Untitled Flashcards Set

ENG2D  

                             MACBETH: TEXTUAL ANALYSIS QUESTIONS  

Acts 1-3

1.1 

1. Show how Shakespeare creates an effective opening scene that  grabs the audience's attention (3 ways).  

•  Setting “battlefield”, background “thunder and lighting”

• Suspenseful mood

• The witches mention that they are off to find Macbeth but we don’t know why yet

• We know very little about what’s going on-why are they fighting, why are they going to find Macbeth

• Characterization “fair is foul and foul is fair”= evil bad guys, symbols of fate, audience would be superstitious and afraid of witches , 3 is a powerful number,  

• Fair is foul and foul is fair, repetition sounds evil and powerful

• Not meeting main character only hearing his name

1.2  

1. How do the speeches by the Captain and Ross help to characterize Macbeth? 

They speak of his bravery and what he endured and fought against in battle. The captain says “For brave Macbeth which he well deserves”, and “yes as sparrows eagles or the hare the lion” in response to was he scared. 

Macbeth is a tragic hero, he must be above others, positive at the beginning, sets him apart. 

1.3-Witches speak in trochaic meter (opposite of iambic) to show difference, they also speak in rhyming couplets

1. What dramatic purposes are served by the Witches' speeches prior to the entrance of M. and  Banquo?  

It shows how evil they are and what they can do, only because a sailor’s wife refused to give her chestnuts does the first witch curse her, she has also taken the thumbs of a pilot. Revenge, can in good faith believe them. “Peace the charm’s wound up” cast a spell. Trochaic pronunciation, couplets, speak in three. 

2. How is M.'s opening line ironically appropriate?  

He repeats what the witches said in scene 1 “foul and fair”. 

3. Compare the prophecies of the Witches for M. and Banquo, and also the reaction of both men  to these prophecies.  

They prophesied that Macbeth will become king and thane of cawdor. He reacts by not believing them but once he finds out he is thane of Cawdor he believes them and starts thinking about killing Duncan. He then tries to snap himself out of it.

They said that Banquo would be lesser than macbeth and greater, not so happy yet much happier, and father kings but not be one. These appear to be paradoxes, but at the end they call him great. Banquo reacts by believing them to be the devil trying to lure him to damnation. 

4. How do the immediate responses of M. and Banquo to the message delivered by Ross and  Angus help to characterize these two men further for the audience?  

Banquo reacts in disbelief saying “can the devil speak true?” showing his face and fear of the witches. Macbeth reacts asking how he can be the thane of Cawdor when the thane of Cawdor still lives, this shows his practicality and that he doesn’t celebrate right away instead questioning what is happening.

5. How does Shakespeare use M.'s asides to show his inner thoughts ?(refer to any 3 specific quotations).  

• “The greatest is behind” the best prophecy (him becoming king) has yet to come true, but he believes it will

• “Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs” he is imagining killing the king to take the throne

• “Commencing in a truth I am thane of Cawdor” he is taking Banquo words to heart seeing if the witches are trying to lure him into making a big mistake

6. Show how Shakespeare uses clothing imagery effectively in this scene (2 examples). 

• “Withered and wild in their attire” it shows the superstitions and the beliefs of the witches to be different and a little weird. It also helps to lead Macbeth into not believing in what they have to say to him.

• “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes” it shows that he thinks he is borrowing the role as thane of Cawdor, he is wearing clothes that he will have to give back. 

• “Like our strange garment cleave not to their mould but with the aid of use” 

 1.4  

1. What purposes (dramatic and thematic) are served by the discussion of the Thane of Cawdor's  execution and Duncan's immediate comments about him?  

He can’t tell what someone is thinking by their appearance. He’s naive. Characterization and dramatic irony. Theme: appearance vs reality.

2. Find 2 examples from Duncan's speeches to M. and Banquo that help to characterize him.  

“Which do but what they should by doing everything/Safe toward your love and honour” He has to do everything he can to protect the two.

3. How does M. 's aside at the news of Malcolm's nomination as Duncan's successor show M’s  descent into evil? ·  

He is thinking about killing Duncan already and doesn’t want God to see his sinful thoughts

1.5 

1. What are 2 dramatic purposes served by the letter-reading scene?  

Shows how much he respects her

Reveals his thoughts (he already wanted to hear his prophecy and he left out everything about Banquo)

2. a) What new information about M. is provided by Lady M. 's soliloquy?  Is she correct, in your opinion? (Hint: Review M.'s earlier speeches in 1.3 and 4.) 

