Macbeth - Macbeth

Question 1

Act 1 Scene 2

Answer 1

At the start of the play, Macbeth’s violence is praised. In the battle Macbeth is described as having
Phrase - “unseam’d him from the nave to th’ chaps” – visceral / organic image – signs of masculinity – praise – so loyal to Duncan and Scotland – everything is in order – violence is seen as normal
War hero

Question 2

Act 1 Scene 7 - 1

Answer 2

At the start of Act 1 Scene 7 Macbeth has “no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition” - dynamic - personifying ambition - elevating its strength and significance - ambition is boundless and a dominating force.

Question 3

Act 1 Scene 7 - 2

Answer 3

At the end of Act 1 Scene 7, after only a few minutes on stage, Macbeth admits that he will “bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat.” Shows how easily manipulated he is

Question 4

Act 2 Scene 1

Answer 4

In Act 2 scene 1 Macbeth starts seeing hallucinations and asks “Is this a dagger which I see before me,” rhetorical qn - violence breeds paranoia - start of his mental decline - manifestation of his guilt - consequences of the crimes - sins - symbol - penetrative shape

Question 5

Act 2 Scene 2

Answer 5

After murdering Duncan In Act 2, Macbeth is reflective of his despair and anguish and asks
metaphor – “Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” – elemental imagery – reference to the gods shows an awareness of the gravity and violence of the sins committed.

Question 6

Act 3 Scene 1

Answer 6

‘To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus’ - parallel phrasing - repetition of the phrasing - unsettling the line to reflect his inner turmoil - adverbial ‘safely’ is strengthening is need for security - use of the conjunction reflects the duality of his kingship

Question 7

Act 4 Scene 1

Answer 7

‘give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword His wife, his babes’ – shows his ruthless remorseless violence – bloody ambition – organic imagery

Question 8

Act 5 Scene 9

Answer 8

At the end of the play, Macbeth’s violence represents his guilty conscience – Macduff describes him as
“This dead butcher” - heinous crimes that he has committed – antithesis of kingly virtues.
Noun – butcher – brutal murderer