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Questions and Answers
What does Lady Macbeth mean by the line 'Nought's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content'?
How does Macbeth describe his mental state in the line 'O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!'?
What does Lady Macbeth suggest Macbeth do when addressing their guests?
What does Macbeth mean by 'we have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it'?
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What does Lady Macbeth imply by saying 'Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives'?
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What does Macbeth mean when he says 'It's safer to be that which we destroy'?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'be gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks'?
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What does Macbeth imply by saying 'things without all remedy should be without regard'?
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What is the primary emotion expressed by Macbeth regarding their actions so far?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, 'Nought's had, all's spent'?
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How does Macbeth perceive Banquo's and Fleance's futures?
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What does Macbeth suggest must be done to maintain their façade while being with guests?
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What attitude does Lady Macbeth advise Macbeth to adopt in front of their guests?
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What is Macbeth referring to when he describes his mind as being 'full of scorpions'?
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What does Macbeth imply about Duncan's condition after his death?
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What final action does Macbeth allude to when speaking to Lady Macbeth?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says it is safer to be what they destroy?
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How does Macbeth's reference to the 'scotch'd snake' illustrate his feelings about their actions?
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What role does deception play in Macbeth's plan regarding Banquo at the banquet?
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In what way does Macbeth describe his mental state after becoming king?
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What does Lady Macbeth imply about Banquo and Fleance when she says ‘in them nature's copy's not eterne’?
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What does Macbeth mean by stating ‘let your remembrance apply to Banquo’?
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How does Lady Macbeth respond to Macbeth's fears about their security?
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What does Macbeth mean when he says that they have sent Duncan to peace?
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What does Lady Macbeth's statement 'It’s safer to be that which we destroy' suggest about her perspective on their deeds?
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Discuss the significance of Macbeth's line 'We have scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it.'
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How does Lady Macbeth's advice to be 'bright and jovial among your guests' reflect her character?
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What does Macbeth mean when he says, 'Things without all remedy should be without regard'?
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Analyze Macbeth's feelings when he refers to his mind as being 'full of scorpions.'
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What do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth mean by 'to gain our peace, have sent to peace'?
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What does the mention of Banquo and his son Fleance indicate about Macbeth's fears?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean by stating 'in them nature's copy's not eterne' regarding Banquo and Fleance?
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Study Notes
Macbeth's Guilt and Anxiety
- Macbeth is consumed by guilt and anxiety after killing Duncan.
- He describes himself as haunted by the "terrible dreams" that plague him at night, which are a manifestation of his conscience.
- He feels like he is trapped in a cycle of fear and anxiety, unable to find peace.
- He compares his guilt to a snake that he has only wounded, not killed, as the memory of his crime continues to torment him.
Macbeth's Manipulation of the King (and Lady Macbeth)
- Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to appear "bright and jovial" among their guests, but he is preoccupied by Banquo's survival.
- Macbeth acknowledges that he is forced to feign happiness and hide his true feelings, expressing his inner turmoil by saying, "Our faces vizards to our hearts, Disguising what they are."
- He describes his mind as "full of scorpions", revealing his deep-seated anxiety and the constant torment he endures.
The Need for Further Violence
- Lady Macbeth tries to assure Macbeth that Banquo and Fleance are "assailable," suggesting that they can be targeted again.
- The couple plans to have Banquo murdered before nightfall, hoping to finally find peace from their worries.
- Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to carry out the deed and to stay "innocent" of the knowledge until it is done, emphasizing her own willingness to be complicit in the plan.
Foreshadowing and Imagery
- Macbeth's use of imagery related to darkness, shadows, and night reinforces the pervasive sense of evil and danger that pervades the play.
- The play's focus on the transition from day to night foreshadows the darkness and violence to come.
- The imagery of "Light thickens" further emphasizes the approaching night and the impending darkness.
- The "black agents" who "do rouse" are symbolic of the forces of evil that Macbeth has unleashed and that continue to threaten him.
Lady Macbeth's anxieties
- Lady Macbeth is concerned about the lack of contentment despite achieving their goal of becoming king.
- She believes it is safer to be the one who destroys than to live in constant fear.
- Lady Macbeth attempts to reassure Macbeth and encourage him to be jovial.
- She is worried about Banquo and suggests that he be treated with respect and consideration.
