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Questions and Answers
The plot of Macbeth is driven by the Macbeths' manipulative ______; both center their actions around their desire for Macbeth to become king.
The plot of Macbeth is driven by the Macbeths' manipulative ______; both center their actions around their desire for Macbeth to become king.
ambition
Both characters exploit those around them to improve their position in the ______ hierarchy.
Both characters exploit those around them to improve their position in the ______ hierarchy.
social
Ambition is seen as corrupting and causes Macbeth to lose his ______.
Ambition is seen as corrupting and causes Macbeth to lose his ______.
nobility
Macbeth is a dramatic representation of the devastating psychological consequences of pursuing one's ambitions without regard for ______.
Macbeth is a dramatic representation of the devastating psychological consequences of pursuing one's ambitions without regard for ______.
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Lady Macbeth ultimately kills herself due to deep remorse and guilt over their ______.
Lady Macbeth ultimately kills herself due to deep remorse and guilt over their ______.
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In the Jacobean period, societal status was intensely important, and a rigid class system and social hierarchy meant that titles were highly ______.
In the Jacobean period, societal status was intensely important, and a rigid class system and social hierarchy meant that titles were highly ______.
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Lady Macbeth criticises Macbeth's actions and lack of masculinity, which arguably leads him to kill ______.
Lady Macbeth criticises Macbeth's actions and lack of masculinity, which arguably leads him to kill ______.
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Lady Macbeth's ambition contributes to her own ______ and she eventually commits suicide.
Lady Macbeth's ambition contributes to her own ______ and she eventually commits suicide.
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When Lady Macbeth first hears of the Witches’ prophecies, her mind immediately jumps to ______.
When Lady Macbeth first hears of the Witches’ prophecies, her mind immediately jumps to ______.
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Lady Macbeth doubts her husband’s capacities to act on desires due to his 'milk of human kindness' and lack of ______.
Lady Macbeth doubts her husband’s capacities to act on desires due to his 'milk of human kindness' and lack of ______.
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Lady Macbeth is introduced as having the defining trait of ______.
Lady Macbeth is introduced as having the defining trait of ______.
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Lady Macbeth expresses doubts about Macbeth's nature and his ambition without the ______ to act.
Lady Macbeth expresses doubts about Macbeth's nature and his ambition without the ______ to act.
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Lady Macbeth can be seen as the ultimate catalyst for the plot, spurring her husband to commit ________
Lady Macbeth can be seen as the ultimate catalyst for the plot, spurring her husband to commit ________
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Lady Macbeth believes that you can only act on your ambitions and achieve greatness when you sacrifice or ignore their ________ compass
Lady Macbeth believes that you can only act on your ambitions and achieve greatness when you sacrifice or ignore their ________ compass
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According to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is 'too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness // To catch the nearest way,' implying he is not capable of doing what is ________
According to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is 'too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness // To catch the nearest way,' implying he is not capable of doing what is ________
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Lady Macbeth suggests that pursuing ambitions often requires doing ________ deeds
Lady Macbeth suggests that pursuing ambitions often requires doing ________ deeds
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Masculinity is associated with Lady Macbeth's view that ________ is equated with 'illness'
Masculinity is associated with Lady Macbeth's view that ________ is equated with 'illness'
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Lady Macbeth, as a woman, would’ve been socially pressured to appear less ambitious and encouraged to hide her ________
Lady Macbeth, as a woman, would’ve been socially pressured to appear less ambitious and encouraged to hide her ________
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Macbeth is told he will potentially become the Thane of ______ and then a king
Macbeth is told he will potentially become the Thane of ______ and then a king
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In Jacobean and Elizabethan England, ambition would have generally been treated as a ______ quality to possess
In Jacobean and Elizabethan England, ambition would have generally been treated as a ______ quality to possess
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According to the Great Chain of Being, rocks are at the bottom of this ______
According to the Great Chain of Being, rocks are at the bottom of this ______
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The King is the highest ranked earthly ______
The King is the highest ranked earthly ______
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In Elizabethan and Jacobean England, ambition was equated with ______
In Elizabethan and Jacobean England, ambition was equated with ______
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Through Macbeth, Shakespeare explores whether ambition is ______
Through Macbeth, Shakespeare explores whether ambition is ______
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In Act 2 Scene 2, Macbeth asks if Neptune’s ocean will wash away the ______ on his hand
In Act 2 Scene 2, Macbeth asks if Neptune’s ocean will wash away the ______ on his hand
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Macbeth hallucinates a dagger with gouts of ______ in Act 2 Scene 1
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger with gouts of ______ in Act 2 Scene 1
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The apparition of Banquo’s ghost may be interpreted as a projection of Macbeth’s ______
The apparition of Banquo’s ghost may be interpreted as a projection of Macbeth’s ______
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Blood in Macbeth vividly symbolises ______ and guilt
Blood in Macbeth vividly symbolises ______ and guilt
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Macbeth predicts that his guilt will grow and spread, turning the oceans ______
Macbeth predicts that his guilt will grow and spread, turning the oceans ______
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Macbeth's guilt and sin are visually represented through vivid images of ______
Macbeth's guilt and sin are visually represented through vivid images of ______
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Study Notes
Ambition
- The plot of Macbeth is driven by the Macbeths' manipulative ambition to become king.
- Both characters exploit others to improve their social position, spurred on by the three Witches' prophecies.
- Ambition is portrayed as corrupting and causing Macbeth to lose his nobility and become violent.
- Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer remorse and guilt over their actions, leading to Lady Macbeth's suicide.
Historical Context
- Macbeth was written in 1606, during the Jacobean period, when societal status was highly valued.
- The rigid class system and social hierarchy meant that people, especially those in the upper echelons, valued titles highly.
- In Jacobean and Elizabethan England, ambition was seen as a dangerous quality, equated with sin, as it went against the Divine Order or Great Chain of Being.
Macbeth's Ambition
- Macbeth's quest to fulfill his "black and deep desires" is explored throughout the play.
- He justifies his actions as "For mine own good" (Act 3, Scene 4).
- Shakespeare questions whether ambition is useful and how it relates to fate.
Lady Macbeth's Ambition
- Lady Macbeth is seen as the motivator of Macbeth's ambition, relentlessly criticizing his actions and lack of masculinity.
- Her ambition contributes to her own insanity and eventual suicide.
- She has both the ambition and confidence to act on her desires, but doubts Macbeth's capacities to do so.
Masculinity
- Lady Macbeth, as a woman, would have been socially pressured to appear less ambitious and hide her desires.
- However, she can be viewed as more ruthless and single-minded in her ambition than Macbeth.
Blood and Guilt
- Blood is a motif in Macbeth, symbolizing sin and guilt.
- Macbeth's guilt is predicted to grow, as seen in his hallucinations of blood and his statement "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?" (Act 2, Scene 2).
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Description
Test your knowledge on the theme of ambition in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Explore how the characters' manipulative ambitions drive the plot and their actions towards achieving power and control.
