Macbethby

William Shakespeare

REVISION GUIDENAME:

EXAM DATE: Monday 22nd May 2017

Macbeth: The Simplified Story

The play begins with the brief appearance of a trio of witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish King Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated two separate invading armies—one from Ireland and one from Norway.

Following their battle with these enemy forces, Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches as they cross a moor. The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be made Thane (a rank of Scottish nobility) of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. They also prophesy that Macbeth’s companion, Banquo, will start a line of Scottish kings, although Banquo will never be king himself.

The witches vanish, and Macbeth and Banquo treat their prophecies sceptically until some of King Duncan’s men come to thank the two generals for their victories in battle and to tell Macbeth that he has indeed been named Thane of Cawdor. The previous thane betrayed Scotland by fighting for the Norwegians and Duncan has condemned him to death. Macbeth is intrigued by the possibility that the remainder of the witches’ prophecy—that he will be crowned king—might be true, but he is uncertain what to expect. He visits King Duncan, and they plan to dine together at Inverness, Macbeth’s castle, that night. Macbeth writes ahead to

his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her all that has happened.

Lady Macbeth suffers none of her husband’s uncertainty. She desires the kingship for him and wants him to murder Duncan in order to obtain it. When Macbeth arrives at Inverness, she overrides all of her husband’s objections and persuades him to kill the king that very night.

He and Lady Macbeth plan to get Duncan’s two chamberlains drunk so they will black out; the next morning they will blame the murder on the chamberlains, who will be defenceless, as they will remember nothing.

While Duncan is asleep, Macbeth stabs him, despite his doubts and a number of supernatural portents, including a vision of a bloody dagger.

When Duncan’s death is discovered the next morning, Macbeth kills the chamberlains—pretending to be outraged at their crime—and soon becomes king. Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, respectively, fearing that whoever killed Duncan desires their deaths as well.

Fearful of the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s heirs will seize the throne, Macbeth hires a group of murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. They ambush Banquo on his way to a royal feast, but they fail to kill Fleance, who escapes into the night. Macbeth becomes furious: as long as Fleance is alive, he fears that his power remains insecure.

At the feast that night, Banquo’s ghost visits Macbeth. When he sees the ghost, Macbeth raves fearfully, startling his guests, who include most of the great Scottish nobility. Lady Macbeth tries to neutralize the damage, but Macbeth’s kingship now falls under suspicion from his nobles and subjects.

Frightened, Macbeth goes to visit the witches in their cavern. There, they show him a sequence of demons and spirits who present him with further prophecies: he must beware of Macduff, a Scottish nobleman who opposed Macbeth’s accession to the throne; he is incapable of being harmed by any man born of woman; and he will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle. Macbeth is

relieved and feels secure, because he knows that all men are born of women and that forests cannot move. When he learns that Macduff has fled to England to join Malcolm, Macbeth orders that Macduff’s castle be seized and, most cruelly, that Lady Macduff and her children be murdered. When news of his family’s execution reaches Macduff in England, he is stricken with grief and vows revenge.

Prince Malcolm, Duncan’s son, has succeeded in raising an army in England, and Macduff joins him as he rides to Scotland to challenge Macbeth’s forces. The invasion has the support of the Scottish nobles, who are appalled and frightened by Macbeth’s tyrannical and murderous behaviour.

Lady Macbeth, meanwhile, becomes plagued with fits of sleepwalking in which she bemoans what she believes to be bloodstains on her hands. Before Macbeth’s opponents arrive, Macbeth receives news that she has killed herself, causing him to sink into a deep and pessimistic despair.

Nevertheless, he awaits the English and fortifies Dunsinane, to which he seems to have withdrawn in order to defend himself, certain that the witches’ prophecies guarantee his invincibility. He is struck numb with fear, however, when he learns that the English army is advancing on Dunsinane shielded with boughs cut from Birnam Wood. Birnam Wood is indeed coming to Dunsinane, fulfilling half of the witches’ prophecy.

