Macbeth: A Detailed Analysis of Themes and Characters, Study notes of English

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Macbeth

Revision Guide

Contents

1. Plot summary

2. Characters

3. Themes

4. Context

5. Key quotations

6. Example questions and

responses

Plot summary (with quotations)

1.1 The play opens with the witches discussing Macbeth: “there to meet with Macbeth” 1.2 The Captain describes Macbeth’s bravery to the King: “brave Macbeth”. The king says he will make Macbeth Thane of Cawdor: “stars shine on all deservers” 1.3 The witches meet Macbeth and tell him that he will be Thane of Cawdor and then King. “Thou shall be king” They tell Banquo that his sons will be King: “ Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” Macbeth begins to imagine being King. 1.4 Macbeth is given the title Thane of Cawdor and Banquo comments that the witches’ predictions were true: “can the devil speak true? ” Macbeth mentions how Malcolm stands in the way of his desires. “stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires” 1.5 Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter in which he describes his meeting with the witches; she asks for the spirits to help her persuade Macbeth to do all he needs to become king. “Come ye spirits” “unsex me here” “fill me with direst cruelty” She says she will ask him to “look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it” 1.7 Macbeth decides that he will not kill Duncan: ”I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent” “we will proceed no further in this business” but then Lady Macbeth enters the stage to persuade him that he must do it: “ plucked out my nipple from its boneless gums and dashed the brains out” She tells him that they will be able to frame Duncan’s guards who: “will bear the guilt of our great quell” Macbeth agrees to the murder: “false face must hide what the false heart doth know”

2.1 Macbeth sees a dagger floating in the air which leads him to Duncan: “is this a dagger I see before me?” 2.2 After murdering King Duncan Macbeth is afraid: he can’t say “amen” and he is worried about the blood on his hands. “Macbeth doth murder sleep” “look on’t again I dare not” Macbeth has brought the daggers with him which Lady Macbeth has to return to Duncan’s chamber as she is not afraid; she tells her husband to not be a coward: “a little water clears us of this deed” “my hands are of your colour but I shame to wear a heart so white” 2.3 Macduff is upset at discovering Duncan’s body. Macbeth kills the two guards as he claims he was so angry with them. Malcolm and Donalbain, the King’s sons, are afraid that they may now be murdered so they run away to England and Ireland: “there’s daggers in men’s smiles”

3.1 Banquo says that he is suspicious about how Macbeth became king: “I fear thou played most foully for it” Macbeth then enters to ask Banquo if he is going riding. After Banquo confirms that he is, Macbeth speaks to two murders and orders them to kill both Banquo and his son, Fleance. 3.2 Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he is dealing with Banquo but he doesn’t reveal what he has planned: “be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck” 3.4 At Macbeth’s banquet, the murders tell him that the killed Banquo but that Fleance escaped. Macbeth is upset that Fleance still lives but is happy that Banquo is dead: “the grown serpent lies” At his banquet, Macbeth if terrified as he sees the ghost of Banquo: “never shake thy gory locks at me” Afraid, the guests worry what is the matter with Macbeth. Once again Lady Macbeth tells him to be a man. Macbeth is concerned that he isn’t safely the king so he tells Lady Macbeth that he will go back to see the witches. “I will to the weird sisters” 3.6 People begin to grow suspicious of Macbeth. Lennox wishes Macduff well as he has gone to England to help form an army against Macbeth.

4.1 Macbeth goes back to visit the witches. Macbeth demands to know if he will remain king. The witches call upon three apparitions which tell him: “beware Macduff” , fear “none of woman born” and fear noting until “Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane”. Once the witches have vanished, Macbeth hears from Lennox who tells him that Macduff has gone to England; Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children. 4.2 Macduff’s wife and children are murdered on the orders of Macbeth. 4.3 Malcolm test Macduff’s loyalty to him and to Scotland. After Macduff proves his loyalty, they prepare to attack Macbeth’s castle.

