William
Shakespeare
pp. 193–277
Macbeth
Background
Introduction
What is Macbeth about?
• Temptation, crime,
and punishment
• A hero turned villain
• The cause and
consequences of sin
Introduction
Macbeth
• Set in Scotland in the
eleventh century
• The prophecy
• Course of treason
• Outcome of the plot
Analysis
The Cause and
Consequences of Sin
• Shakespeare’s
tragedies
• Macbeth’s date: 1606
• Performance before
King James I
Analysis
Tribute to James I
• Shakespeare flatters
his king
• Promotes the myth
of the glorious
ancestry of the
Stuart line of kings
Analysis
Tribute to James I
• Treats fiction as fact
• Paints a wholly
sympathetic picture
of kings
• Strong condemnation
of witchcraft
Analysis
Sources
• Plot: not original
• Raphael Holinshed’s
Chronicles
• Three separate,
unrelated accounts
of assassinations
Analysis
Sources
• Shape of the plot:
medieval morality
play
• Theme of Macbeth:
the cause and
consequence of sin
Analysis
The Character of Macbeth
• Initially a good man
• Brave and loyal
servant of the king
• Deserving of the title
Thane of Cawdor
Analysis
The Character of Macbeth
• Introduced on stage in
Scene iii
• Reversal of values
• Politically ambitious
• Scriptural principle:
II Cor. 10:5
Analysis
The Character of Macbeth
• Revelation of the
private thought of
Macbeth: contrasts
with the public image
of him
Analysis
The Character of Macbeth
• Choice of a path of
conduct
• He is rational and
capable of discerning
right from wrong
Analysis
The Character of Macbeth
• Tragic effects of sin:
become apparent in
his deeds & thoughts
• The deliberate sin he
chooses dooms him.
Analysis
The Character of Macbeth
• Act I, Scene IV:
he still has not made
his choice between
good and evil
• Duncan: attracts him
towards good
Analysis
The Character of Macbeth
• His imagination, out of
check, becomes
dominated by his
proud will
• Major recurring words
Analysis
The Character of Lady
Macbeth
• Single-minded
resolve to carry out
the evil plan she
conceives
Analysis
The Character of Lady
Macbeth
• Calculating
• Strong willed
• Does not foresee the
ghastliness of the
crime
Analysis
As the Play Unfolds
• The couple reverse
positions
• Macbeth: less
humane
• Lady Macbeth: more
sympathetic
Analysis
The Character of Lady
Macbeth
• Humanity tainted by
evil
• Seductive agent of
temptation
Analysis
Her Soliloquy
• Beginning of Act I,
Scene V: major
contrast between her
nature and her
husband’s
Analysis
Her Soliloquy
• Includes the images
of evil that are
associated with the
crime
• She is totally given
over to evil.
Analysis
The Temptations of
Macbeth
• Does not immediately
succumb to her
temptation
• Knows that man is
accountable
Analysis
The Temptations of
Macbeth
• Raises 5 rational
arguments against
the murder of Duncan
• Decides to put aside
the promptings
Analysis
Lady Macbeth’s Response
• Appeals to his love for
her and to his
masculine pride
• At the climax of
temptation, appeals to
his sense of honor
Analysis
Lady Macbeth’s Plan
• Frame Duncan’s
grooms for the
murder
• Macbeth resolves to
commit the crime
Analysis
The Progressive
Degeneration of Macbeth
• Turning point: Act I
• Duncan’s Murder: Act II
• Beginning of his
spiritual degeneration:
Act II
Analysis
Duncan
• Good, even saintly
ruler, though more
idealistic than
practical
• Kind father to
Scotland
Analysis
Duncan’s Murder
• Equivalent to
parricide
• Slain as a guest
• Leads to the very
disruption of nature
itself
Analysis
Rulership of Macbeth
• Unrest against him
• Depicted as a criminal
and usurper
Analysis
Macbeth
• Finds it increasingly
easier to murder
• Finds the witches’
prophecy oppressive
• Pitted against fathers
and sons
Analysis
Macbeth
• The more he kills in
order to get control,
the less control he
has
• Sterility of evil
Analysis
Turning Point of the Plot
• Fleance’s escape in
Act III
• Beginning of the
failure of his plans
• Plots the murder of
Macduff’s family
Analysis
As the Act Progresses
• Banquo’s ghost
haunts Macbeth
• Lennox & the Scottish
lords are assured of
his guilt
Analysis
As the Act Progresses
• Macduff goes to
England to join forces
with Malcolm against
him
Analysis
Act IV: Growing
Desperation
• Consults the witches
• Has Macduff’s family
slaughtered
• Contends with the
rising tide of opposition
Analysis
Macbeth’s End
• Evil has proved
unproductive
• Emptiness of his life
(hearing of the death
of his wife)
• Mark 8:36
Analysis
The Ironic Culmination
of Evil
• It is figuratively
through the agency of
children that his final
downfall is brought
about.
Analysis
The Ironic Culmination
of Evil
• Witches’ 3 apparitions
• Prophecies haunt him
• He fights hopelessly
before falling to
Macduff
Analysis
Shakespeare’s Artistic
Accomplishment
• A practical man of the
theater
• Actor, writer, manager,
and co-owner of his
theatrical company
Analysis
His Audience
• Saw the works as
designed both to
delight & to instruct
• Admired Macbeth for
its powerful depiction
of a universal theme
Analysis
Elements to its Success
as Pure Entertainment
• Suspense
• Irony
• Spectacle for the eye
and ear
Analysis
Elements to its Success
as Pure Entertainment
• Incorporation of the
supernatural
• Important theme:
equivocation
• Rich poetry
Assignment
Type assignment
here.