In the battle, Macbeth fights violently, but the English forces gradually overwhelm his army and castle. On the battlefield, Macbeth encounters the vengeful Macduff, who declares that he was not “of woman born” but was instead “untimely ripped” from his mother’s womb (what we now call birth by caesarean section). Though he realizes that he is doomed, Macbeth continues to fight until Macduff kills and beheads

him. Malcolm, now the King of Scotland, declares his benevolent intentions for the country and invites all to see him crowned at Scone.

Recap the Plot

Who is travelling with Macbeth when he first encounters the three sisters?a) Macduffb) Lennoxc) Banquod) Duncan

What is Macbeth Thane of at the start of the play?ScotlandFifeCawdorGlamis

What prophecy do the sisters give Banquo in Act 1?a) That he will be made Thane of Cawdorb) That his son will be made Thane of Cawdorc) That his sons will be made princesd) That his sons will be made kings

What ‘sign’ convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan?a) An apparition of one of the Weird Sistersb) A nightmare about one of the Weird Sistersc) An apparition of a floating daggerd) The ghost of his dead father visits him

What does Macbeth accidentally take with him after murdering the king?a) The murder weaponsb) The king’s crownc) The bibled) The King’s bloody pillow

Which characters run away shortly after Duncan’s death?a) Banquo and Fleanceb) Macbeth and Lady Macbethc) Malcolm and Donalbaind) Macduff and his family

What does Macbeth hire men to do?a) Protect him from assassinsb) Kill Macduff and his familyc) Find the witches so he can talk to them againd) Kill Banquo and his son

When he sees them the second time, what four things do the witches show Macbeth?a) A head, a blood child, a crown and a serpentb) An armed child, a bloody child, a crowned child

with a tree in his hand, eight kings followed by Banquo’s ghost with a mirror

c) Armed head, visions, crowned child with a tree in his hand and a battlefield

d) An armed head, a bloody child, a crowned child with a tree in his hand, eight kings followed by Banquo’s ghost with a mirror

Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family and servants killed?a) Macduff is not loyal and Macbeth wants to kill his

family as they could kill himb) Macduff is not loyal to Macbeth, and Macbeth is

angryc) Macduff is angry with Macbeth and he is afraidd) Macduff is not loyal and Macbeth is happy

Towards the end of the play, which words best describe Lady Macbeth's behaviour in this Act?a) Confident, egotistical and boastfulb) Ambitious, power-driven and determinedc) Psychotic, unstable and melodramaticd) Obsessive, paranoid and unhinged

Macbeth does not fear death at the hands of the rebels because he has...a) Extensive battle experienceb) Faith in the witches' propheciesc) Little reason to go on livingd) No awareness of the rebels' strength

In the last scene, Macbeth fights to the death because he...a) is given no other choiceb) thinks that Macduff can be easily defeatedc) does not believe Macduff's claims about his birthd) prefers an honourable defeat to a humiliating

surrender

12 VOCABULARY QUESTIONSWhich noun means ‘excessive pride or Which adjective describes a social system

confidence’?1. Hubris.2. Hamartia.3. Machiavellian.4. Villainy.

Which noun is a strong desire to do or achieve something?

1. Hamartia.2. Ambition.3. Catharsis.4. Desire.

Which noun means manliness?1. Femininity2. Masculinity.3. Matriarchal.4. Patriarchal.

Which adjective means cunning and sly?1. Machiavellian.2. Patriarchal.3. Ambitious.4. Chivalrous.

Femininity is…1. The quality of being male.2. Being a weak man.3. Rejecting your womanliness.4. The quality of being female.

A prophecy is…1. Encouragement to do bad things.2. Encouragement to do good things.3. Interpreting events in the past.4. A prediction of the future.

A soliloquy is…1. A speech given to the audience.2. A release from strong emotions.3. A belief in the supernatural.4. Another name for the royal family.

where men hold the power and influence??1. Paternal.2. Patriarchal.3. Maternal.4. Matriarchal.

