Macbeth (Supernatural) - Quotes

Question 1

Thesis statement

Answer 1

Shakespeare’s purpose is to flatter King James and his interest in witchcraft. He also focuses on free will and fate and how life would be mapped out for you by God, as shown with Malcolm, the rightful heir finally becoming king. He also explores the patriarchal society with the witches since they were so unattractive (with beards) that they had to resort to witchcraft and evil to gain power

Question 2

“in thunder, lightning or in rain” … “there to meet Macbeth” - witches

Answer 2

1. They have the possibility to control the weather, setting them up as a supernatural force
2. They can see into the future and that Macbeth will appear where they want him to appear

Question 3

“fair is foul and foul is fair”/ “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”

Answer 3

1. Paradox - themes of deception
2. Macbeth is already susceptible and led by the witches even though he has not met them

Question 4

“To win us to our harms, the instruments of darkness tell us truths” - Banquo

Answer 4

1. Shakespeare presents Macbeth as the opposite of Banquo
2. It’s how we should act towards evil, even though it is seductive
3. The witches are being controlled by a satanic figure who, therefore, control Macbeth

Question 5

“you should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are” - Banquo

Answer 5

1. They have beards in a patriarchal society where they cannot get any power
2. A women had to be either rich or attractive to gain power but they didn’t have neither
3. It’s masculine values who are the problem that when women try to gain power, society doesn’t give them any power

Question 6

“A dagger of the mind”, “heat oppressed brain”

Answer 6

1. He is destroying his own sanity by going to King Duncan but his desires are so powerful that he does it anyway
2. There is no real dagger but a projection of the power of his own desires
3. Macbeth’s own desires that are leading him this way
4. Is the witches words or his own desires that produce its own heat

Question 7

“Thou canst not say I did it” - Macbeth

Answer 7

1. Macbeth’s own mind that produces this ghost of Banquo
2. He is challenging fate that Banquo’s sons would become king but fate intervenes
3. Macbeth then confesses to all the nobles that he killed Duncan

Question 8

“I am bent to know, by the worst means” - Macbeth

Answer 8

1. He already knows that the worst is coming but he wants to find out the worst thing in the future
2. The witches haven’t tried to manipulate Macbeth further - only he goes to visit the witches
3. They don’t tell him what to do suggesting that they weren’t that powerful

Question 9

“By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes” - the witches

Answer 9

1. They have recognised the evil in Macbeth before he has himself
2. Rhyming couplet suggests they are supernatural and know things

Question 10

“None of women born shall harm Macbeth” - the witches

Answer 10

1. They present something which sounds impossible
2. They stretch the truth and start playing with Macbeth

Question 11

“a poor player”…“a walking shadow”…“tale told by an idiot” - Macbeth

Answer 11

1. He becomes king in order elevate his wife to queen and have children that are kings
2. Proves that he loved his wife
3. He then becomes nihilistic showing how much a part of his life Lady Macbeth was
4. Life is meaningless and the people living it are like actors in a play
5. God has written the script which he plays the part - he’s denying personal responsibility

Question 12

“What’s he that was not born of women? such a one am I to fear” - Macbeth

Answer 12

1. He wants to solve the riddle and find the person who isn’t born a woman
2. Shows the power of fate and tragedy - he just wants to find the ending