Macbeth points

Question 1

Gender/masculinity points

Answer 1

1) Lady Macbeth transcends gender boundaries within the play. She feels that her gender holds her back.

Later on, Lady Macbeth wishes for her feminity back

2) Macbeth battles between fear and masculinity, allowing LM to manipulate him. Macbeth’s masculinity is a source of insecurity. Masculinity associated with violence.

3) Positive image of masculinity associated with honour. Originally, Macbeth’s masculinity is honourable. Malcolm and Macduff.

Question 2

Power points

Answer 2

1) Malcolm and Duncan’s reigns are presented as rightful. Malcolm acts as a foil for Macbeth

2) Macbeth’s reign of power is presented as illegitimate, suggesting that by defying the Great Chain of Being, power becomes meaningless

3) Power in the wrong hands is presented as ultimately destructive to the country

4) Supernatural power, push Macbeth to act on his greed for power

Question 3

Loyalty points

Answer 3

1) Loyalty has the potential to be manipulated and betrayed for personal desires, demonstrated through the characters of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Loyalty can be deceiving

2)
Moreover, Shakespeare suggests that misplaced loyalty can be fatal, represented through Banquo’s loyalty in Macbeth, as well as Macbeth’s loyalty in the witches.

3) Shakespeare explores the complex nature of loyalty and betrayal, suggesting that at some points that the betrayal of a king can also act as a demonstration of loyalty to a country. Macduff acts as a foil for Macbeth, his actions demonstrating his undying loyalty to Scotland whereas Macbeth appears to betray everyone close to him.

Question 4

Ambition

Answer 4

Beginning: Macbeth’s ambition is present, yet his morals are still in place. Witches play a role in inspiring Macbeth’s ambition. Macbeth’s ambition makes him act against his morals

Beginning: Lady Macbeth’s ambition is at its strongest and she tries to act on it through her husband. She subverts the traditional view of a woman at the time.

Middle: Macbeth’s ambition spirals out of control, leading him to commit more murder with ease as his conscience is destroyed by his insatiable ambition.

End - Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambition leads to their downfalls. They both realise too late that their ambition has brought them no joy.

Question 5

Fate/free-will points

Answer 5

1) Shakespeare uses the witches to act as a symbol of fate. The witches never force Macbeth into acting, although they do play on his hamartia. Contrast between Banquo and Macbeth represents how Macbeth’s free will is really what causes him to commit regicide. Macbeth’s trust in fate leads to his downfall.

2) Macbeth takes over from fate, his free will propelling him into action.

3) Fate restores the rightful king to Scotland

Question 6

Good vs evil points

Answer 6

1) Goodness can be corrupted for personal desires
2) Different types of evil linked to gender
3) Witches as the epitome of evil/Banquo, Malcolm, Macduff as purely good

Question 7

Deception/appearance vs reality points

Answer 7

1)Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use deception to get away with regicide
2) Shakespeare suggests that deception is not permanent, the truth must come out eventually
3) The witches are the embodiment of deception, and Macbeth’s trust in them leads to his downfall.