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Macbeth Flashcards

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1
Q

Shakespeare’s Intentions : Guilt

A
  • Macbeth is a cautionary tale: disrupting the cosmic order will face brutal consequences
  • The play suggests an ever watching eye / a divine force (possibly God) will punish those who disrupt the divine right of king
  • The play is a veiled allegory as King James I was a patron
  • The audience sees that disrupting the DROK leads to tragic downfall
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2
Q

“I heard a _____ ___ ‘sleep no more! Macbeth ____ ______ _____” - Macbeth

A

“I heard a voice cry ‘sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”

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3
Q

“I heard a voice cry ‘sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” - Macbeth

Analysis

A

Motif of sleep -
- Sleep is linked with innocence
- Macbeth is troubled by guilt and experiences disturbed sleep pattern
- Symbolises his departure from innocence as a result of violating kingship
- Direct consequence of regicide

Exclamative Sentence : ‘sleep no more!’ -
- Emphasises the irreversible nature of Macbeth’s loss of innocence
- His disruption of the natural order has forever condemned his mind to eternal torment of guilt

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4
Q

“I am in _____ / stepp’d so far that ___ ______ ____ no more” - Macbeth

A

“I am in blood / stepp’d so far that you should wade no more” - Macbeth

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5
Q

“I am in blood / stepp’d so far that you should wade no more” - Macbeth

Analysis

A

Motif of blood -
- Blood used to be on Macbeth’s hands but now it is all over his body and clothes
- Macbeth’s response to guilt has transitioned from being slight to all consuming

Biblical Allusions -
- Similar to Cain in Book of Genesis (commits first murder in the bible)
- Regicide results in severe punishment from God
- Macbeth wading exemplifies how he acknowledges his conscience is stained with guilt

Ambition -
- Macbeth’s conscience tormented by guilt is a direct consequence of his insatiable ambition

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6
Q

“A little _____ clears us __ ____ ____” - Lady Macbeth

A

“A little water clears us of this deed” - Lady Macbeth

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7
Q

“A little water clears us of this deed” - Lady Macbeth

Analysis

A

Litotes (ironic understatement) -
- Her callousness becomes apparent
- Trivialises the act of regicide
- Emasculates Macbeth to keep encouraging him down his cruel path

Euphemism -
- She characterises regicide as a “deed”
- Paradocial aspect of her character
- Despite her ambition she struggles to articulate the gravity of the heinous evil act

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8
Q

[ enters with _____ ] (Lady Macbeth)

A

[ enters with taper ] (Lady Macbeth)

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9
Q

[ enters with taper ] (Lady Macbeth)

analysis

A

Symbolism of taper -
- Light is emblematic of how Lady Macbeth is seeking light and hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness
- In Christianity light represents her divine guidance
- She feels remorseful and repenting from her guilt

Character development-
- Juxtaposition
- Shes been so quickly consumed by guilt
- Turned to God for redemption

Gender -
- Guilt isn’t solely fueled by regicide but also transgression of her femininity
- Her ambition and ruthlessness breach rigid gender roles of her time
- Defying great chain of being adds another layer of torment to her conscience

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10
Q

Shakespeare’s Intentions : Gender

A
  • Dismantles the idea of rigid gender roles
  • Expected heroism of men like Macbeth and Macduff
  • Lady Macbeths ambition and ruthlessness subverts the image of stereotypical passive women
  • The witches exist outside the binary together further disrupting the established order
  • Exposes fragility of social expectations and norms
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11
Q

Lady Macbeth goes from calling him a “worthy ______!” to a “______”

A

Lady Macbeth goes from calling him a “worthy Cawdor!” to a “Coward”

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12
Q

Lady Macbeth goes from calling him a “worthy Cawdor!” to a “Coward”

Analysis

A

Juxtaposition -
- Initial flattery turns into an insult which emasculates Macbeth
- Reduces him to a mere “coward” the single word pierces Macbeths core
- Brutal attack on Macbeths identity

Contextual Link -
- Rigid gender roles of Jacobean society
- Mans dominance over his wife
- Lady Macbeth recognised that Macbeth’s ambition, his hamartia was intertwined with his masculinity
- By stripping him of his mantle ‘dominant husband’ role
- Threatened the foundation of self-worth
- This emasculation is a catalyst in Macbeth’s downfall
- Ambition crumbles when his image of a powerful man is shattered

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13
Q

“With _______’_ ravishing ______, towards his ______” - Macbeth

A

“With tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design”

