Characters, Figures, and Symbols
Macbeth assassinated him
Duncan
What is hamartia?
A fatal flaw or weakness that leads to a tragic hero’s downfall.
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean form my hand? (Theme)
Guilt
What purpose do the witches serve?
To create chaos, manipulate Macbeth, and drive the plot forward.
Your castle is surprised, your wife and babes savagely slaughtered
Ross
Gatekeeper who provides comic relief after Duncan's murder
Porter
Hubris?
Excessive pride or overconfidence shown by a tragic hero.
What sound “invites” Macbeth to kill Duncan?
A bell (a “knell” like a funeral bell).
What setting is used for witches’ scenes?
Isolated, stormy places
By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes
The Witches
Appears to Lady Macbeth
Bloodstain
Peripeteia?
A reversal of fortune in a tragedy
How does Macbeth break the Chain of Being?
By murdering King Duncan.
Act 1 prophecies?
Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor, then king; Banquo will father kings.
A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by mousing owl hawked at and killed.
Old Man
Where kings are crowned
Scone
Anagnorisis?
The moment when a tragic hero realizes the truth about their situation.
What disturbs Macbeth’s ambition to become king?
Duncan names Malcolm Prince of Cumberland (heir to the throne).
Act 4 prophecies?
Beware Macduff; no man born of woman can harm Macbeth; Birnam Wood will move.
Such welcome and unwelcome things at once. 'tis hard to reconcile.
Macduff
A forest
Birnam
Macbeth begins to believe he is unstoppable because of the witches' prophecies. He underestimates his enemies and trusts the prophecies too completely.
Hubris
Prithee, peace; I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none. (Theme)
Ambition
How do the Act 4 prophecies spur Macbeth?
They make him feel invincible, especially the “none of woman born” prophecy.
Things without all remedy should be without regard. What's done is done.
Macbeth