Macbeth Introduction

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MacbethMacbeth Introduction Introduction MacbethMacbeth was written by Shakespeare in 1605; it was written by Shakespeare in 1605; it

was the last in a series of four tragedies:was the last in a series of four tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear & MacbethHamlet, Othello, King Lear & Macbeth Macbeth is a thane Macbeth is a thane (a person, ranking with an earl's son, (a person, ranking with an earl's son,

holding lands of the king; the chief of a clan, who became one of the holding lands of the king; the chief of a clan, who became one of the

king'sking's barons)barons)who overthrows the rightful King of who overthrows the rightful King of ScotlandScotland

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth at the beginning of Shakespeare wrote Macbeth at the beginning of the reign of King James I the reign of King James I Before James succeeded Elizabeth I, he was king of Before James succeeded Elizabeth I, he was king of

ScotlandScotland Placing the play in James’ homeland probably pleased himPlacing the play in James’ homeland probably pleased him Shakespeare added mystical effects (e.g. witches) Shakespeare added mystical effects (e.g. witches)

because James was fascinated with the supernatural because James was fascinated with the supernatural Shakespeare tied James to Shakespeare tied James to MacbethMacbeth by using the familial by using the familial

line of Banquo line of Banquo

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Will the real Macbeth please stand up?Will the real Macbeth please stand up?Macbeth was a real king of ScotlandMacbeth was a real king of ScotlandHe took the throne by killing King Duncan He took the throne by killing King Duncan In actual history, Banquo was in collusion In actual history, Banquo was in collusion

with himwith himMacbeth reigned from 1040-1057Macbeth reigned from 1040-1057Unlike the Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play,Unlike the Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play,

the real Macbeth:the real Macbeth: had a legitimate claim to the thronehad a legitimate claim to the thronewas popular and a strong leader was popular and a strong leader reign was successfulreign was successfulwas killed at Lumphanan as opposed to Dunsinane was killed at Lumphanan as opposed to Dunsinane

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Connections for British SocietyConnections for British Society ““Remember, remember the fifth of November Remember, remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.Gunpowder, treason and plot.I see no reason why gunpowder, treasonI see no reason why gunpowder, treasonShould ever be forgot...”Should ever be forgot...”

In November 1605, the Gunpowder Plot was In November 1605, the Gunpowder Plot was discovereddiscovered Guy Fawkes and his followers (Roman Catholics) Guy Fawkes and his followers (Roman Catholics)

planned to blow up Parliamentplanned to blow up Parliament They wanted to bring down the British government They wanted to bring down the British government

and put a Catholic rulers on the throne and put a Catholic rulers on the throne The plot was discovered –Fawkes was found in the The plot was discovered –Fawkes was found in the

basement about to light 6 kegs of gunpowder -and basement about to light 6 kegs of gunpowder -and the men involved were tried and killed as traitorsthe men involved were tried and killed as traitors

Shakespeare sided with the king and seemed Shakespeare sided with the king and seemed to think that a play about treason and death to think that a play about treason and death would find an audience at this timewould find an audience at this time

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So this is a comedy… right?So this is a comedy… right?MacbethMacbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most is one of Shakespeare’s most

famous tragedies (it is also his shortest)famous tragedies (it is also his shortest)Aside from the violent nature of the plot Aside from the violent nature of the plot

Shakespeare uses several literary devices Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evilto enhance the feeling of evilHe creates a serious and sinister mood by He creates a serious and sinister mood by

having most of the play take place at nighthaving most of the play take place at nightThere is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural

(witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts)(witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts)Use of Use of pathetic fallacy-pathetic fallacy- nature nature

empathizes/responds to actions of humans empathizes/responds to actions of humans e.g. earthquakee.g. earthquake

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Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 1Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 1

Witches - Supernatural influencesWitches - Supernatural influences““Fair being Foul” - ParadoxFair being Foul” - ParadoxKing Duncan - ScotlandKing Duncan - ScotlandDuncan’s sons- Malcolm and Duncan’s sons- Malcolm and

DonalbainDonalbainGenerals - Macbeth and BanquoGenerals - Macbeth and BanquoThunder , lightning , and rain - sense Thunder , lightning , and rain - sense

of doomof doom

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Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 2Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 2

