MACBETH
William Shakespeare
GROUP WORK
• Each group will be given a different article on William
Shakespeare. After reading the article, each group will answer
the attached questions. Each group will present their findings on
the whiteboard for the rest of the class to copy down.
1. What is the purpose of the article?
2. What does the article say about Shakespeare?
3. What does the article say about Macbeth?
4. What were some interesting facts you learned?
SHAKESPEARE’S GRAMMAR-WHAT ART THOU
ON ABOUT?
Thou means you
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Thou art = you are
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Are you…? = Art thou…?
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Thou hast = you have
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Have you…? = Hast thou…?
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Thou dost = you do
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Do you…? = Dost thou…?
Thy means your
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This is thy doing. I wish thy heart was
mine.
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This apple is now thine. All I have is
thine.
WITCHCRAFT
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During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) the public were increasingly
preoccupied with witchcraft. In 1564 a law came into force making murder by witchcraft
punishable by death, thus acknowledging witches and their supernatural powers. Between
1564 and 1603 there were 8000 witches burned to death. In 1604 a law was passed in
Scotland, which declared anyone found guilty of practising witchcraft should be executed.
Divine order
Jacobeans believed that the whole universe had an order to it which was decided by God.
Anything unnatural was against this divine order. Kings were God’s agents, so action against
a king was a crime against God. Satan had rebelled against God directly, and he was
responsible, through witches and evil spirits, for all attacks on the divine order.
FOCUSSING QUESTIONS
1. What ideas were prevalent during Shakespearean times and how have they changed or
remained the same?
2. What parallels between events in Macbeth and events in the world today are there?
Read the following readings and take notes on anything you think is relevant to the focus
questions.
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Shakespeare’s theatre
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Going to the theatre
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Background to the play
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Ptolemaic systems
SHORT WRITING TASK
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Do you think that Shakespeare’s Macbeth is relevant to modern society? (HINTS: think
about global events and politics – is it any less messy? Is there less conflict? Do people's
beliefs always impact on the way they choose or respect their leaders?)
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Write just one paragraph with just one main point.
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Remember to follow S.E.E.D.Y or S.E.X.Y++
THE PTOLEMAIC SYSTEM
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The earth was the centre of the universe.
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Kings were semi-divine.
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The earth consists of four elements: air, earth, fire, water. These elements exist in
harmony on earth.
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When there is an unbalanced universe, chaos is created. This is manifested through
horrific weather and disorder on earth.
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Any break in the Great Chain of Being (such as killing a king) created chaos.
THE PTOLEMAIC SYSTEM
ABOUT THE PLAY
Although it is set in Scotland in1040, Macbeth deals with issues which are relevant to any
society in any age. It explores the far reaching effects of one man’s ambition, from the total
transformation of that man’s character to the nation-wide terror which he provokes. At the
beginning of the play Macbeth is the co-leader of the Scottish army and a national hero. He
increases his reputation with further victories, but a prophecy that he is to become king
changes his life, and the lives of his fellow Scots, as he embarks on a course of evil.
The means by which this transformation is achieved would have fascinated Shakespeare’s
contemporary audience, who were intrigued by, and fearful of, the supernatural. Today’s
audience takes less literally the witches, the ghost and ‘air-drawn’ dagger, but we appreciate
the notion of the supernatural and the reality of the driving force of ambition.
INTRODUCTION
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Macbeth is not an historic account of actual events, but rather a creative use of facts to
illuminate certain aspects of human nature. The play tells us more about life than history,
while a recitation of facts about Macbeth’s reign teaches us about that period alone,
Macbeth tells us what happens to all of us who yield to those forces within ourselves
urging us to gain power at any cost.
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It is about a man whose surrender to his ambition leads him to commit foul, treacherous,
and cruel acts only to find the fruits of these deeds to be bitter and lead to despair and
destruction.