What is chivalry?1. Cowardice, diplomacy, courtesy.2. Bravery, military skill, courtesy.3. Wicked or criminal behaviour.4. Unfair, unjust and cruel rule.

What is duplicity?1. Honesty and straight-forwardness.2. Excessive pride or confidence.3. A strong desire or wish for someone.4. Deceitfulness or being two-faced.

Which noun is a worry that you are being persecuted or picked on?

1. Cowardice.2. Tyranny.3. Catharsis.4. Paranoia.

Which verb means to take someone’s place illegally or by force?

1. Usurp.2. Prophesise.3. Tyrannise.4. Desire.

Tyranny is…1. Wicked or criminal behaviour.2. A belief in the supernatural.3. A serious disagreement or argument.4. An unfair, unjust or cruel governance.

Hamartia is...1. A fatal flaw leading to a hero’s

downfall.2. Releasing strong emotions.3. A worry you’re being victimised.4. Deceitful behaviour.

Witches and Witchcraft in Shakespeare’s TimeThroughout the ages there have been people who have believed in witches and witchcraft. The people of Shakespeare’s day were no different. Shakespeare drew on the popular traditions of his time and used them for his own purposes. In Macbeth he used popular beliefs about witches and witchcraft.

When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, witchcraft was a topic of considerable interest. The new king of England, James I, had written a book called Demonology which was published in 1597. Until the time of Queen Elizabeth, no-one could be executed simply for being a witch. But in 1604, witchcraft became a capital offence. Evidence of a relationship with evil spirits condemned a suspect to death by hanging, burning or drowning. Whether Shakespeare himself believed in witches does not matter. He used them for his play, and many of his audience would have believed in them as thoroughly evil servants of the devil. For the people of Shakespeare’s time, the devil was very real who they believed spent his time trying to trap men and women into his power.

Witches were supposed to be capable of doing all the things that the three weird sisters are said to perform in Macbeth. It was believed that they could see into the future; that they could create storms, hail, thunder and lightning; stop the sun and change night into day and day into night. In order to work their charms they would open graves and steal parts of the bodies to make potions. For this purpose the bodies of unbaptized babies were especially prized. And witches could call up the dead.

For a king like Macbeth to visit and have dealings with witches would have seemed both a crime and a sin.

Macbeth is easily captured by their power and by their prophecies. But note that they never tell him a lie. However, they do allow him to deceive himself. The devil does not lie...but leads us into temptation.

The Weird Sisters in MacbethThroughout the play, the witches—referred to as the “weird sisters” by many of the characters—lurk like dark thoughts and unconscious temptations to evil. In part, the mischief they cause stems from their supernatural powers, but mainly it is the result of their understanding of the weaknesses of their specific interlocutors—they play upon Macbeth’s ambition like puppeteers.

The witches’ beards, bizarre potions, and rhymed speech make them seem slightly ridiculous, like caricatures of the supernatural. Shakespeare has them speak in rhyming couplets throughout (their most famous line is probably “Double, double, toil and trouble, / Fire burn and cauldron bubble”), which separates them from the other characters, who mostly speak in blank verse. The witches’ words seem almost comical, like malevolent nursery rhymes. Despite the absurdity of their “eye of newt and toe of frog” recipes, however, they are clearly the most dangerous characters in the play, being both tremendously powerful and utterly wicked.

The audience is left to ask whether the witches are independent agents toying with human lives, or agents of fate, whose prophecies are only reports of the inevitable. Some of their prophecies seem self-fulfilling. For example, it is doubtful that Macbeth would have murdered his king without the push given by the witches’ predictions. In other cases, though, their prophecies are just remarkably accurate readings of the future—it is hard to see Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane as being self-fulfilling in any way. The play offers no easy answers. Instead, Shakespeare keeps the witches well outside the limits of human comprehension. They embody an unreasoning, instinctive evil.