Macdonaldwald’s rebellionMacdonaldwald’s rebellionRoss tells Duncan of Norway’s Ross tells Duncan of Norway’s

rebellion - King of Norway - Swenorebellion - King of Norway - SwenoThane of Cawdor rebels against Thane of Cawdor rebels against

DuncanDuncanScotland wins - Macbeth gets title - Scotland wins - Macbeth gets title -

Thane of Cawdor - “ THE SPOILS OF Thane of Cawdor - “ THE SPOILS OF WAR”WAR”

Macbeth and Banquo - “Two spent Macbeth and Banquo - “Two spent swimmers”swimmers”

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Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3

The witches first prophecy has come The witches first prophecy has come true - Thane of Cawdortrue - Thane of Cawdor

Macbeth - “So foul and fair a day , I Macbeth - “So foul and fair a day , I have not seen - recalls witches first have not seen - recalls witches first scenescene

Banquo - “The instrument of Banquo - “The instrument of darkness tell us truths - only to darkness tell us truths - only to betray us”betray us”

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Execution of CawdorExecution of Cawdor““You can’t tell what is in a person’s You can’t tell what is in a person’s

heart by looking at his face”heart by looking at his face”““Nothing in his life became him like Nothing in his life became him like

the leaving of it”the leaving of it”Duncan- Malcolm to be KingDuncan- Malcolm to be KingMacbeth- “Let not light see my black Macbeth- “Let not light see my black

and deep desires”and deep desires”88

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Macbeth’s home - Castle of InvernessMacbeth’s home - Castle of InvernessLady Macbeth comes up with plan to Lady Macbeth comes up with plan to

kill Duncan - Husband weakkill Duncan - Husband weak““The milk of human kindness”The milk of human kindness”Lady Macbeth - Must pour spirits in Lady Macbeth - Must pour spirits in

their ear. (Hamlet killed that way)their ear. (Hamlet killed that way)

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Lady Macbeth - chameleon - perfect Lady Macbeth - chameleon - perfect hostesshostess

Duncan’s speech full of dramatic Duncan’s speech full of dramatic irony - “castle pleasant” - “air is irony - “castle pleasant” - “air is sweeter” sees a martlet (a summer sweeter” sees a martlet (a summer bird)bird)

to Duncan the castle appears to be a to Duncan the castle appears to be a paradiseparadise

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Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7LadyMacbeth - convinces Macbeth to LadyMacbeth - convinces Macbeth to

do the “horrid deed”do the “horrid deed”Macbeth’s Soliloquy - marked by Macbeth’s Soliloquy - marked by

confusionconfusionDuncan - Kinsman and his subject , a Duncan - Kinsman and his subject , a good King and virtuous man , a good King and virtuous man , a popular King , and death would bring popular King , and death would bring sorrow to Scotlandsorrow to Scotland

Lady Macbeth Argument- “What could Lady Macbeth Argument- “What could have been when he can be King” - “ have been when he can be King” - “ Would kill her own baby to do this”Would kill her own baby to do this”

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Past midnight - Moon has set and the Past midnight - Moon has set and the “Candles” of heaven cannot be seen “Candles” of heaven cannot be seen - dark brooding- dark brooding

Banquo draws sword - irony doesn’t Banquo draws sword - irony doesn’t know Macbeth is going to kill Duncanknow Macbeth is going to kill Duncan

Dagger Speech - Mental disturbanceDagger Speech - Mental disturbance““Is this a dagger which I see before Is this a dagger which I see before

me,The handle toward my hand?” —me,The handle toward my hand?” —Macbeth, 2.1.42–3Macbeth, 2.1.42–3

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Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2Lady Macbeth - “That which have made Lady Macbeth - “That which have made

them drunk, hath made me bold, What them drunk, hath made me bold, What hath quenched them have given me hath quenched them have given me fire”fire”

Drunk with boldness and on fire with Drunk with boldness and on fire with passionpassion

Lady Macbeth -would have murdered Lady Macbeth -would have murdered Duncan had he not looked like her Duncan had he not looked like her fatherfather

