Macbeth Notes - Summary & Analysis

Macbeth notes Act 1 scene 1 The battlefield: thunder and lightning- pathetic fallacy-the weather mimics the mood and sets the tone for the rest of the play. The play starts with a battle which also reflects the rest of the play. The witches make use of a lot of literary devices when speaking and...

Macbeth notes Act 1 scene 1 The battlefield: thunder and lightning- pathetic fallacy-the weather mimics the mood and sets the tone for the rest of the play. The play starts with a battle which also reflects the rest of the play. The witches make use of a lot of literary devices when speaking and they also speak in rhyme like they are casting a spell. The witches are also able to predict the future. Third witch: "there to meet with Macbeth"- the first time Macbeth is mentioned is by the witches. All witches "Fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air."- the witches can make bad seem good. This also shows their ability to manipulate. Act 1 scene 2 Duncan- the king- the symbol of order and justice. Malcolm- the king's son. The heir to the throne Donaldbain- the king's son Macdonald- a traitor also known as the former Thane of Cawdor Captain-captain of the army who is badly wounded The captain saved Malcolm during the battle. Captain- "For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name"- Macbeth is referred to with honour and glory. Macbeth is also a brutal fighter. The battle is a very difficult one and the enemies are fighting back. Ross and Angus- two very Noblemen. Ross- "that most disloyal traitor The Thane of Cawdor"- Macdonald. Finally the Scots won the war but it was very brutal with many deaths foreshadowing the many deaths to come in the play. Duncan wants the former Thane of Cawdor Macdonald killed and wants Macbeth to become the new Thane of Cawdor. This is ironic as Macbeth is given the title of a traitor when he will soon become a traitor. Act 1 scene 3- the temptation scene First witch- "I'll drain him dry as hay: Sleep shall neither night nor day Hang upon his penthouse lid; He shall live a man forbid."- The witches do not want to kill the sailor, but they want him to suffer as this gives them more joy. This is the exact way they plan to make Macbeth suffer. He will not sleep nor rest as he will never have peace of mind. The witches also cast a spell to curse Macbeth. Maceth- "so fair and foul a day I have not seen."- Macbeth's first words echo the same words of the witches in act 1 scene 1. This shows that he is already under their spell and succumbed to evil. Macbeth is shocked by the witches and demands that they speak. The witches great Macbeth with three titles. Thane of Glamis his current title, Thane of Cawdor his new title which he doesn't know yet and The King which is a prophesy. This awakens Macbeth's ambition. Macbeth is very confused by the Witches words, he is overthinking it. Banquo asks the witches for a prediction. The witches tell him a lot of oxymorons. That Macbeth will be higher in rank than Banquo but Banquo has a better character. Even though Macbeth is more powerful he will not be happy. Banquo will Have more happiness in life. The witches also predict that Banquo will not be king, but his children will be. Macbeth demands that the witches speak. He seems to think he is more powerful than the witches. Enter Ross and Angus- sent by the king to tell Macbeth that he will be Thane of Cawdor. Banquo- "But 'tis strange, And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths; win us with honest trifles, to betray's In deepest consequence. This shows that Banquo is more sensible than Macbeth. He is a stronger character. Banquo is more in control of his thoughts than Macbeth. Macbeth- "Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair"- Macbeth's internal conflict begins. He wants to become king, but will it come to him through fate or does he have to perform a deed. Macbeth is petrified at the thought of committing murder. Banquo- "worthy Macbeth"- dramatic irony. They seem to think that Macbeth is worthy but only the audience know what kind of character he is. Macbeth asks Banquo to be honest with him if he ever has any thoughts about the witches. Macbeth is seen as noble and courageous but his reaction to the witches promises show his desire for power while highlighting his weak mind by falling into temptation so easily. Act 1 scene 4 Duncan- "There's no art To find the mind's construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust. Duncan has a very bad judge of character making him easy to deceive. He doesn't know who to trust. There are a lot of positive traits in Macbeth however he has been corrupted by the witches. (was loyal to the king). Although Banquo did not get a title himself, he is not jealous of Macbeth- positive qualities. The prince of Cumberland- new title given to Malcolm making him the heir to the throne. Inverness- Macbeth's castle. Plans are made for Duncan to dine at Macbeth's castle that same evening. Macbeth- "my wife"- the first mention of Lady Macbeth. Macbeth wants to write to her immediately with all recent news. Macbeth notes that the prince of Cumberland is an obstacle between him and the crown. Macbeth- "Stars hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires." -- Macbeth wants more darkness, asks for evil. He does not want anyone to witness his desire (murder). He himself also does not want to see what he is about to do. Duncan- "peerless kinsman"- Macbeth has a very positive relationship with Duncan who says he has no equal. Act 1 scene 5 Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth about the news. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship is very strong as she calls him her dearest partner and Macbeth trusts her with his secrets. Lady Macbeth's soliloquy Lady Macbeth- "It is too full o'th' milk of human kindness"- Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth is ambitious but fears that he is too kind to take the steps necessary. Unlike other woman of that time Lady Macbeth is not scared of murder as she is very power hungry. She wants to try and manipulate Macbeth and once she hears about the witches' prophesies Macbeth's life is doomed. The news is given to Lady Macbeth that king Duncan will have dinner at her castle. The king will not see the following morning as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to kill him that same night. Lady Macbeth wants to put her femininity aside so that she can commit the evil deeds necessary. She also wants to stop feeling guilt and wants the evil spirits to take away the qualities of a motherly woman. All this creates a hellish atmosphere. Lady Macbeth can tell exactly what Macbeth is thinking just by looking at him, this may be problematic for him in the future. Lady Macbeth- "look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't"- parallel moment Act 3 scene 2 line 34 Lady Macbeth says that showing your feelings is dangerous, she can tell what Macbeth is thinking without him saying anything. Act 1 Scene 6- A lot of dramatic irony. In this scene Duncan says a lot of things which are ironic about the castle, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. This is ironic as Duncan will be killed in this same castle. Act 1 scene 7- The deception scene Verses 1-28 of act 1 scene 7 is very important as it is a soliloquy from Macbeth. This reveals Macbeths internal conflict. It is split into 4 parts 1.At first Macbeth says that he wishes the murder is committed quickly but he doesn't want to face the consequences. He fears punishment. If he kills the king he is afraid someone will kill him. 2.Macbeth mention his good relationship with Duncan, a relationship based on trust as a reason not to go on with the murder another reason Macbeth does not want to kill Duncan is that it will bring sadness to all of Scotland. 4\. He concludes by saying that the only reason he has for committing the murder is his ambition, which can often bring one's downfall. Macbeth: "We will proceed no further in this business"- Macbeth no longer wants to kill Duncan because of his golden reputation Lady Macbeth is very angry and calls Macbeth a coward and questions his manhood. During the play whenever Macbeth shows signs of fluttering Lady Macbeth implies that he is less of a man (theme of masculinity). Macbeth is afraid of retribution, but Lady Macbeth promises that as long as they are bold they will be successful. Their plan is to get the guards drunk, kill Duncan in his sleep and blame them. They will pretend to be sad at the news of Duncan's death so no one supposes its them-"look like the innocent flower and be the serpent under it" Macbeth-"false face must hide what the false heart doth know."- appearance vs reality- he agrees to go forward with the murder. At the time of Shakespeare to murder a king was the worst of all crimes, by murdering the king Macbeth gains the crown, but he loses respect. In the end of act 1 scene 7 Macbeth leaves the banquet to think. The issue is clearly a moral one. The audience sees Macbeths temptation and grants him respect for not making excuses. Duncan is a king, he is not only contemplating murder but treason, to kill a king is to invite evil into the kingdom. Duncan is a symbol of what kingship meant in those times. Act 2 scene 1- the dagger scene. The plays climax this is the point of no return for Macbeth Shakespeare intensifies the atmosphere of night, this scene contrasts Macbeth's thoughts with Banquo's integrity, Macbeth's struggle with his conscience is decisively restored, Shakespeare leaves us in great tension, anticipating what comes next. Fleance- Banquo's son. Fleance is in mortal danger, reminder to the witch's prediction that if Macbeth kills Duncan he might be motivated for more violence Banquo "merciful powers" -- Banquo turns to God when he is feeling evil. Macbeth acts out on evil. Banquo "To you they have show'd some truth" Macbeth "I think not of them"- Banquo is being honest with Macbeth while Macbeth is lying to Banquo and telling him that he is not thinking about the witches. Appearance vs reality Macbeth asks Banquo to be on his side. Banquo's knowledge of the prophesies makes him both a potential ally and a potential threat to Macbeths plans. Banquo is keeping his loyalty to the king- Banquo is loyal and faithful. Macbeth "strike upon the bell" -- the bell signifies that it is time to kill the king Macbeth "Is this a dagger which I see before me"- Macbeth is hallucinating. He is feeling worried and scared. He is loosing control of his brain and is already on his downfall Macbeth "the handle towards my hand? Come, let me clutch thee." -- apostrophe - he is speaking to the dagger but it is not there "Heat oppressed brain" -- Macbeth knows he is going insane but he still has some control over himself this will diminish over time. "Dudgeon gouts of blood" -- the dagger is full of blood. "Witchcraft celebrates" -- evil is winning "Earth hear not my steps" -- he doesn't want to be heard A bell rings -- the bell is rung by Lady Macbeth to show him it is time. Macbeth does not want Duncan to hear this bell as it is the bell that will send him to heaven or hell as he is murdered. Macbeth has a vision of a dagger floating in the air its handle pointing towards him and its tip towards Duncan. Macbeth tries to grasp the weapon