5.1 Lady Macbeth appears on stage for the final time. She appears disturbed as she asks for her hands to be clear of Duncan’s blood, before revealing her guilty secrets. “out, out damn spot” “who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him” 5.3 Macbeth learns that his thanes are abandoning him and that the English army is approaching. 5.4 As the English army approach Macbeth’s castle, Malcolm gives the order for the soldiers to cut down branches from Birnam Wood and hold it in front of them. 5.5 Macbeth learns that his wife is dead and that the English army is approaching: “she should have died hereafter” Macbeth goes out to meet his fate. 5.7 Macbeth fights Young Siward and kills him 5.8 Macduff and Macbeth do battle. Macbeth says that he can’t be harmed by one of “woman born” but Macduff replies that he was "from his mother's womb untimely ripp'd". At first Macbeth is afraid: “ I’ll not fight thee” but then says that he will fight him to the death. They fight on and Macduff kills Macbeth. Macduff enters with the head of Macbeth: “the dead butcher and his fiendlike queen”. Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland.

Character List

Macbeth Macbeth is a complex character who changes throughout the course of the play. He is clearly a brave warrior and leader at the start of the drama but he falls victim to the Witches' predictions. It is unclear whether they plant ideas in his mind or whether they simply highlight thoughts that he has already had. He repeatedly questions himself about his motives for killing the King but is eventually persuaded to continue by his forceful wife.

Having committed murder he finds himself caught in a spiral of evil from which he can see no escape. His actions become less heroic and more cowardly as he continues to murder and terrorise others (Banquo and Macduff’s family) in order to hold on to his power. Towards the end of the play, when he realises that he is doomed, he briefly returns to his old heroic self.

Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth is even more ambitious and ruthless than her husband. As soon as an opportunity to gain power presents itself, she has a plan in mind. She uses her influence to persuade Macbeth that they are taking the right course of action and even takes part in the crime herself.

For a while she is able to suppress her actions but eventually she becomes unable to deal with the guilt of what she has done. She becomes unable to sleep, and mentally unstable, eventually dying in tragic circumstances.

Banquo Banquo is another general in King Duncan's army and Macbeth's best friend. While both men have ambitious thoughts, Banquo is more cautious and does not resort to murder to get what he wants.

Banquo is aware that the Witches' predictions may be tricking Macbeth into evil actions and is the first to suspect Macbeth of murder. He dies while protecting his son, Fleance, and comes back as a ghost to haunt Macbeth.

Macduff Macduff, the Thane of Fife, is Macbeth's deadly enemy. He discovers Duncan's body and becomes Malcolm's chief supporter, following him to England to support him in raising an army against Macbeth. When he learns of the murders of his wife and family, Macduff feels guilty about leaving them and driven by a need for revenge.

According to the Witches' prediction, Macduff is the only one who can stop Macbeth. The two men meet face‐to‐ face on the battlefield and Macduff kills Macbeth.

The witches Although there is clearly more than one of them, the Witches may be seen as seem as a single character; they are often referred to as "The Weird Sisters".

Their predictions drive matters forward though they never actually suggest direct action. Rather, they plant ideas in Macbeth's mind and let his ambition do the rest. Many of their predictions are ambiguous.

King Duncan The good King of Scotland whom Macbeth, in his ambition for the crown, murders. Duncan is the model of a virtuous, compassionate, and farsighted ruler. His death symbolizes the destruction of an order in Scotland that can be restored only when Duncan’s line, in the person of Malcolm, once more occupies the throne.

Malcolm The son of Duncan, whose restoration to the throne signals Scotland’s return to order following Macbeth’s reign of terror. Malcolm becomes a serious challenge to Macbeth with Macduff’s aid (and the support of England). Prior to this, he appears weak and uncertain of his own power, as when he and Donalbain flee Scotland after their father’s murder.

