William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
Macbeth
 A story about lust for power and its terrible
consequences.
 Shakespeare read a popular novel called Chronicles
of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1587). The novel
told about Duncan who reigned from 1034-1040 and
about Macbeth who reigned from 1040-1057.
 The real Macbeth gained the throne with help of
other noblemen who were dissatisfied with King
Duncan, a young and ineffective ruler.
Macbeth
 Shakespeare, always fascinated by psychological
truth, altered the material to gain dramatic power.
 In Shakespeare’s hands, Macbeth becomes a tragic
hero.
 Tragic hero: character of high status, who suffers a
downfall as a result of a fatal character flaw, errors in
judgment, or forces beyond human control.
Literary elements
 Atmosphere: general mood or emotional quality of a
literary work.
 In dramas, atmosphere is created with details such
as in the setting.
Prediction using ART
 Look on page 317.
 Examine the picture of a painting and predict using
your prior knowledge what do you think will happen
when Macbeth meets the 3 witches?
Questions ACT I
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
After reading scene 1 and 3, what do the lines
suggest about the world of this play in regards to
atmosphere?
What happens to mortals who displease the
witches? What may they symbolize or stand for?
Why might Macbeth think that he should be named
Duncan’s heir?
What is ironic about Banquo’s comments about
Macbeth’s castle?
Who is responsible for the plot against Duncan?
ACT II
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The play was performed first in 1606 after the
Gunpowder Plot of 1605 which was a conspiracy by
Catholic extremist to blow up King James I and his
Protestant government on November 5, 1605. The
plot was uncovered and in the play, one can see
that the events affected Shakespeare.
Motif: a significant phrase, description or image
that is repeated throughout a literary work and
related to its theme.
Example: the supernatural is associated with the
witches
Questions ACT II
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What motifs can you identify in the passage in lines
4-7 on page 338?
Why does Lady Macbeth faint?
Why does Macduff refuse to attend Macbeth’s
coronation?
How does Lady Macbeth get blood on her hands?
Who is more responsible for Duncan’s murderMacbeth or Lady Macbeth? Explain.
ACT III
 Macbeth is a study of power of evil.
 During the 1500s and 1600s, belief in the existence
of witchcraft was widespread King James I even
wrote a book on the subject, which he argued that
witchcraft and other forms of sorcery were a threat.
 Foil: a minor character whose attitudes, beliefs, and
behavior differ significantly from those of a main
character.
Questions ACT III
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Why does Banquo claim that his descendants will
be kings?
Why does Macbeth perceive Banquo as a threat?
Why does the thought of Banquo’s son make
Macbeth uneasy?
Why does Macbeth begin to suspect Macduff?
How does Edward I contrast with Macbeth?
How has the relationship between Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth changed in this act?
ACT IV
 The act opens with the witches with the cauldron
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which is symbolic for hell.
Plot: sequence of events in a narrative work
Exposition: intro of setting and characters
Rising action: adds complications to conflicts
Climax: emotional high point
Falling action: logical result
Resolution: final outcome is revealed
ACT IV
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What information does Macbeth receive when he
meets the witches in the opening of the act?
How does Macduff’s escape frustrate Macbeth’s
plans?
Why did Macduff flee Scotland without telling his
wife?
Why does Macduff blame himself for the murder of
his family?
To what extent are the witches responsible for
Macbeth’s moral decay? Explain.
ACT V
 The act opens with Lady Macbeth sleepwalking in
which the doctor describes as one with infected
mind.
 This indicates that Lady Macbeth is haunted by guilt.
 Tragedy: a literary work in which the main character
or hero suffers a downfall as a result of a tragic flaw,
an error in judgment, or forces beyond human
control.
 Tragic hero: high ranking character who ultimately
gains some kind of insight into himself even though
he faces defeat and most of the time, death.
Questions ACT V
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Why do you think Lady Macbeth goes through the
act of washing her hands while fast asleep?
What does Angus’s comment reveal about
Macbeth?
Does Macbeth feel remorse for having murdered
Macduff”s family? Explain.
How does Macbeth react when he is told that his
wife is dead?
What is the resolution of this tragedy?
Advanced English
 In an expository, explain the causes of Macbeth’s
downfall? Use at least 3 quotes to support your
reasons.
 OR- Explain how Lady Macbeth is a tragic hero, too.
Use at least 3 quotes to support your reasons.
General English
 Choose any of the characters and characterize using
the provided graphic organizer.