Macbeth essay plan - violence Flashcards
(47 cards)
Opening sentence for introduction
In ‘Macbeth’ violence is one of the most important themes, as it ultimately structures the whole play, and is a catalyst for the thoughts and actions of the characters especially Macbeth himself.
Who is violence presented by? What?
Macbeth, whose ‘vaulting ambition’ and the influence of the supernatural cause him to commit the ‘bloody business’ in order to achieve power.
Where is the play is violence presented?
see violence in battle in the opening and closing of the play - good
and in the murders of King Duncan, Banquo and the Macduff family, who all become victims of Macbeth’s violence - bad
Why is there violence in the play?
some of the violence is positive
negative violence also occurs and involves the supernatural, working mostly in the darkness
Middle - Main idea 1 - deception - topic sentence
During Act Two, the rising action of the play, violence has developed rapidly, as the temptation of power for Macbeth leads to him murdering more victims in order to seize the throne.
Middle - Main idea 1 - deception - quote
Macbeth lies to the murderers he hires to kill Banquo, saying ‘know Banquo was your enemy’
Middle - Main idea 1 - deception - analysis
use of deception suggests that he is so eager to commit another violent deed but now, due to him being king, he can convince others to do it on his behalf.
Middle - Main idea 1 - deception - link back to question/themes
Macbeth also deceives both Lady Macbeth and Banquo before the murder of Banquo, adding further cruelty and calculative qualities to his violent acts
–> To his wife, Macbeth insists: ‘be innocent of knowledge, dearest chuck’ suggesting Macbeth’s growing independence and desire to keep her out of the planning for Banquo’s murder.
–> he uses frequent, insistent questions such as ‘ride you this afternoon? and ‘Does Fleance go with you?’ in order to find out exactly where Banquo and Fleance will be.
Middle - Main idea 3 - Macduff family - topic sentence
Macbeth also decides to murder the whole of Macduff’s family
Middle - Main idea 3 - Macduff family - quote
suggests ‘blood will have blood’ and he has already committed many murders, therefore he has the ability to commit violent actions with no remorse.
Middle - Main idea 3 - Macduff family - analysis
‘He has killed me mother’ truly horrific as Macbeth is willing to kill innocent children in order to fulfil his hubris.
“Stars hide your fires; let not…
…light see my black and deep desires”
Act 1
“Will all great Neptune’s oceans…
wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Act 2
“I am in blood / Stepped…
…in so far that should I wade no more”
Act 3
“I have no spur / To prick the sides…
…of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself”
Act 1
“Life’s but a walking…
…shadow, a poor player”
Act 5
End - Main idea 2 - Battle - topic sentence
In addition, in the battle of England versus Scotland, the violent fighting is described as
End - Main idea 2 - Battle - quote
‘clamorous harbingers of blood and death’
End - Main idea 2 - Battle - analysis
adjective ‘clamorous’ highlights the horrific noise of killing all around Macbeth
“Harbingers of blood and death”: emphasizes the trumpets’ role as a sign or omen of the violence and carnage that awaits Macbeth and his forces
End - Main idea 2 - Battle - link back to question/themes
creates a sense of impending doom and foreshadows the brutal nature of the battle at the end of the play
End - Main idea 3 - Macbeth’s death - topic sentence
analysis
In the final moments of the play, Macbeth displays his former ‘brave’ behaviour when he asks (‘Why should I play the Roman fool and die on my own sword’)
End - Main idea 3 - Macbeth’s death - quote
‘Why should I play the Roman fool and die on my own sword’
End - Main idea 3 - Macbeth’s death - analysis
rather die fighting than escape the terror by ending his own life
End - Main idea 4 - Macduff’s violence - topic sentence
Eventually, during his final duel with Macduff, we can see violence in Macduff’s burning desire to murder this ‘tyrant’ and restore the Great Chain of Being.
