Unchecked Ambition
Macbeth's ambition is sparked by an external force.
What is the witches' prophecy?
Brozel's film: Ella Macbeth's breakdown is shown through a montage of obsessive cleaning. Identify the technique.
What is montage?
The witches give Macbeth three titles.
What is Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King?
Brozel's film: This character acts more like the traditional "strong male" figure in the relationship.
Who is Ella Macbeth?
The act and scene where Macbeth praises the murderer for killing Banquo.
What is Act 3, Scene 4?
Brozel's film: The witches (bin men) appear in alleyways with eerie lighting and echoing voice. Identify the technique.
What is lighting and sound? Will accept diegetic sound
A rhythmic pattern in poetry where each line consists of five metrical feet, each foot containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
What is iambic pentameter?
Macbeth hesitates before killing Duncan.
What does Macbeth struggle with before committing murder?
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before killing Duncan.
What is "is this a dagger which I see before me" to reveal Macbeth's inner turmoil?
Macbeth reflects on the witches' first two predictions coming true.
What is "Two truths are told..." using metaphor to compare the prophecies to a play, showing Macbeth's growing belief in fate?
Lady Macbeth mocks Macbeth's fear after seeing Banquo's ghost.
What is "Are you a man?" using rhetorical question to shame Macbeth and reinforce the idea that real men are fearless and in control?
Macbeth is silent and disturbed after hearing the prophecy.
What is Macbeth's reaction, shown through his silence and aside "Cannot be ill, cannot be good," using paradox and internal conflict to show how the prophecy disrupts his thoughts and values?
The witches show Macbeth three apparitions.
What is an armed head, a bloody child and a child crowned with a tree in his hand?
Brozel's film: Joe is triggered by something during the dinner and begins to hallucinate.
What is Billy's voicemail?
A Scottish king who had recently ascended the English throne which Shakespeare likely wrote Macbeth for.
Who is King James I?
Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to take action.
What is Macbeth's masculinity?
Lady Macbeth is haunted by the murders.
What is sleep walking and handwashing?
Banquo warns Macbeth about the witches. What does he say?
What are the "instruments of darkness"?
Brozel's film: The camera lingers on Ella's expressions as she manipulates Joe. Identify the technique.
What is a close-up?
He says nature seems dead before the murder.
What is "Nature seems dead," using personification to reflect the unnatural act of regicide?
Brozel's film: The editing cuts quickly between the witches and Joe's reactions.
What is cross-cutting or reaction shot editing?
Macbeth says he is "cabined, cribbled, confined."
What is alliteration and metaphor to show Macbeth's paranoia and feeling of entrapment by fate and fear?
An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless or any hearers, especially by a character in a play.
What is a soliloquy?
Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth after Duncan's murder.
What is Banquo's reflection on Macbeth's behaviour?
He says he heard a voice cry "Sleep no more!"
What is "Macbeth does murder sleep," using personification to show how guilt will haunt him and rob him of peace?
The witches chant as Macbeth approaches.
What is "A drum! A drum! Macbeth doth come," using trochaic tetrameter?
Lady Macbeth asks to be stripped of her femininity so she can commit murder.
What is "Unsex me here," using metaphor to show Lady Macbeth rejecting traditional female qualities so she can be strong and violent like a man?
Macbeth says the bell is calling him to kill Duncan.
What is "the bell invites me," using symbolism to show how something normal becomes a sign of death and disorder?
The inclusion of witches in Macbeth reflects the widespread fear of this practice in 17th-century England and Scotland.
What is witchcraft?
Macbeth's ambition drives him to eliminate all threats to his rule.
What is Macbeth's ambition lead him to commit violent acts?
Macbeth is consumed by guilt and fear after hearing voices. What phrase reveals his paranoia?
What is "Methought I heard a voice cry, 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep!"?
Macbeth challenges fate itself.
What is refusal to accept the prophecy that he will be defeated?
Macbeth says he must act like a man and go through with the murder.
What is Macbeth deciding to kill Duncan to prove he is strong and brave like a man is expected to be?
Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost and panics.
What is "The table's full./Where?" using hallucination and dramatic irony to show Macbeth's breakdown in front of his guests, showing social and mental disorder?
Banquo questions whether evil can speak the truth.
What is "What, can the devil speak true?" using rhetorical question to show Banquo's suspicion of the witches?