Macbeth has two concerns - he has Macbeth has two concerns - he has murdered sleep , bloodiness of deedmurdered sleep , bloodiness of deed

Lady Macbeth - blood is only like paint Lady Macbeth - blood is only like paint wash it offwash it off

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Scene 2 Scene 2

Knocking - knocking of their Knocking - knocking of their consciences actual knockconsciences actual knock

““With all great Neptune’s ocean With all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my wash this blood Clean from my hand?”—Macbeth, 2.2.78–9hand?”—Macbeth, 2.2.78–9

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Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3Porter - light comedyPorter - light comedyfarmer and equivocator have specific farmer and equivocator have specific

religious and historical connotationsreligious and historical connotationsA few months before Macbeth A few months before Macbeth

performed - Gunpowder plot - King performed - Gunpowder plot - King James Guy Fawkes and John Garnett James Guy Fawkes and John Garnett (nickname the farmer)(nickname the farmer)

Lennox - extraordinary weather -Lennox - extraordinary weather -unnatural events - The universe and unnatural events - The universe and events relatedevents related 11

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Scene 3 Scene 3

Equivocation - The practice of lying Equivocation - The practice of lying in court about one’s religionin court about one’s religion

Lady Macbeth faints when Macbeth Lady Macbeth faints when Macbeth proclaims he has killed the guards - proclaims he has killed the guards - avenge the act of treasonous malice avenge the act of treasonous malice - not in the plan- not in the plan

Malcolm - EnglandMalcolm - EnglandDonalbain - IrelandDonalbain - Ireland

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Scene 3Scene 3

Macbeth says he has killed servants - Macbeth says he has killed servants - Lady Macbeth faintsLady Macbeth faints

Macbeth and other Thanes swear to Macbeth and other Thanes swear to meet “in manly rediness” to avenge meet “in manly rediness” to avenge this act of “treasonous malice”this act of “treasonous malice”

“ “ There’s daggers in men’s smiles”There’s daggers in men’s smiles”Donalbain - IrelandDonalbain - IrelandMalcolm - EnglandMalcolm - England

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Macbeth has become KingMacbeth has become KingDonaldbain and Malcolm have fledDonaldbain and Malcolm have fledOld Man - Traditional figure in lit Old Man - Traditional figure in lit

represents what “has been”represents what “has been”Omens -owl kills falcon - daylight has Omens -owl kills falcon - daylight has

been replaced by night - horses of been replaced by night - horses of the King’s stable have eaten each the King’s stable have eaten each otherother

The world he has known has been The world he has known has been turned on its headturned on its head

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Banquo suspects Macbeth - gains Banquo suspects Macbeth - gains comfort from 2nd prediction - his comfort from 2nd prediction - his own children will be Kingsown children will be Kings

Even with new title Macbeth does not Even with new title Macbeth does not feel at easefeel at ease

calls murderers dogs but he shows calls murderers dogs but he shows his inhumanity and imperfections -his inhumanity and imperfections -also wants to kill Fleancealso wants to kill Fleance

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Act 3 Scene 2Act 3 Scene 2

Macbeth plans murder not Lady MacbethMacbeth plans murder not Lady MacbethMacbeth and Lady Macbeth’s world not Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s world not

at peaceat peaceMacbeth wants to get rid of his Macbeth wants to get rid of his bondbond

with humanitywith humanity““We have scorched the snake, not killed We have scorched the snake, not killed

it.”—Macbeth, 3.2.15it.”—Macbeth, 3.2.15““Duncan is in his grave; After lifeʼs fitful Duncan is in his grave; After lifeʼs fitful

fever he sleeps well.”—Macbeth, 3.2.24–fever he sleeps well.”—Macbeth, 3.2.24–55 22

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Banquo killed - Murderers lantern Banquo killed - Murderers lantern extinguished - Fleance escapesextinguished - Fleance escapes

Forces of darkness are at odds with Forces of darkness are at odds with lightlight

Murderers capable of poetry Murderers capable of poetry Escape of Fleance turning point - Escape of Fleance turning point -

Peripeteia - sudden reversal of Peripeteia - sudden reversal of fortunefortune

Banquo’s dying words “to revenge”Banquo’s dying words “to revenge”2211

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Act 3 Scene 4Act 3 Scene 4Macbeth has Thanes of Scotland over Macbeth has Thanes of Scotland over

