Sleep & Water
What does sleep (or lack thereof) symbolize in these lines?
Macbeth proclaims he will 'sleep no more' after the murder of Duncan, and later envies Duncan's peaceful slumber.
While "sleep" itself is generally restorative, Macbeth's inability to sleep, and his envy of Duncan's eternal rest, symbolize his plagued conscience and the loss of innocence. It suggests that a clear conscience is necessary for peaceful sleep.
What weather phenomena typically accompany the appearances of the witches?
The three witches often appear during these atmospheric conditions, hinting at their ominous nature.
Thunder, lightning, and rain. These create an immediate sense of unease and foreshadow the chaotic and morally inverted world that Macbeth will enter.
What substance, often associated with violence, becomes a powerful symbol of Macbeth's guilt?
After killing Duncan, Macbeth is distressed by the amount of this on his hands, imagining it will stain all the oceans.
Blood. Initially a symbol of honorable combat, it quickly transforms into a symbol of guilt, crime, and inner torment.
How was Macbeth described in Act 1 regarding his willingness to kill King Duncan?
In Act 1, this characteristic described Macbeth's initial reaction to killing the King, showing his internal struggle.
Reluctant, hesitant, good, loyal, noble. He debates the act and needs Lady Macbeth's strong persuasion.
What does Banquo "fear" about Macbeth's rise to kingship?
Banquo suspects this about Macbeth regarding how he obtained the crown.
He fears Macbeth "played'st most foully for it," meaning he suspects Macbeth committed murder to gain the throne.
What is mentioned recurrently in these lines and what does it symbolize?
Macbeth asks, 'Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?' Lady Macbeth, however, confidently states, 'A little water clears us of this deed.'
Water here symbolizes purification, cleansing, and an attempt to dissociate from the crime or guilt. Lady Macbeth's initial ease with "a little water" contrasts sharply with Macbeth's profound sense of being permanently stained, highlighting their differing reactions to their guilt.
What was the weather and general atmosphere outside Macbeth's lair the night he killed King Duncan?
Lennox describes the night of Duncan's murder as 'unruly' with 'strange screams of death' and chimneys blown down.
The unnatural occurrences and violent storm symbolize the violation of the natural order and the moral and political corruption brought about by Duncan's murder. It reflects the cosmic disturbance caused by regicide.
What does Lady Macbeth wish for her blood to be like to harden her heart against pity?
Lady Macbeth calls upon spirits to "make thick my blood" so she can commit murder without remorse.
She wishes for her blood to be thick and unfeeling, allowing her to suppress human compassion and go through with the murderous plot.
What emotion did Macbeth predominantly feel in Act 2 after murdering the king?
In Act 2, this strong emotion consumed Macbeth after he committed the regicide.
Guilt and trauma. He is immediately plagued by his deed, hearing voices and unable to return to the scene.
How did Banquo's reaction to the witches' prophecies differ from Macbeth's?
Unlike Macbeth, Banquo's reaction to the witches' prophecies was one of caution and skepticism, rather than immediate pursuit.
Banquo was unmoved, cautious, and did not allow the prophecy to consume him. He acknowledged them but didn't immediately act upon them, unlike Macbeth who was instantly tempted.
What does the concept of "innocent sleep" represent for Macbeth?
It's often associated with peace and freedom from worry, but for Macbeth, it becomes an elusive luxury after his crime.
It represents the peace of mind and clear conscience he had before murdering Duncan, which he has now irrevocably lost. It highlights the psychological toll of his actions.
What historical belief is highlighted by the chaotic weather and unnatural events following Duncan's murder?
This Elizabethan belief stated that a king's authority came directly from God, and harming a king was an act against divine will.
The Divine Right of Kings. Disrupting the rightful monarch's rule was seen as an act against God and nature, leading to chaos and disorder in the natural world, as depicted in the play.
What specific color, heavily associated with blood, is frequently mentioned and symbolizes guilt in the play?
This color, which blood embodies, becomes a recurring visual motif representing the characters' crimes and consciences.
Red. From Duncan's wounds to Macbeth's hands and the pervasive imagery, red signifies the indelible mark of their murderous deeds.