The Role of WomenPatriarchal SocietyElizabethan society was patriarchal, meaning that men were considered to be the leaders and women their inferiors. Women were regarded as "the weaker sex", not just in terms of physical strength, but emotionally too. It was believed that women always needed someone to look after them. If they were married, their husband was expected to look after them. If they were single, then their father, brother or another male relative was expected to take care of them.

Housewives and MothersEven though there had been an unmarried woman on the throne in Elizabethan England, the roles of women in society were very limited. There were very clear expectations of men and women, and in general men were expected to be the breadwinners and women to be housewives and mothers. On average, a woman gave birth to a child every two years, but as a lot of babies and children died from sickness, families were not always large. Childbearing was considered a great honour to women, as children were seen as blessings from God.

Professional WomenWomen were not allowed to enter the professions i.e law, medicine, politics, but they could work in domestic service as cooks, maids, etc. Women were also allowed to write works of literature, providing the subject was suitable for women: mainly translations or religious works. Women were not allowed to act on the public stage or write for the public stage. Acting was considered dishonourable for women. In Shakespeare's plays, the roles of women were often played by young boys.

MarriageA man was considered to be the head of a marriage, and he had the legal right to chastise his wife. However, it is important to understand what this "headship" meant. It did not mean, as if often supposed, that the husband was able to command his wife to do anything he pleased. He was expected to take care of her, make sure she had everything she needed, and most importantly to love her and be a good father to any children they had. If a husband felt the need to chastise his wife, then he was not allowed to be cruel or inflict bodily harm. If he did abuse his wife, then he could be prosecuted or prevented from living with her. There was no divorce: marriage generally lasted as long as the couple both lived.

Act one Scene one

The 3 witches plan to meet Macbeth after he has finished fighting, but before the sun sets.

The theme of Reality and Appearance is started as “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” this sets the scene as the reality of the play will be unfairness and foul play.

Act one Scene two

The Scottish army is led by Macbeth, Duncan is impressed with Macbeth and decides to make him Thane of Cawdor.

Shakespeare foreshadows Macbeth’s death as “he fixed his (traitors) head upon our battlements” The quote is given because Macbeth beheads a traitor on the battlefield, this is ironic as he dies for being a traitor.

Macbeth, as a character, is rewarded for “Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe” this is ironic as his violence is seen as a flaw which causes the dramatic fall of the tragic hero.

Macbeth is given the title Thane of Cawdor “and with his former title greet Macbeth”

Act one Scene three

Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches, they predict that Macbeth will be the thane of cawder and then king. They also predict that Banquo’s descendants will become king as well. They then get greeted with Rose and Angus which they greet Macbeth with the title of Thane of Cawder.

Shakespeare uses dramatic Irony as the second witch says “hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” we already know this yet Macbeth doesn’t.

The recurring theme of Reality and Appearance is present here as Macbeth and Banquo asked repeatedly questions; this shows confusion.

Act one Scene four

Duncan thanks Macbeth and Banquo for their services. Duncan makes Malcolm heir to the throne. Macbeth considers murdering Duncan so he can become king.

Shakespeare uses the theme of Reality and appearance as Duncan says “there’s no art to find the minds construction in the face” this shows that people seem good yet they might not be. This is ironic as he also misjudges Macbeth.

Duncan says he has “I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing” Plants fight for ground and territory to grow and be successful, therefore it foreshadows a fight between Duncan and Macbeth for hierarchy.

Act one Scene five

Lady Macbeth reads the letter that contains what the witches’ prophecies. She then begins to plot the murder of the king. Then Macbeth arrives and they plan to kill Duncan that evening.

Macbeth “is too full of ‘th’milk of human kindness”. The word mild connotes to a child needing their mother to nurture them and look after them. This shows that Lady Macbeth doesn’t think that Macbeth will be able to do it without hesitation or on his own.

Shakespeare uses the theme of supernatural to bring power to Lady Macbeth. “Come you spirits” “make thick my blood, stop up th’access and passage my remorse” this means she calls on the spirits to thicken her blood so she can’t feel remorse.