- Macduff not there- Macduff not thereMurderers tell Macbeth what Murderers tell Macbeth what

happened - Macbeth losses ithappened - Macbeth losses itMacbeth sees ghost - goes into a fitMacbeth sees ghost - goes into a fitMacbeth has lost controlMacbeth has lost controlMacbeth will kill Macduff and visit Macbeth will kill Macduff and visit

three sistersthree sisters““It will have blood, they say: blood It will have blood, they say: blood

will have blood.” —Macbeth, will have blood.” —Macbeth, 3.4.152–533.4.152–53

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Hecate Hecate joins three sistersjoins three sistersSome say this scene was not in the Some say this scene was not in the

orginal playorginal play

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http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Hekate.html

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Lennox reveals doubts about Lennox reveals doubts about Macbeth - Did he kill the guards Macbeth - Did he kill the guards hastily?hastily?

Macduff has fled to Scotland to join Macduff has fled to Scotland to join forces with Malcolm also asks help forces with Malcolm also asks help from King Edward of Englandfrom King Edward of England

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Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1““Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire

burn, and cauldron bubble.”—burn, and cauldron bubble.”—Witches, 4.1.10–1Witches, 4.1.10–1

Macbeth goes to weird sisters and Macbeth goes to weird sisters and demands to be shown apparitions of demands to be shown apparitions of the futurethe future

1. disembodied head of a warrior 1. disembodied head of a warrior who warns Macbeth of revenge who warns Macbeth of revenge

2. blood-covered child who cannot be 2. blood-covered child who cannot be killed by any man “ of woman born”killed by any man “ of woman born”

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3. a child wearing a crown promises 3. a child wearing a crown promises Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Birnam wood moves to DunsinaneBirnam wood moves to Dunsinane

Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons and sees a procession of Banquo and and sees a procession of Banquo and future kingsfuture kings

Macbethless futureMacbethless futureMacduff has fled to England and Macduff has fled to England and

Macbeth announces revenge of Macbeth announces revenge of Macduff’s wife and childrenMacduff’s wife and children

““I’ll make assurance double sure.”—I’ll make assurance double sure.”—Macbeth, 4.1.93Macbeth, 4.1.93

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Lady Macduff feels Macduff has Lady Macduff feels Macduff has acted dishonestlyacted dishonestly

Son says the world is full of Son says the world is full of dishonest mendishonest men

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““At one fell swoop.”—Macduff, 4.3.256At one fell swoop.”—Macduff, 4.3.256Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty - says Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty - says

he would be a great tyrant - reverse he would be a great tyrant - reverse psychologypsychology

Macduff still hates Macbeth - Malcolm Macduff still hates Macbeth - Malcolm has gotten what he wants Macduff’s has gotten what he wants Macduff’s loyaltyloyalty

Ross tells him of the slaughter of wife Ross tells him of the slaughter of wife and child - Macduff vows revengeand child - Macduff vows revenge

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1““Out, damned spot! out, I say!”—Lady Out, damned spot! out, I say!”—Lady

Macbeth, 5.1.31Macbeth, 5.1.31““All the perfumes of Arabia will not All the perfumes of Arabia will not

sweeten this little hand.” —Lady sweeten this little hand.” —Lady Macbeth, 5.1.46–7Macbeth, 5.1.46–7

““What’s done cannot be undone.”—What’s done cannot be undone.”—Lady Macbeth, 5.1.62–3Lady Macbeth, 5.1.62–3

Played in dark except one candlePlayed in dark except one candleLady Macbeth has gone mad - Lady Macbeth has gone mad -

sleepwalks and tells fragments of sleepwalks and tells fragments of eventsevents

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overheard by doctor and lady-in-overheard by doctor and lady-in-waitingwaiting

Lady Macbeth is seen rubbing her Lady Macbeth is seen rubbing her hands - (quotes at the beginning)hands - (quotes at the beginning)

Lady Macbeth needs a “divine”Lady Macbeth needs a “divine”Spiritual darkness - 1 candleSpiritual darkness - 1 candle

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Documents

Macbeth Introduction