Macbeth/ L. Macbeth
How has Macbeth’s greed taken over his actions? Do you think his greed drives his ambition or his ambition drives his greed? Explain.
Macbeth's greed has driven his actions, pushing him to commit increasingly heinous acts to secure and maintain his power. His ambition initially drives his greed, but as he becomes more entrenched in his quest for power, his greed fuels his ambition, creating a destructive cycle.
Lennox says in Act 3, Scene 6:
"
… Some holy angel
Fly o the court of England and unfold
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accursed!"
What is he saying, and why is it significant?
In this passage, Lennox is suggesting that an angel should quickly fly to the court of England to deliver a message before Macduff arrives. This message would ideally result in England sending immediate assistance or support back to Scotland, which is currently suffering under Macbeth's tyrannical rule.
In other words, keep Macduff from Scotland -- he should return to free our country which is suffering under a tyrant.
How do the plans for Duncan's murder differ from that of Banquo's?
Motivation: The murder of Duncan is driven by Macbeth's ambition to become king, spurred on by the prophecy of the witches. In contrast, Banquo's murder is driven by Macbeth's fear and paranoia, as he sees Banquo as a threat to his throne due to the witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne.
Execution: The murder of Duncan is carried out by Macbeth himself, with Lady Macbeth's assistance. It is carefully planned and executed in a way to frame Duncan's guards. In contrast, Banquo's murder is carried out by hired murderers, showing Macbeth's increasing willingness to delegate violent acts.
Emotional State: During Duncan's murder, Macbeth is filled with guilt and remorse, hallucinating and struggling with the enormity of his crime. However, during Banquo's murder, Macbeth is more cold-blooded and calculating, showing a hardened and more ruthless side of his character.
What does "Tyrant" mean?
a ruler who exercises power oppressively or brutally, often without regard for the rights or welfare of the people.
How does Macbeth character differ from Duncan's death to Banquo's death?
Macbeth's character undergoes significant changes between Duncan's death and Banquo's death.
Duncan's Death: Macbeth is initially hesitant and conflicted about killing Duncan. He is consumed by guilt and is haunted by his actions, showing signs of moral conflict and remorse after the murder.
Banquo's Death: In contrast, by the time of Banquo's murder, Macbeth has become more ruthless and paranoid. He no longer hesitates to commit murder and shows a willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain his power, even if it means killing his closest friends. His character has become more tyrannical and consumed by ambition, leading to a further descent into darkness.
what does Lady Macbeth mean by
"Naught's had, all spent, Where our desire is got without content. "Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy[?]"
Lady Macbeth reflects on the emptiness of achieving one's desires without finding satisfaction. She suggests that it is better to be the victim of one's own actions than to live in the anxiety and uncertainty that come from achieving those desires through destructive means.
How do the events of Act 3 relate to the topic of Appearance and reality?
Banquo's Ghost: During the banquet scene, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, whom he had murdered. While the guests see Macbeth acting strangely, they do not see the ghost. This event highlights the contrast between how Macbeth appears to others and the reality of his guilt and paranoia.
Macbeth's Behavior: Throughout Act 3, Macbeth puts on a facade of confidence and control, especially in front of his guests. However, his soliloquies reveal his inner turmoil and growing paranoia, showcasing the disconnect between his outward appearance and his internal reality.
Macbeth's Kingship: After becoming king, Macbeth projects an image of strength and legitimacy. However, the reality is that his kingship is based on murder and betrayal, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
The Witches' Prophecies: The prophecies the witches give Macbeth create a false sense of security and invincibility. Macbeth becomes overconfident in his interpretation of the prophecies, leading him to make reckless decisions based on appearances rather than reality.
Overall, Act 3 demonstrates how appearances can be deceiving and how the discrepancy between appearance and reality can have tragic consequences.
What is a "Soliloquy?" and what is its purpose?
Character speaks their thoughts aloud, usually when they are alone on stage. It is a way for the audience to understand the character's innermost feelings, thoughts, and conflicts.
Describe the relationship between the Macbeths revealed in Act 3 Scene 2. Who appears stronger and more in control? Why (give examples from the play)?
In Act 3, Scene 2 of Macbeth, the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is strained. Lady Macbeth appears to be more in control initially, as she tries to calm Macbeth's anxiety and maintain appearances during the banquet. However, as the scene progresses, it becomes evident that Macbeth's guilt and paranoia are consuming him, making him less predictable and more volatile. This shift in power dynamics suggests that Lady Macbeth's initial control over Macbeth is slipping, and he is becoming more independent in his actions, albeit driven by fear and guilt.
