Evidence

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IMPRESSIONS OF MACBETH(before)
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Brave Captain:“For brave macbeth” Pg 31 act 1 scene 2 →cumulative effect of such

“Valour’s minion” praise is to engender on respect
D:“O valiant cousin” & admiration for Macbeth
→M appears to be a courageous
and noble figure→ everyones
held high in estimations or regard
→fuel M burning ambition to be
king KINGSHIP
WITCH: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to Pg 43 act 1 scene 3 →M appears to be courageous
thee, Thane of Cawdor!” before he murders D
“His wonders and his praises do
contend” Pg 47 act 1 scene 3 →M was alone and fought
everyone→ Capable and brave→
everyone worshiped him→
bravery and courage

Fearless soldier “As sparrows eagles, or the hare Pg 33 act1 scene 2 →fearlessness and bravery by M
the lion” &B
→ remind readers of the ordered
pattern of the universe in which
each creature has an appointed
place
→ M will soon disrupt the order
because of his ambition

Ambitious to become king M to witch: “You owe this strange Pg 45 act1 scene 3 →command witch→ M excited at
->sly and cunning thoughts intelligence, or why Upon this possibility of him becoming king
→releases his vivid imagination blasted heath you stop our way with skeptical
→overly preoccupied by his With such prophetic greeting. thoughts→AMBITION &
thoughts of kingship Speak, i charge you” KINGSHIP
→M is fixated on the idea of →witches have whetted M
becoming king appetite→ he is extremely
anxious to know more details
about the prophecy as he has
obviously entertained the
possibility of becoming king
M to ross and angus: “The →greedy→not satisfied w current
greatest is behind” position

M to B: “Do you not hope your 1.3.49 M thinks everyone is just like him,
children shall be kings” with same ambitions
 →This contrasts M’s enthusiastic
embrace of the witches’
prophecies w B more skeptical,
cautious reaction

M is internally conflicted, “we still M’s ambition is so great that he is

have judgement here” 1.7.87 willing to forfeit his immortal soul
for temporal power. Although
there would be consequences,
he is willing to do it and take the
risk.
→conflict, confused state of mind

Prideful, egoistic “This supernatural soliciting 1.3.51 →reveals his inner conflict
Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If occurring between M’s craving for
ill, Why hath it given me earnest power and his conscience
of success, Commencing in a →illustrates his confused state of
truth?” mind
→he's trying to grapple with the
significance of the witches
prophecies, he cannot decide if
they bode ill/good
ill-tempting him to commit
regicide by dangling prospect of
kingship before him
Good-predicted to be thane of
cawdor
→ M desperately wants to be
king but is appalled to admit his
murderous thoughts

Sense of duty & conscience, →M fervently hopes that the

filled with compassion issue may be taken out of his
hands and that he will be made
king without him having to resort
to foul play

→ M is filled with compassion &

LM says: “It is too full o’th’ milk of 1.5.97 tenderness
human kindness” →but he is being influenced to
commit to evil

LM: “Art not without ambition, but →M is too honest &good → he

without the illness should attend assumes that an ambitious
it.” person must inevitably be
cunning and evil
→ The use of “should” shows
how it is mandatory/
necessary/only right/ proper to
evil that you have to be cunning
 in order to achieve your goal
→morally corrupted, cynical/
callous nature.

Skeptical,doubtful,fearful,hesitant When planning to murder D

,confused
But he is excited, tempted
CONTRASTING
BUT LM is decisive, resolute,
2qbrave&bold, enthusiastic/eager

Become guilty, insecure Endangered by the murder which

becomes an obsession that
controls M and LM instead.

panicking, distraught, losing after he kills d, he holds the

control of himself, cowardly as daggers in his hand (find
opposed to LM who is very brave evidence)

appears to be guilt-ridden “didst thou not hear a noise?” 2.2.123 -he's jumpy, agitated distracted,
highly charged and tense
atmosphere
-abrupt and disjointed exchange
w LM showing that his mind is
somewhere else as the
conversation is unnatural and .

“Amen” Grim Irony

-afte murdering duncan, he
attempts to pray to god, and cries
“amen”
-ironic as killing and praying is an
“Me thought i heard a voice cry act of supreme optimism
‘sleep no more! Macbeth does -he should not be able to pray as
murder sleep’ he has fallen from grace and can
no longer communicate with god
or receive his blessing
 -he is hallucinating, traumatized
by this whole experience
“Whence is that knocking?” 2.2.127
-he is scared, overwrought with
fear and in a state of extreme
nervousness

“To know my deed, ‘twere best 2.2.129 -doesn't want to admit that he is
not know myself” the same person that killed
duncan as he is mortified with
himself
-living in denial
-heinous crime

his cowardice prevents him from his cowardice prevents him from
pursuing his ambitious nature pursuing his ambitious nature
He is torn between his guilt and
1: ambitious his ambitions.
2: despite his ambitious nature, —>conflicted
he is cowardly.

self-centred “Had I but died an hour before 2.3.143 M focuses on himself instead of
this chance, I had lived a blessed D and says that he has fallen
time” from grace and is condemned to
hell, showing how he is
self-centered as his initial public
reaction to D’s death is focused
on himself

becoming increasingly duplicative “O yet I do repent me of my fury, 2.3.145 -makes overt and direct attempts
that I did kill them” to cover up his deeds and true
thoughts and is inept at keeping
up his appearance of innocence
-He willingly offers an explanation
to cover up his tracks, unlike the
past where he was prone to
paralysis and indecision, he is
now able to stay calm and offer
an explanation without being
assured
-may be due to the murder or the
advice LM gave him

IMPRESSIONS OF MACBETH(after the murder)

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Paranoid, allow fear to get the “Thou hast harped my fear aright 4.1.239 M’s fear of being murdered by
better of him MD drives him to be further
 encouraged to kill MD

“Thou shalt not live, That I may 4.1.240 He claims he can sleep easily
tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And after killing MD
sleep in spite of thunder” He wants to eliminate him
because of his paranoia

“Ride you this afternoon?” 3.1.165 M is fearful of B and seeks to

know his whereabouts to plan the
next murder.
“Goes fleance with you?” 3.1.166 M is very keen and interested to
murder B, deceptive

“He needs not our mistrust, since 3.3.191 M is paranoid and fearful. M also
he delivers asks a third murderer to join the 2
murderes to increase the
chances of success, as he is
paranoid that the murderers will
betray him or not succeed.

A third murderer is sent by M M attempts to defy fate:

-added third murderer to kill B
and F
-TRIES TO CHANGE FATE
THAT F WILL ESCAPES

Fear, insecurity, anxiety spreads

to his noble men creating an
atmosphere they dare not say
much about M’s paranoia

Self delusional “Rather than so, come, fate, into 3.1.171 M’s defiance of the w’s prediction
the list” here is rash and foolish as he
only accept those prophecies
which suit his selfish desires.

Selfish, tyrannic “Even till destruction sicken - 4.1.239 M doesn’t care about chaos or
answer me To what I ask you” the disorderly caused, as long as
he gets answers he is satisfied

“Had I three ears, I’d hear thee”” 4.1.241 M arrogantly replies the witches,
showing his cosmic arrogance
Despite the witches helping him
in his journey to achieving his
goals, he still acts ungrateful and
arrogant towards them, reflecting
his tyrannic nature
“I will be satisfied. Deny me this, 4.1.243 Irony: The witches should be the
and an eternal curse fall on you! last ones to be intimidated by a
curse, yet M uses an
authoritative tone to curse them
Before, he was skeptical and
fearful to the witches
He wants to be in control of the
witches but instead, they are in
control of him

“The castle of Macduff I will 4.1.247 M is taking charge of his

surprise” paranoia and eliminating MD,
becoming more resourceful and
scheming. He is willing to kill
innocent woman and children,
becoming more heartless and
merciless as he intends to
murder MD’s family as an act of
spite and revenge
Before: M only murdered those
regarded as a threat to him, thus
his victims were grown men and
there were individual
assassinations
“No boasting like a fool, This 4.1.247
deed I’ll do before this purpose M thinks it is better to act in the
cool heat of the moment when one’s
position is high and resolution is
firm, showing his recklessness
M’s inherent, foul nature and
motiveless malignity of this deed
marks a new low in M’s moral
degeneration. He has lost every
shred of humanity(cynical and
ruthless)

3.2.181
“We have scorched the snake, The nature of tyranny is that M
not killed it” never feels safe and he is
paranoid about his supremacy
and intensely suspicious of
others. In order to maintain
power and achieve peace of his
mind, he tries to mercilessly
eliminate any potential
candidate/opposition in the belief
that this will make him more
secure.
5.1.272
Macbeth and edward
As described by ross Scotland has been infected by
M’s evil and its people are
‘plagued’ by his tyrannical rule
Instead of being described in
warm, secure and nurturing
material terms, it is presented as
3.4.201 a channel house
“Which of you have done this?”
M trusts no one, feels they are all
capable of deception and staging
269 such a displan.
“Devilish Macbeth”
M is described as a devil who
has sought to wish MC into his
power, just like how Satamn
tempted Jesus to maintain prior
to his crucifixion
3.4.209
“Theres not a one of them but in M assumes that everyone is as
this house i keep a servant ambitious as him, prepared to
fee’d.” commit treason and murder for
power. He is paranoid and trusts
nobody but fear
5.5.321 everyone(tyrants).