but fails. Continuing to gaze upon the weapon, he thinks he sees blood on the blade, then abruptly decides that the vision is just a manifestation of his unease over killing Duncan. The dagger is the first of a series of guilt inspired hallucinations that Macbeth and his wife experience. Act 2 scene 2 Shakespeare makes use of elision- we see the events leading up to the murder and the aftermath but not what happens during. At this point in the play there is no going back for Macbeth. This scene contrasts Macbeths guilt and fear with Lady Macbeths determination. Macbeth "Who's there"- Macbeth is hearing someone Lady Macbeth "Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done't" -- this shows Lady Macbeths vulnerability. Despite her thoughts and conversations with Macbeth she does have a heart and sees the king as authority. Macbeth "the deed is done" -- Duncan has been killed. Macbeth is feeling guilty. He is looking at the daggers in his hand. They should be at the guards. Lady Macbeth thinks he is foolish. While Macbeth was killing Duncan the guards woke up and went back to sleep. Will they remember? Macbeth could not say amen while he was killing Duncan even though he really needed it. He has lost his soul to evil and cannot pray. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that "these deeds must not be thought". She is trying to calm Macbeth down. She is telling him that he cannot think about these things, or they will drive them crazy. Foreshadowing to act 5 scene 1. Macbeth also heard a voice cry "sleep no more Macbeth does murder sleep". This echoes the witches words who have a major impact on Macbeth. Macbeth has no piece of mind. He will not be able to rest/sleep. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to go back to where he killed Duncan and continue the plan but he does not want to go back. He is already feeling regret. Lady Macbeth is not scared she looks at the dead and sees them as asleep. She is heartless. She is the one to finish the plan. Macbeths hands are full of blood he feels that not even the whole ocean can wash his hands. This is a hyperbole. He is feeling guilty and terrified. Lady Macbeths hands are also full of blood now. This is a foreshadowing to act 5 scene 1. She may be acting as if she is not guilty now but deep down they are both guilty. Lady Macbeth "A little water clears us of this deed"- Act 5 scene 1 line 24. Macbeth wishes he could wake up Duncan. This guilt highlights how weak he is as a man. Lady Macbeth is ok for now, she is trying to keep Macbeth calm and is telling him to hide his thoughts. Act 2 scene 3: the porter scene This scene breaks down the tension Although the porter isn't an important character he tells us the truth and prepares us on what to expect. The porter likens Macbeth's castle to hell. This is ironic given the bloody events that have taken place Porter- "faith, here's an equivocator"- an equivocator is a very good liar. Porter "but this place is too cold for hell" -- this part of the play creates a contrast from the dark tone of the previous scenes Enter Macduff When Lady Macbeth 'hears' that Duncan has been killed she says "what, in our house?". She should be upset regardless of where he was found. Macbeth "Had I died an hour before this chance" -- double meaning. For the audience he is regretting what he has done, for the other character they think he didn't want to endure the tragic events. The noblemen aren't convinced that it was the guards who killed Duncan, they suspect others. Macbeth "That I did kill them." -- Macbeth says that he killed the guards out of anger because they killed Duncan. He killed the guards because they witnessed him kill Duncan. This is the first time Macbeth is in control of his own doing. Macduff is now suspicious of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth tries to take attention away from Macbeth by asking for help. We notice a switch in Macbeth's character. He is now clear headed about his purpose, taking control over the noblemen. The brothers are scared that a relative killed Duncan, so they escape. This puts all the suspicion on them creating the perfect scapegoat for Macbeth. Act 2 scene 4- Macbeth is elected king but the scene is skipped. The news is conveyed in second hand. Ross -- by the clock ' tis day and yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp. Pathetic fallacy Macbeth has a problem. "good Macduff" is suspicious of him. He also states out loud that Macbeth killed the guards. This scene highlights the dark atmosphere in Scotland since the murder. Macbeth has been chosen to become king, he will be crowned in Scone -- Macduff will not go to Macbeth's coronation, this is an open display of opposition. Macduff believes that things have changed for the worse in Scotland. Macduff tells Ross that Macbeth has been made king by other lords, Macduff adds that they seem the most likely murderers, possibly paid off by Malcolm and Donalbain. Macbeth important characters and themes-short notes Macbeth- as a first impression he is a brave and capable warrior, however once we see him interact with the witches, we realize he also has a consuming courage and some self-doubt. These three attributes struggle for control of Macbeth throughout the play. Shakespeare uses the ambition and guilt in Macbeth to show the terrible effects they can have on a man with a weak character. Before he kills Duncan Macbeth is filled with guilt and worry and nearly aborts the murder, but Lady Macbeth convinces him not to. Lady Macbeth- When we first see her she is already plotting Duncan's murder. She is stronger, more ruthless and more ambitious than Macbeth and also pushes him into committing murder. At one point she also wishes she was not a woman so she could do it herself. This theme of gender and ambition is key to Lady Macbeths character. Shakespeare uses her and the witches to show the ways woman gain power. This is by manipulating. Shakespeare implies that woman can be more ambitious and powerful than men, but social constraints don't allow them. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband very well, when he hesitates, she questions his masculinity and even calms him down after the murder of Duncan. The witches- they are referred to as the weird sisters by other characters. They are the temptations of evil. The mischief they cause stem from their supernatural powers, but mainly they understand the weakness of other characters- mainly Macbeth as they play upon his ambition like puppeteers. Shakespeare makes them speak in rhyme to separate them from other characters. They are the most dangerous characters in the play, being both very powerful and wicked. The audience is left to ask whether the witches are agents of fate who say the inevitable or if for example Macbeth wouldn't have killed Duncan without the push from the prophesies. Banquo- Banquo is Macbeths brave and noble best friend, from the beginning of the play Banquo is overshadowed by Macbeth however Banquo isn't totally without ambition as he asks for a prophecy from the witches too. Similar to Macbeth, Banquo doesn't understand the witches' prophesies but decides not to act on his evil unlike Macbeth. King Duncan- King Duncan is a symbol of stability. He is a remarkable ruler but it is his kind nature that sets up his demise. As a person with peace and order he sets up a contrast to other major characters. Duncans decency and trust in Macbeth pave the way for his ironic betrayal. The structure that Duncan provided before he died essentially forces the chain of order to remain as is or be destroyed completely. The prophesies foreshadow these changing, culminating in the death of Duncan by the hands of Macbeth. Ambition and the corrupting power of unchecked ambition -- Although Macbeth is encouraged by the witches, its his own ambition which causes his downfall. Lady Macbeth is as ambitious as her husband, encouraging him to kill to meet his goals. Both Macbeths fail to see how their ambition will cause their downfall both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have unchecked ambition which causes them to do anything for more power and causes their downfall Guilt - Macbeths guilt about murdering King Duncan causes him to hallucinate. The fact that Macbeth feels guilt after murdering Duncan shows that he is not completely cold-blooded. Supernatural -- In Macbeth Shakespeare uses the supernatural as a background to all evil things that take place some key aspects are wicked thoughts and actions, the activities of the witches and the disruption of nature. In Macbeth wicked thoughts and actions are used through the predictions the witches that give to Macbeth encourage him to kill Duncan and carry out evil deeds. Macbeth is also guilty of lying. Due to these wicked thoughts and actions Macbeth wrestles with his conscience. The witches are the main use of supernatural in the play they predict the future, control the weather and carry out wicked acts against ordinary men and women. The witches plan to take revenge against a sailor's wife who insulted him. The disruption of nature is also a key part of the play with a lot of use of pathetic fallacy involving the weather. The play starts in the middle of a thunderstorm and many unnatural occurrences are reported in act 2 scene 4. These include strong winds, strange ghostly cries, an owl screeching and even an earthquake. The natural world is disrupted following the unnatural murder of a king. Appearance vs reality -- this theme is central to the play. It is introduced by the witches phrase "fair is foul and foul is fair" suggesting that what seems good is bad and vice-versa. Macbeth initially respected as a brave and honourable fighter hides his unchecked ambition behind a façade of loyalty. He plans to kill Duncan while pretending to be loyal to him. This is shown in the line "false face must hide what the heart doth know". This line underscores the theme, as Macbeths appearance contrasts with his intentions. The witches prophesies are another example of this. They predict Macbeths rise which seems promising but their prophesies ultimately lead to his downfall. The witches don't tell Macbeth the full truth in the prophesies and only present him with half truths. Lady Macbeth also embodies this theme. She appears to be a good host to Duncan but yet she wants to kill him. Her outward actions hide her ambition and ruthlessness. King Duncans arrival at the castle is marked with dramatic irony. He comments about the pleasantness of the castle not knowing it will be the place where he dies. This highlights the gap between appearance vs reality, as Duncan is deceived by the outwards appearance of hospitality. This theme culminates in his downfall and Macbeths reliance on appearance lead to his demise. Masculinity and femininity -- Lady Macbeth manipulate her husband by questioning his manhood, she also wishes that she was not a woman so she could be taken more seriously. With Lady Macbeth the audience can't help but notice that women are also sources of violence and evil. While the male characters are as prone and violent to evil as women, the aggression of the women in the play goes against expectations. Lady Macbeth clearly shows that women can be as ambitious and cruel as men and relies on deception and manipulation to achieve her goals