She says she will kill Duncan herself and that Macbeth is too soft to take advantage of the opportunity to become King.

b) How is Lady M. characterized effectively in this first speech of hers  and in her subsequent speech when the Messenger leaves? (Cite 2  specific lines or phrases as proof.

“Unsex me” famous quote meaning rid her of her gentleness and femininity

They were quiet, holy and pure, and had no freedom or agency. Men were supposed to be brave warriors, violent and breadwinners. 

“Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.” 

“Solely sovereign sway and masterdom”

3. a) What is significant about the words Lady M. uses to greet her husband?

b) How do Lady M's words of advice to her husband reveal her misgivings about him?  

Lady Macbeth’s advice to Macbeth reveals that she doubts his strength, resolve, and ability to follow through with the murder. For instance:

• "It is too full o' the milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way."
  Here, Lady Macbeth suggests that her husband is too kind and morally upright to seize power in the ruthless way she believes is necessary. The metaphor of "milk of human kindness" implies that he is too soft and lacks the necessary cruelty to carry out the murder.
  
  

• "Thou wouldst be great / Art not without ambition, but without / The illness should attend it."
  She believes Macbeth has ambition, but he lacks the "illness" or the dark ruthlessness required to take the throne. She fears that while Macbeth has the desire for power, he does not have the resolve to commit the evil acts necessary to achieve it.
  
  

• "What beast was 't, then, / That made you break this enterprise to me?"
  Lady Macbeth mocks him here, calling him a "beast" for backing out of their plan. This line reveals her frustration and further highlights how she thinks of Macbeth as weak and indecisive.
  
  

In these ways, Lady Macbeth’s words reveal her belief that Macbeth is not yet capable of achieving the ambition he desires because he lacks the ruthlessness required to murder Duncan. She feels the need to push him toward action, and this shows her doubts about his strength of character to follow through on their plans.

1.6

1. What are 2 dramatic purposes for including the brief discussion between Banquo and Duncan outside M.'s castle?  

To make Duncan seem more polite and naive.

So that when Macbeth kills Duncan he feels even worse.

Pathos created for Duncan.

2. What specific lines add to the irony of the greeting between Duncan and Lady M.? 

Thanks her for the trouble of having him. Admires the castle. 

“Honoured hostess” and she replies “all our service, in every point twice done and then done double.

Her words had a double meaning because she was welcoming to kill him and talking around the truth

1.7

1. How does M's soliloquy use each of the following effectively?  

1. “Trumpet tongu’d against/The deep damnation of his taking-off

2. “Upon this bank and shoal of time”

3. “Tears shall drown the wind”

2. a) By referring to at least 3 separate lines or phrases, show how Lady M. tries to shame or  bully her husband into killing Duncan.  

“Live a coward in thine own self-esteem”

“And dash’d the brains out, had I so sworn”

“Art thou afeard/To be the same in thine own act and valour,/As thou art in desire?”

b) Outline the main components of the scheme that Lady M. proposes that  finally convinces M. to go through with the murder.  

Lady Macbeth proposes a detailed plan to murder Duncan:

1. Get Duncan drunk – She plans to get Duncan so intoxicated that he will be unable to defend himself or prevent his murder.

2. Use the guards' daggers – She suggests using the guards' daggers to frame them for the crime, ensuring that Macbeth will not be directly implicated.

3. Smear the blood on the guards – After the murder, Lady Macbeth plans to smear Duncan’s blood on the guards to make it look like they killed Duncan in his sleep.

4. Be calm and composed – Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to maintain a calm demeanor and not show guilt or fear, convincing him that they must act boldly and without hesitation

3. Comment on the poetic effectiveness of M's final speech in his scene.  

In Macbeth's final speech of Act 1, Scene 7, Shakespeare effectively uses rhetorical questions, repetition, and dramatic irony. Macbeth is caught in a moral and emotional struggle between his ambition and his conscience. His speech starts with, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well / It were done quickly"—the repetition of "done" conveys the sense of finality and conflict. He questions the consequences of the act, wondering whether it is worth the guilt, the fear of retribution, and the possible eternal damnation. The use of rhetorical questions like "If the assassination / Could trammel up the consequence, and catch / With his surcease success; that but this blow / Might be the be-all and the end-all—here" shows Macbeth’s desire for a clean resolution, without the repercussions.