“If thou speak’st false, Upon the M commands in a threatening

next tree shall thou hang alive Till and insulting manner, with
famine cling thee” contemptuous treatment of his
subjects. This highlights his
tyrannical nature and bullying
and brutality. He does not care
for his subjects, this shows how it
is no wonder why his subjects tak
any chance to be disloyal to him,
5.5.317 as there is no mutual respect

“I have almost forgot the taste of M was previously highly sensitive

fears.” and fearful of unnatural, unholy
“I have supped full with horrors” deeds, but now he is inured to it.
Having ‘Supped full with
honours’, he feels that nothing
5.5.321 can fright him or shock him
anymore
“If thou speak’st false, upon the
next tree shall thou hang alive till He says this in a threatening and
famine cling thee” insulting manner, showing his
contemptuous treatment of his
subjects and his tyrannical
nature/brutality/bullying
Insecure, paraoid M- B in his “royalty of nature” 3.1.169 Not only is B noble, he has
dauntless temper and courage
which will threaten M’s kingship.
→His royalty of nature is a
source of concern for M and
intimidates him as it shows that B
is noble and righteous

“Our fears in B stick deep.” 3.4.199 M is intimidated by B and is

obsessed w eliminating him at all
costs due to his extreme fear

“There is none but he whose i do 3.4.205 B is the only one M is afraid of. B
fear.” has become an excessive focus
of M's fearful insecurity.
→he convinced himself that if B
is disposed of , he will be safe.
→His self delusion causes his
nature of tyranny and his way of
thinking that if he kills more
people, he will be more safe and
secure.
M’s fear and suspicion of B is
almost tantamount(close to) his
paranoia. He resents B’s qualities
which make him feel inferior.M is
obsessed by the thought that he
has killed D only for the sake of
B’s heirs. M “invents reasons” to
justify his suspicions and fuels
his hatred.
→Strong jealousy and deep
sense of insecurity

M challenges B’s ghost, he feels

“There the grown serpent lies; insecure and fear which
the worm thats fled.” worsened into guilt, agitation and
hallucination. The ghost angers
him causing him to challenge the
hallucination and fight him. He
also relies on physical strength in
“Dare me to the desert with my the moment of mental weakness.
sword.”

M’s fear of being murdered by

 MD drives him to be further
“Thou hast harped my fear aright encouraged to kill MD

4.1.239
He claims he can sleep easily
after killing MD
“Thou shalt not live, That I may He wants to eliminate him
tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And because of his paranoia
sleep in spite of thunder”
A third murderer is sent by M 4.1.240
M is fearful of B and seeks to
know his whereabouts to plan the
next murder.
M is very keen and interested to
“Ride you this afternoon?” murder B, deceptive
“Goes fleance with you?” 3.1.165
M is paranoid and fearful. M also
asks a third murderer to join the 2
murderes to increase the
chances of success, as he is
“He needs not our mistrust, since paranoid that the murderers will
he delivers 3.1.166 betray him or not succeed.

M attempts to defy fate:

“Accursed be that tongue that -added third murderer to kill B
tells me so, for it hath cowed my and F
bettter part of man.” -TRIES TO CHANGE FATE
THAT F WILL ESCAPES
3.3.191
Fear, insecurity, anxiety spreads
to his noble men creating an
atmosphere they dare not say
much about M’s paranoia

M’s previous boastful self

evaporates as he is daunted by
Macduff’s startling reality

5.8.337

M is cunning and sly “Shoughs, water-rugs, and 3.1.173 M insults and attacks the
demiwolves are clept all by the murderer's manhood. He is being
name of dogs.” intentionally provocative so the
men would be cowardly to refuse
“Not i the worst rank of manhood, M’s offer.
say’t” → This is linked to when LM uses
a similar tactic to persuade M to
 kill D by questioning his bravery
and “dares” him to prove her
wrong
Both of them are indignant.
→both M and the murderers took
the bait as their manly pride is at
stake. Their pride has been
offended as M has insulted their
manhood, implying that they are
too cowardly and submissive to
carry out the murder.

“Be bright and jovial among your

guests tonight.” 3.2.183 M also becoming more cunning.
He is adept at putting on false
appearances during the banquet
scene.

“I have almost forgot the taste of

M is more decisive and strategic “I will advise you where to plant 3.1.177 M has a strategy, as he moves
yourselves, acquaint you with the strategically and with control of
perfect spy o’time,” the situation.
→He i s more decisive and is no
longer hesitant about killing.(as
seen is the way he manipulates
and persuades the murderers to
get rid of b & f)

ruthless “To leave no rubs nor botches in 3.1.177 M expects no mistakes, traces,
the work” evidences and wants a flawless
execution of murder. His urgency
to eliminate B at all costs without
room for failure shows his
ruthless nature.

“Stepped in so far that, should i 3.4.209 M has already committed murder

wade no more, returning were as and has gone too far that he
tedious as go o’er.” cannot turn back. He feels numb
and immune and become inured
to their foul crimes, and is
obsessed with eliminating
potential/imaginary opposition.

“We are yet young but in deed.” 3.4.209 They are new to murder and
experienced in bloody needs. M
is ruthless as he views murder as
practice and takes innocent lives,
making him merciless.
 “Blow wind! Come wrack! At least 5.5.321
we’ll die with harness on our
back.”

superstitious “Fleance his son, that keeps him 3.1.177 M’s desire to kill B and Fleance,
company, whose absence is no so witches prophecy is able to
less material to me” come through. M believes the
witches as he is acting only out of
suspicion showing how he is
superstitious and vicious.

“I will tomorrow to the weird 3.4.209 He needs supernatural aid and

sisters.” reassurance to make him feel
armed and secured.

Shrewd,quick witted M interrupts murder, “your spirits 3.1.177 M dont want the murderers to
shine through you.” start doubting their abilities so he
quickly praises their valour to
bolster their spirits. He interrupts
the first murderer to prevent them
from “getting cold feet”/ changing
their mind in helping him kill B
→quick witted

guilty “The tables full.” 3.4.201 M is hallucinating and cannot tell

the difference between
hallucination and reality of B’s
ghost.

“But get thee back, my soul is too 5.8.335 M feels guilty about killing
much charged with blood of thine Macudffs wife and children. This
already.” reveals that Macbeth has some
spark of conscience and
humanity.

moral degeneration “They have tied me to a stake: I 5.7.329 M is pinned down like a cornered
cannot fly, but bear-like I must animal who has no option but to
fight the course. What’s he that fight. There is a sense of
was not born of woman? Such a embattled desperation, total
one am i to fear, or none.” isolation and moral degeneration.
—>clinging on to W’s prophecy
Overconfident, responsible for his “Our castle’s strength will laugh a 5.5.317 Instead of remaining inside the
own downfall siege to scorn” security of his castle, the witches'
prophecy make him recklessly
defiant of fate and cause him to
abandon the strategic advantage
of a fortified position and meet
the enemy on their terms
Most of M’s men have deserted
him so he is outnumbered and
his troops are resentful and
dispirited
he should not have challenged
his opponents to open,
hand-to-hand combat

M is in a defiant courageous and

confident mood
He states that his castle is
heavily fortified and impregnable
He is confident that it will
withstand a siege and intends to
let MC’s forces rot outside

“And damned be him that first 5.8.337 defiance and proud courage to
cries ‘Hold, enough!” his desperate stand
Loses life’s meaning “She should have died hereafter, 5.5.317 He expresses his resigned
there would have been a time for fatalism, as LM’s death prompts
such a word” M to consider the
meaninglessness of life. He finds
himself incapable of mourning
what he regards as a release
from such a futile existence
“The way to dusty death. Out, The alliteration convey M's life as
out, brief candle!” brief and futile

“Life’s but a walking shadow, a This is a grotesque mockery of

poor player that struts and frets his rule that all his murderous
his hour upon the stage and then machinations have been for
is heard no more” nothing
Poor player-> acting
M recognises the delusory nature
and futility of man’s brief, pitiful
performance on the stage of life
His attitude to life is totally
disillusioned and he thinks that
life is a brief, worthless,
meaningless mockery. His only
companion is dead and all his
hopes are shattered. He has
nothing to live for.