Flattery is used to manipulate Macbeth “worthy Cawdor” this is used to change Macbeth ways of thinking so Lady Macbeth can manipulate him to kill Duncan.

The theme reality and appearance “look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” this is powerful imagery as it shows that contrasts an innocent flower to a poisonous and dangerous serpent.

Act one Scene six

Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle, they act very pleasant and welcoming to hide the fact that they plan to murder him.

Shakespeare uses irony as Duncan comments on how “pleasant” their castle is yet that is where they are going to kill him. And “honoured hostess!” backs up the point.

They act like Duncan’s “servant” with “every point twice done and then done doubled”

Act one Scene seven

Macbeth sees that Duncan is a good man he also doesn’t see how he will get away with murdering him. Yet Lady Macbeth convinces him to proceed to make it look like the guards have done it.

Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to foreshadow the death of Macbeth as he knows “which been taught, return and plaque th’inventor” this shows that he knows what will happen if he proceeds this makes his action seem worst to the audience as he knows his wrong doing and the consequences.

“Poisoned chalice” is a great contrast as a chalice is beautiful yet it is bad for you. Macbeth knows this and relates this to his situation. It makes killing the king worse as he knows that it is wrong.

Macbeth realises he is a good king and his “virtues will plead like angels” because he is such a good king.

Macbeth has “no spur to prick the sides of my intent” this shows he has nothing to push him to do this deed yet he will see the dagger later on which he interprets as a sign to kill Duncan.

Macbeth says he “will proceed no further in this business” yet Lady Macbeth says he is “like the poor cat I’th’adage” this means he is like a cat that wants the fish yet doesn’t want to get its paw wet. It is just like Macbeth doesn’t want to get his hands dirty yet he wants to be king.

Lady Macbeth also uses guilt to manipulate Macbeth, if she promised Macbeth to “dash the brains out” of her baby. This makes him feel guilty him as we can only presume they had a baby that died, this could also be the cause of her acting up in an unsociable way.

Act two Scene 1

Banquo and his son, Fleance, are walking together. Macbeth meets with them and they talk about the witches’ predictions. When they leave, Macbeth sees a dagger, he sees this as a sign to kill Duncan. At the end of this scene he leaves to kill Duncan.

The theme of reality is again presented here. “My eyes are made the fools o’ the other senses” this shows he is aware that this may not be real yet he still kills Duncan showing he is easily manipulated. This makes the death seem a lot worse.

Contextually, religion pays a big part in the 17th century. “Hear it or not, Duncan; for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or hell” this means if Duncan can hear the bells, it summons him to heaven or hell. This is significant as Macbeth now knows the difference between heaven and hell so he knows what he is going to do is wrong, consequently he will go to hell.

Act two Scene two

Macbeth has killed Duncan and he’s overcome with guilt. In his confusion he returns still holding the daggers. Lady Macbeth takes them back to Duncan’s room and smears the servants with blood to make them seem guilty. They end up with blood on their hands.

Lady Macbeth finds courage when people are weak “That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold” This shows she can only have power by preying on the weak.

Lady Macbeth seems like a purely evil character however she does have boundaries we see this as “had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t”

Out of anger, Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth “infirm of purpose” the plosive sound shows her anger and frustration at him.

Macbeth metaphorically thinks that Neptune’s ocean will not wash the blood away from his hand “The multitudinous seas incarnadine making the green one red” this shows the huge impact the death of Duncan has on other characters and situations, also it foreshadow the mass impact leading to the great fall of Macbeth

Act two Scene three

The scene begins with the porter, who provides some dark comic relief from the chaos of the previous scene and before the uproar of the discovery of Duncan’s body. Duncan’s son Malcolm and Donalbain decide to run way because they believe that they will be murdered.

There is a repetition of short sentences to show how tense Macbeth is trying not to give away what happened, this quickens the pace as well as increasing tension for the audience.

