Macbeth (1) Flashcards
(12 cards)
“Stars hide your fires” Method?
Metaphor
“I have no spur only vaulting ambition” Method?
Metaphor /Extended metaphor.
“Great Neptunes ocean wash this blood” Method?
Allusion/Imagery/Metaphor
“For Banquos issues I have filed my mind” Method?
Metaphor
“Full of scorpions is my mind dear wife” Method?
Metaphor
“Stars hide your fires” Analysis?
Metaphor: Gods judgment=Stars.
Macbeth wants to avoid Gods judgment- Knows he is committing a mortal sin
(+Divine right of kings: Duncan blessed by God)
(Shakespeare creates a direct contrast W/ Lady Macbeth (come thee spirits vs Macbeth hiding)
“I have no spur…only vaulting ambition” Analysis?
Macbeth likens himself to a horse racing over an obstacle
-His loyalty means he doesn’t want to commit regicide, he knows his ambition might lead to his downfall even though it’s what drives him (to kill) (+ yet seeks to distances himself-dehumanised )
“Great Neptunes oceans wash this blood” Analyisis?
Expressed Macbeth’s immediate/ desperate regret.
Allusion= desperate to find another God(“starts-hide-fires”=betrayed old God)
-Using other figures/ Looking away from God as he knows he’ll be judged- represent the hugeness of his regret.
(Reflects how his paranoia will be his undoing)
“For Banquos issues I have filed my mind” Analysis?
“Issue”=his threat to Macbeths kingship “Filed”=(smoothed over)-has made his decision to have Banquo killed.
Shows how Macbeth is becoming tyrannical: Values Kingship>Banquo +Taking control in organising murder -but still distances himself by avoiding calling it “murder” “killing” -can’t face up to it.
(2) “For banquos issues I have filed my mind” Analysis (Macbeth=illegitimate)
(Further proof of his illegitimacy as previously his violence was useful as warrior- qualities unfit for king: so instead of becoming a good leader he falls to tyranny)
(+Hes been corrupted and doesn’t recognise the mortal sin he’s committing.)
“Full of scorpions is my mind dear wife” Analysis
“Scorpions”=pain and torment representing his paranoia (e.g. Fleance Etc) -since he was one of the prophecies- still leaves Macbeth at risk for his Kingship to be ‘taken’
+ “Full”=can’t escape his paranoia-it will always overpower/Overshadow him->paranoia will be his undoing
(Back then, scorpion stings would be fatal = he believed he is surrounded by mortal/fatal threats +his paranoia will be fatal)
(2) “Full of scorpions is my mind dear wife” Analysis (Dear wife parts)
(“Dear wife”- distancing himself and patronising her- doesn’t see LM the same since he became king/has power, so he doesn’t think he needs her [arrogance]) +shows their shifting gender roles. -when subverted all was well, now traditional; everything falls apart- shows how the natural order doesn’t work with Macbeth in power/illegitimate)