IMPRESSIONS OF MACBETH(before vs after the murder)

before after

Afraid to commit to murder Commit murder without

hesitation, sly, commit murder,
decisive

Scared to lie Cunning, slt, take matters into his

own hand

dilemma Decisive, make plans on his own

Update LM frequently and Isolated, keep things to himself,

immediately by sending letters alienated

IMPRESSIONS OF MACBETH VS MALCOLM

 MACBETH MALCOLM
-tyrannical -patriotic, noble, just, shrewd, prudent
-treaderous, evil, cruel, savage, ruthless,
deceitful, impulsive
-calm, controlled
-employed spies, assassins -practical, purposeful
-brought death and destruction to Scotland -gracious, virtuous and dignified
-instilled fear and insecurity -dedicated, wise ruler

IMPRESSIONS OF DUNCAN VS MALCOLM

Duncan Malcolm
-pays particular attention to Macbeth (great -promotes all his thanes and kinsmen to
praise, promise special flavour) earls
-announces MA a successor -gets down to business and affirms his
-more gushing and emotional intention to establish order and redress
wrongs
-more restrained/deliberate

THE APPARITIONS
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE EXPLANATION

First apparition “Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Provokes M further to make him

An Armed Head more determined to kill MD
“He will not be commanded.
Here’s another, More potent than
the first”

Second apparition “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; Helps to bolster M’s confidence
A Bloody Child laugh to scorn” Urges M to continue to murder to
achieve his goals

2nd and 3rd:

Urge M to continue with murder
and not care what they think of
him
Confirms his invulnerability

Third apparition “Be lion-mettled, proud, and take M is protected and they urge him
A child crowned, with a tree in his no care to murder others
Hand
“Macbeth shall never vanquished

Witches “Cheer we up his sprites” “They pretend to be M’s humble

 servants, whilst all the while they
are in complete control of him
and feign distress and concern
when they are revelling in his
anguish

IMPRESSIONS OF LENNOX

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Two faced “My former speeches have but 3.6.221 Lennox is being facetious his
hit your thoughts” intended meaning is the opp of
“Things have been strangely what he says.
borne” -grim use of irony is effective
as it highlights M’s
deviousness and duplicity.
-unsure as M has spies
everywhere and there is a
pervasive amount of fear,
distrust and insecurity.
-not prepared to express open
dissent or publicly accuse M of
murder in case he is
overheard by someone who
might betray him.

IMPRESSION ON MACDUFF AND MALCOLM

Malcom being a good king -pg 343
“My thanes and kinsmen henceforth be earls”

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Pragmatic, action orientated, “Hold fast the mortal sword, like 4.3.261 MD has a sense of urgency and
determined good men Bestride our resolution and he is a man of
down-fall’n birthdom action and doesn't like to waste
time taking or sulking about the
loss of the country
“Let me find him, fortune, and 5.7.331
 more I beg not.” MA is determined to kill M to
avenge the murder of his family.

He is smart “I grant him bloody, 4.3.265 Tests MD:

luxurious,avaricious,false,deceitf MC professes that he is
ul,sudden,malicious - extremely lustful and fond of
sensual pleasures
- greedy for wealth
-malicious and revels in
conflict/chaos and destruction
MC suggesting he has no
positive qualities
He sees MC as scotland's only
hope, despite MC professed,
vices, MD feels that no one could
be worse than M

“Be this the whetstone of your Tells MD to convert grief into

sword” anger
Use it to sharpen and revolve
and tortify his strength

Patriotic, passionate, honest MC: “If such a one be fit to 4.3.269

govern, speak. I am as I have
spoken”

confident “we have met with foes that 5.7.331 nature if the battle is easy as M’s
strike beside us.” troops have rebelled/ fought
against him.

MD “Let’s make us medicines of our “4.3.279 He wants them to channel their

great revenge passion constructively and use it
to defeat M
Malcolm is the cure while
Macbeth is the disease

Impressions of MC Intelligent, shrewd, noble,

selflessly devoted to his subjects,
righteous, trustworthy, honest,
loyal, neither lustful or jealous, is
a confident, determined and
decisive leader
More shrewd, politic, less trusting
He was suspicious of MD’s
motives, as M has been trying to
trap him using similar bait/tactics,
understandably wary about
whom he can trust
MD “My children too?” 277 MD is in an extreme state of
“My wife too?” shock
puts on a manly front, although
he is greatly distressed, he is
valiantly trying to hide his grief
from the others

MC “Comes the King forth, I pray “Divine right and grace of

you? legitimate King though he is a
blessing to the people
Sharp contrast between the
images of evil and disease used
to describe M’s rule

MD: cunning ”coward” 5.8.337 MD provokes M to combat by

accusing him of cowardice and
threatens him with the humiliation
of captivity

He states “ I have done the deed

IMPRESSION ON LADY MACBETH
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Commanding, want to take the “Under my battlements” 1.5.71 M&D will be in her new ‘territory’
role, domineering, and will be under her power &
authoritative,assertive, forceful, mercy
controlling, →reveals her forceful & resolute
determined,domineering, assumption of control
resourceful →LM determined to dominate
and direct events

Tell M; “Leave the rest to me.” 1.5.75

“Why did you bring these 2.2.125 -accusing tone as M is clearly not
daggers from the place?” thinking straight
-she became more business like
“Give me the daggers.” when she realised that M forgot
to leave the daggers behind
-reaction is swift, she acts quickly
to the disaster, taking chaarge of
the situation
Sly & cunning LM: “Hie thee hither, that i may Act 1 scene 5 LM secretly wishes M could hurry
pour my spirits in thine ear, and pg 67 back so she could strike while the
chastise with the valour of my iron was hot and prevent him
tongue.” from flatering.
→she also wants to persuade
him to act decisively instead of
wanting him to come home
because she misses him

“That my keen knife see not the “Knife”foreshadows D’s murder

wound it makes” LM 1.5.71 &evil intentions behind it
→LM is eagerly anticipating M
arrival and tempt him to follow
the path of evil

ambitious, power hungry “Give solely sovereign sway and 1.5.75 Once they kill D, they will be able
masterdom” to give power over everything
and everyone when they are king
and queen for the rest of their
lives
Ironic→murder physcologically
affects both characters as they
become paranoid and their
mental health s affected
→guilt and insecurity that people
want to steal his throne

Views kindness as a “Unsex me here, and fill me, from 1.5.71 LM LM wants to remove her
weakness/despite such delicate the crown to the toe, top-full of womanhood of being gentle and
feelings and regards them as direst cruelty!” LM kind so she can take charge and
sentimental/ weak, HEARTLESS become authoritative→being
gentle is viewed as weakness
→solicits evil supernatural aid to that prevents her from getting
make her cold-blooded by what she wants and achieving
suppressing her natural humanity her goals
→remove association with
womanhood and become
cold-blooded, hard-hearted
As LM is a woman, she is
supposed to be maternal,
compassionate
→wants to be opposite(cruel,
cold-hearted)
→she thinks that M is the ‘weak’
one who is most susceptible to
the calls of conscience and
emotion.

“Make thick my blood, stop up LM wants to stop feeling remorse

th’access and passage to and sadness
 remorse”
“Shake my fell purpose, nor keep LM does not want to experience
peace between the effect and it.” natural feelings of guilt & doubt
that will sway her evil/dark desire

“Come to my woman's breasts, LM wants demons to take control

and take my milk for gall” of her mind & heart so she wont
feel any compassion
“Take my milk”-->remove human
nature of compassion

LM considers M too
“soft”/good/honest/kind, too afraid
and weak
urged

“Have plucked my nipple from its 1.7.95 LM is cruel, ruthless, nothing can
boneless gums” stop her, she has no compassion
to little kids as when they are
smiling at er, she is still merciless
→reveals LM determination to
reject her maternal instincts and
be as merciless/unwomanly as
possible to help the king

“His spongy officers, who shall 1.7.97 LM doesn't care about the lives
bear the guilt of our great quell?” and welfare of the defenseless,
innocent officers and puts the
blame on them

