thesis

Question 1

-macbeth’s downfall

Answer 1

In the archetypal Scottish play - shakespeare portrays effects of usurpation through protagonist Macbeth (cautionary tale of regicide to flatter king James)

Question 2

macbeth

Answer 2

In the Scottish cautionary tale’Macbeth’ Shakespeare warns the Jacobean audience of the effects that usurpation and the blatant disregard of basal societal rules can have on a persons psyche through the tragic moral decline of Macbeth

Question 3

Banquo

Answer 3

In the archetypal Scottish play Macbeth Shakespeare utilises the character of Banquo as a foil to Macbeth in order to emphasise Macbeth’s

Question 4

chaos and disorder

Answer 4

portrayed as both a byproduct and catalyst towards the disruption of the Great Chain of Being. Shakespeare warns the audience of the effects of attempting to transcend you societal rank and in turn becomes an advocate for intense devotion and patriotism for the divine monarch - massaging king James ego and thus gaining patronage

Question 5

masculinity

Answer 5

-hyrbid form of negative and brutal power (through LM +M)
leads to usurpation of power and oppression while also portraying a contrasting aspect of a noble and heroic masculinity through Duncan and Macduff which triumphs at the end
–M Macbeth ‘deep desires’ brutalise him
-M and his ‘dearest partner in greatness’ adopt a brutal hybrid form of masculinity

Question 6

Lady M character overall

Answer 6

• as Macbeth’s ‘dearest partner in greatness’ she shares his lust for power described as ‘fiend like’ by Malcolm
• Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a corrupt and fragile figure who, in an attempt to gain power and glory through the emotional manipulation of Macbeth, found herself as a vulnerable figure who fell a victim to her malevolent psyche. Through Lady Macbeth’s tragic character arch Shakespeare perhaps reveals the corrupt nature of the patriarchy as women are forced to result to witchcraft or immoral manipulation to gain power and satisfy their ravenous desire to control that would corrupt even the most strong and capable of women.

Question 7

free will

Answer 7

• Although set in 11th century Scotland Shakespeare’s 1606 tragedy ‘Macbeth’ is very much engaged with the choice of Robert Catesby in the Gunpowder Plot
• to attempt to transcend your societal rank and disrupt great chain of being
• -> series of choices drove Macbeth to tyranny
• -> maline power of witches creates a paradox within the idea of free will but contrasting responses between Macbeth and Banquo reinstates this idea of Macbeth as a naive figure who experienced a fatal lapse in judgement

Question 8

ambition

Answer 8

-Lady M and M consumed by relentless ambition - take radical measure to seek ultimate goal of kingship. Ruthless thirst appears prosperous at first soon hastily crumbles into corruption as guilt plagues minds of ‘scorpions’. Macbeth becomes a ‘butcher’ and Lm’s stoic and transgressive persona deteriorates into a pitiful and anxious version of her former self

Question 9

supernatural

Answer 9

Acts as a catalyst in Macbeths tragic downfall - vital component of plot. Witches, Banquo’s ghost and 4 apparitions serve as manifestations fo evil temptation that seduces Macbeth to murder comrades.hakespeare may have chosen to use the supernatural metaphorically to draw an audience to the fatal flaws of humanity: hubris, ignorance, and duplicity.