characters
Who says the quote: ”Unsex me here”
Lady Macbethhhh
What theme is highlighted by Macbeth’s darkness?
Evil, corruption, secrecy
What is symbolised with blood?
Guilt and permanence of sin
What Act and Scene is the three witches first introduced?
Act 1, scene 1
In the Jacobean era, what were to two most common things? (hint: belief)
Strong religion and witchcraft
Who was the thane of fife?
Macduff
Name all the themes (5)
Violence
gender
fate
ambition
supernatural
What does sleep symbolise in Macbeth?
Innocence, peace, clear state of mind or clear conscience
What role do the witches prophecies play in Macbeth’s downfall
Spark his ambition, and manipulate his perception of fate
Name one intent of Shakespeare when writing about gender in Macbeth?
critiques the association of masculinity, ambition and power
Question what is or isn’t ’manly’
rejection of femininity and gender norms shows ambition isnt limited to men
Name all the characters who died by the influence of Macbeth
King Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macduff, Macduff family, Young Siward. Lady Macbeth
What theme does this quote align to and why?
“Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee? But yet I’ll make assurance double sure.”
Ambition - determined to reign as king, even if he is killing innocents
violence - unnecessary murder
How does the natural world reflect the theme of disorder after the murder of Duncan?
Unnatural events, storms, horses eating each other, darkness during the day
what is the significance of Banquo’s ghost appearing at the banquet?
Represents Macbeth’s guilt and paranoia becoming public
What structural technique shows Macbeth‘s increasing isolation?
Shift from shared scenes with lady macbeth and Macbeth to just monologues of Macbeth.
who is the “dead butcher” Malcolm is talking about?
daddy macbeth
Who said “What, you egg?” And who was it to?
Random Macbeth army guy to Macduffs son.
What does Lady Macbeth’s “perfumes of Arabia“ quote reveal?
Guilt is permanent, no act can clear her conscience
What act and scene does Banquo die?
Act 3 scene 3
How does Shakespeare create dramatic irony in Act 1 scene 6?
Duncan calls the castle pleasant, unaware that this is where he will be murdered.
Why is Macduff considered a contrast to Macbeth?
Macduff represents loyalty and morality.
Macbeth represents ambition and corruption
Analyse the meaning of “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
Establishes moral confusion and deception - appearances are misleading throughout the play. E.g witches prophecies, Macbeth/Lady macebth with Duncan
The crown recurs as a symbol throughout Macbeth, How does Shakespeare use it to represent both legitimate authority and destructive ambition?
The crown represents divine kingship under Duncan. As soon as Macbeth holds the crown, it then symbolises illegitimacy and corruption. Ambition drives Macbeth into murder for the crown, but yet when he receives it, he finds nothing but insecurity. The crown then symbolises the emptiness of power gained through sin - authority stripped of morality
What is the effect of the plays circular structure - beginning and ending with battles?
Macbeth starts as a noble warrior and ends with his death in battle, creating tragic symmetry. Symbolises how violence begets violence - the same qualities that lead him glory lead him to destruction. Shakespeare reinforces that the idea of ambition and violence are self perpetuating cycles
Why is Macbeth considered a tragedy by the Aristotelian standards?
The tragedy follows the structure of harmartia (fatal flaw), anagnorsis (realisation) and catastrophe