Light and dark  In the play, light represents good and the dark represents evil  The play opens with thunder and lightning – it introduces a dark atmosphere  King Duncan says it’s difficult to know what people are thinking – “no art to find the mind’s construction in the face”  He also describes the light “shining on deservers”  Macbeth asks the “stars to hide their fires” so people don’t know his “desires”  He later says that he will have a “false face” to hide his “false heart”  Duncan is murdered in his “innocent sleep”  Following Duncan’s death the sun doesn’t rise as the world is in chaos “night strangles light”  Before Banquo’s murder, his torch goes out  Malcolm tells Macduff that even the “brightest angel fell” – meaning that all are capable of evil  At the end of the play, Lady Macbeth had to have a light by her side  Macbeth reacts to Lady Macbeth’s death by saying “out brief candle” – showing he felt she brought light

Blood and water  At the start of the play, the Captain escribes the bloody battle  Macbeth sees visions of a blood covered dagger  Macbeth is scared by Duncan’s blood – he says it would turn all of the seas red  Lady Macbeth says that they can wash the blood away  Macbeth celebrates Banquo’s blood being on the murderer’s face  The ghost of Banquo is covered in blood  At the end of the play, Lady Macbeth sees the blood on her hands  Macbeth is killed and his head is chopped off

Masculinity/Manliness  Macbeth’s bravery is celebrated at the beginning of the play  Macbeth describes his wife as his “partner of greatness”  Lady Macbeth worries that her husband is too “kind” to kill King Duncan  Lady Macbeth tells her husband that he won’t be a man if he doesn’t kill King Duncan  Macbeth kills King Duncan in his sleep  Lady Macbeth has to guide Macbeth after King Duncan’s murder  After seeing Banquo’s ghost, she again tells him to be a man  Macduff is upset at the death of his wife and children but others tell him to take the news like a man  Macduff wants revenge against Macbeth  At the end of the play, we are reminded of Macbeth’s bravery  Macbeth and Macduff fight to the death

The supernatural  The witches open the play at set the atmosphere of the action to come  Macbeth has complete belief in the witches and their prophecies  Lady Macbeth asks for the evil spirits help to persuade her husband to murder King Duncan  Macbeth sees visions of a dagger and then later Banquo’s ghost  After King Duncan’s death, the world is thrown into chaos  Macbeth is so consumed that he returns to see the witches  Lady Macbeth’s sleep is haunted and she kills herself  The witches trick Macbeth with their predictions

Context Macbeth was written by Shakespeare in approximately 1606. The early 17th century was a time of unrest, suspicion and superstition. A new king had just come to power and the future of the country seemed quite uncertain. Shakespeare's play reflects these changes.

A king in Shakespeare's time was thought to rule by 'divine right'. This meant that God had chosen that person directly to rule over others. The killing of a king (known as regicide) was therefore considered to be just about the worst crime that anyone could commit. That is why Macbeth's decision to murder Duncan seemed so horrific to an audience of the time and why the murderer has such a guilty conscience.

The new King on the throne of England, James I (also known as James VI of Scotland), was paranoid about assassination attempts. This was unsurprising, since the infamous Gunpowder Plot to blow up the King and Parliament had taken place just months before Macbeth was first performed. Many of Macbeth’s themes resonate with the attempted revolt: it’s a play about treason, the overthrow of a King, and the downfall of his murderers.

King James also believed in dark magic and the supernatural. He wrote a book called Daemonologie in which he supported and encouraged the trials of witches. He believed the witches were controlled by the devil. Many in his audience would have also believed in these things, and certainly all of them would have been entertained by them. This is one of the reasons that Shakespeare decided to include the characters of the witches. The witches also represent danger and evil and present a world linked to the devil. By being tempted by the witches (devil), Shakespeare shows how the world can be thrown into chaos. This would encourage the audience to be loyal to the King and to God.

In both Shakespeare's time and in the time when the play takes place, women had a much lower status than would be the case today. Wives were little more than the property of their husbands and had no legal rights. Their main purpose was to have children and support men.

