lead to disaster.
Malcom ?
Malcolm: Malcolm is a model for the ideal king: he is benevolent, virtuous, courageous in battle, and also cautious in trusting others.
Banquo’s ?
Banquo: A character foil for Macbeth, Banquo represents the righteous path the tragic hero should have taken.
Banquo is also tempted by the witches, but he remains loyal to the King; he symbolises integrity.
Macduff ?
Macduff: Macduff is the archetype of the avenging hero, who does not want vengeance for its own sake, but wishes to restore order and morality to Scotland.