“My hands are of your colour; but 2.2.127 -LM was also involved in the
I shame to wear a heart so white” murder and her hands are
covered in blood, but she would
be ashamed to be as kind
hearted, pure and innocent and
cowardly as M and unlike him,
her heart is bloodless

decisive, resolute, brave, bold,

enthusiastic/eager

manipulative Calls M “green and pale”, 1.7.91 The fact that Lady Macbeth
“coward” openly taunts and mocks
Macbeth’s cowardice shows how
she has no filter or respect for
him and she is superior in the
 relationship. This suggests how
Lady Macbeth is high-handed in
their relationship. Furthermore,
she harshly states Macbeth is
“green and pale”, showing how
she deems him as weak and
incapable. This reflects how she
looks down on him and his
character, criticizing him for his
weaknesses and unmanliness,
humiliating him to get her way,
showing how she wears the
pants in the relationship.
“To be the same in thine own act
and valour as thou art in desire?” When Macbeth attempts to
MEMORIZE express his opposing opinions to
Lady Macbeth by saying “which
would be worn now in their
newest gloss/ Not cast aside so
soon.” Lady Macbeth cleverly
turns the tables on him and
instead embarrasses him, she
communicates her thoughts that
instead of wanting to dress
himself in the “golden opinions”
of others, she mocks him by
saying that his previous “hope”
must have been “drunk”(since he
now appeared so “green and
pale”. This imagery of clothing
magnifies how Lady Macbeth
manipulates Macbeth, belittling
him and making him believe his
opinions are inferior to her
superiority, giving him no say.
She mocks and degrades him,
further emphasizing how
controlling and dominant she is in
the relationship.
“Letting ‘i dare not’ wait upon ‘i 1.7.93
would’” LM wants to wound M’s manly
pride by implying that he is
cowardly and he is unable to ‘tale
 the plunge and achieve his
ambition.
→manly pride =reputation as a
brave soldier has been tarnished.

cunning manipulative, shrewd, “I have drugged their possets” 2.2.121 she makes the soldiers sleep,
level-headed(does not panic in having a plan beforehand to push
times of crisis), calm, takes D’s murder on them
charge
-she lets fate take care of them
merciless, cruel, heartless “That Death and Nature do and doesn't care if they live or
contend about them, Whether die, as long as they get away
they live or die” with D’s murder

“A little water clears us of this -she thinks that this act could be
deed” easily rid by sweeping under the
rug and putting on a front of
innocence
-she appears to be calm awnd
collected and presents M with a
quick solution
-her repressed guilt reveals itself
much later(it's an act and

she appears to be sufficiently

hardened to the deed

not entirely cruel, evilness has “Had he not resembled my father 2.2.121 shows she still has humanity and
not consumed her whole, but she as he slept, I had done’t” compassion
still has some conscience brief and quickly suppresses her
indication of natural emotion and
tenderness
has a conscience

Disturbed from the murder “Terrible dreams” 3.2.181 She is plagued by “terrible
dreams” despite LM’s outward
composure and steely resolve,
she also seems to be
physiologically disturbed from the
murder.

IMPRESSION OF LADY MACBETH (after)

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Disturbed from the murder “Terrible dreams” 3.2.181 She is plagued by “terrible
dreams” despite LM’s outward
 composure and steely resolve,
she also seems to be
physiologically disturbed from the
murder.

Guilt finally shows “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” 5.1.291 Hallucinates a spot of blood on
her hands (D’s blood
Irony
She wants the spot of blood to be
removed. Early on, she tells M
“a little water will clear us of this
deed”
which is now shown not possible
as she is now plagued by guilt,
and the blood on her hands will
not be removed
Use of imperative shows LM’s
desperation to be free of her guilt
Her carefully contrived mask has
slipped and her control of the
situation has been lost

“”Wash your hands, put on your 5.1.293 LM relives the murder scene and
nightgown, look not so pale” nightmare(instructs M as she did
last time)she is bothered that she
told M to kill others
“To bed, to bed, there’s knocking
at the gate” Irony
She advised husband not to
brood on D’s murder, we can see
that one’s past is not buried so
easily
Like B’s ghost, the scene of the
murder haunts the guilty party no
matter how hard/deep they try to
submerge the unpleasant
memories

Doctor and gentlewoman when “Unnatural deeds do breed 5.1.295 They find that LM is mentally ill
they see LM’s hallucination unnatural troubles, infected
minds”

“God, God forgive us all! Look DOctor shows sympathy toward

after her” LM and is worried and concerned
about her

“I think, but dare not speak” They have realised what LM and
M have done and they are scared
and shocked
They eliminate anyone that
 threatens the throne and are
given no freedom of speech, thus
they choose to remain quiet and
leave

She looks down on M “You look but on a stool.” 3.4.203 LM looks down on him, thinks his
fear is “something to be ashamed
of” →scornful speech,LM tries to
reassure him but does not
understand why he's paranoid.
She appears to want to calm his
rage, but anger simmers beneath
her words.

IMPRESSIONS OF BANQUO
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Strong-headed, not easily “The instruments of darkness Pg 51 act 1 scene 3 →witches/devils tell things to
swayed tells us truths believe what they're saying and
he doesn't believe in witches/ evil
→deceit and
disguise→appearance vs reality

-shrewed →while the prophecies was

-wise temptingly advantageous for
-Sensible,rational,logical Banquo, he remained cautious,
-discerning regarding their truthfullness
-analytical
-cautious “I fear thou playdst most foully 3.1.165 B is logical as he is suspicious of
for’t” macbeth

After M becomes king, B is

distant, polite, aloof attitude, no
longer friendly to M as he also
suspects M has murdered D

loyal “There if I grow, the harvest is Act one scene 4 pg 61 This means that if B thrives, the
your own” king (D) will naturally reap the
benefits as he is D’s loyal
subject.
→trusting and shows complete
dedication to following the kings
order
→all his power and possessions
rightfully belong to duncan

“Let your highness command 3.1.165 He is trusting and loyal as he

upon me” shows complete dedication yo
 following orders and authority of
king, be it D’s death
→always bound by duty to obey
whatever your highness
commands him to do

Noble, selfless “Fly, fleance, fly,fly,flyfly!” 3.3.191 B cares for Fleance showing that
he is noble and selfless even
when faced with death. He
assures F that he can avenge M.

IMPRESSIONS OF DUNCAN
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Trusting,unsuspecting,naive,poor Duncan-”There's no art To find 1.4.59 Duncan thinks that there's no

judge of character, sees good in the mind's construction in the way to discover how a man's
people, oblivious face” ->M enters the room really like just by looking at his
face and expression
→ironic because macbeth
entered and he has treacherous
thoughts but D regards him as
his most worthy and loyal subject
→APPEARANCE VS REALITY

D praises M’s courage but M is

“True, worthy Banquo, he is full instead plotting against him.
so valiant, and in his Pg 63 act 1 scene 4
commendations i am fed” D->M
1.6.79
This castle hath a pleasant seat;
the air Nimbly and sweetly
recommends itself Unto our
gentle senses.”

“Fair and noble hostess”

- calls LM
1.6.79
“The temple-haunting Marlet is a bird with good fortune.
marlet”-Banquo It appears to be attractive,
stunning, secure and inviting.
{appearance vs reality}
It is for someone who would be
tricked and foreshadows
 Duncan's murder. The gentle
&trusting Duncan is going to be
fooled here. He is deceived by
appearances & implicity trusts M
&LM regarding them as good
friends?devoted subjects.
“The thane of Cawdor shall
deceive our bosom interest.” 1.2.35 This is ironic as D makes M
thane of cawdor and he
surpasses his predecessor in
teaching in deceit
-M soon does the same thing

Gracious, generous, “The sin of my ingratitude even Act one scene 4 pg 61 He’s very grateful to M who is
appreciative,trusting, nurturing now was heavy on me.” very cunning and sly.
fatherly figure
“Would thou hadst less deserved, He thinks that M deserves more
that the proportion both of thanks than he can give and is very
and payment might have been grateful”
mine!”

“I have begun to plant thee, and Rewards will be given to M and

will labour to make thee full of he will prosper and have a great
growing.” future.
→imagery of cultivation
→very nurturing and gentle→ D
is a fatherly figure.

“Great love”, “hath holp him to his 1.6.83 D is trusting.

home before us” →believes/assumes that M wants
to hurry back home to host him.
D is unsuspecting and oblivious
to M’s ill intentions.
{appearance vs reality,D is
oblivious}

Fair, virtuous and dignified, noble “I have begun to plant thee, and Act one scene 4 pg 61 D is very fair to both M and B as
will labour to make thee full of he ensure both will be given a
growing— Noble Banquo, that reward for their hard work.
hast no less deserved, nor must
be known”

R/S BETWEEN M AND LM

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Close & intimate rs M: "My thought, whose murder Act 1 scene 3 →M’s dormant ambitions have
yet is but fantastical, shakes so clearly been awakened and he is
my single state of man that so gripped by these
function is smothered in surmise, thoughts that he immediately
and nothing is but what is not." writes home to tell his wife lady
macbeth about these events.
—> He is filled with excitement
when he gets the letter and he
confides in LM and updates her
frequently.
→M could tell LM in person but
wrote the letter in advance to
show how much he values and
appreciates LM’s opinions.

“Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, 1.5 →the idea of this partnership is
and shalt be what thou art not lost
promised.” on lady macbeth and she is
immediately determined to help
him achieve his goal of becoming
king
→ Although they have same
ambition, they have diff way of
getting it

“Who was it thus cried, Why, 2.2.125 -LM uses a gentle tone, trying to
worthy Thane, You do unbend reassure M as she knows M is
your noble strength to think So traumatised and uses a soft and
brainsickly of things” coaxing approach
-though she thinks he is weak,
she knows that he needs comfort

Mutually dependant/ rely on each M calls LM “My dearest partner of Act one scene 5 pg 67 →M relies on LM to be an
other greatness.” accomplice/ orchestrator of his
/Nevertheless, they greatly treacherous schemes
depend on each other for →they respect each other and
support. regards each other as equals
M says to LM “Lay it to thy heart,
→M relies on his wife to bolster and farewell.” Lady Macbeth is able to quell the
his courage and provide him with doubts and fears that are
encouragement and reassurance “But screw your courage to the plaguing her husband, declaring
sticking-place,/ And we”ll not fail” with absolute certainty and
confidence that it is impossible
“I am settled” for their murder plan to not
succeed. —> “I am settled”
‘ Thy undaunted mettle should —> boost Macbeth’s confidence
 compose/ Nothing but males’ and morale into committing
murder and gives him assurance

Similarly, Macbeth validated his

wife’s violence and brutality,
praising it as courage to be
admired.

This shows that they mutually

encourage and support one
another in achieving their goal/
ambitious plans for greater power
and success.

LM: “All that impedes thee from 1.5.69 LM will do anything to help him
the golden round, Which fate and become king and support him.
metaphysical aid doth seem to
have thee crowned withal.”

“Help me hence ho!” 2.3.147 -as LM and zm are being

confronted with D’s murder, LM
wants to protect their case and
faints to divert attention from
macbeth and stops the
interrogation

brutally honest with one “What cannot you and I perform vulnerable, unsuspecting,
another/deep trust for each other upon/ The unguarded Duncan?” immoveny, defenceless. M & LM
are co-conspirators in their
“Who dares receive it other, / As murder of king Duncan, an act
we shall make our griefs and which necessitates a high level of
clamour roar/ Upon his death?” trust between the two ; deep trust

I have given suck, and know/ She does not shy away from
How tender 'tis to love the babe openly expressing her heinous,
that milks me.” savage, depraved Sid, describing
how she would not flinch from
killing an innocent and vulnerable
baby of hers as she is nursing it,
just to achieve her goal. LM’s
ability to be so brutally honest
with her husband, to reveal her
ugliest self, testifies to the deeply
rooted, unshakable trust between
them.
M respects LM and values her As LM puts on a false front, 1.7.97 LM manages to convince M and
opinions pretending that she is fearless, M he admires LM, thinking she is
→affectionate towards towards is convinced and states that he is fearless
LM and treats her like an equal “I am settled”

LM is domineering/wears the “Why have you left the 1.7.91 LM is angry at M as he aroused
pants in the r/s chamber?” others suspicion and endangered
→manipulate M the plan
→annoyed tone

“Screw your courage to the 1.7.95 Tells M theres no room for failure
sticking-place and we’ll not fail” and is highly ambitious
→harsh and unforgiving tone

“They have made themselves, LM is cruel, ruthless, nothing can

and that their fitness now does stop her, she has no compassion
unmake you. I have given suck, to little kids as when they are
and how tender ‘tis to love the smiling at er, she is still merciless
babe that milks me” →reveals LM determination to
reject her maternal instincts and
be as merciless/unwomanly as
possible to help the king

They do not always see eye to M tells LM “We will proceed no 1.7.91 M is assertive and tells LM that
eye/ diff ways of perceiving further in this business.” he does not want to murder D
things/conflicting leads/opinions and they dont see eye to eye

M is now the mastermind of M is now the mastermind of

murder(LM engineered the first
murder)

M is dominant/ in control LM to M: “Whats to be done this reaction smacks of insecurtiy

here”
LM has a passive role here

M is now reassuring/ “Be innocent of the knowledge.” 3.2.187 Traditional roles where man
confident/assertive instead of his protects woman
previous, passive, insecure,
hesitant self

M appears more isolated from “How now, my lord? Why do you 3.2.181 LM is concerned about M as he
and less reliant on LM keep alone?” is hiding plans to kill B from LM.
He relies less on LM and hides
information from her
M is becoming more dominant
(they are falling apart, distant)

LM is concerned for M “How now, my lord? Why do you 3.2.181 LM is concerned about M as he
keep alone?” is hiding plans to kill B from LM.
He relies less on LM and hides
information from her

“Things without all remedy should LM puts on a brave front as she

be without regard:whats done is tries to calm M down and cheer
done.” him up. She is probably
concerned about his
over-imaginative disposition and
that he will become increasingly
isolated/introverted.

“You must leave this.” 3.3.185 LM is implying that M has

embarked on a downward spiral.
There is negative and grave
consequences and she tells him
to stop thinking about ot.

“Sit worthy friends. My lord is 3.4.203

often thus, and hath been from LM protects M, especially at his
his youth.” weakest when he needs her. She
covers up for him, trying to come
up with excuses to defend him.

“At once, good night.” 3.4.207 LM asks them to leave and takes
\ control of the situation. She is
afraid that in his deranged state,
he will give the game away and
reveal that he killed B and sees
B's ghost. LM interevens and
invites the guests to leave when
she senses that he can no longer
control himself.

“”You lack the season of all 3.4.211 LM is compassionate, and has a

natures, sleep” loving nature where she shows
concern about M’s mental and
physical health.

They ae in solitude and isolation M is isolated from his wife and

they are no longer equal partners
in thoughts and plans
They have a positive r/s despite “O, full of scorpions is my mind, 3.3.185 M is confiding in his wife, and
the reversal of roles dear wife!” expresses himself freely. “Dear
→ M confides in LM about his wife” shows how they have
fears intimacy and respect for each
other.

“We have scorched…restless

ecstasy

“My royal lord” 3.4.199 They appreciate and respect

“Sweet remembrancer” each other.

M does exhibit tenderness and “So shall I, love”

concern to LM “Dear wife”
“Theres comfort yet.. Then be
thou…”
“Be innocent of the knowledge,
dearest chuck.”

THEME:APPEARANCE VS REALITY (simile and metaphor)

1.M’s need to hide his true intentions
2.DUNCAN MISREADS OTHER CHARACTERS AND DECEIVED BY THEIR
OUTWARD APPEARANCE(LM&M)
—>what it appeared to be like and the reality of it
—>show contrasts
—>DECEPTION, DISGUISE AND DELUSION(nature of witches, not sure whether they are real
or supernatural)
EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover 1:1 pg25 -alliteration draws attention to fair
through the fog and filthy air” Witches foul fog and filthy, “fair and foul”
suggesting confusion of what is
“So foul and fair a day I have not good and bad, emphasizing
seen -fog and filthy predicts the way
1:3 pg 43 that character will not be able to
understand what is going on
around them
-rhyming couplet with chant like
quality
-early warning that suggests
appearances are deceiving
-Macbeth says something
similarly worded after, suggesting
he would be connected to the
witches and their deceptions
 throughout the story

“ Are ye fantastical, or that (1.3.41-1.3.52) fantastical - the appearance of

indeed Which outwardly ye Banquo witches also has to do with A&R
show?” as we are not sure if the witches
really exist(may be imaginary or
supernatural—>don’t know
what’s real and fake)
-makes it difficult for M and B to
trust the witches and their
prophecies
-witches disappear without a
trace, further making them
question
(1.3.78-1.3.80)
Macbeth: “Into the air, and what -simile
seemed corporal, Melted, as -corporal means bodies, their
breath into the wind” bodies seemed to disappear into
thin air and vanished
-thus they didnt know if it was
real or fake

“Stars, hide your fires, 1:4.50-52 M’S NEED TO HIDE HIS TRUE
Let not light see my black and INTENTION
deep desires, Appear
The eye wink at the hand” to mean that h does not want the
light(good) to see his bad
desires, but it is actually a
Metaphor
-Starlight represents the light of
the heavens and he does not that
to see the dark of his soul
Wink-he wants to close his eyes
and be blind to not accept what
he truly is, a murderer

M is disguising his intentions to

fool others so he can be the king.
→D’s previous promises vs M
subsequent invocation of
darkness to extinguish their
brilliance in order to hide his
“black” desires
→evokes a sense of mischief &
sin, malevolence(spite)

