Macbeth - Discussion of Acts Flashcards

Question

# Act 1 How does Macbeth react to Duncan making him and praising him as the new Thane of Cawdor?

Answer 1

+Macbeth seems confused in this scene - outwardly he's a brave and loyal warlord, but inwardly his ambition is battling with his conscience; He want's to keep his "black and deep desires" hidden, not just from other people but himself. +**_Writer's Techniques - Symbolism:_** Duncan says, "signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine/On all deservers." - He thinks that fate will reward those who deserve it. +Light is also linked to visibility, which contrasts with Macbeth's desire to hide his intentions.

Answer 2

Lady Macbeth decides Duncan must die

Answer 3

+The Scene opens with Lady Macbeth alone, reading a letter from Macbeth about the Witches' prophecies - this allows the audience to hear her inner thoughts and see what she's really like. +She has no doubts about killing Duncan and immediately sees that she'll have to force Macbeth to do it because he's "too full o'th' milk of human kindness".

Answer 4

+Lady Macbeth's soliloquy uses evil imagery such as "smoke of hell" and "direst cruelty", which shows the evil and hellish thoughts on her mind. +**_Writer's techniques - Symbolism:_** Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to "unsex [her] here" - she doesn't want to be a woman because she sees women as weak and incapable of murder.

Answer 5

+Her speech links her to the Witches - she uses imperatives, which make it sound like she's casting a spell. +She says "Come you spirits" and "Come, thick night", which links her to evil, unnatural spirits. +Macbeth enters and their dialogue in lines 56-58 is in half-line breaks - this makes their speech sound urgent and hurried - they're both nervous and need to act quickly in case their interrupted.

Answer 6

+Lady Macbeth's soliloquy is really important - it shows that she's the driving force behind the decision to murder Duncan. +Her language links her to the Witches, and shows that she's not to be trusted.

Answer 7

Duncan and the lords arrive at Macbeth's castle

Answer 8

+Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle and is grateful for his hospitality and everything Macbeth's done for him. +**_Writer's Techniques - Irony:_** Duncan describes Macbeth's castle as "pleasant" and says that it "sweetly recommends itself". - It's ironic that Duncan feels happy and welcome at Macbeth's castle - the audience knows what Macbeth's got planned: this is where Duncan will die.

Answer 9

+Lady Macbeth appears to be the perfect hostess - she flatters Duncan and thanks him for the "honours deep and broad" he has given them; +Shakespeare contrasts this scene with the previous one to show how false Lady Macbeth is. +**_Writers Techniques - Irony:_** Duncan describes Macbeth's love for Lady Macbeth as "sharp as his spur". - This is ironic as it wasn't love that made Macbeth rush home but his desire to plot Duncan's murder with Lady Macbeth. +It's also ironic because Lady Macbeth is the spur [encouragement] that drives Macbeth into action.

Answer 10

+The Macbeths agree to kill Duncan

Answer 11

+Scene 7 opens with Macbeth's soliloquy - he's trying to decide whether to kill Duncan and gives a list of reasons why he shouldn't: * He knows that murder can "return/To plague th'inventor", so if he kills Duncan he's likely to end uo being killed himself. * As Duncan's "kinsman" and "host" he has a duty to protect him. * Duncan is a good king - he's "clear in his great office", so killing him will lead to "deep damnation". * Macbeth knows his own ambition will be his downfall.

Answer 12

+Lady Macbeth is forceful - she bullies and persuades Macbeth to go through with the murder by questioning his masculinity. +She says that by killing Duncan Macbeth will be "so much more the man". - This has a double meaning: he'll be more of a man, and he'll also be King. +She rejects her femininity by telling Macbeth that she'd kill her own child if she had "sworn" to do so" - She's trying to prove how remorseless and evil she is.

Answer 13

+**_Writer's techniques:_** Act one ends with anticipation - the murder has been planned but hasn't happened; this builds suspense for the audience.

