Macbeth Flashcards
(9 cards)
- “Fair is Foul, and foul is fair” - The Witches (Act 1 Scene 1)
Context : Opening line by the witches ; sets the tone
Technique : Paradox - A contradictory Statement
Alliteration : of “f” sounds
Reader effect: Creates unease ; set’s up disrupt in appearances
.Suggests the world of Macbeth is morally inverted.
Inference - what seems good may actually be evil
.Macbeths’s rise may seem glorious, but it is Tainted
Analysis - This paradox foreshadows the entire plays events
.Shakespeare is warning that evil will masquerade as good - Macbeth will seem noble but is inwardly corrupt
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” - (Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3)
Context: Macbeth echoes the witches, linking him to them.
.he says this just before meeting them
Language Technique:
.ECHOING of with witches words
Reader effect :
.makes us suspicious of macbeth
.Suggests he is already under their influence
Inference:
.Macbeth has a connection to evil forces from early on.
.He is drawn to moral ambiguit
“Stars,hide your fires; Let not light See my black and deep desires” (Macbeth, Act 1 Scene 4)
Context: Macbeth has just been told Malcolm is heir to the throne.
He Begins to contemplate murdering Duncan
Language Techniques:
.personification of stars
.Metaphor : “black and deep desires = murder.
Reader effect:
.Reveals Macbeth’s Inner darkness.
Dramatic Irony: We know what Macbeth is planning but others don’t.
Inference :
.Macbeth knows his ambition is wrong but is tempted anyway.
.Hiding intentions suggests guilt and corruption.
“Look like the innocent flower, but the serpent under’t” (Lady Macbeth Act 1 scene 5)
Context: Lady Macbeth advising Macbeth to hide his evil intentions
Language Techniques:
.metaphor = “serpent” represents evil
.Imagery - contrasts innocence and deception
Reader effect:
.shows Lady Macbeth as manipulative and cunning
.biblical imagery (garden of Eden) Hints at temptation and fall
inference: Lady Macbeth as manipulative
.women in the play may subvert traditional roles.
“Is This a dagger which i see before me ?” (Macbeth, Act 2 scene 1)
Context:
.Macbeth is about to kill Duncan
.he Hallucinates a dagger leading him
Language Techniques:
Soliloquy: reveals his inner conflict
Imagery : “dagger” Represents murder & fate
Reader effect:
.Reveals Macbeth’s descent into madness
.Highlights internal struggle between ambition and morality
Inference:
.Macbeth is already mentally unravelling
.fate vs Free will is in question.
“Will all great Neptunes Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand ?” (Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2)
Context:
.Macbeth has just murdered Duncan
.He feels immense Guilt
Language Techniques :
.Hyperbole - exaggerates guilt
Symbolism : blood = guilt , Neptune = divine judgement
Reader effect :
.Highlights the depth of Macbeths remorse
.Suggests his soul is permanently Strived
Inference :
.He understands there is no going back
.psychological torment will haunt him
“A little water clears us of this dead “ (Lady Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2)
Context :
.After the murder , Lady Macbeth tries to downplay it
Language Techniques:
irony- Later, she obsessively washes her hands
Understatement - contrasts Macbeth’s Guilt.
Reader Effect:
.Shows Lady Macbeth as cold and composed - at least outwardly.
.Contrasts with Macbeth’s emotional chaos.
INFERENCE:
.she underestimates the consequences of their Actions
.her Calmness foreshadows her later breakdown
“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown” ( Macbeth Act 3 Scene 1)
Context: Macbeth becomes king but feels insecure because he has no heir
Language Techniques!
.Shows low ambition leads to paranoia
.We see his anxiety grow despite achieving his goal
Inference:
.Macbeth’s ambition is insatiable
.he is already thinking of more violence (Against Banquo’s time)
“Out, Damned Spot ! Out i Say !” (Lady Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1)
Context:
.Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking,overwhelmed by guilt
.she imagines blood on her hands.
language Techniques:
.repetition and exclamatives show hysteria
Symbolism: blood = guilt
Reader Effect:
.Tragic downfall of a once powerful character
.her guilt becomes inescapable
Inference:
.Her conscience was always present, but suppressed
.she is now mentally broken.