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14
Q

“With tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design” - Macbeth

Analysis

A

Contextual Link -
- Tarquin the Roman tyrant that raped his wife
- He wants to embody what it means to be a ruthless blood thirsty leader
- Lingering emasculation fuels his ambition to prove his masculinity

Connotations of “design” -
- Macbeth intentionally crafted his desired position as king
- Despite all this Macbeth can’t see right from wrong
- Blinded by the allure of king
- Clings to belief that seizing the crown will fulfil his need to prove his masculinity to his wife

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15
Q

“Make _____ my blood, stop up th’ _____ and passage to _______” - Lady Macbeth

A

“Make thick my blood, stop up th’ access and passage to remorse” - Lady Macbeth

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16
Q

“Make thick my blood, stop up th’ access and passage to remorse” - Lady Macbeth

Analysis

A

Imperative “make thick my blood” -
- Require a detachment from femininity
- Commands for emotional restraint
- Recognises her emotions hold her back from ruthlessness
- Seeks to rid herself of these emotions

Femme fatale -
- A woman who can lure men into danger or sin
- Not only manipulates her womanhood but also manipulates Macbeth into committing heinous and violent acts

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17
Q

“____’_ the ______ out” - Lady Macbeth

A

“Dash’d the brains out” - Lady Macbeth

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18
Q

“Dash’d the brains out” - Lady Macbeth

Analysis

A

Plosive on “dash’d” -
- Creates a brutal sound mirroring her brutal rejection of maternal instincts and femininity
- Her tendency for violence overpowers tendency for motherhood
- Stripping herself of femininity and stereotypical gender roles of Jacobean era; disrupting the great chain of being

Juxtaposition -
- Contrast between forceful verb “dash’d” and the delicate nature of “brains” serves as a symbol reflecting Lady Macbeth
- Despite her being a female and her fragile exterior she has a string desire to instigate violence and chaos

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19
Q

Shakespeare’s Intentions: Appearance vs Reality

A
  • Deception has immediate advantages but deceitful tactics (catalysts) accelerates ones downfall
  • Dramatic irony : Allows Jacobean audience to witness the dual personas of characters (allows them to see characters true intentions)
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20
Q

“Stars hide your _____, let not _____ see my _____ and ____ _______” - Macbeth

A

“Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires” - Macbeth

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21
Q

“Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires” - Macbeth

Analysis

A
  • Aware his desires are morally wrong
    “Let not light” -
  • Wants to hide his thoughts from God
  • Macbeth is conflicted, he wants power but is afraid to challenge God by killing the divinely appointed king

Dark and light imagery -
- Alliteration
- Juxtaposition
- Has to make a choice between morality and ambition

Rhyming Couplets -
- Rhyme between “desires” and “fires” resembles the witches who also utilise rhyming couplets

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22
Q

“fair __ ____ and ____ is fair” - Witches

A

“fair is foul and foul is fair” - Witches

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23
Q

“fair is foul and foul is fair” - Witches

Analysis

A

Meaning don’t trust appearance
- Foreshadows their prophecies ultimately captivate Macbeth and lead to his death

Inversion (same thing said backwards) -
- Catchy
- Stands out, lingers in audiences mind
- Talk in a songlike manner