Answer 14

+**_Writer's Techniques - Imagery:_** Lady Macbeth uses language connected with alchemy [the process of turning cheap metal into gold]: A "limbeck" and "receipt" are the apparatus used and "fume" refers to the gases produced. +Alchemists never succeeded in turning cheap metal into real gold - Shakespeare is hinting that Macbeth will never become a good successful king despite the ingredients Lady Macbeth will give him.

Answer 15

+Macbeth kills Duncan, and Lady Macbeth covers the servants in blood to frame them for his murder. +Macbeth meets Banquo then goes to kill Duncan

Answer 16

+Banquo and his son, Fleance, go for a walk at night - Fleance is a reminder to the audience about the Witches' prophecy that Banquo's sons will be kings. +There aren't any stars: "Their candles are all out", so its very dark - the darkness symbolises the evil that Macbeth is about to do; the starless sky also echoes Duncan's speech in Act 1, Scene 4 about stars shining on the deserving, but Macbeth is undeserving.

Answer 17

+Macbeth promises that if Banquo supports him, he'll "honour" him, but Banquo replies that he'll only help Macbeth if he can keep his "allegiance clear" - This shows that he is loyal to Duncan. +**_Character - Banquo:_** Banquo's response shows that he's more moral than Macbeth, but his "cursèd thoughts" and mention of the Witches may hint he's thinking about acting on the prophecies.

Answer 18

+**_Theme - The Supernatural:_** In his soliloquy Macbeth talks about "witchcraft", "Hecate's offerings" and "a ghost". +This links Macbeth to the Witches and shows how he's affected by their predictions, influencing him further into his fate of a stubborn illusion that would only later bring him never ending despair. +He starts seeing visions of a dagger - it's not clear if it's leading him to commit murder or warning him against it. It may be forshadowing the blade that will kill Duncan, the blade that represents his tyrannical rule that kills Banquo and Macduff's wife and children or the blade that will eventually kill him. +As he walks to kill Duncan, instead of imagining a crown, excited to be King, a vision of a dagger appears before him, representing his violent tyrannical rule and forshadowing his ultimate downfall.

Answer 19

+The Deed is Done - Macbeth kills Duncan

Answer 20

+Lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan - she's startled by every noise, and she says that she couldn't kill Duncan because he reminded her of her father. +This suggests that Lady Macbeth isn't as merciless as she appears.

Answer 21

+Macbeth doubts "Neptune's ocean" will clean the blood off his hands, he's feeling guilty. - Lady Macbeth doesn't seem as bothered by her bloody hands - it's an ironic forshadowing of her frenzied hand washing in Act 5. +Macbeth says he's "murdered sleep" - sleep symbolises peace and a clear conscience, so murdering sleep show's that he's wracked with guilt - This also forshadows Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking in Act 5. +There are also references to insanity - Lady Macbeth talks about Macbeth going "mad" and being "brain-sickly" - it's an ironic forshadowing of her own madness later.

Answer 22

+The stage directions add to the tension - there's a repetition of a knocking sound, which gives a sense of urgency. +This seems to echo Macbeth's pounding heart, and is a sign of fear and guilt.

Answer 23

+Macbeth may have commited a terrible, grisly murder, but he feels pretty guilty about it. +Lady Macbeth doesn't seem quite so concerned by what they've done at this point - but that will change soon enough.

Answer 24

Duncan's body is discovered

Answer 25

+The Porter's comic monolougue relieves the tension, but also builds suspense before Duncan's body is found. +Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to increase the audience's anticipation - the audience knows that Duncan has been murdered, and although the characters don't know, they can sense evil: * The Porter describes the Macbeth's castle gate as "hell gate" and makes a joke about a man sent to hell who "commited treason" [betraying king and country]. * Lennox comments on how "unruly" and stormy the night was - he tells Macbeth that the wind sounded like "strange screams of death". * He also says the storm was "prophesysing with accents terrible/Of dire combustion and confused events". This reflects the terrible events that have taken place and forshadows the events to come"

Answer 26

+Macduff finds Duncan's body - his reaction shows how horrified he is, and makes the murder seem even worse.

