Macbeth: Ambition and Influence

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Questions and Answers

Initially, how is Macbeth generally viewed and characterized?

  • As a ruthless and ambitious tyrant.
  • As a valiant and loyal soldier. (correct)
  • As a contemplative and hesitant scholar.
  • As a deceitful and power-hungry nobleman.

Macbeth's ambition diminishes as he ascends to the throne, leading to a more benevolent rule.

False (B)

What is the primary emotion that drives Lady Macbeth to manipulate her husband into killing King Duncan?

ambition

Lady Macbeth uses ______ to goad Macbeth into action, questioning his courage and manhood.

<p>manipulation</p>
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Match the character with their respective role in the plot:

<p>Macbeth = Valiant soldier turned tyrannical king Lady Macbeth = Ambitious manipulator King Duncan = Virtuous and compassionate ruler The Witches = Prophesiers that fuel the plot</p>
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How does the play Macbeth explore the theme of Appearance vs. Reality?

<p>By depicting characters who hide their true intentions behind a facade of loyalty. (D)</p>
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The witches' prophecies are presented as straightforward and unambiguous, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

<p>False (B)</p>
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In the play, what does the contrast between King Duncan's rule and Macbeth's reign highlight about leadership?

<p>moral leadership</p>
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King Duncan embodies traits such as justice, mercy, and ______, which are characteristics of a virtuous ruler.

<p>compassion</p>
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Match the character's action with its consequence:

<p>Macbeth murders King Duncan = Macbeth becomes king but is plagued by guilt and paranoia Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill King Duncan = Lady Macbeth is overwhelmed with guilt leading to madness and death. The witches deliver prophecies to Macbeth = Macbeth misinterprets them and makes decisions leading to his downfall Macbeth becomes a tyrant = The kingdom plunges into chaos and disorder</p>
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What is the initial impact of the witches' prophecy on Macbeth?

<p>It sparks his ambition and plants the idea of becoming king. (C)</p>
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Macbeth maintains a strong sense of loyalty and morality throughout the play, despite his ambition.

<p>False (B)</p>
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What is the ultimate fate of Lady Macbeth as a result of her role in King Duncan's murder?

<p>suicide</p>
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Lady Macbeth's influence on Macbeth is characterized by her ability to ______ him into committing heinous acts.

<p>manipulate</p>
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Match the quote with the character who says it:

<p>&quot;Fair is foul, and foul is fair&quot; = The Witches &quot;Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't&quot; = Lady Macbeth &quot;Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires&quot; = Macbeth &quot;Sleep no more&quot; = Macbeth</p>
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How does the theme of appearance versus reality contribute to the play's overall message?

<p>It creates a sense of uncertainty and moral ambiguity. (B)</p>
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A virtuous and just ruler is portrayed as bringing stability and prosperity to their kingdom in Macbeth.

<p>True (A)</p>
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What does Macbeth's descent into tyranny reveal about unchecked ambition?

<p>moral decay</p>
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The witches' prophecies serve as ________ for the events of the play, influencing decisions of characters and pushing the plot forward.

<p>catalysts</p>
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Match the prophecy with its interpretation:

<p>&quot;Beware Macduff&quot; = Macduff poses a threat to Macbeth's power &quot;None of woman born shall harm Macbeth&quot; = Macbeth believes he is invincible, as all men are born of women &quot;Macbeth shall never be vanquished until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him&quot; = Macbeth believes he is safe until the forest physically moves &quot;Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none&quot; = Banquo's descendants will be kings, though he will not be</p>
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Flashcards

Macbeth's Ambition

Initially a valiant soldier, his ambition is ignited by the witches' prophecy, leading to regicide and a ruthless pursuit of power.

Lady Macbeth's Influence

A manipulative figure who challenges Macbeth's courage to persuade him to kill King Duncan, later succumbing to guilt and madness.

Appearance vs. Reality

A contrast between appearances and reality, where characters conceal their true intentions, and prophecies mislead, creating a world of uncertainty and moral ambiguity.

The Theme of Kingship

Explores the qualities of a good king versus a tyrant, contrasting Duncan's virtuous rule with Macbeth's oppressive and violent reign.

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The Witches' Prophecy

Predictions delivered by the witches that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King, fueling his ambition and influencing his actions, but ultimately leading to his downfall.

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Theme of Deception

True intentions are hidden; loyalty is a facade; prophecies are misleading

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Macbeth's Initial Virtue

Macbeth is initially seen as brave and loyal, but his ambition leads him to murder and tyranny.

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Challenge to Masculinity

Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth's manhood to goad him into killing Duncan.

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Ambiguous Prophecies

The witches' prophecies are ambiguous, leading Macbeth to believe he can control fate.

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King Duncan's Virtues

Duncan is seen as a just, merciful, and compassionate leader.

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Macbeth's Tyranny

Macbeth's rule is marked by violence, paranoia, and oppression.

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Study Notes

  • Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1607.

Macbeth's Ambition

  • Macbeth is initially portrayed as a valiant and loyal soldier, earning him respect and honor.
  • His ambition is ignited by the witches' prophecy that he will become king.
  • This seed of ambition grows, leading him to contemplate and eventually commit regicide.
  • Macbeth's ambition is a driving force behind his actions, clouding his judgment.
  • He becomes increasingly ruthless in his pursuit of power and maintain his position as king.

Lady Macbeth's Influence

  • Lady Macbeth is a powerful and ambitious character who manipulates her husband.
  • She challenges his masculinity and questions his courage to persuade him to kill King Duncan.
  • Her ambition surpasses that of Macbeth initially, driving the plot forward.
  • Lady Macbeth is the primary manipulator, pushing Macbeth toward fulfilling the witches' prophecy.
  • The guilt affects Lady Macbeth deeply, leading to madness and eventually suicide.

Appearance vs. Reality

  • The play explores the theme of appearance versus reality, where things are not always as they seem.
  • Characters often hide their true intentions behind a facade of loyalty or innocence.
  • The witches' prophecies are deliberately ambiguous, masking the true consequences with half-truths.
  • Macbeth and Lady Macbeth deceive others to conceal their crimes, creating a world of uncertainty.
  • This theme highlights the deceptive nature of power and the moral ambiguity of the characters.

The Theme of Kingship

  • The play examines the qualities of a good king versus those of a tyrant.
  • King Duncan is portrayed as a virtuous ruler, embodying justice, mercy, and compassion.
  • Macbeth, as king, becomes a tyrannical ruler, characterized by violence, paranoia, and oppression.
  • The rightful king should bring order and prosperity to the kingdom is contrasted with Macbeth's reign of terror.
  • The theme emphasizes the importance of moral leadership and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

The Witches' Prophecy

  • The witches deliver the prophecies that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually King.
  • The apparitions' prophecies fuel Macbeth's ambition and shape his actions throughout the play.
  • The prophecies are deliberately ambiguous, leading Macbeth to misinterpret them to his advantage.
  • Macbeth believes he can control his destiny, leading to his downfall.
  • The prophecies are catalysts for the events of the play, driving the plot forward and influencing the characters' decisions.

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