Lady Macbeth appears to be a much more feisty character with ambitions and desires of her own; these are characteristics that could imply a lack of femininity. It is worth remembering that in the original performances of the play the part of Lady Macbeth would have been played by a man and this would have helped to emphasise the character's masculine qualities.

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 2 and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, the Captain is explaining to Duncan how Macbeth and Banquo defeated the enemy in battle.

CAPTAIN Doubtful it stood, As two spent swimmers that do cling together And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald— Worthy to be a rebel, for to that The multiplying villanies of nature Do swarm upon him—from the Western Isles Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied, And fortune, on his damnèd quarrel smiling, Showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak, For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valor’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave; Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements.

Starting with this speech explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a hero.

Write about:

 How Shakespeare presents Macbeth in this speech  How Shakespeare presents Macbeth in the play as a whole

30 Marks

Starting with this speech explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a hero.

Within the extract Macbeth is presented as courageous and heroic. The Captain describes how “valor’s minion carved out his [Macbeth’s] passage” when fighting against the enemy. This suggests that Macbeth is bravery personified and that no man would be able to stop him from winning the battle. Shakespeare’s use of the metaphor “carving out a passage” highlights the key theme of violence within the play; the verb “carving” illustrates the death and destruction that Macbeth created for the enemy. Shakespeare appears to be showing the audience that Macbeth is a heroic warrior who will risk his own life to protect the king; like all men in Britain in the 17 th^ century, Macbeth would have been expected to be loyal to the king. It is interesting that, at the beginning of the play, Macbeth’s violence is celebrated and that the Captain places so much emphasis on this through gruesome, bloody imagery, as it is this violence that later condemns Macbeth: and the blood goes on to represent his guilt. In particular, his violence is condemned in the final scenes of the play where he is described as a “butcher” and “tyrant” for his violence against the king and others. Although the Captain’s initial description of Macbeth, which is the first real portrayal of him within the play, presents him as a valiant and brave hero, he cannot be described as heroic by the end of the play.

Your response

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Starting with this speech explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ambitious.

Example A Within the extract Macbeth is presented as being confused. This is evident when he says “supernatural soliciting/Cannot Be ill, cannot be good“ suggesting that he wants to become king. Shakespeare shows that Macbeth is ambitious but unsure as he says “good” and “ill”. The Shakespearean audience would expect a man to be brave and courageous but they may be a bit shocked that Macbeth was going against the king. What Macbeth says links to the key theme of the supernatural and suggests that he is now connected to evil. Macbeth is therefore presented as ambitious.

Example B Within the extract Macbeth is presented as having confused thoughts about becoming king. In an aside, he considers that the “supernatural soliciting/Cannot Be ill, cannot be good“ suggesting that he is tempted by the notion of having the crown. Shakespeare presents contrasting thoughts in Macbeth through the juxtaposition of the “good” and “ill” in becoming king; Macbeth appears to be suffering from an inner conflict as he questions his feelings even though he recognises they are wrong. The Shakespearean audience may be fearful of Macbeth’s intentions in becoming king; they would have believed that by going against the king, you were going against God and Macbeth would therefore be damned to hell. This is further emphasised through the allusion to the key theme of the supernatural which Macbeth comments on following his meeting with the witches; it suggests that they have infiltrated his thoughts. The fact that Macbeth is even considering the possibility of killing the king highlights his ambitious and ruthless nature.

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Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 5 and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Lady Macbeth has just read Macbeth’s letter about his meeting with the three witches

LADY MACBETH

The 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 the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The 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!”

Starting with this speech explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as deceitful.

Write about:

 How Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth’s feelings and thoughts in this extract  How Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as deceitful in the play as a whole

30 Marks

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 7 and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Macbeth is thinking about whether he should murder Duncan in order to become King.

MACBETH If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly. If the 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 judgment here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague th' inventor: this even‐handed justice Commends the ingredients 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. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet‐tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking‐off; And pity, like a naked newborn babe, Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on th' other.