Answer 27

+Before Duncan's body is found, Macbeth speaks in short sentences - "Twas a rough night", "Not yet" - he seems distracted and tense, highlighting his guilt and nervousness. +When Duncan's body is discovered, Macbeth's language changes - he describes Duncan's "silver skin laced with his golden blood". His poetic language seems false.

Answer 28

+Macbeth confesses to killing Duncan's servants out of rage - When Lady Macbeth hears this she faints, which could be to distract the other characters from Macbeth's suspicious behaviour, or she may actually be horrified by Macbeth's violence, which she didn't help plan.

Answer 29

+Malcolm and Donalbain run away because they fear for their lives. +It makes them look guilty and allows Macbeth to take the throne.

Answer 30

+Macbeth is about to be made king. +This scene is a bridge between Act 2 and Act 3 - its purpose is to create a sense of fear and uncertainty.

Answer 31

Strange events have happened since Duncan's death, which show how the natural order has been disrupted - A country's well-being is linked to that of its king, so these events are bad omens for Macbeth's reign. * Its dark during the day: "dark night strangles the travelling lamp". This symbolises the evil that has come over Scotland. * A falcon has been savagely killed by an owl - the falcon symbolises Duncan [for it boldness and dominance], and the owl symbolises Macbeth [skeptical of other things and not sleeping at night] * Horses have been eating each other, which is unnatural.

Answer 32

+The scene ends with Macduff telling Rosse that Macbeth will be King. +Macduff isn't going to the coronation - this suggests he's suspicious of Macbeth and sets him up as Macbeth's main enemy.

Answer 33

+Macbeth plots Banquo's murder

Answer 34

+The scene opens with Banquo's soliloquy - His inner thoughts reveal several things: +He's suspicious of Macbeth, who he thinks "play'dst most foully" for the crown. +He's still thinking about the Witches' prediction that his descendants will be kings - He's ambitious, but unlike Macbeth he's willing to let fate take its course.

Answer 35

+Macbeth's soliloquy shows that his attitude to murder has changed - In Act 1 he was tormented by killing Duncan and almost couldn't do it, but he's decisive about killing Banquo - murder has become easy for him.

Answer 36

+Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo, showing how much his character has changed - in Act 1, Scene 1 he was a fearless hero, but now he can't meet his enemy face-to-face; He's become a coward. +**_Theme - Fate and Free Will_****_:_** Macbeth thinks he can change fate and prevent Banquo's descendants from becoming kings by killing Banquo and Fleance.

Answer 37

+Macbeth has become more like Lady Macbeth - He persuades the murderers to do what he wants by questioning their masculinity and telling lies to convince them that Banquo is their enemy.

Answer 38

+The Macbeths are feeling insecure +Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both feel insecure about Macbeth's position as King.

Answer 39

+Macbeth plans to kill Banquo, but he refuses to confide in Lady Macbeth - this could be because he wants to protect Lady Macbeth from more guilt, or because he's so driven by his own ambition that her opinion doesn't matter. +**_Character - The Macbeths:_** There's evidence that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles - before she told him to "look like/th' innocent flower" - no he tells her to flatter Banquo and says that they must make their faces "vizards to our hearts".

Answer 40

+Macbeth uses a lot of animal imagery in this scene, eg. "full of scorpions is my mind" and "the bat has flown". - This sets an unsettling tone; these animals remind the audience of evil and emphasise Macbeth's feelings of insecurity and paranoia. +**_Writer's Techniques - Forshadowing:_** Macbeth envies Duncan because he insn't troubled by "Malice domestic, foreign levy" [civil war or foreign armies] - This foreshadows Macduff's uprising and the English attack at the end of the play.

Answer 41

+Macbeth was a war hero long ago, but now he's hiring lackeys to murder his ex-best friend. +And although he needed his wife to convince him to murder Duncan, now he's telling *her* how to behave.

Answer 42

+Banquo is murdered

Answer 43

+A third murderer joins the other murderers as they prepare to kill Banquo - Macbeth has sent another murderer because he's paranoid and does't trust anyone. +Some directors emphasise this by making Macbeth the third murderer.

