Shakespeare uses short and “headless” lines to suggest the supernatural ] When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

Shakespeare uses short and “headless” lines to suggest the

supernatural

Shakespeare uses short and “headless” lines to suggest the

supernatural

] When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

] When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

An example of line continuation between two

witches

An example of line continuation between two

witches First witch: Where

the place? Second witch:

Upon the heath.

First witch: Where the place?

Second witch:Upon the

heath.

Malcolm: Say to the King the knowledge of the broil

As thou didst leave it.Captain: Doubtful [pause] it stood,

As two spent swimmers that do cling togetherAnd choke their art.

Malcolm: Say to the King the knowledge of the broil

As thou didst leave it.Captain: Doubtful [pause] it stood,

As two spent swimmers that do cling togetherAnd choke their art.

The captain continues Malcolm’s verse line. He misses a syllable, perhaps for breath. Then he adds a metaphor, suggesting the

speech was rehearsed

The captain continues Malcolm’s verse line. He misses a syllable, perhaps for breath. Then he adds a metaphor, suggesting the

speech was rehearsed

Irony and ambiguity:Ross

Irony and ambiguity:Ross

1.2: He reports how Macbeth defeated the Thane of Cawdor and Sweno, the king of Norway.

This repeats what the Captain has said.

Is Ross Macbeth’s agent? Polanski makes him the “third

murderer”

1.2: He reports how Macbeth defeated the Thane of Cawdor and Sweno, the king of Norway.

This repeats what the Captain has said.

Is Ross Macbeth’s agent? Polanski makes him the “third

murderer”

1.3: More adventurers of the first witch


A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap,

And munched, and munched, and munched. “Give me,” quoth I.

Outlandish revenge for small insults typical of incompetent witches.

Not in Polanski

A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap,

And munched, and munched, and munched. “Give me,” quoth I.

Outlandish revenge for small insults typical of incompetent witches.

Not in Polanski



“Aroint thee, witch!” the rump-fed runnion cries.

Her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o’th’ Tiger.

The second line does not scan: essentially prose, as the witch turns to short, happy verse as she plans her revenge:

But in a sieve I’ll thither sail, And like a rat without a tail I’ll do, I’ll do, I’ll do.

“Aroint thee, witch!” the rump-fed runnion cries.

Her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o’th’ Tiger.

The second line does not scan: essentially prose, as the witch turns to short, happy verse as she plans her revenge:

But in a sieve I’ll thither sail, And like a rat without a tail I’ll do, I’ll do, I’ll do.



limited powers the witch cannot kill Control of the weather

Second witch: I’ll give thee a wind.. . . First witch: Though his bark cannot be

lost,Yet it shall be tempest tossed.

limited powers the witch cannot kill Control of the weather

Second witch: I’ll give thee a wind.. . . First witch: Though his bark cannot be

lost,Yet it shall be tempest tossed.

Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

We know what characters don’t. Suggests supernatural control

(god-like author mimicked by witches, hence Polanski’s reading)

1.3.38: Macbeth: So foul and fair a day I have not

seen

We know what characters don’t. Suggests supernatural control

(god-like author mimicked by witches, hence Polanski’s reading)

1.3.38: Macbeth: So foul and fair a day I have not

seen

Clothing and baby imagesClothing and baby images

Macbeth (1.3.108):The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you

dress me in borrowed robes? (prose)

• Macbeth (1.3.108):[Aside to Banquo]:Do you not hope your children shall be kings?

Macbeth (1.3.108):The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you

dress me in borrowed robes? (prose)

• Macbeth (1.3.108):[Aside to Banquo]:Do you not hope your children shall be kings?

Moral clarityMoral clarity

Contrast Hamlet Compare to theme of doubleness

Banquo (1.3.121):And oftentimes to win us to our harm

The instruments of darkness tell us truths.

Contrast Hamlet Compare to theme of doubleness

Banquo (1.3.121):And oftentimes to win us to our harm

The instruments of darkness tell us truths.

Time (tomorrow and tomorrow)

Time (tomorrow and tomorrow) Macbeth struggles with predestination, restlessness.

Ignores Banquo’s garment image and completes either Banquo’s verse line or his own! (1.3.145-149)

If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown meWithout my stir.Banquo: New honors come upon himLike our strange garments, cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use.Macbeth [aside]: Come what come may,Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.

Macbeth struggles with predestination, restlessness. Ignores Banquo’s garment image and completes

either Banquo’s verse line or his own! (1.3.145-149)

If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown meWithout my stir.Banquo: New honors come upon himLike our strange garments, cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use.Macbeth [aside]: Come what come may,Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.