Alliteration -
- Sinister, uneasy

“Fair” -
- Caring and pleasant

“Foul” -
- More dominant and intimidating
- Evil overpowers goodness

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24
Q

“I _____’d of three _____ _______ last night” - Banquo

A

“I dream’d of three weird sisters last night” - Banqo

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25
“I dream’t of three weird sisters last night” - Banqo Analysis
Abstract Noun - - “dream’t” signifies Banquo’s affliction suggests he is not only haunted in his waking moments but his sleep Motif of sleep - - Link to innocence - Links to Macbeth loosing his innocents and ability to dleep - Banquo retains the ability to sleep but acknowledges his ability to dream - Shows his preservation of innocence
26
“I am not ___________” - Macduff
“I am not treacherous” - Macduff
27
“I am not treacherous” - Macduff Analysis
Simple sentence - - Declaration strips away ambiguity - The way he appears is how he is in reality - Strengthens sincerity of his claim - Leaving audience with no ambiguous thoughts about his true intentions Diction - - “treacherous” - Clear distinction between him and the treacherous stain that now defines Macbeth - Declaration of his moral principles
28
Shakespeare’s Intentions: Supernatural
- Connection to hell and the devil - Cautions the audience about the consequences of succumbing to the allure of supernatural powers - Emphasis to audience that the supernatural is closely linked and results in a catastrophe
29
“So ____ and ____ a day I have ___ ____” - Macbeth
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” - Macbeth
30
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” - Macbeth Analysis
Emulation of the Witches paradoxical statement - - Macbeths first line in the play he echos the paradoxical expression “fair is foul and foul is fair” - Foreshadows that he will become a vessel for their twisted misconduct Visual Image - - “have not seen” evokes a vivid image of blindness possibly foreshadowing how Macbeth will be metaphorically blinded by the allure of supernatural prophecies
31
“____ me” “call __” - Macbeth
“Tell me” “Call em” - Macbeth
32
“Tell me” “Call em” - Macbeth Analysis
Imperative Phrases - - Macbeths hubris is explicit as he enters - Fuelled by insatiable greed this marks Macbeth’s intentional engagement with the witches for the first time Personal Pronoun - - Implies he deserves respect and this respect should extend to the supernatural - Illegitimate title of king has inflated his hubris which ultimately leads to his downfall
33
“come you spirits …. _____ me ____” - Lady Macbeth
“come you spirits …. unsex me here” - Lady Macbeth
34
“come you spirits …. unsex me here” - Lady Macbeth Analysis
Imperatives - - Demonstrate a commanding familiarity with the supernatural realm - Doesn’t hesitate to call on dark external forces to seek liberation from societal constraints imposedby her femininity - She would’ve been perceived as supernatural in Jacobean era as gender roles were rigid Syntax - - “spirits” preceding “unsex” underscores her belief that supernatural intervention comes before her desire to be “unsexed” - Arrangement of terms shows dependence she places on societal norms
35
“___________ of darkness" - Banquo
“Instruments of darkness” - Banquo
36
“Instruments of darkness” - Banquo Analysis
Auditory Imagery - - Characterising the witches as “instruments” implies malevolent musicality - Shows how their words possess / hypnotise Macbeth - Choice of “instruments” suggests a deliberate orchestration of their manipulative melodic composition that enchants Macbeth
37
“Fire ____ and ________ bubble” and “hell-_____” - Witches
“Fire burn and cauldron bubble” and “hell-broth” - Witches
38
“Fire burn and cauldron bubble” and “hell-broth” - Witches Analysis
Semantic field of hell - - Selection of words “fire-burn”, “hell-broth” and “bubble” - Strengthens the idea that the witches are intrinsically linked to evil and are agents of the devil Links to context - - Taps into the pre-existing ideologies of witches and witchcraft in that area
39
Shakespeare’s intentions: Violence
- Does not explicitly condemn violence but critiques it for spiralling out of control when driven by personal ambition - Uses Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to personify violence through their actions - Profound message: Violence leads to psychological tourment
40
“I have no _____; my voice is my _____” - Macduff
“I have no words; my voice is my sword” - Macduff
41
“I have no words; my voice is my sword” - Macduff Analysis
Violent metaphor - - Macduff contends that the restoration of Scotland’s natural order necessitates physical violence - His ambition is to rightfully restore Scotland from Macbeth’s violation of kingship - Macbeth’s tyrannical rule mandates an equal force to restore the DROK - Avenging hero - Despite personal motivations the nobility of his intentions shine through as he wants to eradicate the immoral kingship brought upon by Macbeth Short Sentence - - Reflects the short amount of time Scotland will continue to suffer - By removing Macbeth from the throne Scotland can be rightly ruled with divine authority
42
Shakespeare’s Intentions : Ambition
- Utilises ambition to reveal it as morally corrosive and blinding influence on individuals - Through allegoric plays aims to teach that with divine authority ambition is so omnipotent it wins - Warns audience about the allure of sinful temptations