Answer 44

+The sun is setting and darkness is coming - this symbolises the terror of Macbeth's reign. +Banquo approaches carrying a torch - the light symbolises Banquo's goodness; when he's murdered the light goes out - his goodness has been destroyed.

Answer 45

+Fleance escapes - the Witches' prediction about Banquo's sons becoming kings could still come true. +This shows that it's impossible to cheat fate, which suggests that Macbeth would have become King even if he hadn't forced it to happen.

Answer 46

+Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost

Answer 47

+The Macbeths hold a feast - Macbeth's in a good mood because he thinks that Banquo and Fleance are being dealt with. +He's happy to "play the humble host" - the word play suggests his hospitality is fake.

Answer 48

+One of the murderers tells Macbeth that he's killed Banquo but Fleance has escaped. +Macbeth replies that he's "cabined, cribbed, confined". - The alliteration emphasises how trapped he feels. +With Fleance still alive Macbeth knows that his future as King is uncertain.

Answer 49

+Banquo's ghost appears after Macbeth receives the news about Banquo's death and Fleance's escape - it's a symptom of his guilt and anxiety. +The ghost is an important dramatic device. +In the previous scene Macbeth envied Duncan because he was at peace, but the ghost of Banquo suggests to Macbeth that even in death he won't be able to rest.

Answer 50

+Only Macbeth can see the ghost, so the audience is unsure whether it's real or a trick of Macbeth's guilty conscience. +The ghost appears when Macbeth says Banquo's name - this suggests that it is a guilt-inspired hallucination - it echoes the ghostly dagger that Macbeth saw before Duncan's murder. +The ghost sits on Macbeth's throne - this is a visual and dramatic reminder to the audience of the Witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings.

Answer 51

+Macbeth's behavior is so strange that Lady Macbeth has to pretend that he's unwell. - She takes control again, and echoes Act 1, Scene 7 when she asks him "Are you a man?", She thinks his fear isn't manly. +Macbeth says, "It will have blood they say - blood will have blood." - His repetition of the word "blood" shows his fear - he's starting to see the inevitability of his down fall.

Answer 52

+Macbeth says he's killed so many people that "Returning were as tedious as go o'er". - He's despairing here - he doesn't want to keep killing, but he thinks it's the only way to secure the throne. +He also says "I am in blood/Stepped in so far" - Macbeth has committed murder to gain the throne, and he's having to murder again to keep it. +All this violence isn't good for a man - Macbeth really starts to unravel, especially after he sees Banquo's ghost.

Answer 53

+The Witches meet with Hecate

Answer 54

+The Goddss of Witches, Hecate is annoyed that the three Witches have been meddling in Macbeth's business without involving her. +**_Writer's Techniques - Mood and Atmosphere:_** This is a dark scene which creates an atmosphere of fear and evil.

Answer 55

+The Witches plan to summon apparitions to trick Macbeth into being overconfident: "security/ Is mortals' chiefest enemy." - By making him bold they're making sure he'll continue his reign of terror, plunging natural order into chaos. +**_Theme - Fate and Free Will:_** Hecate says that Macbeth "shall spurn fate" - he thinks that he can change the course of destiny and stop Banquo's descendants from being King.

Answer 56

+Lennox plans an uprising

Answer 57

+This is another bridge scene, between Act 3 and 4 - The minor characters tell the audience everything that's happened - Maduff has raised an army against Macbeth, while Malcolm is at the English court.

Answer 58

+Lennox suspects that Macbeth's responsible for Duncan and Banquo's murders - He's careful not to speak his mind about Macbeth because he knows Macduff "lives in disgrace" for not being loyal to the King. +However, Lennox's true feelings are feelings are revealed by his speech: * The tone of his monologue is sarcastic, eg. he says Duncan's murder "did grieve Macbeth!" - he means the exact opposite. * He uses rhetorical questions: "To kill their gracious father?" - he doesn't believe that Malcolm and Donalbain murdered Duncan. * His speech is full of exclamations such as "But, peace!" and "Damnèd fact!" - This shows how angry he is, but also hints that he's afraid to show his anger - his short, broken sentences suggest he's trying to hold back his emotions.