Double dealingDouble dealing

Duncan: There’s no artTo find the mind’s construction in the face.He was a gentleman on whom I builtAn absolute trust. (1.4.11-12)

Lady Macbeth:Your face, my thane, is as a book where menMay read strange matters. (1.5.62) (true? Or

hallucination?)

Duncan: There’s no artTo find the mind’s construction in the face.He was a gentleman on whom I builtAn absolute trust. (1.4.11-12)

Lady Macbeth:Your face, my thane, is as a book where menMay read strange matters. (1.5.62) (true? Or

hallucination?)

Political turmoilPolitical turmoil

King Duff In 968, he fell sick. People suspected

sorcery. Duff puts down a rebellion, but when he

refused to pardon Donald’s friends, Donald killed him at home and slays the groom.

Story elements: Invasion, witchcraft, pushy wife, murder of

king at home, killing of grooms, portents:

King Duff In 968, he fell sick. People suspected

sorcery. Duff puts down a rebellion, but when he

refused to pardon Donald’s friends, Donald killed him at home and slays the groom.

Story elements: Invasion, witchcraft, pushy wife, murder of

king at home, killing of grooms, portents:

First soliloquyFirst soliloquy Recall key to giving soliloquies in Playing Shakespeare What “suggestion” makes Macbeth’s hair stand on

end? (1.3.135) Why are “presents fears” less than “horrible

imaginings” (138-39) Why does Polanski omit it?

Recall key to giving soliloquies in Playing Shakespeare What “suggestion” makes Macbeth’s hair stand on

end? (1.3.135) Why are “presents fears” less than “horrible

imaginings” (138-39) Why does Polanski omit it?

1.3: Action1.3: Action

As we can see from the thoughts of murdering Duncan that terrify Macbeth, he lies to Banquo about wanting to “speak / Our hearts freely to each other.”

Why is this lie an example of irony?

As we can see from the thoughts of murdering Duncan that terrify Macbeth, he lies to Banquo about wanting to “speak / Our hearts freely to each other.”

Why is this lie an example of irony?

Polanski’s added violencePolanski’s added violence

Lynchings after the opening battle Death of the Thane of Cawdor

(1.4.2) Is Malcolm’s report believable, that he

asked pardon and died well, casting away his life like “a careless trifle”?

Lynchings after the opening battle Death of the Thane of Cawdor

(1.4.2) Is Malcolm’s report believable, that he

asked pardon and died well, casting away his life like “a careless trifle”?

Post hoc ergo propter hocPost hoc ergo propter hoc

Macbeth: “They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by perfect’st report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.” (1.5.1)

What report? Why should he tell Lady Macbeth?

Macbeth: “They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by perfect’st report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.” (1.5.1)

What report? Why should he tell Lady Macbeth?

Trope of insufficiency, like speechlessness, a warning

sign in Shakespeare

Trope of insufficiency, like speechlessness, a warning

sign in Shakespeare Duncan says he cannot pay

Macbeth what he owes(1.4.20) Duncan says he cannot pay

Macbeth what he owes(1.4.20)

The set up for ironyThe set up for irony

Macbeth tells Duncan he will “make joyful / The hearing of my wife with your approach” 1.4.45

Lady Macbeth says “The raven himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan / Under my battlements” (1.5.38-41)

And Duncan: “This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air / Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself / Unto our gentle senses” (1.6.1-3)

Macbeth tells Duncan he will “make joyful / The hearing of my wife with your approach” 1.4.45

Lady Macbeth says “The raven himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan / Under my battlements” (1.5.38-41)

And Duncan: “This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air / Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself / Unto our gentle senses” (1.6.1-3)

Word echoes: characters hear each other and

remember

Word echoes: characters hear each other and

remember Lady Macbeth: And when goes

hence? Macbeth: Tomorrow, as he purposes. Lady Macbeth: Oh, never / Shall

sun that morrow see!

Compare “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow”

Lady Macbeth: And when goes hence?

Macbeth: Tomorrow, as he purposes. Lady Macbeth: Oh, never / Shall

sun that morrow see!

Compare “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow”

Highly charged languageHighly charged language

If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere wellIt were done quickly. If th’assassinationCould trammel up the consequence, and catchWith his surcease success . . . . (1.7.2-4)

If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere wellIt were done quickly. If th’assassinationCould trammel up the consequence, and catchWith his surcease success . . . . (1.7.2-4)

Reasons for not killing Duncan:

Reasons for not killing Duncan:

Bad precedent (“teach bloody instruction”)

Double trust of guest and kinsman Virtues and popularity of king No “spur”

Bad precedent (“teach bloody instruction”)

Double trust of guest and kinsman Virtues and popularity of king No “spur”

Film technique:“If it were done”Film technique:“If it were done”

Use multiple shots Move through space Find visual equivalents for word images:

Musicians Dinner and toast Singing Fleance Wind and lamps Storm and horses Castle in distance

Use multiple shots Move through space Find visual equivalents for word images:

Musicians Dinner and toast Singing Fleance Wind and lamps Storm and horses Castle in distance

Dinner = hospitality (trust as guest)

Dinner = hospitality (trust as guest)

Thunder prelude to musicThunder prelude to music

MusiciansMusicians

Boy singingBoy singing “Equivocal love song, a warning Young boy as prophet, cf. 4.1. Ross in control Dinner = Harmony; communion, Lady Macbeth flirts

“Equivocal love song, a warning Young boy as prophet, cf. 4.1. Ross in control Dinner = Harmony; communion, Lady Macbeth flirts

Back to head shotBack to head shot

Stormy nightStormy night

Horses = passions of Macbeth’s soul Visual equivalent for Lennox’s

description of the night (2.3.55 ff.)

Horses = passions of Macbeth’s soul Visual equivalent for Lennox’s

description of the night (2.3.55 ff.)

Macbeth aloneMacbeth alone Follows text: “left the chamber” Rain Head shot = mental cogitation

Follows text: “left the chamber” Rain Head shot = mental cogitation

Mixed metaphorMixed metaphor

Lady Macbeth: Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? (1.7.37)

Is this part of Lady M’s character?

Lady Macbeth: Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? (1.7.37)


Mixed metaphorMixed metaphor

Lady Macbeth: If he do bleed, / I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, / For it must seem their guilt (2.2.62)


Lady Macbeth: If he do bleed, / I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, / For it must seem their guilt (2.2.62)


Lady Macbeth’s arguments for murder

Lady Macbeth’s arguments for murder

Don’t be drunk or sleepy Show you love me Banish fear “ornament of life” Don’t be a coward Be a man, not a beast.

Don’t be drunk or sleepy Show you love me Banish fear “ornament of life” Don’t be a coward Be a man, not a beast.

Be a manBe a man

Lennox? Motivation? Lennox? Motivation?

1.7: Action1.7: Action

“Away, and mock the time with fairest show.

False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

“Away, and mock the time with fairest show.

False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

Moral moment (2.1.27)Moral moment (2.1.27)

2.1.362.1.36

Multisyllables v. Monosyllables

Multisyllables v. Monosyllables

Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood

Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather

The multitudinous seas incarnadine,

Making the green one red.

Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood

Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather

The multitudinous seas incarnadine,

Making the green one red.

Dramatic ironyDramatic irony

“A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.72)

“A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.72)

Porter (2.3)Porter (2.3)

Faint? (2.3.90 and 120)Faint? (2.3.90 and 120)

His silver skin laced with his golden blood . . .

. . . Who could refrain

That had a heart to love, and in that heart

Courage to make’s love known?

His silver skin laced with his golden blood . . .

. . . Who could refrain

That had a heart to love, and in that heart

Courage to make’s love known?

Macbeth in Holinshed’s Chronicle


Banquo is a rough tax collector who forces Macdonwald to rebellion.

Macbeth urges faint Duncan to battle, kills Macdonwald and followers, starting a dead grudge by islanders, who get help from Sweno of Norway.

Macbeth meets 3 witches

Banquo is a rough tax collector who forces Macdonwald to rebellion.

Macbeth urges faint Duncan to battle, kills Macdonwald and followers, starting a dead grudge by islanders, who get help from Sweno of Norway.

Macbeth meets 3 witches



Macbeth kills Duncan, puts down nobles, reforms thieves

10 years just reign After he kills Banquo, nothing goes

right Builds castle of Dunsinane to oppress

nobles: Macduff fails to appear Kills Macduff’s wife at Fife Trusts witches’ prophecies

Macbeth kills Duncan, puts down nobles, reforms thieves

10 years just reign After he kills Banquo, nothing goes

right Builds castle of Dunsinane to oppress

nobles: Macduff fails to appear Kills Macduff’s wife at Fife Trusts witches’ prophecies

CharacterCharacter

Hallucinations and soliloquies seem to take us into the minds of Macbeth and Lady Madbeth (p. 769)

Hallucinations and soliloquies seem to take us into the minds of Macbeth and Lady Madbeth (p. 769)

Why does Macbeth kill Duncan?

Why does Macbeth kill Duncan?

Witches Lady Macbeth Ambition Self-persuasion Strange attraction to beauty of

death and language

Witches Lady Macbeth Ambition Self-persuasion Strange attraction to beauty of

death and language

Lady Macbeth’s ethosLady Macbeth’s ethos

Ruthless Gender envy, father lover How many children does she have? Is she tragic?

Ruthless Gender envy, father lover How many children does she have? Is she tragic?