The speech is also notable for its imagery and the sense of doom. Macbeth imagines the consequences of his actions in vivid terms—both physical (the dagger, blood) and emotional (fear, guilt). The juxtaposition of his desire for power with his growing awareness of the moral cost creates dramatic tension and engages the audience in Macbeth's tragic internal conflict.

2.1  

1. What dramatic purpose(s) are served by  a) the scene between Banquo and Fleance? 

It establishes the time and that the whole castle is getting ready for bed. And that Banquo is on edge. To build suspense, dark and eerie mood. Banquo has been having bad dreams, the relationship between Banquo and Fleance. Motif of sleeplessness is created. 

b) the scene between Banquo and M.?  

Foil-when one character juxtaposes another to show their qualities. We see that Banquo cares more about honour and Macbeth is more ambitious. Banquo has been thinking about the witches, and Macbeth lies and says he has not trying to protect his innocence. There is the last moment of Duncan’s kindness when he gives the diamond to lady macbeth. 

2. By referring to any 2 examples in M. 's soliloquy, show how Shakespeare uses superb poetry in this famous speech.

“With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design” murder is personified in this line. 

Is the dagger there or not, we do not know. The dagger is symbolic of temptation, ambition. The bell is a symbol of Duncan’s death.

Alludes to Hecate “a powerful goddess in Greek mythology, associated with magic, witchcraft, crossroads, ghosts, and the underworld”, and Tarquin “Tarquin was a tyrannical king in 6th-century BCE Rome. Shakespeare is alluding to a well known account describing how Tarquin stole through the palace in the middle of the night to forcefully “ravish” the noblewoman, Lucrece, an atrocity that triggered his overthrow.” 

“Hear it not Duncan, for it is a knell. That summons thee to heaven or to hell” rhyming scheme here. Rhyming couplet, sounds final. 

2.2 

1. How does Shakespeare use foreshadowing, irony and contrast to increase the tension and  horror of this scene?  

Foreshadowing: Macbeth said he heard someone say “Sleep no more Macbeth does murder sleep”, I fell like Macbeth will be unable to sleep as sleeplessness is a motif. He’ll be guilty in the following parts. Lady Macbeth “Stop thinking about this like this it shall make us mad” one of us may go mad. 

Irony: Situational Irony-Lady Macbeth said she would've killed Duncan herself is he didn’t remind her of her father.  Guards are snoring as the person they’re supposed to be protecting is killed. Lady Macbeth takes the death very lightly “a little water clears us of this deed”.   

Contrast: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have completely different reactions to Duncan’s murder. Macbeth's final line “Wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou couldst” wishing Duncan was alive. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”. “A little water clears us of this deed”,  “My hands are of your colour but I shame to wear a heart so white” she has a pure heart after this, and is making fun of Macbeth’s guilt. 

2.3

1. By referring to 3 specific examples, show how the Porter scene creates humour and also  underscores the action and themes of the plot.  

“Marry sir nose-painting sleep and urine” tells the signs of being drunk in a humorous way. 

“Lechery sir it provokes and unprovokes: it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance”-Bawdy humor.  

“Stand-to” 

“Anon anon I pray you remember the porter” asking for a tip

“Equivocation” talk around something, talks about different people who committed treason.

Keeps referencing the castle as hell “come in here and you will roast your goose”. 

2. What 3 actions by M. and Lady M. raise the suspicions of Banquo, MacDuff, Malcolm and  Donalbain?

“He does-he did appoint so”, Macbeth changes tenses before it is known that he is dead.

Macbeth talks a lot, rambles on ornate and hyperbolically.  

Lady Macbeth reacts to the murder with in my house.

Lady Macbeth faints to hold off suspicion. 

2.4

1. Show how this scene does each of the following:  

a) provides necessary information of new plot developments  

Macbeth is going to be king “He is already nam’d and gone to Scone To be invested”

Malcolm and Donaldblain are still gone, 

They think the guards killed the king, the guards were killed

b) emphasizes the mood through pathetic fallacy (look this term up!) 