Answer 59

+**_Historical Context:_** In Shakespeare's time, people thought that the King was appointed by God, so when the Lord calls King Edward "holy", this shows he's the rightful King of England. +The Lord says that Malcolm will have help from "Him above" - they believe he's the rightful King of Scotland, so God will help him overcome Macbeth.

Answer 60

+Lennox ends the scene by sending a message to the English court to free them from the "hand accused" - this builds the tension because it becomes a question of how far Macbeth will go before he's stopped. +The audience sees that Macbeth's death is inevitable, and the only way to restore peace to Scotland. +**_Writer's Techniques:_** Shakespeare wrote this scene from the perspective of the minor characters to develop the feeling of unrest in Scotland.

Answer 61

+"Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights" +The lords are pretty annoyed that Scotland has gone to the dogs - there's not enough food, everyone's paranoid that Macbeth will be after them next, and they've had enough of bodies turning up after feasts.

Answer 62

+The Witches make more predictions

Answer 63

+The scene opens with the Witches casting a spell - "Double, double toil and trouble". - This reminds the audience of their evil intentions, and the word "double" hints at double meanings. +The gruesome list of body parts that the Witches throw into the cauldron sets a dark, frightening tone.

Answer 64

+They announce Macbeth's arrival by saying, "Something wicked this way comes" - this shows how much he's changed from the brave hero of Act 1. +The Witches pretend to obey him: "Speak./Demand./We'll answer." - They trick him into asking for the apparitions by saying that he can talk to their "masters" - the Witches know Macbeth's biggest weakness is his ambition, so they play on his lust for power.

Answer 65

+Macbeth says, "though the yeasty waves/ Confound and swallow navigation up", which extends the metaphor that Macbeth is a sailor and Scotland is a ship.

Answer 66

Macbeth's language is confident at the start of the scene - He uses commands such as "Tell me" and "Call 'em" to control the Witches and threatens them with "an eternal curse" - he's not afraid of them. +[Turning point in the action - Macbeth starts to believe he's invincible as he hears the prophecies]

Answer 67

+These apparitions symbolise the threats to Macbeth: * An **armoured head** warns Macbeth about Macduff. * The armoured head could forshadow Macbeth's decapitation. * It could also symbolise treachery and the violence of battle. * A **bloody child** tells Macbeth that no one born from a woman can harm him. * This could represent Macduff, born by Caesarean section. * A **child wearing a crown and carrying a branch** tells Macbeth that he can't be beaten until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinanne Hill. * This could represent Malcolm - the rightful heir. * The branch could represent Birnam Wood, but also the hope that Scotland might grow and flourish under Malcolm's rule.

Answer 68

+The stage directions say that each apparition "Descends" - this suggests that they're going back to hell.

Answer 69

+Macbeth takes the Witches' predictions at face value, even though he knows that people who trust the Witches are "damned". +He's desperate to give them good news to make him feel secure. "none of woman born/Shall harm Macbeth" - After listening to the apparitions, Macbeth thinks he's untouchable - But the Witches' spooky messages always have more than one interpretation - Macbeth only hears what he wants to hear.

Answer 70

+The apparitions give Macbeth confidence - He thinks that he'll never be defeated because it's impossible for Birnam Wood to move and and that he's invincible becuase every man is born from a woman. +**_Theme - Reality and Appearances:_** Although the Witches haven't lied, they've deliberately misled Macbeth - it's another example of their deception.

Answer 71

+He want's tp know if the Witches' prophecy about Banquo is true, so they show him another vision - a line of Banquo's descendants. +Macbeth is angry: "Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs" +**_Historical Context:_** Some of Banquo's descendants carry orbs and sceptres to show that they will be rulers of England as well as Scotland - Macbeth was written during the reign of King James, who ruled over Scotland and England.

Answer 72

+Macbeth wants to kill Macduff's family - this shows how evil and paranoid he's become - He's willing to kill anyone associated with his enemy even if they don't pose a threat. +He doesn't discuss the murders with Lady Macbeth any more - he's driven solely by his own ambition and trusts no one.

