Macbeth exam tips

Macbeth

Shakespeare's tragedy featuring a Scottish nobleman whose ambition leads him to murder the king and his subsequent downfall.

Lady Macbeth

Macbeth's wife who is ambitious and manipulative, pushing Macbeth towards regicide.

Regicide

The act of killing a king, which is presented as a significant crime in the context of the Divine Right of Kings.

Divine Right of Kings

The doctrine that monarchs derive their authority from God, making any attack on them an attack on God.

Gunpowder Plot

A conspiracy in 1605 to assassinate King James I, relevant to the themes in Macbeth.

Supernatural

Refers to the witches and other magical elements in Macbeth that threaten the natural order.

Great Chain of Being

A hierarchical structure of all matter and life, believed to be created by God, which dictating societal order.

Jacobean England

The period of King James I's reign, characterized by superstition and fear of witchcraft.

Context

The background information relevant to understanding the themes and messages of Macbeth.

Emotional vs. Masculine Traits

The traditional view of gender roles, where men are strong and aggressive, and women are nurturing.

Themes of Guilt and Paranoia

Explored through Macbeth's inner conflict and feelings of fear after committing regicide.

Unchecked Ambition

The idea that ambition without moral restraint can lead to one's downfall, demonstrated in Macbeth's character.

Instruments of Darkness

Refers to the witches in Macbeth, representing the dangers of trusting the supernatural.