Macbeth Themes Flashcards
(9 cards)
Guilt - “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Macbeth’s hyperbolic question emphasises depth of his guilt suggesting it’s so profound that not even the vast ocean can cleanse it
Imagery of blood symbolises the irreversible nature of his crime
Shakespeare illustrates how guilt can overwhelm and consume an individual entirely
Guilt - “Out, damned spot! Out I say!”
Lady Macbeth’s hallucination reveals her deep-seated guilt manifesting physically
Repetition and exclamation indicate her desperation and unraveling sanity
Shakespeare portrays guilt as a force that can lead to psychological deterioration
Guilt - “O full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”
Macbeth expresses his mental torment and anxiety through the metaphor of scorpions
Imagery conveys, poisonous and dangerous thoughts plaguing him
Shakespeare demonstrates how guilt and ambition can lead to a disturbed psyche
Kingship - “His virtues will plead like angels”
Macbeth acknowledges King Duncan’s goodness, likening his virtues to heavenly beings
This simile elevates Duncan’s moral standing and the sanctity of his kingship
Shakespeare contrasts rightful virtuous leadership with Macbeth’s tyrannical rule
Kingship - “bleed, bleed, poor country!”
Macduff personifies Scotland expressing sorrow over its suffering under Macbeth’s reign
Repetition emphasises the nation’s pain and the consequences of corrupt leadership
Shakespeare underscores the impact of tyranny on a nation’s well-being
Kingship - “the king-becoming graces… justice, verify, temperance”
Malcom lists qualities essential for a worthy king, highlighting what Macbeth lacks
These virtues represent the moral compass necessary for rightful leadership
Shakespeare sets a standard for kingship emphasising the importance of integrity
Supernatural - “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
The witches’ paradox sets tone for the play, blurring moral boundaries
This phrase suggests appearances can be deceiving, a recurring theme
Shakespeare uses supernatural to challenge perceptions of reality and morality
Supernatural - “Is this a dagger which I see before me?”
Macbeth’s hallucination of the dagger symbolises his inner conflict and ambition
The vision blurs the line between reality and the supernatural
Shakespeare illustrates how supernatural elements can influence human actions
Supernatural - “come, you spirits, unsex me here”
Lady Macbeth calls upon supernatural forces to rid of her feminine qualities seeking strength to commit murder
This invocation challenges natural gender roles and morality
Shakespeare explores the theme of unnatural order influences disrupting the natural order