Starting with this speech explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ambitious.

Write about:

 How Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s feelings and thoughts in this extract  How Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ambitious in the play as a whole

30 Marks

Starting with this speech explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as ambitious. Act 1 scene 7 opens with Macbeth’s soliloquy in which he discusses Duncan’s murder. Macbeth begins by stating that “If this deed were done when it is done, then it would be better/if it were done quickly.” At this juncture, Macbeth appears to be suffering from a conflict of conscience as Shakespeare presents his inner thoughts and feelings. Shakespeare presents Macbeth as feeling unsure and apprehensive as he can’t bring himself to pronounce the word ‘murder’; instead, he describes this crime as a “deed”. Macbeth recognises that his crime of regicide against the King would be an indirect crime against God and can therefore not fully contemplate the offense. Shakespeare’s use of the adverb “quickly” within the soliloquy suggests that Macbeth feels that if he is to kill Duncan then he needs to be done soon; some may argue that it’s because he cannot wait to become King, highlighting his ambition, whereas other may feel he is frightened that he may change his mind.

However, later in the soliloquy Macbeth is not presented as ambitious as it is apparent that he has decided against killing the King, stating that he has “no spur to prick the sides of his intent”. Macbeth’s sudden change of character highlights his unstable mind and the internal conflict which is currently plaguing him. It appears that Macbeth has no “spur” to kill the King as he feels he is already in a position which is very much respected. It is interesting that Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a “spur” suggesting that Macbeth seems only able to enter into conflict when he feels directly attacked. It is not until the conflict with his wife later in the scene that his “ambition” returns. Shakespeare presents Macbeth as having only one reason to kill Duncan: “vaulting ambition”. This ambition, one of the key themes within the play, appears to be causing inner conflict and struggle for him but he does recognise that murder often leads to more conflict. The Jacobean audience would be relieved that Macbeth has decided against killing the kings as they would recognise that he would be damned to hell for this crime of regicide. However their relief is short lived; by the end of Act 1 Macbeth commits to murdering the King. After a discussion with his wife he states that “false face must hide what the false heart doth know” meaning that his ambition has returned and he will fool Duncan into thinking that he is his ally but will then murder him.

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Starting with this speech explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as conflicted.

Within the extract it is apparent that Macbeth is concerned about murdering Duncan, asking the “firm‐set earth,/Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear/Thy very stones prate of my whereabout.” This suggests that Macbeth is worried that someone will hear him as he attempts to assassinate Duncan. This once again highlights Macbeth’s fear in committing the crime. It is interesting that Macbeth mentions “fear” as it suggests he is still troubled about the repercussions of the murder and is no longer the “brave” and “noble” soldier we heard about in 1:2. The Jacobean audience would also find it interesting that Macbeth asks for the ”earth” to be quiet as the predominantly Christian audience would believe that the earth was created by God and therefore would recognise that he is asking for God’s help to murder the king. Shakespeare raises the key theme of conflict throughout this extract but Macbeth is presented as an unscrupulous character who appears unconcerned that God will know his plans to kill Duncan; this arrogance shows how Macbeth feels he would be a deserving king.

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Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 2 and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Macbeth has just killed King Duncan and returned with the daggers.

MACBETH I’ll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on ’t again I dare not. LADY MACBETH Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt. Exit Knock within MACBETH Whence is that knocking? How is ’t with me when every noise appals me? What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes. 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. Enter LADY MACBETH LADY MACBETH My hands are of your colour, but I shame To wear a heart so white. Knock within I hear a knocking At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber. A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then! Your constancy Hath left you unattended. Knock within Hark! More knocking. Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us And show us to be watchers. Be not lost So poorly in your thoughts. MACBETH To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself. Knock within Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst. Exeunt

Starting with this extract explain how far you think Shakespeare presents a contrast between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Write about:

 How Shakespeare presents Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in this extract  How Shakespeare presents conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the play as a whole

30 Marks