Answer 73

Macbeth has Lady Macduff and her son murdered

Answer 74

+Lady Macduff is angry and scared because her husband has run off and left her to protect their castle and children. +Her fear shows how afraid people are under Macbeth's rule - Her comment, "to do harm/Is often laudable", shows how the morals of Scotland have been turned upside down by Macbeth's tyranny. +**_Writer's Techniques - Language_****_:_** Shakespeare starts this scene mid-dialogue - This highlights the confusion that Lady Macduff feels about her husband leaving.

Answer 75

+Lady Macduff talks with her son - their witty dialogue shows their maternal bond - The caring character of Lady Macduff contrasts with Lady Macbeth, who would have "dashed the brains out" of her own child.

Answer 76

+The murderer enters and stabs Lady Macduff's son - it's made even more brutal by the murderer calling him "egg" and "fry", which highlights how young he is and shows that Macbeth is willing to kill defenceless children. +It also shows that he's too cowardly to commit the murders himself. +The murder of Lady Macduff's son happens on stage - this symbolises the fact that Macbeth no longer cares if people see his terrible crimes.

Answer 77

+Lady Macduff compares herself to a wren, a tiny, powerless bird, protecting her nest from an owl [Macbeth]. +This reminds the audience of the imagery of the owl killing the falcon in Act 2, Scene 4 and shows that Macbeth is now killing defenceless 'prey'.

Answer 78

Lady Macduff says "to do harm/ Is often laudable, to do good...dangerous folly". +Lady Macduff's words show how bad things are in Scotland under Macbeth: people who commit murder are rewarded, while good people are the ones who suffer. Life's just not fair.

Answer 79

+Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty

Answer 80

+Macduff goes to England to convince Malcolm to raise an army against Macbeth - Malcolm doesn't trust Macduff which shows the fear and suspicion Macbeth has created. +**_Theme - Loyalty:_** Macduff shows his loyalty to Scotland by going to England to support Malcolm even though his family is in danger.

Answer 81

+Malcolm thinks that because Macduff's family hasn't been harmed he must support Macbeth - this creates dramatic irony as the audience knows that Macduff's family has been murdered. +**_Theme - Kingship:_** * Malcolm has learnt from Duncan's mistakes - he doesn't blindly trust the thanes - this caution suggests he'll be a better king than Duncan. * Malcolm tells Macduff that he's honest, grateful and god-fearing - good qualities for a king; Malcolm's loyalty to his country contrasts with Macbeth's tyranny and betrayal.

Answer 82

+Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending to be more evil than Macbeth - Macduff passes Malcolm's test by proving he's loyal to Scotland and won't support another tyrant. +Like Macbeth, Malcolm tries to disguise his true nature - but does it to protect Scotland, rather than for his own gain.

Answer 83

+Shakespeare contrasts the kind, unselfish kingship of Edward with the cruel, selfish tyranny of Macbeth. +**_Theme - Supernatural:_** Edward has "a heavenly gift of prophecy" and can cure the sick with his touch - Since rightful kings were thought to have been appointed by God, people thought that Edward had divine gifts - the opposite of the Witches' evil, supernatural powers.

Answer 84

+That his family has been murdered +Rosse arrives and tells Macduff that his family have been killed - his reluctance to break the news creates drama.

Answer 85

+Macduff's grief is clear from the way he speaks: "All my pretty ones?/Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? / What, all my pretty chickens" - His short sentences, rhetorical questions and repetition of the word "all" shows that he can't believe what Rosse has told him. +The murder of Macduff's family is important to the plot - it motivates Macduff to get revenge on Macbeth and end his cruel reign.

Answer 86

+**_Writer's Techniques - Symbolism:_** Like the Macbeths, Malcolm thinks that masculinity means being aggressive - he tells Macduff to "Dispute it like a man". +Macduff contrasts this by saying he should "feel it as man" - he believes that men are also sensitive. +In this way, Macduff teaches Malcolm how to be a good man and king.