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The play opens with a restoration of order- the defeat of the rebel Thane of Cawdor, along
with his Scandinavian and Irish allies, by King Duncan’s forces. Macbeth has been the
bravest soldier fighting. Yet it will be he who plunges Scotland again into disorder by
Duncan’s murder, and his tyrannical rule. Finally order is restored when Macduff kills
Macbeth and Malcolm, the rightful king, comes to rule.
2.8 INFORMATION
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Draw conclusions about the portrayal of the themes and give your own response at the
end of each paragraph.
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Always acknowledge the author’s/director’s intentions.
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Look for links between the portrayal of your theme in your chosen texts.
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Use the exemplar booklet to structure your report.
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Essay principles apply: comment on effectives of any techniques, acknowledge the
author’s intentions and draw some conclusions that go beyond the text.
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Bring your 2.8 to class tomorrow and we will spend the first half of the period giving peer
feedback.
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Final reports due this Friday.
THEMES IN MACBETH
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Now that you know a brief plot summary of the play and some historical context, think
about how some of these themes may be portrayed in the play:
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Appearance versus reality
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Ambition/the desire for power
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Supernatural forces
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Evil
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Conflict – internal, within a character
-- external, between characters or outside forces.
1. Which characters will display the theme?
2. Why is the theme important?
3. Why do you think it would have appealed to the audience?
ACT ONE
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Three witches immediately establish the influence of the supernatural. They are to meet
Macbeth when a battle is over.
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Duncan, King of Scotland, meets a wounded captain. The wounded captain reports that
Macbeth has defeated the rebellion of Highlanders and Islanders, led by Macdonwald.
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Macbeth and Banquo led their men with renewed vigour. At this point the captain collapses from
his wounds and is taken for treatment. Ross completes the tale of the victory against the
Norwegians. Duncan pronounces the death sentence of the treacherous Thane of Cawdor, and
says that Macbeth shall now have that title.
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Whilst awaiting the arrival of Macbeth, the witches discuss their spiteful treatment of a seacaptain. Macbeth and Banquo enter on their way to report to Duncan and Forres. Each witch
greets Macbeth differently: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and ‘that shalt be King
hereafter’. They tell Banquo that his descendants will be kings. The witches disappear. Ross
and Angus enter and Macbeth learns that he is the Thane of Cawdor.
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Banquo and Macbeth are shocked. Banquo warns that evil is at work, and that despite
appearing favourable at the moment, there is something sinister in the predictions. Macbeth
considers what the future may hold.
ACT ONE
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Macbeth decides to let the future take care of itself, and he and Banquo agree to discuss
matters at a more convenient time.
Keeping track
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Who do the witches intend to meet? Where and when?
Macbeth, when the fighting is done, upon the heath.
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Which enemies have Macbeth and Banquo defeated?
The Norwegians
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How is he rewarded?
He is made the Thane of Cawdor
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Which prophecy becomes true immediately?
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Which prophecy to Macbeth still have to be fulfilled?
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What was the prophecy concerning Banquo?
QUESTIONS
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Why do you think Macbeth is first introduced to us through the witches?
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What do you think is meant by the paradox: Fair is foul, foul is fair.
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Scene 2 provides us with a description of the battle and the part played by Macbeth in securing
victory. What impressions do we gain of Macbeth from this description?
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Given that Macbeth was first mentioned by the witches, the idea of fair is foul, foul is fair was
introduced in scene one and that Duncan was deceived by Cawdor, to what extent are you
prepared to accept at face value the assessment of Macbeth as brave and noble?
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The first part of scene three sees a return of the witches. What does their discussion of their
attempt to take revenge on the sailor’s wife reveal about the extent and limits of their powers?
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Macbeth’s first words echo those of the witches in scene one: So foul and fair a day I have not
seen. What might this mean in a literal sense? What effect does it have on our initial response
to Macbeth?
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Ross and Angus bring the news that we, as the audience already know regarding the Thane
ship of Cawdor (dramatic irony). Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about his reaction to the
prophecies? What does this warning suggest about Macbeth’s ambition and character? (17)
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Paraphrase Macbeth’s soliloquy on page 19. what does the solilioquy suggest about Macbeth’s
state of mind?
