Violence

Question 1

What violent act does Lady Macbeth shock the audience with by saying she would carry out?

Answer 1

“dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this. ‘’- extremely graphic imagery

This act would seem shocking to the audience, who would expect a woman’s maternal instinct to be stronger than her ambition or her loyalty to her husband.

Aligns her with the witches

Question 2

Their account of Banquo’s murder is particularly violent. How does Banquo meet his end?

Answer 2

He is “cut” with daggers until he “bleeds, bleeds” in a “ditch”

Question 3

What word (used three times) completes the quotation? “It will have __________, they say; __________ will have __________” and what scene/act

Answer 3

Act 3 scene 4
Blood
Macbeth realises the consequences he will have to face

By Act Three, Macbeth realises that he will have to continue his violence if he wants to keep hold of the crown

Question 4

Quotation from lady Macbeth that would have shocked the audience due to the violent nature. And what act

Answer 4

“And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of driest cruelty”
Lady Macbeth’s desire to be filled with “cruelty” would have shocked a Jacobean audience, and made her appear more like a witch than an ordinary woman.
Act 1

Question 5

Quotation that shows Macbeth’s bravery (in what act) and what shows his cowardess

Answer 5

Cowardess: LM says he has a ‘white heart’
Bravery: unseam’d him from the nave to the chops

Question 6

Quotation that shows Macbeth has become a violent “butcher” and what act

Answer 6

Act 3 scene 4
“I am in blood Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more”
He has killed too many people that it would be too difficult to go back to being good

Question 7

Quotation that shows the shocking and unnatural effects of Duncan’s murder. And what act

Answer 7

“And Duncan’s horses […]// Tis said they eat each other” Act 2

Question 8

Quotation said by the murderer informing M of B’s death and what act

Answer 8

Act 3 scene 4
“Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on his head”

The word “safe” is ironic, as Banquo is now “safely” out of Macbeth’s way, but not safe himself. Unnecessary violence is used when he is murdered, showing how tyrannical Macbeth has become

Question 9

The witches are evil creatures who awaken Macbeth’s evil nature. But why do they use manipulation rather than violence?

Answer 9

Women were thought to be incapable of such acts of violence - it was a male trait

Women took on nurturing caring roles. Both the witches and Lady Macbeth subvert these roles.

Question 10

What quotation shows the consequences of regicide

Answer 10

“Blood will have blood” - to show that regicide is a sin and how it will have consequences
- M realises he will have to continue the violence to keep hold of the crown

Question 11

3 key quotations about violence

Answer 11

Lady Macbeth would have “dashed the brains out” of their child

“And Duncan’s horses […]// Tis said they eat each other” Act 2

“I am in blood Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more”