“Lady Macbeth is the real
driving force behind the
murder of Duncan.”
Discuss this statement and decide
whether or not you agree.
D Mac Gabhann
Introduction
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The play was written in 1606 for King James 1st.
The story of ‘Macbeth’ is based on true facts.
Banquo was an ancestor of James 1st and was
involved in the murder of King Duncan.
Shakespeare's adaptation of events alters the
facts, to make Banquo a loyal servant and innocent
victim to please James 1st.
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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Shakespeare wrote about the world he knew, a
highly superstitious time. The play reflects the
interests of the King and society. James 1st was
very interested in witchcraft and this is one of
the main themes of Macbeth.
The play is a moral lesson. In Shakespeare’s time
the murder of a King was the greatest of all
crimes as Kings were believed to be appointed by
God and therefore rebellion against a true King is
rebellion against God. Macbeth is suitably
punished for his crime which would please James
1st.
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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The play is a tragedy. A tragedy was written to
instruct as well as entertain. The play contains all
the elements of a murder tale, suspense and
excitement but at a deeper level the audience are
shown that crime doesn’t pay.
The audience can witness how greed can destroy
the most noble character. Macbeth is a good and
loyal soldier at the beginning of the play and
without the promptings of his wife and the
witches we should question whether he would have
committed such awful crimes. In doing so, he lost
love, friendship and eventually paid with his life.
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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You should choose 2-3 of the 6 points covered so
far but you MUST demonstrate an understanding
of how Shakespeare showed an awareness of his
audience – who were deeply superstitious – and
how this would affect the content of the play and
how the content of the play would appeal to a more
modern audience?
It is important that you put all this information
into your OWN words.
Consider images used in the play – the
supernatural for instance – and themes in the play
as well.
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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Refer to the structure of the play as well. Is it
relevant that we meet the witches before we meet
the character of Macbeth? What might this
reveal about their role and the themes of the
play?
Compare Lady Macbeth’s actions in the earlier
scenes of the play with those from later on in the
play. Use this to comment on what Shakespeare
might be suggesting about the relationship
between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. How does
he demonstrate this through the structure of the
play? (Remember how she dies.)
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
Act 1 Scene 5
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Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth.
Consider what Macbeth’s purpose for writing this
letter was. What does this reveal about his role in
the murder?
A soliloquy lets the audience see the character’s
thoughts and feelings. Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy
reveals her own ambitions and reveals Macbeth’s
character. What do we learn about both of them
from this scene?
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
“yet do I fear thy nature,
It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way” (Act 1 scene 5 lines 16-18)
What does Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal about her
character, her plans for
Macbeth and her ambitions?
“Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round”
(Act 1 scene 5 lines 25-28)
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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Further into the scene Lady Macbeth learns that
Duncan will stay the night in the castle, giving
them the opportunity to put their deadly plan into
action.
Her further soliloquy is very revealing about her
character,
“Come you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me
here,
And fill me from the crown to toe top full
Of direst cruelty;”
(Act 1 scene 5 lines 40-43)
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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The theme of supernatural which runs through the
play is evident in this scene. What references are
made to supernatural forces?
How would these have affected Shakespeare’s
audience and how do they affect a modern
audience? Why might Shakespeare have included
these references?
The image of blood is also a recurrent image in the
play,
“make thick my blood”
Act 1 scene 5 line 43)
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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Milk is once again referred to as a symbol of
humanity and human kindness.
When is the image of milk used in the scenes you
have studied?
What does it represent?
What does it reveal about the characters of Lady
Macbeth and Macbeth?
“Come to my woman's breasts
And take my milk for gall.” Act 1 scene 5 lines47-48)
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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Images of dark / light are referred to in this
scene:
“come thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it
makes,
Nor Heaven peep through the blanket of the
dark,
To cry, ‘Hold, hold’ ” Act 1 scene 5 lines 49-54)
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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This image is constantly referred to, to create the
sense of evil that is always present in the play.
The theme of ambition is also evident in this
scene. The theme recurs throughout the play.
When are we aware of Lady Macbeth’s and
Macbeth’s ambitions? What does this reveal
about their characters?
“Thy letters have transported me beyond
This ignorant present, and I feel now
The future in the instant.” (Act 1 scene 5 lines 56-58)
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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Lady Macbeth instructs her husband to deceive
their guests.
“look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under’t”Act1 scene5 lines64-65)
What does this image bring to the mind of the
reader?
What would this suggest about the character of
Lady Macbeth?
Why would Shakespeare have used such imagery?
What would this reveal about his audience?
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
Act 1 Scene 7
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Macbeth is reluctant to commit the murder,
“We will proceed no further in this business.”
Lady Macbeth’s angry response clearly refers to
to the ever present theme of ambition.
“Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dress’d yourself?”
36)
(Act 1 scene 7 lines 35-
She mocks her husband’s lack of courage and in a
chilling image declares she would do anything if
she had made a promise to Macbeth. What does
this show about her character?
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
“I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.” (Act 1 Scene 7 lines 56-59)
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Consider the effect this imagery has on the
audience?
What does this reveal about Lady Macbeth’s
character?
Why is this image so shocking?
What effect does this speech have on Macbeth?
“I’m bent………..terrible feat”
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
Act 2 Scene 2 - The murder.
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What is Lady Macbeth’s role in the murder?
“had he not resembled … I’d have done it”
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What does this show about her personality?
How does she respond to Macbeth’s fears and
guilt?
What does this reveal about her character?
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
Conclusion
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Refer back to the question. Do you think Lady
Macbeth was the real driving force behind the
murder of Duncan?
Bear in mind that Macbeth originally felt jealous
and evil when he found out that Malcolm would
succeed the King,
“Stars, hide your fires,
Let not light see my black and deep desires”
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What does this reveal about Macbeth and does
this make you reconsider Lady Macbeth’s influence
over her husband?
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona
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Do you feel sorry for Lady Macbeth?
(Remember that she couldn’t cope with her
guilt and eventually took her own life and
her relationship with her husband, which
was once very close, fell apart.)
What moral lessons might you see in the
story of Macbeth?
D Mac Gabhann, Scoil Chaitríona