Symbols and characters

Question 1

Storm ?

Answer 1

Storm: the witches’ power over nature. Also foreshadows chaos.

Question 2

Fog?

Answer 2

Fog: creates an ominous mood, reinforcing the witches’ ambiguous nature. Could represent Macbeth’s inability to see the righteous path.

Question 3

Macdonwald’s decapitated head ?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Wasteland setting ?

Answer 4

Wasteland setting: the witches exist outside of civilisation; they are wild, dangerous and unknowable.

Question 5

Milk?

Answer 5

Milk: feminine symbol of compassion. LM rejects this, asking the spirits to replace milk with poison (death and destruction).

Question 6

Flower?

Answer 6

Flower: innocent, fragile, natural - being “fair”

Question 7

Serpent ?

Answer 7

Serpent: Biblical allusion to the “foul”, malevolent devil.

Question 8

Spurs ?

Answer 8

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?).

Question 9

Diamond ?

Answer 9

Diamond: Duncan gave this to LM, emphasising the betrayal.

Question 10

The dagger ?

Answer 10

The dagger: it could be the witches leading Macbeth to the murder. Or, it could represent guilt.

Question 11

Blood?

Answer 11

Inescapable guilt

Question 12

Water ?

Answer 12

Water: connected to Christian baptism: washing away one’s sins. Macbeth thinks he will never cleanse his conscience.

Question 13

The gate to Macbeth’s castle ?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Nature ?

Answer 14

Nature: order and righteousness in the world. Yet here, natural chaos reflects moral and political chaos.

Question 15

Fruitless crown ?

Answer 15

Fruitless crown: Macbeth regrets his childlessness; there will be no dynasty of kings.

Question 16

Snake ?

Answer 16

Snake: threats to Macbeth’s kingship and absolute power. A Biblical allusion to the devil; Macbeth sees these threats as evil.

Question 17

Innocent victim ?

Answer 17

Innocent victims: represent the depths of Macbeth’s malevolence.

Question 18

The banquet ?

Answer 18

The banquet: should symbolise Macbeth’s power, but as it deteriorates into chaos it represents his illegitimate kingship and unbalanced state of mind.

Question 19

Macbeth’s armour ?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Hand-washing ?

Answer 20

Hand-washing: a desperate attempt to wash away guilt

Question 21

Candle blown out ?

Answer 21

Candle blown out: the fragility and vulnerability of life.

Question 22

Macbeth’s decapitated head ?

Answer 22

Macbeth’s decapitated head: Macbeth’s body is physically distorted to reflect his unnatural and immoral acts. Links to 1.2.

Question 23

Lady Macbeth ?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Macbeth, the tragic hero ?

Answer 24

Macbeth, the tragic hero: Shakespeare uses Macbeth to show the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition on society, family, and one’s own psychological state.

Question 25

King Duncan ?

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Malcom ?

Answer 26

Malcolm: Malcolm is a model for the ideal king: he is benevolent, virtuous, courageous in battle, and also cautious in trusting others.

Question 27

Banquo’s ?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Macduff ?

Answer 28

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.