Answer 87

+King Duncan "Thy royal father/Was a most sainted king" +Macbeth was written during the reign of King James l, who was a big fan of plays - Shakespeare has lots to say about what makes a good king - it's all about divine rights, compassion and fair monarchy rule.

Answer 88

+Lady Macbeth sleepwalks

Answer 89

+It's the first time the audience sees Lady Macbeth since things have started to go wrong - her character has completely changed; she's been driven mad by guilt and fear.

Answer 90

+She carries a candle and "has light by continually" - she's afraid of the dark which is ironic because in Act 1, Scene 5 she welcomes the darkness: "Come thick night". - Night now reminds her of the evil she has done. +She tries to wash imaginary blood off her hands: "Out, damned spot!" - Hand-washing symbolises her guilt, and contrasts with her attitude in Act 2, Scene 2 when she tells Macbeth "A little water clears us of this deed."

Answer 91

+The way her langage changes also reveals her guilty conscience: * Her speech changes from smooth and fluent blank verse to disjointed prose - this shows her troubled state of mind. * Her speech is uncertain: "The Thane of Fifre had a wife - where is she now?" - Her use of questions shows her mental confusion and contrasts with her domineering language in Act 1, Scene 7. * Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking to reveal her inner thoughts.

Answer 92

+The Doctor says "unnatural deeds/Do breed unnatural troubles" - Lady Macbeth has upset the natural balance by doing evil things. +It reminds the audience of the unnatural things reported in Act 2 Scene 4.

Answer 93

+The Thanes prepare for battle

Answer 94

+The Scottish lords are preparing to attack Macbeth - this scene builds tension in anticipation of the battle.

Answer 95

+They plan to meet the English army near Birnam Wood - it's a reminder of the Witches' prophecy, and hints that Macbeth might be defeated. +**_Writer's Techniques - Imagery:_** Angus describes Macbeth's "murders sticking on his hands" - this reminds the audience of Lady Macbeth trying to wash the blood from her hands.

Answer 96

* **Health** - the lords use imagery to describe Scotland as unwell; Caithness talks about "the sickly weal" [wound] and refers to Malcolm as the "med'cine" that will heal the country. * **Nature** - Lennox describes Malcolm as the "sovereign flower". - He also wants to drown the weeds" [get rid of Macbeth] - He compares Macbeth to a weed because he's preventing anything else from growing and he's destroying the land. * **Clothing** - Angus describes Macbeth as a "dwarfish thief" wearing a "giant's robe" - the responsibility of being King is too great for Macbeth.

Answer 97

+Lady Macbeth was completely self-assured in Act, but by Act 5 she's gone crazy with guilt. +Her madness, presented through her sleepwalking, shows the audience that evil deeds always have consequences.

Answer 98

Everyone prepares for battle

Answer 99

+Like the rest of the scenes in Act 5, Scenes 3 and 4 are very short. +Short scenes increase the pace and add to the drama.

Answer 100

+Macbeth's soliliquy suggests he's beginning to despair even though he thinks he's invincible - "I have lived long enough" - He admits everything he's done is worthless.

Answer 101

+**_Writer's Techniques:_** Macbeth's servant is called "Seyton", which sounds like Satan - this adds to the hellish image of Macbeth's castle. +However, when he talks to other characters he's over-confident, giving orders like "Give me my armour", and calling his servant "lily-livered". This contrast reflects his unstable state of mind. +Macbeth shows signs of going mad - he tells Seyton to help him put his armour on and almost straight away he says "Pull't off". - He's confused and unbalanced and his metal state matches Lady Macbeth's - the Doctor says she's "troubled with thick coming fancies".

Answer 102

+Meanwhile, Malcolm tells his soldiers to cut down branches from Birnam Wood to disguise their numbers - the audience sees that the Witches have tricked Macbeth, and that defeat seems inevitable. +The English army calmly discuss their battle plan - they're in control; this contrasts with Macbeth's frenzied behaviour in Scene 3.

Answer 103

Lady Macbeth dies +Lady Macbeth dies offstage - it's an anticlimax and shows how unimportant she's become.