The pusher The pusher

TragedyTragedy

Macbeth’s sense of right v. ambition (p. 767)

“Monster” with “poetic spirit” Polanski: meaninglessness of life (and

society) after WWII, nuclear age Macbird during Vietnam Today?

Reaction to Gunpowder plot = double rebellion in play = 9/11 and/or WMD

If good quality creates disaster…

Macbeth’s sense of right v. ambition (p. 767)

“Monster” with “poetic spirit” Polanski: meaninglessness of life (and

society) after WWII, nuclear age Macbird during Vietnam Today?

Reaction to Gunpowder plot = double rebellion in play = 9/11 and/or WMD

If good quality creates disaster…

Act one actionsAct one actions

1.1: The witches unify. 1.2: Duncan rewards Macbeth. 1.3: Macbeth equivocates with Banquo 1.4: Macbeth equivocates with Duncan 1.5: Macbeth equivocates with Lady Macbeth 1.6: Charmed by her welcome, Duncan asks for

Lady Macbeth’s hand. 1.7: Macbeth equivocates with his own features.

1.1: The witches unify. 1.2: Duncan rewards Macbeth. 1.3: Macbeth equivocates with Banquo 1.4: Macbeth equivocates with Duncan 1.5: Macbeth equivocates with Lady Macbeth 1.6: Charmed by her welcome, Duncan asks for

Lady Macbeth’s hand. 1.7: Macbeth equivocates with his own features.

Act two actionsAct two actions

2.1: Macbeth accepts invitation to murder Duncan.

2.2: Lady Macbeth takes the daggers from Macbeth.

2.3: Macbeth orders everyone to get dressed. 2.4: Macduff hints, or boldly and ironically states,

what he thinks of Macbeth.

2.1: Macbeth accepts invitation to murder Duncan.

2.2: Lady Macbeth takes the daggers from Macbeth.

2.3: Macbeth orders everyone to get dressed. 2.4: Macduff hints, or boldly and ironically states,

what he thinks of Macbeth.

Act three actionsAct three actions

3.1: Macbeth apostrophizes Banquo 3.2: Macbeth hides his murder plans from Lady

Macbeth. 3.3: Fleance escapes. 3.4: After seeing Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth uses his

reason to deny the need to reason. [3.5: Hecate berates the other witches for not letting

her in on the plot against Macbeth.] 3.6: Lennox sends a lord to England for help. Rising

action.

3.1: Macbeth apostrophizes Banquo 3.2: Macbeth hides his murder plans from Lady

Macbeth. 3.3: Fleance escapes. 3.4: After seeing Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth uses his

reason to deny the need to reason. [3.5: Hecate berates the other witches for not letting

her in on the plot against Macbeth.] 3.6: Lennox sends a lord to England for help. Rising

action.

Act Four actions (counterstroke)Act Four actions (counterstroke)

4.1: After seeing apparitions, Macbeth vows to take action anytime, anywhere. ///

4.2: Macduff’s son defends his mother. 4.3: Malcolm leads his forces to meet with

the English king, certain “the powers above” are on his side.

4.1: After seeing apparitions, Macbeth vows to take action anytime, anywhere. ///

4.2: Macduff’s son defends his mother. 4.3: Malcolm leads his forces to meet with

the English king, certain “the powers above” are on his side.

Act Five actions (denouement: England

wins)

Act Five actions (denouement: England

wins) 5.1: Doctor dares not speak, 5.2: Lennox leads disaffected Thanes 5.3: Doctor regrets his “profit” 5.4: Siward harnesses himself to time. 5.5: Macbeth orders the wind and clouds for

war. 5.6: Macduff, not in charge, calls for trumpets. 5.7: Englishman invites Scot into Scot’s own

castle 5.8: Malcolm issues invitation to Scone.

5.1: Doctor dares not speak, 5.2: Lennox leads disaffected Thanes 5.3: Doctor regrets his “profit” 5.4: Siward harnesses himself to time. 5.5: Macbeth orders the wind and clouds for

war. 5.6: Macduff, not in charge, calls for trumpets. 5.7: Englishman invites Scot into Scot’s own

castle 5.8: Malcolm issues invitation to Scone.

Country-western MacbethCountry-western Macbeth

What you have What you want. What you had but lost.

What you have What you want. What you had but lost.

Macbeth as tragicMacbeth as tragic

admirable, meditative man not a happy murderer, like Richard III not immune to temptation caught in a world of equivocations himself a bit of a liar, like all of us shows how a good man can go

horribly wrong, producing pity and fear

admirable, meditative man not a happy murderer, like Richard III not immune to temptation caught in a world of equivocations himself a bit of a liar, like all of us shows how a good man can go

horribly wrong, producing pity and fear

Documents

Shakespeare uses short and “headless” lines to suggest the supernatural ] When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?