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English Literature GCSE Macbeth > Themes > Flashcards

Themes Flashcards

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1
Q

Through what quote does the character Macbeth present the theme of ambition?

A

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only vaulting ambition.”

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2
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only vaulting ambition.”

A

This quote is in Act 1, where Macbeth contemplates whether to murder King Duncan.

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3
Q

Analyse how this quote presents Macbeth’s ambition: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only vaulting ambition.”

A
  • Metaphor of “vaulting ambition” suggests recklessness
  • Shows that Macbeth’s hamartia is his ambition
  • Conveys his willingness to challenge the Great Chain of Being
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4
Q

What is another quote that presents the theme of ambition?

A

“Life’s but a walking shadow… It is a tale told by an idiot.”

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5
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “Life’s but a walking shadow… It is a tale told by an idiot.”

A

Macbeth says this in Act 5, after learning that Lady Macbeth has died. In this meaphor, Macbeth reflects that life is futile without a purpose.

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6
Q

Analyse the quote: “Life’s but a walking shadow… It is a tale told by an idiot.”

A
  • Quote is nihilistic which challenges beliefs of the Christian Jacobean audience
  • Metaphor of the futility of life shows that Macbeth underestands the foolishness of his actions
  • His suffering invokes pathos (pity) from the audience
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7
Q

In what quote does Lady Macbeth present the theme of ambition?

A

“When you durst do it, then you were a man.”

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8
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”

A

Lady Macbeth attacks Macbeth’s masculinity when they discuss plans for Duncan’s murder.

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9
Q

Analyse how Lady Macbeth’s ambition is shown in the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”

A
  • Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth to attain power
  • Suggests you need to take risks to be a ‘man’
  • There is a reversal of gender roles, which was rare in the Jacobean era
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10
Q

Give a quote where Macbeth presents the theme of the supernatural.

A

“Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”

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11
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”

A

At this point in the play, Macbeth is convinced that he can only become king by killing Duncan.

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12
Q

Analyse how the theme of the supernatural is shown in the quote: “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”

A
  • The imperative “let not” is blasphemous as Macbeth is trying to command nature
  • Adjectives “black” and “deep” create a sinister, supernatural atmosphere
  • Plea for secrecy shows Macbeth’s willingness to disrupt natural order
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13
Q

What is another quote that presents the theme of the supernatural?

A

“The dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”

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14
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “The dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”

A

Is part of Malcolm’s final soliloquy of the play as he is restored to the throne.

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15
Q

Analyse how the supernatural is displayed in the quote: “The dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”

A
  • The name “Butcher” is dehumanising, implying no human could have done what Macbeth did
  • “Fiend-like queen” exposes Lady Macbeth’s demonic and evil nature like the witches
  • Enforces idea that there will be consequences for disrupting nature
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16
Q

What is a quote that directly represents the supernatural?

A

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

17
Q

Analyse how the quote presents the supernatural: “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

A
  • Rhyme and repetition replicates incantation
  • “Fire” represents the destructive power of supernatural
  • Shakespeare presents the supernatural as being negative and feared
18
Q

In what quote does a prophecy present the theme of appearances vs reality?

A

“For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

19
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

A

The Witches say to Macbeth that he will not be able to be killed by anyone who was birthed by a woman. However, he is killed by Macduff, since he was born via C-section.

20
Q

Analyse how the theme of appearances vs reality is shown in the quote: “For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”

A
  • Witches present themselves as guiding Macbeth towards greatness
  • However, their prophecies are ambiguous and lead to him misunderstanding his fate
  • Gives him false sense of security, which leads to his downfall
21
Q

Give a quote on how Macbeth’s character presents the theme of appearances vs reality.

A

“Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”

22
Q

Analyse how the quote presents the theme of appearances vs reality: “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”

A
  • At the beginning, he is devoted to King Duncan
  • But in his private thoughts, he contemplates regicide and is traitorous
  • Macbeth comanding nature, but then disrupting the natural order is ironic
23
Q

In what quote does Lady Macbeth’s advice present the theme of appearances vs reality?

A

“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath it.”

24
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath it.”

A

In Act 1, Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth that he has to be treacherous in order to be king.

25
Q

Analyse how the theme of appearances vs reality is displayed in the quote: “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath it.”

A
  • The “innocent flower” symbolises a harmless facade, but the “serpent” shows cunning and deceit
  • Alludes to the Bible and the fall of man becuase of the devil - which mirrors Macbeth
  • Suggests crimes against God always lead to ruin
26
Q

Give a quote that shows the reversal of gender roles is an example of appearances vs reality.

A

“When you durst do it, then you were a man.”

27
Q

Analyse how appearances vs reality is conveyed in the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”

A
  • Lady Macbeth wields more power than her husband, despite him being a man
  • But in the public eye, she is seen as an obedient wife
  • Lady Macbeth attacks Macbeth’s masculinity to control him
28
Q

In what quote does Macbeth present the theme of corruption of nature?

A

“Macbeth does murder sleep!”

29
Q

Meaning & context of quote: “Macbeth does murder sleep!”

A

Macbeth hears a voice crying this out, after he commits regicide.

30
Q

Analyse how corruption of nature is shown in the quote: “Macbeth does murder sleep!”

A
  • Sleep is a motif for peace, something which Macbeth won’t have
  • Inability to sleep is retribution for disrupting the natural order
  • Corruption of nature is shown by the instability of Scotland under Macbeth’s rule
31
Q

Give a quote that shows Lady Macbeth’s corruption of nature.

A

“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”

32
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”

A

Lady Macbeth is commanding the spirits to remove her femininity.

33
Q

Analyse the quote: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”

A
  • Imperatives are blasphemous as she trys to command nature
  • Shakespeare shows that commanding spirits results in consequences
34
Q

What is another quote that displays Lady Macbeth’s corruption of nature?

A

“When you durst do it, then you were a man.”

35
Q

Analyse how corruption of nature is shown in the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”

A
  • Lady Macbeth wields more power than her husband, despite him being a man
  • This goes against the natural order and ends in both of them dying
36
Q

Give a quote that shows how the surroundings have been affected by the corruption of nature.

A

“ [Duncan’s horses] eat each other.”

37
Q

Meaning & context of the quote: “ [Duncan’s horses] eat each other.”

A

After Duncan’s murder, Duncan’s horses were acting strangely and ate each other.

38
Q

Analyse how the quote presents the corruption of nature in the play: “[Duncan’s horses] eat each other.”

A
  • Unnatural occurrence shows disruption in nature
  • Shows Macbeth becoming King has widespread consequences

English Literature GCSE Macbeth (3 decks)

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