What significant shift in Macbeth's behavior is evident in Act 3 concerning Banquo's murder?
By Act 3, Macbeth demonstrates this shocking change in his moral compass, plotting against his best friend without consulting his wife.
He becomes proactive, ruthless, murderous, and paranoid. He plans Banquo's murder entirely on his own, showing a loss of moral inhibition and a descent into tyranny.
Why does Macbeth decide to murder Banquo and Fleance?
This is the primary reason Macbeth orders Banquo's murder, beyond just securing his own throne.
Because the witches prophesied that Banquo would be the father of kings, threatening Macbeth's lineage and security on the throne.
What simple act does Lady Macbeth suggest will clear them of their crime?
Lady Macbeth believes that simply performing this action with water will remove the stains of their deed.
This showcases her initial naivete about the psychological impact of murder, believing a physical act can cleanse a spiritual stain. It sets up a stark contrast with Macbeth's later despair.
What other unnatural occurrences are mentioned as happening the night of Duncan's murder, reflecting the disrupted natural order?
Beyond the stormy weather, strange events like an owl killing a falcon and horses eating each other were reported.
These highly symbolic events (predator becoming prey, domesticated animals turning wild) emphasize the profound disruption of the natural hierarchy and the moral inversion that Macbeth's crime has instigated in Scotland.
What psychological phenomenon explains the spectral appearances Macbeth experiences, such as Banquo's ghost?
Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost, a visual manifestation of his inner turmoil and his guilt over Banquo's murder.
Hallucinations or guilty conscience. The ghost is often seen as a projection of Macbeth's severe psychological breakdown due to his overwhelming guilt and paranoia.
What character flaw, beyond ambition, increasingly defines Macbeth's actions from Act 1 to Act 3?
His ambition, initially ignited by the prophecies, quickly turns into this dangerous trait as he seeks to secure his crown.
Ruthlessness and tyranny. His ambition transforms into a willingness to eliminate any perceived threat, regardless of personal cost.
What significant change in the dynamic between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is shown by Macbeth keeping his plans for Banquo a secret?
When Lady Macbeth asks about his plans for Banquo, Macbeth tells her to be "innocent of the knowledge" until the deed is done.
It shows Macbeth's increased independence in evil, or potentially his attempt to "protect" Lady Macbeth from further guilt, but it definitely marks a shift where he no longer relies on her instigation for murder.
What deep psychological consequence does Macbeth's inability to sleep signify?
The idea that "Macbeth shall sleep no more" represents not just physical sleeplessness but also this profound psychological state caused by his guilt.
It signifies a complete loss of peace, mental torment, and a permanent state of agitation. His inner turmoil is so great that even basic human needs like sleep are denied to him, indicating the severe impact of his actions on his psyche.
What central theme of the play is reflected by the chaotic and unnatural events in the natural world?
The witches' famous line, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," embodies this larger theme woven throughout the play, mirroring the unnatural events.
The theme of disorder, moral inversion, and the blurring of good and evil. The natural world mirrors the moral chaos within the human world due to Macbeth's actions.
What is the psychological state that blood ultimately comes to symbolize for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, plaguing their minds.
This term describes the lingering feeling of having committed a wrong, which torments both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, especially in Act 3.
Tainted conscience and overwhelming guilt. The physical act of bloodshed is momentary, but the mental and spiritual stain remains, driving them to madness.
What literary archetype, defined by a fatal flaw, does Macbeth increasingly become as he descends into villainy?
This term describes a hero who brings about his own downfall through a significant flaw, a concept Macbeth perfectly embodies by Act 3.
A tragic hero. His tragic flaw, unchecked ambition leading to tyrannical actions, directly causes his escalating problems and eventual downfall.
What literary term describes Banquo's ghost showing itself to Macbeth during the banquet, given its impact on Macbeth's stability?
The appearance of Banquo's ghost at the banquet is considered this literary term, as it marks a pivotal moment where Macbeth's sanity publicly unravels.
The climax or turning point. It's where Macbeth's internal guilt manifests publicly, leading to his irrational behavior and revealing his loss of control, pushing him further down his tyrannical path.)