ACT I: SCENES V, VI AND VII.
1. What does the tone of Macbeth’s letter suggest about his relationship with her? (29)
2. How does she see her role? (31)
3. Carefully read her soliloquy (31). What is she attempting to do?
4. Carefully read Macbeth’s soliloquy in scene 7 (37). What does he mean by:
If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well
It were done quickly. If th’ assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch,
With his surcease, success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and end-all-here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. ?
MACBETH’S SOLILOQUY
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What arguments does he provide against the assassination?
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What motive does he provide for the murder?
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Analyse Lady Macbeth’s response to his declaration that he will proceed no further
1. What tactics does she use to persuade him?
2. What does the tone of her attack upon him suggest about her psychological state?
3. What is it that finally persuades him?
4. How is the theme of appearance verse reality developed in this scene (43)?
APPEARANCE VERSE REALITY
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Appearance verse reality is a recurring theme through the play.
1. Which characters have developed this theme so far in the play?
2. Find three quotes that support this theme.
“why do you start, and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?” (B, I iii 51)
“And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths” (B, I iii 123)
“and nothing is but what is not” (M, I iii 142)
“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face” (D, I iv 11)
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (LM, I v 66)
AMBITION-DESIRE FOR POWER
Humans’ unyielding ambition and desire for power is a prominent theme in Macbeth. Write a paragraph
discussing how Lady Macbeth and/or Macbeth illustrate this theme in the play.
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State how the character illustrates the theme (argument).
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Explain your argument in more detail.
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Use an example (quote/specific detail from the play) to reinforce your point.
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Develop your paragraph. You could comment on why Shakespeare has chosen to explore this theme, draw
some conclusions that go beyond the text (what do these characters reveal about human nature?), or
discuss the relevance of this theme to you or society today.
HINTS
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Acknowledge the author’s intentions
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Try and weave the example into your writing, don’t leave any quotes ‘hanging’
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Use your statement to set up the rest of your paragraph
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Use additionally or moreover as connectives to develop your paragraph
CHARACTER
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What sort of man is Duncan? What sort of king is he? Remember it was usual for an
eleventh century king to lead his army himself.
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What do you think of his responses in scene 2 (especially lines 24, 33-34 and 58) and the
fact that peace terms have been decided without consulting him (lines 63-65)?
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What do we learn about Malcolm from scene 2? Are your feelings favourable or not
towards him?
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What qualities of Macbeth are we told about in scene 2? Are your feelings favourable or
not towards him?
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Do Macbeth’s thoughts at the end of Scene 3 tell us more about him? Is he still making a
favourable impression?
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Start character logs for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
CHARACTER LOGS
Act/scene
Key points
Reasons
Key lines
Short quote
1/2
Heroic fighter
Defeats
Macdonwald
and his army.
16-23
Brave Macbethwell he deserves
that name.
Heroic attitude
Fearlessly faces
the fresh
Norwegian
army.
33-38
They doubly
redoubled
strokes upon the
foe.
ACT TWO
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How would you describe Macbeth’s state of mind?
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In what ways is he different to the man we saw at the end of Act One?
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Read the “Is this a dagger…” soliloquy carefully.
1. Note the imagery of light and darkness?
2. In what way does this soliloquy represent an apparent change in Macbeth?
Scene two begins with Lady Macbeth. In these speeches she admits to having consumed alcohol in
order to be able to fulfil her role in the murder.
1. What does this suggest about her strength of character?
2. How does Shakespeare build tension throughout the scene? (55)
3. What does Macbeth mean when he says he murdered sleep?(57)
4. What is the significance of Lady Macbeth’s comment: “These deeds must not be thought after
these ways; so, it will make us mad?”