The theme of reality and appearance requires here as Macduff doesn’t think “Tis not for you to hear what I can speak” about Duncan’s death. This is ironic as she played a significant part in the murder creating irony.

Lady Macbeth faints to distract everyone from suspecting Macbeth of any suspicious actions. Contextually this is the only way she can have some sort of power in this patriarchal society because there are many powerful men in the room and she can’t tell Macbeth what to say so she stops everyone from saying anything at all.

The theme of reality and appearance is also present here when Donalbain says “There’s daggers in men’s smile” this echoes what “look like the th’innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”

Act two Scene four

Rosse and an old man discuss what happened since Duncan’s death. Macduff comes in and says that Malcom and Donalbain are under suspicion as they have ran away. Which leaves Macbeth to be king.

Theme of Kingship is present here as the old man has realised that Macbeth may have had something to do with it as “Tis said they eat each other” this means that Duncan’s fall and Macbeth’s rise have opposite nature therefore it raises suspicion.

Act three scene one

Banquo suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan so Macbeths feels insecure. He decides to kill Banquo and Fleance (Banquo’s son) as he is afraid that he will be next to heirs.

The theme of reality is present here as Macbeth flatters Banquo by saying “Here’s our chief guest” he then ask if “you ride this afternoon” this is to find out his whereabouts so he can be killed.

The theme of fate is also present here as Macbeth challenges fate as if he can fight it “Rather than so, come fate into the list. And champion me to the utterance”

Shakespeare uses rhyming couplets to emphasise how decisive he is feeling “it is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s fight, if it finds heaven, must find it out tonight”

Act three scene two

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is feeling insecure in their position as king and queen. Macbeth feels guilty about Duncan’s murder however he starts to hint that he is going to kill Banquo.

Lady Macbeth uses rhyming couplets; this is to help her create and emphasise how she is feeling. “Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy” her voice changes at the end as Macbeth walks in to act strong.

Macbeth envies the escape of Duncan’s worries, “Duncan is in his grave; after life’s fitful fever he sleeps well”

Shakespeare also foreshadows the raising of the English army and Macbeth’s rebellion “Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing can touch him further”

The theme of the supernatural is present here as the mention of dark and unpleasant creatures such as “beetles”, “scorpions”, “crow” “bat” they all connote the supernatural particularly the crow which connotes death.

Act three scene three

Macbeth sends another murderer to join the first two, they wait in the forest to kill Banquo and Fleance; they kill Banquo but Fleance to escapes.

The fact that Macbeth sends a 3rd murderer shows how insecure he is.

“Fleance escapes” is set on its own line to emphasise the significance of this as the predictions of the witches still may come true.

Act three scene four

Macbeth is having a feast with the thanes, one of the first murderers informs Macbeth that Banquo has been killed yet Fleance has escaped. Banquo’s spirit visits Macbeth and terrifies him.

Theme of appearance versus reality is present here; “play the humble host” they think he is humble yet he has set someone to kill one of his guest.

After the murderer has informed Macbeth he feels “cabined, cribbed, and confined” the rule of 3 with alteration shows how trapped he feels. This is because he understands the witches’ prophecy is likely to come true.

The stage direction “enter the ghost of Banquo” create suspense as at first Macbeth doesn’t notice it.

When Lady Macbeth speaks she uses a lot of imperatives to try take back control of the situation. “Sit…pray…feed”

Lady Macbeth also flatters the thanes “worthy friends…noble friends” this is to try gain the control of the thanes and make Macbeth realise how important that feast is.

Lady Macbeth also mocks his manliness by saying “What, quite unmanned in folly” this is to make Macbeth come to his senses.

The theme of the supernatural is present here as “they will rise again” which will disrupt the natural order of life the same way Macbeth has done it by killing everyone in his path.

Macbeth isn’t afraid to face his enemies yet he is scared as he can’t fight a ghost “take any shape but that and my firm nerves shall never tremble” this means don’t stay as a ghost as I can’t fight what I can’t see.

