Macbeth Key Points

Act I, scene i

Setting: Scotland Mood: evil, foreboding, sinister,

tense, uncertain Developed by imagery, three witches,

and weather Witches are planning to meet

Macbeth Key Quote: “Fair is foul and foul is

fair”

Act I, scene ii

War between Scotland and Norway King asking for report on how war is going Macbeth unseamed Macdonwald “nave to

chops” Macbeth - brave

King Duncan’s sons (Malcolm, Donalbain) Scotland wins King Duncan orders execution for Thane

of Cawdor Gives title of “Thane” to Macbeth

Act I, Scene iii Witches torture sailor because his wife doesn’t share

her chestnuts Random pilot thumb Characterization of witches

The witches tell Macbeth and Banquo the future and it comes true.

The prophecies Macbeth’s: (current Thane of Glamis) Thane of Cawdor, King Banquo: Lesser than Macbeth and greater, not as happy as

Macbeth but happier, descendants will be though he will not be

Macbeth gets Thane of Cawdor title Starts thinking horrid things

Act I, Scene iv

Original Thane of Cawdor “died well” even though he was a traitor

Key Quote: There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face…

King Duncan names his son Malcolm “The Prince of Cumberland” – heir to the throne

Macbeth thinks Malcolm’s in the way to becoming King KQ: The Prince of Cumberland! That is a

step…

Act I, Scene v Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth telling her

of the prophecies and the first one coming true KQ: Yet I do fear thy nature… She plans to persuade him to go after what he wants

Theme alert! Gender roles! Macbeth coming home with King Duncan “Fatal entrance” KQ: Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts,

unsex me here! Psyching herself up, rid herself of remorse so she can

commit the unthinkable KQ: Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent

under ‘t.

Act I, Scene vi

Lady Macbeth greets King Duncan as he enters their home.

She hides her plans by being nice to him.

KQ: This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.

Dramatic irony! WHY???

Act I, Scene vii Macbeth is having second thoughts about killing

the King. Duncan a good king; Macbeth as subject and host

should protect him Lady Macbeth questions his manhood

Shows her psycho side – bash baby’s brains out Plan is to get guards drunk and frame it on them KQ: Bring forth men-children only, for thy

undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males.

Macbeth finally says he’ll do it

Act II, Scene I

Macbeth asks Banquo for his loyalty; Banquo says okay as long as it’s morally acceptable

KQ: Dagger Soliloquy! Macbeth sees floating dagger pointing

towards Duncan’s room Sees it first time clean, then notices

blood on it▪ What does that symbolize?

Macbeth sets off to murder Duncan

Act II, Scene ii Lady Macbeth gets the servants drunk and

Macbeth kills Duncan. Macbeth kills Duncan (offstage) and returns with

the bloody daggers (messing up the plan) Macbeth can’t say “Amen” – what does this mean? Macbeth is “murdering sleep” KQ: The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures KQ: Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood

clean from my hand? KQ: A little water clears us of this deed. How easy

is it, then!

Act II, Scene iii The Porter opens the gate Porter serves as comedic relief and dramatic irony!

He’s pretending to guard the gates of hell when a hellish act was committed inside

Lechery Crazy weather the night prior Macduff finds the king dead; they think the guards did it Macbeth says anger drove him to kill the guards Lady Macbeth “faints” to take the attention off

Macbeth’s excuse Donalbain and Malcolm realize they’re in danger

Donalbain goes to Ireland Malcolm goes to England

Act II, Scene iv

Unnatural events in nature reflecting unnatural events in human world

A falcon was killed by an owl and the horses ate each other.

Ross and Macduff suspect Duncan’s sons as the killers who fled the country for their own protection

Macduff doesn’t support Macbeth as King

Act III, Scene i

Banquo starts to suspect Macbeth KQ: I fear thou played’st most foully for

‘t. KQ: To be thus… Macbeth hires murderers to kill

Banquo and his son Fleance Convinces them by blaming all their

problems on Banquo

Act III, Scene ii

KQ: Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without content

Macbeth almost jealous of the “peace” Duncan has in death

Macbeth doesn’t tell Lady Macbeth about the planned murders for Banquo and Fleance

Act III, Scene iii

The three murderers kill Banquo Fleance escapes Symbol alert! Light = ?

Act III, scene iv At the banquet Murderer comes in, tells Macbeth they killed Banquo

but Fleance got away Ghost of Banquo sits in Macbeth’s chair at the table

He flips out, screams at “empty” chair, no one else can see the ghost

What do you think this means? Lady Macbeth tries to cover it up, says he’s been sick a

while, that it’s normal Ghost comes back; Macbeth freaks out again, starts

giving away details Macbeth aware of Macduff’s disdain Macbeth planning to go see witches again for more info

Act III, scene v

Hecate (head witch) mad at the 3 witches for not including her in their mischief

Witches going to brew up misleading charms and illusions that will make Macbeth overly confident Which theme is this?

Act III, Scene vi

The state of Scotland not great People suffering Macduff went to England to ask King

Edward for help Macbeth angry Macbeth now a “tyrant”

Act IV, Scene i Witches give Macbeth the apparitions

1. Armed head – Beware Macduff 2. A bloody child – None of woman born shall

harm Macbeth 3. Crowned child with tree in hand – Macbeth safe

until Birnam Woods moves to Dunsinane Hill 4. Banquo’s line of kings▪ The first three reinforce his first prophecies, but the last

one shows how it will all be taken away still Macbeth hears Macduff has fled to England

and plans to murder his family

Act IV, Scene ii

Lady Macduff feels like husband has abandoned them Questions if he’s a traitor Ross assures her he’s not

Warned by messenger, but she says she’s not going to run because she’s innocent

Murderers kill Lady Macduff and son Symbolism! = the death of innocence

Act IV, scene iii Malcolm and Macduff in England with King Edward Tell how bad it is in Scotland Malcolm questions Macduff why he got away so easy

Dramatic irony! Doesn’t know family just murdered Malcolm tests Macduff

Paints picture that he’d be terrible king; Macduff says then he doesn’t deserve it; Macduff passes test

King Edward blessed by God, heals sick people Ross enters, hesitant to tell of murderers, finally tells

Macduff Malcolm encourages Macduff to use grief for revenge Going to start war

Act V, scene i

Lady Macbeth sleepwalking Walks around with candle because

doesn’t want to be separated from light (symbol!)

Tries to wash imaginary blood off hands▪ KQ: Out, damned spot! Out, I say!

Gives away murder details Doctor and maid witnessed Doctor says only God can save her

Act V, scene ii

English army near with Siward and his son

Macbeth fortifying castle People think Macbeth starting to lose

it Those who follow him only do so out

of fear

Act V, scene iii

Macbeth banking on apparitions, overly confident

English has 10,000 Thanes have abandoned him and

gone to the other side

Act V, scene iv

English army going to cut down branches and small trees to hide their numbers and move towards Macbeth’s castle What will this look like?

Act V, scene v

Macbeth learns queen is dead KQ: Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and

tomorrow… BIG Quote

Messenger sees forest “moving” towards castle

Macbeth less confident

Act V, scene vi

The English throw down their branches and charge the castle

Act V, scene vii

Macbeth kills Young Siward Macbeth mocks him in death saying

he must have been woman born Macbeth’s men turning against him,

fighting with the English

Act V, scene viii

Macbeth refuses to commit suicide, resolved to fight Reminiscent of earlier bravery

Macduff and Macbeth fight Macduff reveals he was untimely ripped

from mother’s womb Macduff kills Macbeth and takes head Siward proud his son died nobly We learn Lady Macbeth killed herself Malcolm becomes king