Quotes
"I'll Devil-Porter it no Further" suggests what about Macbeth's castle?
It is Hell / a place of death. This is dramatic irony as the Porter is unaware of Duncan's murder when he says this.
What is a soliloquy?
A speech only heard by the speaker and the audience.
1.1: Who is the first character to appear on stage? Why is This?
The Weïrd Sisters: to create an ominous atmosphere.
Name evidence that Macbeth is mentally fragile.
He is easily manipulated; he experiences several guilt-induced hallucinations.
When does Macbeth's ambition come into conflict with his morals?
When he doesn't want to kill Duncan as he swore his loyalty to him however wants to become king.
How does "Vaulting Ambition Which O'erleaps Itself" foreshadow Macbeth's Downfall?
Why does Shakespeare introduce Lady Macbeth AFTER introducing the idea of Duncan's murder?
To show that Macbeth is evil himself and not just easily influenced. Evil Ambition is his downfall, not naivety.
1.4: "Too Full O'th'milk of Human Kindness" suggests Lady Macbeth believes her husband is what?
Too weak to kill King Duncan.
What does Lady Macbeth's inability to kill King Duncan say about her?
She is driven by ambition and is not inherently evil.
At what point does Rosse and the Old Man discuss the order of nature being disturbed?
Macbeth's betrayal of Duncan.
"Noble Banquo // Thou Hast No Less Deserved" suggests what about loyalty and reward?
Loyalty earns reward for Banquo from Duncan, whereas Macbeth's betrayal leads to his own murder while Banquo's descendants will become kings.
What is the relevance of prose and verse?
High-profile characters speak in verse, while low-profile characters speak in prose. Macbeth speaks in prose in 3.1 showing he's lost nobility for committing murder.
2.2: What does Macbeth forget to do after murdering Duncan? What does this show us about his character?
He forgets to put the daggers with the guards, showing he's physically carrying the guilt with him and is unable to look at Duncan's corpse and wants to leave as quickly as possible.
What shows that Duncan and Macbeth are very different kings?
Duncan acts for his country, and trusts those who serve him (hence why he visits Macbeth's castle) whereas Macbeth is anxious and kills all those who jhe believes must die to keep him in power.
Name an example of evil being linked to masculinity.
Lady Macbeth's "Unsex Me Here" soliloquy. She suggests she must lose her femininity to commit an evil act.
"Sleep no more, Macbeth does Murder Sleep". What is Macbeth saying in this quote?
He has taken both his and Duncan's ability to sleep as Duncan is dead and he feels too guilty to sleep.
How does Duncan's praise of Macbeth's castle ("Pleasant Seat") create Dramatic Irony?
Only the audience knows he'll die during his stay. Not very pleasant.
2.3: Macduff calls the corpse of Duncan a "Gorgon". What is a gorgon and why does he say this?
A Mythological Creature that turns people to stone (e.g. Medusa) meaning the corpse freezes anyone who looks at it out of horror.
Why does Malcolm and Donalbain fleeing inadvertently hand Macbeth the throne?
It clears him of all suspicion as they become prime suspects.
Why would the supernatural witches be scarier to a 1600's audience?
Daemonolgie; the majority of England believed that the country was plagued by witches.
How do the quotes "There's Daggers in Men's Smiles" and "Look Like th'Innocent Flower, But be the Serpent Under't" Conflict?
Lady Macbeth is telling her husband to look kind to not raise suspicion, while Donalbain is warning his brother that people will be pretending to be kind to not raise suspicion.
Why does Macbeth speak in rhyming couplets when evil-doing?
The Weïrd Sisters speak in rhyming couplets, so it connects him to evil and the supernatural.
3.1: Why does Macbeth's plans to kill Banquo show how him and his wife have grown apart?
In the first 2 acts, they plan the murders together as Macbeth is too weak to carry them, out by himself. However, in Act 3 he plans to kill Banquo by himself as Lady Macbeth feels too guilty for murdering Duncan.
Why did Shakespeare include the Porter's scene in 2.3?
To break up the darker scenes with comedy and create tension as the audience is waiting for Duncan's corpse to be found.
What does "The False Face Must Hide What the False Heart Doth Know" suggest about reality and appearance?
The False Face = How Macbeth presents himself.
The False Heart = His true intentions.
He must appear loyal while hiding his murderous plans.