“Your face, my Thane, is as a 1:5 pg73 -M is easy to read, like an open

book where men May read book, wears his emotions on his
strange matters.” sleeve, honest, genuine,
“May read strange matters”
 →M observes shock/fear on his
face
→has conscience and feelings of
uncertainty and guilt

“This castle hath a pleasant seat; 1:6.1-3 DUNCAN MISREADS OTHER

the air Nimbly and sweetly CHARACTERS AND DECEIVED
recommends itself Unto our BY THEIR OUTWARD
gentle senses.” APPEARANCE(LM&M)

“Fair and noble hostess” -shows the gaping chasm in

- calls LM which D perceives M’s castle as
pleasant but it would be where he
is killed(irony)
-moments before D speaks, M
and LM were discussing murder,
black desire, serpent and being
the serpent under the flower
-D words”nimbly”, “sweetly”,
“gentle”, suggests a place of
peace and beauty
-Irony, oxymoronic, as audience
knows of M’s plans to murder
-oxymoronic as the discussion of
planned murder immediately
precedes this scene of
pleasantness

-the king is fooled by M’s show of

loyalty
-he is oblivious to M’s ill
intentions, thinking he is
good-hearted
-the castle appears to be
attractive, stunning, inviting,
secure, but murder is about to
happen there
-DRAMATIC IRONY as the
audience knows that M and LM
plan to murder him that very night

“Golden opinions.”..worn now in 1:7 P91 the borrowed clothes that M

their newest gloss, Not cast aside wears is not a representation of
so soon” who he truly is, yet he wants to
-his glorious reputation as a
noble, legal warrior conceals his
dark and sinister thoughts
-comparison between M’s
glorious reputation as a
 noblee&loyal as he conceals his
dark and sinister thoughts
-M’s initial image of “borrowed
clothes” and banquo’s new
honours being like “strange
graments”
→M wanta a chance to show off
his new clothes which is the fame
he has just earned rather than to
throw them away so soon.
→”golden opinions”which would
be worn now in their newest
gloss, not cast aside so soon.

-uses metaphor of ceremonial

“The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why 1.3.106-107) robes, suggests he is not
do you dress me in borrowed comfortable with his new title and
robes?” not fitting
-repeated several times during
play showing how M is not
suitable to be king

“ There’s no art/ To find the 1.4.11-14 DUNCAN MISREADS OTHER

mind's construction in the face. Duncan CHARACTERS AND DECEIVED
He was a gentleman on who, I BY THEIR OUTWARD
built/ An absolute trust” APPEARANCE(LM&M)
-uses pronoun “he” to refer to old
thane of cawdor
-ironic because the new thane of
cawdor is a man he also places
absolute trust in, and he was
deceived
-M is already having thoughts abt
killing the king

“look like th’innocent flower, 1.5.63-64 M’S NEED TO HIDE HIS TRUE
But he the serpent under’t” LM INTENTION
-referenced to biblical serpent
who deceived adam and eve, a
temptress to disobey god
LM tells M to be deceitful,
-parallel it LM to how she is Eve,
giving M the apple and M is
Adam
-thus reinforcing this link w a
biblical story
-LM asks M to look & act
innocent but be as evil as a
serpent underneath
-he is not naturally disposed to
 hiding his emotions, but must
now put on a show of loyalty to
avoid suspicion

“False face must hide what the 1.7.82 -means that he needs to put on a
false heart doth know.” Macbeth false front in order to hide his
intentions
“There’s no art -D is right that you “cannot find
To find the mind's construction in Duncan the mind's construction in the
the face.” face”, desires can be hidden
-alliteration of “F”, reminding us
of fair is foul

“By the name of most kind 2.1 Banquo thinks LM is a most kind
hostess, and shut up In hostess, when she really has evil
measureless content” Banquo intentions

M hides what he really wants to “Ride you this afternoon?” 3.1.165 M is subtle to question B, and his
know and acts innocent to B questions are incidental.
→ he appears to be brief and
“Goes fleance with you?” 3.1.166 incidental as he does not want to
arouse suspicion
→he is successful in his attempt
to appear casual and friendly to
not make other suspicious
→cunning

M appears that he is as grieved “Masking the business from the 3.1.175 He has to hide his real plans from
by B’s death as they are common eye for sundry weighty the public eye in order to protect
reasons.” his image and does not want to
be implicated in the murder.

MC:“All things foul would wear Everything evil can pretend to be

the brows of grace” virtuous
If MC doesn't trust M, he cannot
hope for support

Evil MC: “Black Macbeth” “4.3.265 M paints a false picture of himself

to get MD to trust him

M wants to mask his feelings “Make our face vizards to our 3.2.183 M tells LM to mask their feelings,
hearts.” pretence concealment/deceit.
They have to put on a disguise
and conceal their emotions and
feelings. But there is a roles
reversal as M tells LM what to do.
//”false face must hide what false
heart doth know.”
M’s actions “Ourself will mingle with society, 3.4.197 Appearance: he is expected to be
and play the humble host.” sociable, good and generous
host
“Theres blood on thy face”
Reality: he is ruthless, callous,
murderous and a villain
Contrast:more evil and
loathesome

The witches deception “As, by the strength of their 3.5.215 The apparitions conjured in act 4
illusion, shall draw him on the give M false impressions that he
confusion.” is invulnerable and unassailable,
making him confident and
reckless. The witches' riddles and
illusions are traps intended to
precipitate his downfall. M is
powerless to control his destiny.

Malcolm's deception “Let every soldier hew him down 5.4.313 MC wants to disguise the true
a bough And bear’t before him: size of his army, hoping that M’s
thereby shall we shadow the spies will be deceived and report
numbers of our host, and make that he has fewer soldiers to M
discovery Err in report of us” Shows his wit and shrewdness,
suitability to be a leader with
these clever attack/defence plans

THEME:SUPERNATURAL
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Animal imagery of scorpions “scorpions” 3.2.185 Scorpions represent evil. The

animal imagery shows:
-horror animal images
-supernatural evil and dark
foreboding
-M is once again allying himself
with powers to bolster his resolve
and wicked deeds.

Forces of darkness In a world where natural order of

things has been inverted,
light(hope) has been
extinguished.
 THEME:GUILT (M FEAR AND PARANOIA—> vivid dreams)
EVIDENCE EXPLANATION PAGE

M: “One cried,... and “amen” ● GRIM IRONY 2.2.123

● act of hypocrisy and
supreme optimism
● after D’s murder is
committed, M is filled with
guilt and is in a
hallucinating state, unable
to sleep well, showing
how he has many worries
and is not at peace
● His remorse at going
against god and nature
completely blocks his
ability to speak the word
amen as his moral
conscience is affected, he
seeks God’s help even
after committing such a
cruel act(irony)
“I had most need of blessing, and ● He is unable to pray,
‘Amen’ stuck in my throat” fallen from grace and
unable to communicate
with god or accept his
blessings

“These deeds must not be ● LM realizes that they

thought” should not continue to
brood on the appalling
nature of their deed and if
they continue pondering
over as they would be
servants to their guilt
● dont want to be stem with
their guilt

M: “Methought I heard a voice ● Recurring motifs and Act 2 Scene 2

cry…great nature’s second metaphors about how he
course” can't sleep due to his guilt
● Foreshadows their
inability to sleep from
here on out
● he hallucinates as he is
ridden by guilt
LM: “my hands are of your ● she thinks that this act 2.2.127
colour…a little water could clean could be easily rid by
us of this deed” sweeping under the rug
and putting on a front of
innocence
● she appears to be calm
awnd collected and
presents M with a quick
solution
● her repressed guilt
reveals itself much
later(it's an act and her
conscience is guilty)

M: “Is this a dagger which I see ● Macbeth hallucinates in 2.1.117

before me?” the castle, overwrought
by guilt and his strong
kingship
● The dagger appears as
he has a strong desire to
kill, his conscience
reminds him and guides
him to D’s room and
prods him to commit the
murder
● Murderous thoughts
torment him as he is filled
with guilty and worried
thoughts of the
consequences of murder
● the power of imagination
is fertile as the images
are vivid and one idea of
murder seems to “breed”
another

[A bell rings] ● wakes M from his 2.1.117

hallucinating trance and
spurs him into action
● Immensely absorbed in
his ruminations
● Is a signal that it is time
for the deed to be done
 “I have done the deed- Didst thou ● this exchange is abrupt 2.2.123
not hear a noise ?” and disjointed,
“I heard the owl scream, and the conversation is tense
crickets cry. Did you not speak” ● They dont answer each
other and it is not a
natural conversation
● M is dissociated, he is
agitated, distracted, guilt
makes him jumpy
● highly charged tense
atmosphere, distracted

“Out damned spot!”->Thane of ● There is no logical

Fife had a wife->B’s connection between these
ghost->knocking at the gate memories or sentences
● The speech is fragmented
and broken
● The dedication of mind is
so extreme that they
cannot recall events in the
correct order

THEME:POWER

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Macbeth attempts to gain power He says “our” chief guest and 3.1.165 The use of “our” and this
through his choice of words and “we” hold a solemn supper-refer monarch express not only unity
speech. to him and LM but his absolute authority over
the others.

