ANALYZING MACBETH
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S
MACBETH
Macbeth also known as “The
Tragedy of Macbeth” written by
the great William Shakespeare
was written between 1599 and
1606. This short play is known for
its cruel and bloody drama of
ambition, motivation, guilt, and
revenge.
CORE STANDARD &
OBJECTIVE
Standard: Analyzing Drama
Objective: Analyze & understand
the Character of Macbeth.
BASIC PLOT OF THE PLAY
Macbeth is a play about a man named Macbeth in Scotland who returns from battle with Banquo and
they are met by Three Witches who tell Macbeth their predictions of his future. He is told he will be
Thane of Glamis , Thane of Cawdor, and will later become King. He does everything he can to make
these predictions come true with his foolishness and allows ambition, predictions of the witches and
his wife tarnish his good morals and judgment . This led to the bloody drama of ambition, motivation,
guilt and revenge all caused by him. As the play unfolds Macbeth goes from being good to pure evil.
Summary: Macbeth is told that he is to become King by
the three witches. This gives him a lot of ambition. He
knew that he didn’t necessarily need this power or title
but he wanted it to happen and he knew he had a good
chance considering the fact that Duncan was his cousin.
When he is convinced and told by Lady Macbeth that he
“is too full o’ milk and kindness” he knows that he needs
to please her. She tells him to kill Duncan to gain the
throne of being king.
Quote: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but
only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on
the other” – Macbeth p. 16 Act 1 Scene 7
Macbeth at this point: Macbeth seems to have a lot of
sympathy for even considering killing Duncan. He has a
high desire for power now. This quote shows how he
doesn't have nothing against King Duncan but he feels
that is has to be done now. Can still be considered good
in some ways because he knows what he is doing is
wrong and feels bad about it.
Summary: Lady Macbeth waited patiently for Macbeth to come
back from killing king Duncan. Macbeth is ashamed and shaken.
He Still had the bloody daggers that he killed Duncan with in his
hands. Lady Macbeth scolds him for still having the daggers with
him and tells him to go put them with the body guards. He
refuses because he doesn’t have the courage to go back and see
what it is that he has done again because he is horrified and
upset. Lady Macbeth thinks nothing of it saying “a little water
will clear them of the deed”
Quote: “Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean
from my hand?” – Macbeth p. 23 Act 2 Scene 2
Macbeth at this point: He knows that was he did was wrong.
Macbeth feels that he will never be able to get rid of the guilt
that he feels from this evil deed that he has committed. All the
water in the ocean couldn't’t clear the blood & shame Macbeth
gained from this. This is a foreshadow of things getting worse
because it shows that Macbeth is affected and persuaded by
pressure. Outside of him killing someone he can still be
considered good because of the emotions he shows.
Summary: Macbeth is now a suspect for the killing of
Duncan. He feels that Banquo will reveal the truth so he
hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son. Lady
Macbeth feels horrible now. She doesn't’t feel like what
they did was worth it because they're not living like they
had expected to be. Macbeth no longer needs her
convincing to make any of the decisions he makes.
Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth is
angered and worried. He starts to see the ghost of
Banquo when they were at supper. Macbeth is now
being plotted against to be overthrown.
Quote: “I am in blood stepp’d in so far, that I should
wade no more, returning were as tedious as go’er” –
Macbeth Act 3 Scene 4
Macbeth at this point: He feels he has done so many
evil deeds when it comes to murders he might as well
keep doing it and fulfill the witches prophecy. Macbeth
is becoming evil.
Summary: Macbeth returns to the witches and DEMANDS
to know more about his future. There were three
apparitions: The cut off head, The bloody child, and a Child
Crowned with a tree in his hand. Each app warned Macbeth
of something. Macbeth wants Macduff killed. He sends
some murderers to Macduff’s home but he wasn’t home so
the murderers killed Macduff’s wife and son.
Quote: “What’er thou art, for thy good caution. Thanks.
Thou hast harped my fear aright. But one word more-” –
Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1
Macbeth at this point: Macbeth fears tat someone will try
to threaten him and take his power of being king. He
decides that who he felt was a threat should be dealt with.
He try's to prevent things from happening that he think
what will happen in the future. He doesn't’t realize that
what's meant to happen is his fate. He cant control that.
Macbeth is evil.
Summary: Macbeth can’t seem to find any way
to relax he seems to be going crazy. While
that’s going on Four Lords of Scotland near
where Macbeth is to follow through with their
plans of revenge. Warning are reported to
Macbeth but he doesn’t believe it because he
doesn’t see them in his prophecies given by the
witches. Macbeth convinces himself that he is
ready for anything. A battle happens where its
one against many. Macbeth is finally killed.
Quote: “Tomorrow, Tomorrow… Life’s but a
walking shadow…” Macbeth Act 5 Scene 5
Macbeth at this point: he died an evil man.
Macbeth was so immune to murder and
evilness, he deserved to be killed.
CONCLUSION/CLOSING STATEMENT