Macbeth Act 1, Scene 3 Analysis

A character's private thoughts spoken aloud, often revealing their true feelings and motivations.

The sin of harming a guest or abusing hospitality, considered one of the most serious offenses in ancient Greek mythology and Christianity.

The tragic flaw or weakness in a character's personality that leads to their downfall. It's often a combination of conflicting desires and a lack of self-awareness.

Macbeth's insecurity is a driving force in his actions. He fears losing his power and titles, believing that they can be easily taken away through war or violence. This insecurity fuels his ambition and eventually leads him down a path of murder and bloodshed.

The phrase "borrowed robes" signifies Macbeth's superficial understanding of power. He sees power as an external garment, something acquired through conquest and easily lost through war. This shallow perspective highlights his lack of genuine leadership qualities and his reliance on violence to maintain his position.

An aside in Shakespeare's plays is a brief speech delivered by a character directly to the audience, revealing their true thoughts and intentions. Asides often provide insights into a character's hidden motivations, anxieties, or plans.

Macbeth's internal conflict is evident in his aside. The line "Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair" reveals his fear and unease about the consequences of his actions. The unsettling thought of murdering Duncan causes him physical distress, reflecting his moral struggle and the potential for societal upheaval.

Banquo's understanding of Macbeth's insecurities allows him to manipulate Macbeth, playing on his fears and desires for power. He recognizes Macbeth's vulnerability and uses it to his advantage, potentially contributing to Macbeth's downfall.

Macbeth's initial hesitation about acting on the witches' prophecy. He tries to convince himself that he can become king through 'chance', suggesting he's not entirely committed to the idea of murder.

Lady Macbeth's manipulating influence on Macbeth. She encourages him to be more assertive and take action on his own destiny. Macbeth's letter to her suggests a pre-meditated plan to kill King Duncan.

Macbeth's decision to write a letter to Lady Macbeth about the witches' prophecies, anticipating her reaction and the implications of their promises.

The witches predict the pilot's death, suggesting he was attacked while returning home, which should have been the safest part of his journey.

Shakespeare set the play in the past, where women were considered their husbands' property. Despite this, Macbeth treats his wife as his equal, sharing his aspirations and confiding in her.

The witches use the pilot's thumb to manipulate Macbeth, making him believe they have supernatural powers.

Macbeth's decision to write the letter to Lady Macbeth suggests that the plan to kill King Duncan was not spontaneous but rather a deliberate thought process. He wanted to give her time to consider their options due to the implications of murdering the king and the consequences.

The witches' use of the pronoun "thou" indicates a closeness or equality, suggesting Macbeth's connection to evil.

Banquo, unlike Macbeth, is addressed with the pronoun "you", showing respect and a difference in their nature.

Banquo's question, "Why do you start... seem to fear", shows Macbeth's instant fear and vision of killing Duncan.

Macbeth's instant thought of killing Duncan is driven by his ambition and blood lust, not by the witches' direct command.

Banquo's sibilant speech (like 'start,' 'seem,' 'sound') is a literary device reminiscent of the tempting serpent in the Garden of Eden.

Banquo's awareness of Macbeth's blood lust and his interest in the prophecy suggests a potential influence on Macbeth's fate.

Lady Macbeth's criticism of Macbeth's personality, suggesting he is too kind and needs to be more ruthless to achieve power.

Lady Macbeth's manipulation of Macbeth involving appeals to his desire for status and power, contrasting his current position with the potential to become king.

Lady Macbeth's comparison of herself to a 'woman' and her 'milk' to 'gall,' suggesting she is capable of ruthless ambition despite being perceived as feminine.

Lady Macbeth's instructions for Macbeth to appear innocent but act with hidden malice, suggesting she is aware of his potential for violence.

Lady Macbeth's understanding of the patriarchal society's constraints on women, emphasizing her intellectual equality and her belief that ambition can only be achieved through a powerful husband.

The question of whether sole ambition is sufficient to motivate someone to commit immoral acts, particularly in the context of Macbeth's character.

Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth by making him feel like a weak man, questioning his masculinity by framing his refusal to kill Duncan as cowardice. She reduces him to a beast, emphasizing his failure to live up to the expectations of the ''martial society'' he desires to belong in.

Lady Macbeth uses a violent image of killing her own baby to highlight Macbeth's soft spot, showing him the emotional burden of taking a life. This connects to the emotional pain he's experiencing around Duncan's potential death.

The stage directions suggest that Macbeth is covered in blood when talking to Lady Macbeth before Duncan's arrival, highlighting his bloodlust. This visual image helps Lady Macbeth understand his darker desires, making it easier to manipulate him.

The use of the pronoun "we" repeatedly emphasizes the idea that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are partners-in-crime, united in their goals and actions. They both share a deep, unspoken understanding, which is further highlighted by their sharing of the same rhythm in their dialogue.

The word "fail" is used in this dialogue. It foreshadows the ultimate downfall of the plan.

Lady Macbeth uses the word "perform," implying that the killing of Duncan will not be a simple execution. Instead, it will be a grand act that will satisfy Macbeth's bloodlust.

Lady Macbeth's plan to kill Duncan, in addition to securing power, is meant to satisfy Macbeth's bloodthirsty desire, highlighting his desire to break free from the societal restrictions of the martial society.

Shakespeare suggests that a society based on martial values, where status is achieved through violence, is a flawed structure. By achieving success through immoral means, Macbeth ultimately brings about his own downfall.