M is misusing his power “With barefaced power sweep 3.1.175 M is misusing his power as he is
him from my sight, and bid my very ruthless, instruct them to
will avouch it” remove B from his sight

THEME:GOOD AND EVIL

- of good, represented by D
-overthrown by those of evil.
-moral order is gone
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

THEME:EVIL(slides)
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

evil flourishes under M’s

tyrannical reign

supernatural

words/ language can be

used to deceive

the truth is often disguised or

THEME:ORDER

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Malcolm promotes order “to punish macbeth's MA promises to reward all

agents/supporters” his followers according to
their desires
“to do whatever I’d needful to -establishes a new feudal
restore peace and order in order by making his thanes
due measure time and and kinsmen earls
place.” -promises to welcome back
all those who fled Macbeth’s
tyranny
-calls upon the divine grace
of god to support his effort

“what’s more to do, which The natural growth imagery

would be planted newly with shows how Scotland will be
 the time” regenerated under MA rule

Malcom’s forces ORDER Macbeth’s castle CHAOS

-readiness, calm, order and determination -Panic, disarray, desperation, confusion

HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE CONVEY M’S INTERNAL

CONFLICT IN THE SCENE TO KILL DUNCAN? USE
EVIDENCE FROM ACT 2 INSERT

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

Through his reluctance to kill

Duncan, seen in his fear of
repercussions of the murder. He
worries about his souls safety
and risk of revenge

Through how he weighs his

options and focus primarily on
the reasons against murder,
namely Duncan being
undeserving of death and
Macbeth’s scene of loyalty

Through his insistence on his

choice against killing Duncan
despite strong opposition from
his wife.

THEME AMBITION(USE THIS)

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION
Macbeth’s allows his “black and deep desires” A1.S4 M and LM want to
ambition to rule and take improve their position in
over social hierarchy. Ambition
is seen as corrupting and
causes M to lose his
nobility and become
intensely violent. M is a
dramaris representation
of the devastating
psychological
consequences of
pursuing one's ambition
for morality.

“a dagger of the mind, a A2S1 Macbeth’s insatiable

false creation” ambition is his tragic
flaw. Macbeth is willing to
give up everything to
become king. The
murders that he and his
wife commit cause both
to grow mad with guilt.
One reflection of
Macbeth's madness is
when he begins
experiencing visions of
the bloody knife
“I have no spur // To prick A1 S7
the sides of my intent, ➔ He compares his
but only // Vaulting current situation to horse
ambition, which o’erleaps riding; ambition is the
itself // And falls on the metaphorical spur he, the
other” rider, uses to motivate
his horse (i.e. make his
plans a reality).
➔ However,as he
notes,a horse rider may
overestimate their ability
when trying to clear an
obstacle and
consequently fall down.
Macbeth’s admission
foreshadows his tragic
end.

The witches prophecy My thought, whose A1 S3

has spurred M’s ambition murder yet is but
fantastical // Shakes so
my single state of man //
 That function is
smother’d in surmise //
and nothing is but what is
not”

Lady Macbeth is seen as Yet I do fear thy nature; // A1 S5 She relentlessly criticises
the other motivator of It is too full o’ th’ milk of his actions and lack of
Macbeth's ambition to human kindness // To masculinity, and it is her
usurp the crown. catch the nearest way. attitude which arguably
Thou wouldst be great, // leads him to kill Duncan.
Art not without ambition, However, this ambition
but without // The illness contributes to her own
should attend it.” insanity and she
eventually commits
suicide. She is
introduced to the
audience in order to
foreground the fact that
Lady Macbeth’s defining
trait is her ambition.
-ultimate catalyst for the
plot

Lady Macbeth then 1.5.L24 directs his actions, all the

“pour[s her] while persistently
spirit into [his] ear" questioning his
manhood. Thus, while
she uses gender norms
to shame Macbeth into
committing murder, the
power dynamic

THEME:AMBITION ( video: Macbeth’s theme revision ambition and guilt)

GO SEE NOTES ON AMBITION
● Power can make someone ambitious and overly greedy
● Power play in LM and M’s relationship

IMPRESSION EVIDENCE EXPLANATION PAGE

 “My thought, whose murder yet is character trait that leads to his 1.3.51
but fantastical, Shakes so my downfall
single state of man that function Dormant ambitions are ignited,
Is smothered in surmise, and so gripped with ambition he can
nothing is But what is not” feel it sounding through his entire
1:3 body.

This I have thought good to M has ambition but no capability

deliver thee, my dearest partner to achieve his ambitions
of greatness,....what greatness is
promised thee.”
“Glamis thou art.Art without
ambition

“I have no spur to…falls on ● He compares his ambition

th’other” 1:7 to that of a horse that
stumbles, as horses are
strong and have a fighting
spirit, but he is afraid he
would fail. He fears that
hes ambitious nature
would lead to his
downfall.
● Ambitions always spiral

it said that my self….set me up ● B was able to suppress

in washope..”-B any uncontrolled
3:1 ambitions he had, unlike
M who allows his ambition
to take control of his
reigns instead

M allows his ambition to rule and

take over

LM ambitious nature
—>

destruction is wrought when M and LM ar driven by ambition

ambition goes unchecked by
moral constrains.

witchies phrophercy spurred M M’s ambition soon spirals out of

ambition control and he kills
Consequences of ambition sleepwalking, plagued with guilt

THEME:MOTIF OF BLOOD<—>GUILT
images of blood
- represents violence and warfare used to protect and defend Scotland
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION

guilt of LM and M ”a little water clears us of They have used violent

this deed” methods to achieve their
ambitions but at the
“This is a sorry sight”(M expense of their peace of
looks at his hands) mind. Blood is physically
present and also
imaginary throughout the
play, serving as a
reminder of their crimes
and their guilt. Guilt
overwhelms M
immediately after the
murder of Duncan. He
considers it a 'sorry' sight
as he realises the
immensity of his sins for
murdering D. The blood
on his hands represents
the severity of the
murder and indicates his
guilt

“Will all great Neptune's The imagery of blood in

ocean wash this blood this scene demonstrates
Clean from my hand?” M’s inability to remove
the blood from his hands.
'All of Neptune's ocean'
represents the strong
degree of guilt within M.
Guilt will always remain
to haunt M as the image
of the crime will always
remain in his
consciousness, causing
him to experience
greater remorse and fear.
The permanent change
in colour from green to
red in the seas, indicates
that the guilt within M is
 everlasting. It also shows
M is aware that his crime
of killing King Duncan is
so great that his bloodied
hands can never be
washed clean even with
the vast waters of the
seas. Blood symbolises
the guilt within M after
murdering D, causing
him to experience
extreme fear and
remorse for the crime he
has committed.

“Out damned spot! Out, I

say!”
She refers to the
imaginary blood she
sees on her hands from
the murders and other
crimes she and her
“Yet who would have husband have been
thought the old man to involved in.
have had so much blood
in him,” Indicates LM’s strong
sense of guilt, especially
in killing D as she
laments showing she is
tormented by her guilty
conscience. LM is
sleepwalking in
Macbeth's castle.
She sees blood that is
not there.
She senses her own guilt
and realises the mistakes
she has made but is
incapable of rubbing the
blood off her hands. Her
sleepwalking reveals her
mind is deeply haunted
by the murder and she
loses her peace of mind
as a result.