Macbeth's inner turmoil
- Macbeth is haunted by guilt and fear.
- He compares his actions to merely scratching a snake, implying that it's still alive and dangerous.
- Macbeth feels tortured by his conscience and dreams.
- He expresses a wish to be dead rather than endure this torture.
The murder of Duncan and its consequences
- Macbeth acknowledges that Duncan is dead and that he is beyond harm.
- He feels trapped and unable to escape the anxieties associated with his actions.
- Macbeth describes the guilt and fear as a "torture of the mind" and a "restless ecstasy."
The threat of Banquo and Fleance
- Macbeth is aware that Banquo and his son Fleance pose a continued threat.
- He seeks reassurance from Lady Macbeth that Banquo's line will not continue.
- Macbeth acknowledges that they are vulnerable and can be attacked.
Plans for future action
- Macbeth reveals his intention to eliminate Banquo and Fleance.
- He expresses his intent to act before nightfall when darkness will provide cover.
- He instructs Lady Macbeth to remain uninformed about his plans.
- Macbeth welcomes the darkness and sees it as an opportunity for a "deed of dreadful note."
Themes of fear and guilt
- The scene explores the themes of fear and guilt that plague both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
- Their ambition has led to a state of perpetual anxiety and paranoia.
- Macbeth is consumed by the consequences of his actions, while Lady Macbeth attempts to maintain control.
- Their relationship is strained by their shared secret.
Macbeth's Guilt and Anxiety
- Macbeth is consumed by guilt and anxiety following the murder of Duncan.
- He describes his state as being "scotch'd" but not "kill'd," reflecting the ongoing threat posed by Banquo.
- Macbeth's anxieties are heightened by recurring nightmares and a sense of impending doom.
- He fears that his reign will be plagued by insecurity and fear unless he removes Banquo from the equation.
Lady Macbeth's Role
- Lady Macbeth attempts to reassure Macbeth and encourage him to maintain a facade of composure despite his internal turmoil.
- She urges him to appear jovial and to treat Banquo with respect, emphasizing the importance of maintaining appearances.
- She attempts to dismiss Macbeth's fears by suggesting Banquo's lineage is not eternal, implying that eliminating him will resolve the problem.
- Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to "leave this" (his anxieties) and move forward with a plan to eliminate Banquo.
Macbeth's Plan and Foreshadowing
- Macbeth reveals his plan to eliminate Banquo and his son, Fleance.
- He describes a "deed of dreadful note" that will take place before the night is over, foreboding an impending act of violence.
- Macbeth's final line, "Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill," suggests that his actions, fueled by guilt and fear, will only lead to further darkness.
- The passage culminates with a sense of impending doom and a chilling foreshadowing of the violence to come.
Macbeth's Guilt
- Macbeth feels intense guilt and fear after killing Duncan.
- He is haunted by the consequences of his actions.
- He believes Duncan is now at peace in his grave.
- He is concerned about Banquo, who survived the attack.
- He compares Banquo's survival to a "snake" that has been injured but not killed.
Lady Macbeth's Role
- Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth's anxiety, urging him to appear joyful and "sleek o'er your rugged looks."
- She wants him to act jovial and be particularly attentive to Banquo.
- She acknowledges the need to conceal their true feelings and worries.
Macbeth's Plan of Action
- Macbeth confirms that he plans to kill Banquo and Fleance before the night is over.
- He wants Lady Macbeth to remain uninformed about the plan, so she will be surprised when he acts.
- He asks for night to "cancel and tear to pieces" the "bond" (likely his guilty conscience) that makes him feel uneasy.
Imagery and Symbolism
- The "crow" and "rook" symbolize death and darkness, reflecting Macbeth's morbid mindset.
- The "rooky wood" represents a place of sinister activity and foreshadows impending danger.
- Nighttime creates a sense of mystery and danger, allowing Macbeth to carry out his actions with a degree of privacy.
- The "scarf" represents the "seeling" night that will cover the day and allow Macbeth to act in darkness.
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Description
Explore the themes of guilt, anxiety, and manipulation in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Discover how Macbeth's conscience haunts him post-regicide and how he struggles to disguise his true feelings. Delve into the psychological turmoil that drives him towards further violence and the complex dynamics with Lady Macbeth.
