Shakespeare’s
Macbeth
Journal #____
Group sharing
in three
minutes
Row 1: fate
Row 2: honor
Row 3: ambition
Row 4: guilt and /or anguish
(1) define the concept, (2) give examples that
illustrate it, (3) list some of the consequences
associated with it, and in other ways show
how we react to the concept.
Macbeth is another one of
Shakespeare’s great
tragedies written around
1605; published in 1623.
• It tells about the fall of the ambitious couple,
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
• Macbeth is a story about the murder of a king,
the revenge of a son, three witches who plot
against Macbeth, and Macbeth’s rise and fall.
What is the nature of a tragedy?
(sounds like a good essay topic)
• Tragedy involves the descent of a great man—a man of
influence—from success to defeat to death because of a tragic
flaw.
• Often the audience appeal goes from pity, fear, disgust, and
sympathy as we feel for the suffering of others and recognize our
own convictions of right and wrong.
• The tragic hero usually dies with a bitter realization of
his errors and releases society from the disorder he has
caused.
• The downfall of the “hero” is a result of a chain of events and
choices.
• Macbeth is the tragic hero, a character who has a fatal (tragic)
flaw within himself that he cannot change. He is not a bad
person; he is just too __________________.
(Create an acronym to help you remember these)
D–A–R-C
What is historical fiction?
The play is loosely based upon actual events. The
action is set in 11th century Scotland and England.
Macbeth ruled Scotland virtuously for 10 years before
turning to tyranny. His predecessor, Duncan, had been
mysteriously killed. (Macbeth was likely the murderer.)
He was well-read in literature and was a writer.
More of the “historical fiction” aspect is directly linked
to King James himself…
King James VI of Scotland became James I of England
in 1603 after the death of Queen Elizabeth.
King James frequently called for Shakespeare and his
associates to appear at his court to give them special
privileges and grants of money.
Why would King James have been
pleased with the production of Macbeth?
(hmm…sounds like another good essay topic)
He believed that witches were agents of the devil
who punished the wicked and tempted and tested
the faith of the virtuous.
He believed that man is judged by his choices.
Five of the virtuous characters in Macbeth are direct
ancestors of king James.
A King is divine or chosen by God
The play’s theme is based upon the king’s
ideas and writings.
THEMES
Lust for power can lead to loss of humanity
Our choices determine who we are and/or
who we will become.
Demonstrates the moral and psychological
effects of evil on the life of one man.
Motifs
•"Fair is foul, and foul is fair." This theme
is reiterated throughout the play by Macbeth and
the weird sisters. What does it mean?
•"Blood will have blood." Macbeth attained
his position by bloodshed, so it was inevitable that
he should pay with his own life.
Look for examples of …
IRONY:

Double meanings
Grim humor
Sharp twists
Audience dramatic ironies
SYMBOLISM & CONTRASTS:
Evil
Hell
Disorder
Darkness
Good
Heaven
Order
Light
The play opens in Scotland. Macbeth and Banquo have
defeated their enemies in battle, leading King Duncan to
give the title of thane of Cawdor to Macbeth (who doesn’t
know this yet). While Macbeth and Banquo are walking,
they encounter three chanting witches. The witches
speak to Macbeth as thane of Glamis, thane of
Cawdor, and king hereafter. They also tell Banquo
that though he will not be king, he will beget kings
(note: his son’s name is Fleance). Macbeth wonders
about this prediction as the king’s messenger arrives. He
tells him that he has been appointed
thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is momentarily
tempted to kill the king in order to
fulfill the prophesy, but decides not to.
Important to note witches’
predictions
Cast of Characters
Macbeth is a gifted leader, a fierce
warrior, an imaginative, sensitive soul, but
he wants to be king, even if it requires
doing something drastic. Be especially
mindful of the progression of his
character and the effects of evil on
his temperament.
Lady Macbeth, urges her husband to kill the king.
Since the king is staying at their castle overnight, that
must be when they kill him. She plans the whole
thing, making the king’s guards drunk. By using their
daggers to kill the king and putting the king’s blood
on them, Lady Macbeth will frame the guards. It is
now time for Macbeth to stab the king. Though he has
bad visions and feelings, Macbeth kills the king.
Afterwards, he is troubled. "I am afraid to think what I
have done; Look on ‘t again I dare not," he says.
Lady Macbeth is also a well-developed
character. She is conniving and ruthless,
though she does seem to have some
humane qualities. Also, watch for the
progression of her character
throughout the play.
The next morning, the murder is blamed on the
guards. Macbeth kills them before they can protest,
explaining that he killed them out of rage. The king’s
sons run away—why?
Who are the kings sons?
• Malcolm
• Donalbain
Who is Banquo?
• Banquo: Macbeth’s friend and
general who suspected Macbeth
of killing the King.
Note now; comprehend later…
Towards the end of the play, Macbeth returns to visit
the witches. As he arrives they are chanting:
"Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and
cauldron bubble." They give him a false hope, telling
him three things. First, beware of Macduff. Second,
"none of woman born shall harm Macbeth." Third,
Macbeth will not be conquered until Birnam wood
comes to the hill of Dunsinane.
Other Key Characters:
Macduff: general,
believes that Macbeth
killed the King
King Duncan: King of
Scotland, murdered by
Macbeth who was one of
his generals whom he
had just promoted
Hecate: moon goddess
and goddess of the
witches, directs
supernatural
occurrences
Ross: Macduff’s cousin
and messenger who
carries news
Lennox: nobleman,
suspicious of the murder of
the king
Seyton: Macbeth’s
lieutenant
Porter: servant; when
drunk, thought that he was
the keeper of Hell’s Gates
and that sinners were
knocking at the door to be
admitted.
Resources
www.fotosearch.com
http://www.notleynet.freeserve.co.uk/1sttake/nhs/19
99x/macb.WMV
Lamb, Sidney. “Macbeth.” Cliff’s Notes, Inc. Lincoln:
Nebraska, 1966.
J# ___ Respond to one of the following:
(1) Imagine that you are trying to decide whether to
do something you know is very wrong, but which will
benefit you. A friend says, "Come on, just do it. Do
you want to be a loser all your life?" How would you
react to such goading? Would your reaction be
different if your friend said, "Yeah, that's a tough
decision, but if you don't do it, someone else will"? If
so, why? (2) You have done something illegal and then
gotten caught. You now have a choice either to admit
that you did it or tell a lie to cover it up. How far would
you be willing to go to cover up your own wrongdoing?
What role does fear play in your choice of action?
What other considerations weigh in your decision?