43
“Only ________ ________, which o’erleaps itself and _____ __ __’ other” - Macbeth
“Only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other” - Macbeth
44
“Only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other” - Macbeth Analysis
Personification- - Gives his ambition comparable traits to a human force that can influence him - Acknowledges his eventual “fall” which indicates his awareness that ambition is his hamartia Metaphor - - “vaulting ambition” draws a parallel between him and a jockey who manages an untameable animalistic force - Believes he is able to transcend the societal and divine limitations placed upon him
45
“Turn, ____ hound, ____” - Macduff
“Turn, hell hound, turn” - Macduff
46
“Turn, hell hound, turn” - Macduff Analysis
Repetition of “turn” - - Symbolises Macbeths upheaval of order through his tyrannical rule - Highlights the almost reachable nature of Macduff’s ambition and aspirations to reinstate order in Scotland - Once Macbeth “turns” to face Macduff, Macduff knows he is able to defeat him Epithet - - The hellish nickname “hell hound” accentuates Macduff’s condemnation of Macbeth’s diabolical and ensuing turmoil
47
# Key Word Irresistible Allure
A powerful attraction that is hard to resist ## Footnote e.g. The prophecy holds an irresistible allure for Macbeth, tempting him toward kingship
48
# Key Word Hamartia
A flaw or error in a character that leads to their downfall ## Footnote e.g. Macbeth's hamartia is his unchecked ambition, which drives him to commit murder
49
# Key Word Unchecked
(Uncontrollable) - Something that is unrestrained or allowed to continue without limits ## Footnote e.g. Macbeth's unchecked ambition leads him down a path of tyranny and violence
50
# Key Word Antagonist
(Villain) - A character who opposes the protagonist, often working against their goals ## Footnote e.g. Lady Macbeth becomes the antagonist to Scotland's peace, spreading fear and opression
51
# Key Word Carcass of insanity
A metaphor describing a state of complete madness of mental breakdown ## Footnote e.g. Consumed by guilt, Lady Macbeth becomes a carcass of insanity, unable to cleanse her conscience.
52
# Key Word Tyrannical
(Cruel / Opressive leader) - Exercising power in a cruel or oppressive way ## Footnote e.g. Macbeth's tyrannical rule terrifies his subjects and leads to widespread suffering
53
# Key Word Tragic Hero
A noble character who expiriences a downfall due to their own flaws ## Footnote e.g. Macbeth embodies the tragic hero, a noble warrior brought low by his ambition
54
# Key Word Anagnorisis
The moment a character realises the truth of their situation or their own faults ## Footnote e.g. Macbeth's anagnorisis comes too late, as he realises that his ambition has led to ruin
55
# Key Word Androgynous
Combinding or showing characteristics traditionally associated with both genders ## Footnote e.g. Macbeth's actions become androgynous as he exhibits both aggression and emotional vulnerability.
56
# Key Word Peripeteia
A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances ## Footnote e.g. Macbeth's peripeteia occurs when he realises his reign is collapsing around him
57
# Key Word Duplicitous
Deceptive or dishonest in one's actions or instentions ## Footnote e.g. The witches' duplicitous words lead Macbeth to believe in a reality that ultimately betrays him.
58
# Key Word Emasculation
Depriving someone of their traditional male role or qualities ## Footnote e.g. Lady Macbeth's emasculation further leads Macbeth down his cruel path.
59
# Key Word Femme fatale
(A dangerous female) - A seductive, manipulative woman who often leads men to their doom ## Footnote e.g. The femme fatale in Lady Macbeth emerges as she manipulates her husband's ambition
60
# Context What does "**K**ing **D**uncan's **G**rim **D**eath **S**parks **P**aranoia" stand for?
- **K**ing James I - **D**ivine Right of Kings - **G**reat Chain of being - **D**aemonologie - **S**even deadly sins - **P**atriarchy
61
# Context **K**ing James 1
- Was a patron (funded) for Shakespeare's plays - Shakespeare wanted to appease him - Wrote against regicide (killing of the king)
62
# Context **D**ivine Right of Kings
- God chooses the king - Disrupting this was seen as an assult on God himself ## Footnote Macbeth violates the divine right of kings by commiting regicide
63
# Context **G**reat Chain of Being
- God created the world with a hierarchical order - Rich above poor - Men above women - Links to DROK ## Footnote Macbeth's bloodthirsty rampage violates the Great chain of being Lady Macbeth tries to alter her position by being more powerful than Macbeth
64
# Context **D**aemonologie
- Book written by James I - Describes supernatural and how to punish witchcraft ## Footnote Witches supernatural depiction matches the exact descriptions of the supernatural in Daemonologie - another way for Shakespeare to appease James I
65
# Context **S**even deadly sins & Religion
- Were to be avoided within christianity to abstrain from being influenced by the devil Some are: - Greed - Wrath *(anger)* - Pride *(ego)* - Envy ## Footnote Macbeth and Lady Macbeth embody: greed, wrath, pride and envy
66
# Context **P**atriarchy
Male dominated society where women were inferior to men ## Footnote Lady Macbeth consistently subverts patriarchal expectations of a women, as she manipulates and emasculates Macbeth.

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