Act three scene five

Hecate is annoyed that the witches spoke to Macbeth without consulting her, she tells them to meet her at the pit of Acheron to tell Macbeth his future. She is going to make an evil spell that will destroy him.

“He shall spurn fate” this means he shall reject faith therefore he thinks he can change his destiny. We could say this is his downfall. This also represent the theme of fate and freewill.

Act three scene six

Lennox suspects Macbeth of being behind the murders of Duncan and Banquo however he doesn’t want to say this openly, instead he hints it with sarcastic comments. A lord tells him that Malcom and Macduff are in England and getting an army together.

Shakespeare uses a rhetorical question to imply that the answer to the question is opposite to what he is suggesting “To kill their gracious father?”

Even small characters such as Lennox and a lord hate Macbeth which shows his discontent and how it has affected everyone.

Act four scene one

Macbeth visits the witches where they conjure up 3 different apparitions. One prophecy (the bloody child) tells Macbeth to “beware Macduff” so he decides to kill Macduff’s entire household.

Rhyming couplets are used to emphasise how Macbeth has changed from an honourable hero to “something wicked” (“by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes”)

“An armed head” could foreshadow the beheading of Macbeth in act 5 scene 8

The “child crowned, with a tree in his hand” could represent Banquo’s descendents becoming kings. The quote “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane shall come against him” gives Macbeth confidence.

The stage directions of the spirits “descending” could suggest that they are returning to hell.

“From this moment, the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstling of my hand” this shows he will not hesitate to act which is a contrast from how he hesitated about killing Duncan in act 1 scene 7.

Act four scene two

Ross has come to see Lady Macduff and they talk why Macduff has left his family to go to England. After Ross leaves the murderers break in and kill Lady Macduff and her children

“How will you do for a husband?” “Why, I can buy me twenty at any market” the jokes between mother

and son contrast to Lady Macbeth “dashing the brains out” of her own child.

“Young fry of treachery” it makes Macbeth’s decision seem more shocking

Act four scene three

Macduff is in England to see Malcolm to persuade him to come back to Scotland. Malcolm thinks that Macduff might be a spy so he tests Macduff’s loyalty by saying terrible things about himself. Ross enters and tells Macduff that his family has been murdered

“Angels are bright still though the brightest fell” this means that it is hard to tell who is good and who is bad, this echoes Duncan in act 1 scene 4.

The theme of loyalty and betrayal is present here as Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty. He claims that he will be a terrible king and Scotland will be wrong under his rule.

Kingship is presented here as Malcolm describe the bad traits of a king “deceitful, malicious, false” and the good traits “mercy, courage, patience”

Shakespeare builds tension as Ross has to bring Macduff the news of the death “why, well.” Without getting straight to the point.

Macduff repeats questions which shows his confusion and is shocked “all my pretty ones, did you say all”

Act five scene one

A woman and a doctor observe Lady Macbeth sleepwalking. She dreams about the night when they murdered Duncan.

Lady Macbeth is not dominant any more, she is scared of the dark so “she has light by her continually. ‘Tis her command” this shows how weak she is, she is even scared of the dark.

She dreams that she can’t get out “the damned spot” of blood. Even a small spot is affecting her.

Act five scene two

The Scottish thane are talking about the arrival of the English army. They don’t like Macbeth. They plan to meet the English army at Birnam wood.

Act five scene three

Macbeth hears about the army coming to attack him but he isn’t afraid because he remembers the prophecies made by the apparitions. Macbeth also speaks to the doctor who says he can’t cure Lady Macbeth’s disease.

Even though Macbeth is confident he still has some doubts as he said he “has lived long enough”. This shows he knows the end is coming.

The repition of the call for Seyton shows that Macbeth isn’t in control and that the atmosphere is panic with disorder in the castle.

Macbeth is nervous as he asks “put my armour on” and then asks “Pull’t off, I say”. This suggests he is also anxious and troubled.