Answer 104

+Macbeth alternates between arrogance and despair in these scenes - this shows how confused he is. +At the start of the scene he's boasting and full of bravado - He says he's "supped full with horrors", so nothing can frighten him. +His attitude changes when he's told that his wife is dead

Answer 105

* He realises that all his terrible acts had no purpose, "Signifying nothing". * He describes life as a "shadow" and a "candle" - it's fleeting and unreal. * He compares life to a "poor player" [actor] - he sees life as meaningless. * His language eg. "petty", "fools" and "idiot", reflects his bitterness. +**_Writer's Techniques - Language:_** Macbeth's language is sad and reflective, eg. he says "Life's but a walking shadow". - This shows that he's not a monster - he still has a human side that regrets what he's done.

Answer 106

+When Macbeth finds out that Birnam Wood is moving towards his castle, he realises that the Witches have tricked him: "the fiend/That lies like truth" - This shows he was too trusting of the Witches - it's ironic considering his betrayal of Duncan, who trusted Macbeth. +[Turning point in the action - Macbeth starts to realise the Witches have tricked him] +Macbeth decides to attack the approaching army - it's a brave decision and a reminder of the fearless warrior that Macbeth was in Act 1.

Answer 107

+Because he's been misled by the Witches. +"Life's but a walking shadow" - He's commitedd all these terrible crimes, lost his wife - and what for? Bad guys never get happy endings.

Answer 108

The attack

Answer 109

+Malcolm's army march towards Macbeth's castle and Macbeth's surrounded - Macbeth meets Young Siward and kills him - his death gives Macbeth confidence. +Macbeth is still clinging to the idea that he's invincible and chooses to trust the Witches' prophecies, even though the prediction about Birnam Wood has come true. +**_Writer's Techniques - Stagecraft:_** There are a lot of entrances and exits in Scene 7, which add to the confusion of the battle - They also add tension - Macduff is searching for Macbeth and enters the scene just after Macbeth exits.

Answer 110

+Macduff and Macbeth fight

Answer 111

+Macbeth and Macduff meet but Macbeth doesn't want to fight - He feels guilty about killing Macduff's family - "my soul is too much charged/With blood of thine." - He's still got some humanity left.

Answer 112

+Macbeth still thinks he can't be harmed by any one "of woman born", but Macduff reveals he was born by Caesarean section - Macbeth accepts that he's been misled by the Witches and says, "be these juggling fiends no more believed". +**_Theme - Fate and Free Will:_** All the Witches' prophecies have come true - The prophecies are partly self-fulfiling, because Macbeth has brought about his own downfall through his actions.

Answer 113

+Macbeth is trapped but he refuses to back down, even though he knows he's doomed - This is a return to the brave warrior of Act 1, and shows that he's in his element fighting man to man rather than having people murdered. +The audience feels relief when Macbeth dies - this shows how evil he's become.

Answer 114

Malcolm becomes King

Answer 115

+Macbeth is dead and Malcolm has won - Malcolm is concerned about the missing members of his army - his caring nature contrasts with Macbeth's cruelty and ruthlessness.

Answer 116

+Siward discovers that his son's been killed, but he's not upset - He thinks that it's an honour that his son died protecting Scotland, showing how desperately they wanted to overthrow Macbeth. +**_Writer's Techniques - Symbolism:_** Siward only cares that his son died bravely "like a man". - Malcolm says that "He's worth more sorrow" - this shows that he's realised that being a man means more than just being violent and aggressive.

Answer 117

+Macduff enters with Macbeth's head - The play begins and ends with a battle and a traitor being beheaded - this gives the play a circular structure. +**_Theme - Kingship:_** At the end of the play the natural order is restored - Malcolm is the rightful King and will be guided by God - he says, "by the grace of Grace,/We will perform in measure, time and place."

Answer 118

+The play ends how it began - with victory on the battlefield and a traitor's head being cut off - The circular structure ties everything up nicely.

Macbeth - Discussion of Acts Flashcards

(144 cards)