5. How does she respond to Macbeth’s weakness?
6. How is water used as an image in this scene?
ACT TWO SCENE THREE
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Introduces a brief moment of comic relief. This is a technique used to relieve the tension
that has been built up in the audience so that they are emotionally able to cope with the
tension that is to follow. The porter is a drunken peasant who jokes about a range of
people well known to a Shakespearian audience who he believes will go to hell for their
pretentiousness. He also makes a number of sexual jokes. Following the appearance of
the porter, then tension rises with the arrival of Macduff and the discovery of the murder.
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How does Macbeth justify his murder of the grooms?
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Why do you think LM faints at this point?
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How does Banquo respond to the murders?
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Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee?
SCENE FOUR
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Scene four begins with a discussion between Ross and an old man.
1.
What is interesting about the events in which they discuss?
2.
What do they symbolize?
3.
What does Macduff’s decision not to attend the coronation suggest about his attitude toward Macbeth?
ACT THREE
SCENE ONE
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In what ways does Banquo’s soliloquy show that he is a threat to Macbeth?
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Read Macbeth’s soliloquy. “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus-”
1.
What assumptions underlie Macbeth’s fears?
2.
Given Banquo’s earlier soliloquy, to what extent do you feel his fears are justified?
3.
Why do you think it is interesting that Macbeth employs cut-throats to kill Banquo?
SCENE TWO
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in what ways do each of M and LM show that the crown has not brought peace of mind?
(95-97)
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In what ways has Macbeth changed since the murder?
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In many ways the roles of M and LM have reversed. Show how their relationship has
altered? (97)
Scene four
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Macbeth is the only one that can see the ghost. What does this suggest about the ghost?
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How does LM respond to his “fit”?
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Why do you think Macbeth decides to revisit the witches? Unfortunately
SCENE FOUR
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Examine the following lines:
For my own good
All causes shall give way. I am in blood
Stepped so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er.
Strange things I have in head that will to hand
Which must be acted ere they may be scanned.
SCENE FIVE
Read Hecate’s speech closely. She is the Queen of witches. In many productions of the play, this
scene is left out. What does she suggest about the witches’ plans for Macbeth? What effect does
leaving the scene out have on our understanding of the role of the witches in determining Macbeth’s
actions?
SCENE SIX
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Scene six provides us with an insight Macbeth’s reign and the way in which he is viewed
by the Thanes?
ACT FOUR
Scene one
Macbeth returns to the witches, apparently placing his trust in their knowledge. However, as
the audience knows through dramatic irony, he will be deceived by them playing upon his own
illusions and their creation in him of a state of false security.
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Look carefully at the three prophecies. In what ways does each encourage a sense of
false security in Macbeth?
ACT FOUR
SCENE TWO
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Why do you think Shakespeare includes a scene showing the relationship between L Macduff
and her son?
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This is the first murder to be committed on stage. What effect does this have on the audience?
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Why do you think Shakespeare deems it necessary to create this effect at this particular point in
the play?
SCENE THREE
Scene three is a comparatively long and complex scene in which Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty,
not to him, but to Scotland.
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Why does Malcolm need to do this?
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What do Ross’s comments suggest about the state of Scotland under Macbeth’s rule?
ACT FIVE
This is Lady Macbeth’s sleep walking scene. Read the scene carefully
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List her actions
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In what ways is this scene linked to her unsex me speech in Act One, scene five?
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Look at the images that come out of her subconscious mind. What do they suggest about her
state of mind?
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To what extend has the audience been prepared earlier in the play for her inability to cope with
her guilt?
SCENE THREE
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Read Macbeth’s speech which begins: I am sick at hear…
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Why is he disillusioned?
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In this scene as a whole, in what ways is he still placing his faith in the witches?
ACT FIVE
SCENE FIVE
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Read Macbeth’s speech in response to LM’s death.
1. What is he saying about life?
2. What does his final speech in this scene suggest about his state of mind and his belief in
the witches?
SCENE EIGHT
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Macbeth, finally denying his belief in the witches, fights and dies with valiant fury. To what
extend do you see his death as heoric?