Giving human feelings to inanimate objects-

• Owl killed a falcon 

• Duncan’s best-bred horses go crazy and kill each other

• It’s dark during the day, sun doesn’t come out. Macbeth called for darkness when he kills the king. 

• The Earth shook

• Very windy

c} characterizes MacDuff 

Good MacDuff, MacDuff may be suspicious of MacBeth is not going to the coronation, he is going home 

3.1 

1. How does Banquo's soliloquy at the start of the scene contribute to the play?

He seems suspicious of Macbeth, it creates the atmosphere of why Macbeth believes he must kill him. Plot becomes complicated, creates suspense. “I fear thou play most foully for it”. Reminds us of the witches prophecy for him “It should not stand in thy posterity, But that myself should be the root and father” 

2. In his soliloquy, what reasons does M. give for fearing and resenting Banquo?  

His sons shall be kings, he is better than Macbeth "There is none but he, Whose being I do fear; and under him my genius is rebuk’d” , he did not kill duncan for Banquo “If it be so for banquo’s issue have I fil’d my mind”. He does not feel secure as king.

3. By referring to 3 separate lines or phrases,·show how Shakespeare presents the devious  cleverness of M. in the scene with the two murderers.  

“Are you so gospelled to pray for this good man and for his whose heavy hand bowed you to the grave and beggared yours forever?”

“No i’thworst rank of manhood?” Uses a lot of questions about their manhood.

“Know that it was he in times past held you in misfortune”

  Makes them believe that it was their idea to kill Banquo.

3.2  

I. Select 2 lines from this scene that show the growing discontent and desperation of both M . and  Lady M. 

“How now my lord why do you keep alone”

Stress: “Noughts had all’s spent where our desire is got without content”,

He feels like a consequence is coming:  “We have scorched the snake not killd it “

Terrible dreams scare him nightly

  Wishes he was dead, with Duncan, at least duncan sleeps peacfully. 

2. Show how M.'s final speech in this scene indicates the following:  

a) his growing separation from his wife

He won’t tell her what hes plotting “there shall be done the deed of dreadful”

• My mind is full of scorpions

She’s in shock “thou marvellst at my words” 

 b) his further descent into evil  

“Come seeling night scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day and with they bloody and invisible hand cancel and tear to pieces that great bond”, praying for darkness, break Fleance and Banquo’s bond

3.3 

1. What dramatic purpose might Shakespeare have had for creating the Third Murderer?

TO reinforce the motif of #3, they don’t know him. It could be Macbeth. Connection to the 3 witches.

Macbeth starts trying to defy his fate Fleance flees and lives. He won’t beat fate. 

Turning point, new conflict, suspense, can’t beat fate, the witches. 

3.4

1.  What line/phrase shows Macbeth’s frustration that Fleance has escaped?

“Then comes my fits again I had elsebeen perfect”, “But now I am cabins cribb’d confined bound in saucy doubts and fears”

2. How does Shakespeare emphasize the tension of the banquet scene through each of the following:

1. Lady M’s scolding of her husband

“Are you a man?”, “You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder”

2. Lady M’s excuses for her husband’s behaviour

“My lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth”, “

3. M’s reaction to the ghost

“Which of you have done this?” he doesn’t believe it, he thinks they are pranking him, blaming others, suspicious. “Thou canst not say I did it”guilt. “Never shake thy gory locks at me” 

3. How do M’s last 2 speeches re-emphasize his spiralling descent into evil and self-destruction?

“Is the initiative fear that wants hard use, we are y et but young in deed” he will not think before he acts, he is halfway through the river of blood. People are starting to fear him when he almost stabs Ross. 

3.5

This scene was probably written by Thomas Middleton, not Shakespeare.  Do you think it should be retained in a production of Macbeth? Explain. 

I think it should stay in the play because if it has been kept in for so long it clearly gives a much needed part of the scene. Shakespeare also chose to include it in the play so he also believed that it gave something to the scene. 

3.6

Write two questions for your peers that you think help readers to understand this scene better.

How is Lennox speaking, what dramatic purpose does this have?

    What literary devices are being used in the lords speech, use quotes.