Act five scene four

This English army organises itself for battle- Malcolm tells everyone to cut down a branch to hide behind. Malcolm, Macduff and Siward talk about the rumours of Macbeth’s soldiers abandoning him.

Lennox and Ross who were originally at the banquet scene are on the other side. This shows how everyone has deserted Macbeth.

Act five scene five

Macbeth is waiting for the English army to attack his castle yet he is still not scared. He then finds out that Lady Macbeth is dead. He decides to fight against his enemy.

After Macbeth is informed of Lady Macbeth’s death he starts to change his attitude: “She should have died hereafter … signifying nothing” suggests he realises that life is pointless.

Macbeth is tired “of the sun” he doesn’t seem to care if he lives or dies.

However, he vows to die a warrior: “Blow wind, come wrack; At least we’ll die with harness on our back”

Act five scene six

Malcolm orders the soldiers to throw down their branches and reveal themselves. He then begins the attack on Macbeth’s castle.

Shakespeare uses short sentences in this scene to quicken the pace and build tension.

Act five scene seven

Macbeth fights and kills young Siward, before he exits. Macduff enters looking for Macbeth, he is determined to be the one who kills him.

The repetition of “exit” and “enter” stage directions creates confusion and shows how much is happening.

Act five scene eight

Macbeth and Macduff meet face to face. Macbeth finds out that Macduff wasn’t born of a woman as he was ‘from his mother’s womb untimely ripped’ but Macbeth fights him anyway.

Macduff is a warrior as his “voice is my sword” this shows that he is a soldier and lets his sword do all the talking.

Macbeth is presented at the end as the brave hero which reminds us of what he was like at the beginning of the play. He will fight because he will not “kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet.” This shows that he would rather die than be humiliated.

Act five scene nine

Siward finds out that Macbeth has killed his son, but he is happy that his son died bravely. Macduff enters with Macbeth’s head. Malcolm becomes king and he rewards everyone who fought with him.

At the start of the play we see Macbeth behead a traitor on the battle field. This is ironic as that is how Macbeth dies too.

At the end things are how they should be. The king is “graced by grace” showing that he is not evil.

Exam Style Questions:

Macbeth

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 5 of Macbeth - At this point in the play Lady Macbeth is awaiting the arrival of King Duncan at her home.

1a: Explore how Shakespeare presents the character of Lady Macbeth in this extract. (20 Marks)

LADY MACBETHThe raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood, Stop up th’access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between Th’ effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry ‘Hold, hold!’

1b: In this extract Lady Macbeth is subverting the natural order.

Explain how the natural order is subverted elsewhere in the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer. (20 Marks)

Macbeth

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 7 of Macbeth - At this point in the play Macbeth is debating if he should kill King Duncan.

1a: Explore how Shakespeare presents the character of Macbeth in this extract.

(20 Marks)

MACBETHIf it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly. If th’assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success: that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, But here upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgement here, that we but teach Bloody instructions which, being taught, return To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.

1b: In this extract Macbeth appears to know the difference between right and wrong.

Explain how Macbeth is presented as a character who has lost his sense of right and wrong elsewhere in the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer. (20 Marks)

Macbeth

Read the following extract from Act 5 Scene 3 of Macbeth - At this point in the play Macbeth is under siege from the English army.

1a: Explain how Macbeth is presented as fearless in this extract. (20 Marks)

MACBETHBring me no more reports; let them fly all:Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane,I cannot taint with fear. What's the boy Malcolm?Was he not born of woman? The spirits that knowAll mortal consequences have pronounced me thus:'Fear not, Macbeth; no man that's born of womanShall e'er have power upon thee.' Then fly, false thanes,And mingle with the English epicures:The mind I sway by and the heart I bearShall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.

Enter a Servant

The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon!Where got'st thou that goose look?

1b: In this extract Macbeth is presented as fearless. Explain how Macbeth is presented as fearless elsewhere in the play.

You must refer to the context of the play in your answer. (20 Marks)