Hacate says:
"There hangs a vaporous drop profound.
I’ll catch it ere it come to ground,
And that distilled by magic sleights
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion."
What is Hecate stating, and why is it significant?
Because Hecate was not aware that the the witches toiled with Macbeth, Hecate will now cast a spell on Macbeth this night, and trick Macbeth with illusions, to bring him down.
How does the banquet scene show the effect of guilt on the human mind?
-->The banquet scene in Macbeth is a powerful example of how guilt can affect the human mind.
In this scene, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, whom he murdered, sitting at the banquet table. This vision is a manifestation of Macbeth's guilt and inner turmoil.
-->It shows how the guilt of his actions is haunting him, literally and figuratively, and driving him to madness. Macbeth's behavior during the banquet, such as talking to the ghost and reacting to its presence, demonstrates the profound impact that guilt can have on a person's mental state.
-->The scene highlights the theme of the psychological effects of guilt and how it can lead to paranoia, hallucinations, and ultimately, self-destruction.
What is a "paradox"?
Statement appearing to be self-contradicting or illogical, but may reveal a deeper truth or meaning.
What effect does the ghost of Banquo have on the newly appointed Macbeth? How does Shakespeare use Banquo’s ghost to underline Macbeth’s mental state at this point in the play?
The appearance of Banquo's ghost has a profound effect on Macbeth, who is visibly shaken and disturbed by its presence. Shakespeare uses the ghost to highlight Macbeth's guilt and deteriorating mental state. The ghost's appearance is a manifestation of Macbeth's inner turmoil and serves as a reminder of his treacherous actions. It also suggests that Macbeth's hold on power is tenuous and that he is haunted by his crimes.
What does
"We have scorched the snake, not killed it" mean?
is a metaphor used by Macbeth to describe his fear that although they have taken out one threat (Banquo), there may be lingering dangers or consequences that they have not fully addressed. Just as scorching a snake might injure it but not necessarily kill it, Macbeth worries that their actions have not completely eliminated the threat to his throne.
At the end of Act 3, Macbeth plans to seek out the witches. why? and how does ending set-up and foreshadow the upcoming events?
act ends with Macbeth planning to visit the witches again to learn more about his future. This foreshadows further descent into tyranny and violence as Macbeth becomes more desperate and paranoid, seeking guidance from supernatural forces. Additionally, the banquet scene where Banquo's ghost appears hints at Macbeth's increasing guilt and psychological unraveling, indicating the unraveling of his rule and his own downfall.
Where the audience/reader knows something about the character, other character's are unaware of.
ex. 1-->L.M. being welcoming towards Duncan. Audience knows her true intentions toward him, but he is delighted by her.
ex. 2 --> when Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost at the banquet, but none of the other guests can see it. This is dramatic irony because the audience knows that the ghost is a figment of Macbeth's guilty conscience, but the other characters, including Lady Macbeth, are unaware of this and are puzzled by Macbeth's strange behavior.
How does L. Macbeth react to Macbeth's behavior at the banquet, and why is it significant? and what might it foreshadow?
She reacts with concern and attempts to cover up for Macbeth's behavior during the banquet. She tries to dismiss his strange behavior as illness and urges the guest to leave in order to protect Macbeth's reputation.
It is significant because it reveals a shift in their relationship and in her own mental state. Previously, Lady Macbeth was the dominant figure, encouraging and manipulating Macbeth to achieve their goals. However, in this scene, she is unable to control or understand Macbeth's erratic behavior, indicating a loss of influence over him.
This change foreshadows her later descent into madness, as guilt and the weight of their crimes begin to take a toll on her psyche.
What is Lennox saying about the state of Scotland in the following quote?
"And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late, Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance killed, For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late."
and
"hand accursed"
Lennox's statement is a veiled reference to the suspicious circumstances surrounding Banquo's murder and Fleance's escape. He suggests that Banquo's murder and Fleance's survival are troubling developments, hinting at the deteriorating state of affairs in Scotland under Macbeth's rule.
statement can be interpreted as a subtle accusation against Macbeth. By referring to a "hand accursed," Lennox implies that someone with evil intentions (likely Macbeth) is responsible for the current troubles in Scotland.
Overall, the statement reflects the growing discontent and suspicion among some of the characters regarding Macbeth's rule.