LM is incapable of
washing away her bloody
guilt.
She is full of remorse
 and deeply tormented.
Her cries of 'Oh!' three
times show the deep
extent of her
helplessness and pain
that she can never be
free of guilt.
She considers her hands
as bloodstained and
never clean again after
the murder of King
Duncan.
She will always be
haunted by the evil deed
she committed together
with Macbeth. The smell
of blood here thus
symbolise her guilty
conscience.

change in character

images of blood ”For brave Macbeth, we’ll 1.2 The world of Macbeth is
—>represent violence he deserves that name, filled with the violence of
and warfare disdaining fortune, with warfare and blood is
—>protect and defend his brandish’d steel used to describe the
Scotland which smok’d with bloody bloody and violent battles
execution that take place. The
blood that Macbeth shed
on the battlefield is in
order to protect Scotland.
Macbeth's violence and
cruelty against the
enemies on the
battlefield is seen as
positively

THEME: CAUSE OF DISORDER IN THE PLAY

WHAT IS IT EVIDENCE PAGE EXPLANATION
the witches phropercy "Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis", 1.3.43 This shows that the witches have
"Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor", whetted Macbeth's appetite and
"that shalt be king thereafter". caused him to be curious about
what they have to say about his
future, as seen when Macbeth
says.
"Stay, you imperfect speakers, As such, it can be said that the
tell me more". witches are the ones who
activated and awakened
Macbeth's dormant ambitions,
resulting in him then going on to
sow chaos and disorder in the
noble land of Scotland.
As the witches provoke
Macbeth's ambition, predicting
Macbeth "that shalt be king
hereafter. as they fed
Macbeth a prophecy that came
true, declaring him thane of
cawdor, it led him to believe that
he would one day become king.
Channeling his ambition to act on
his desires and formulate a plan
to kill duncan.
Lady Macbeth's manipulation and "But screw your courage to the Lady Macbeth pushes him/
strong ambition was the root sticking-place, and we'll not fail." persuades him to take action
cause of Macbeth's actions, which eventually leads to chaos
leading to widespread chaos and "Hie thee hither, /That may I pour 1.5.67 and disorder caused. Lady
disorder my spirits in thine ear./And Macbeth's will to manipulate
chastise with the valour of my Macbeth's emotions and
tongue/All that impedes thee challenge his masculinity
from the golden round" demonstrates her determination
to see her ambitious plan come
"Your hand, your tongue; look like 1.5.73 to fruition, regardless of the moral
th'innocent flower, / But be the implications. This contributes to
serpent under't." the disorder in the play.

On the other hand, Macbeth

already found it unsettling to go
forth with his plan to kill duncan
as his "thought, whose murder
yet is but fantastical " he fervently
hopes that the issue may be
taken out of his hand but when
he tells Lady Macbeth that "[they]
shall proceed no further in this
business" Lady Macbeth instead
insults his man hood telling him
to "[let] 'i dare not' wait upon 'i
would*" pressuring him to kill
duncan. in a way, lady macbeth
was the one who instigated the
"Come, you spirits / That tend on murder of duncan which
mortal thoughts, unsex me here, eventually led to chaos breaking
and fill me, from the crown to the out in the country.
tow, top-full / Of direst cruelty!"
"Come, thick Night, / and pall 1.5.71 This shows that Lady Macbeth is
thee in the dunnest smoke of hell baiting Macbeth's manhood and
/ That my keen knife see not the insulting him by comparing him to
wound it makes, / No heaven a pathetic cat.
peep through the blanket of the This results in Macbeth thinking
dark, / to cry "Hold, hold!" that he must prove his bravery
and courage by killing Duncan to
" ake thick my blood, / Stop up prove to Lady Macbeth that he is
the access and passage to a man.
remorse /
That no compunctious visiting of ->"I am settled, and bend up /
nature / Shake my fell purpose, 1.7.91 Each corporal agent to this
nor keep the peace between / terrible feat".
The effect and it." Clearly, Lady Macbeth's
manipulations are effective as
"That which have made them they result in Macbeth agreeing
drunk hath mad me bold; / What with her and choosing to go with
hath quenched them hath given her plan in order to prove how
 me fire." brave and strong he is.
"I'll gild the faces of the grooms Therefore, we believe that
withal / For it must seem their Macbeth was not the only cause
guilt" of chaos in the play as he was
also influenced and
"green and pale" "From this time/ manipulated to do so by the
Such I account thy love" "Art thou people around him (I.e. Lady
a afeard" "live a coward" Macbeth and the witches).

Macbeth's ambition as there are "Stars hide my fires/let not light Macbeth is telling stars, or
many times where his ambition see my black and deep desires" goodness and light to hide their
would overtake his moral gaze, and not enter his heart
compass, pushing him to do which was filled with cruel
things that are bad, causing the thoughts sparked by his ambition
chaos in the play. and detest desires.

-Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 3 was

not satisfied with just Thane of
Cawdor, instead wants king ship
and more. He even ask Banquo
"Do you not hope your children
shall be kings", he assumes that
everyone is as ambitious and
greedy like him.
However, as the story
progresses, his ambition
lessened as he had praises as a
Nobel and glorious warrior of
Cawdor, but soon regains his
greed as his wife, Lady Macbeth,
pushes him.

QUOTES
PAGE QUOTE EXPLANATION

Act1 scene 1 pg 25 Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover →rhyming couplet->gives off a
through the fog and filthy air chant like evil spell
→ominous & foreboding
atmosphere→mystery,
anticipation, apprehension
→ “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
→whatever that appears to be
good can be bad→ appearances
are deceiving or deceptive
 Act 1 scene 2 // act1 scene 4 “When he hath lost, noble
Macbeth hath won”// “When the
battles lost & won”

IMAGES OF BLOODSHED(the motifs of blood and disorder

reiterate the power of evil and darkness in the play)

PAGES QUOTE EXPLANATION

1.2.29 Bloody man Blood is a shed to defend a king for

order and peace

2.1.115 It is the bloody business refers to D’s murder that M is going

to commit

4.3.263 Bleed, bleed, poor country!

Great tyranny, lay thou thy
basis sure

4.3.265 It weeps, it bleeds, and each

new day a gash is added to her
wounds

HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE PORTRAY THE THEME OF AMBITION AND GUILT IN

MACBETH?
Is Macbeth the sole cause of disorder in the play
M
● It is true that cause disorder in the play as he is directly responsible for the murder of D
● The internal disorder that plagues Macbeth is self-perpetuated
● It is also the as his actions resulted in large-scale disorder in nature and the country of
scotland
W
● However, the witches are arguably the ones who started M on Macbeth’s path towards
disorder and destruction
- without them, Macbeth might not have been prompted/tempted to take actions that
cause the disorder in the play
LM
● LM is also responsible for the disorder in the play as she invokes supernatural help and
is the one who pushes M to pursue his ambition and commit these heinous acts/thoughts
1)HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE PORTRAY THE CHARACTERS OF MACBETH AND BANQUO
IN THE PASSAGE(act 1 scene 3)

Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as an ambitious character in this passage, When the witches
appear in front of Macbeth and Banquo, Macbeth asks them to "speak, if (they) can" as he is
curious as to the reason for their presence. The witches declare Macbeth "thou shalt get kings”
and whetted his appetite. Macbeth is extremely curious to know more details about the
prophecy and asked these "imperfect speakers" to "tell (him) more" as he is slowly entertaining
the possibility of becoming king. Macbeth is excited and skeptical about the prophecy and
demands. the witches to tell him more, saying they "owe this strange intelligence" to him. He is
exiled by the prospect of being king, revealing his burning ambition to take the throne from
Duncan. When the witches "vanished" into the air, Macbeth makes a remark that he wishes the
witches "would have stayed" so he could find out more about the prophecy which reveals how
he is excited to become king, showing his ambition. The prophecy hindered Macbeth's ambition
and fuels his desire to be king further. Macbeth also bitterly tells Banque that "(his) children shall
be kings" showing a tinge of jealousy that Banquo's kids will take the throne too. Thus, the fact
that Macbeth keeps asking the witches to stay and is bitter about Banquo's place in the
prophecy reveals his burning desire and ambition to become king. Therefore, Macbeth is
portrayed as an ambitious character in this passage.

Banquo is portrayed to be logical and sensible. He questions whether the witches are real or
supernatural, asking if they are fantastical, or that indeed Which outwardly ye show, showing
that he is skeptical about the witches' prophecies. The witches tell him that "Thou shalt get
kings, though thou be none", promising him that his sons will one day become king. Although
the prophecy promised by the witches are tempting and advantageous for Banquo, he is rational
and realistic, and remains cautious regarding their truthfulness and does not easily believe in
what the witches are saying. He doubts whether the witches could be trusted, and is confused
whether or not the witches are supernatural or appear to be true.

Banquo is skeptical and levelheaded about the witches' presence. He questions it saying that
they “look not like the inhabitants o'th' earth/ And yet are on’t. He also question their existence
debating if they were reality or his hallucination saying "Live you? Or are you aught/That man
may question" This implies that Banquo simply does not believe that they are real and thinks
they are imaginary, showing that he is uncertain about their presence and is cautious about
them. Moreover, Banquo questions if the witches are "fantastical, or indeed/ Which outwardly ye
show. This reveals how Banquo is logical, as he is not quick to believe the witches prophecies
unlike Macbeth who believes the witches almost immediately. Lastly, Banquo questions if they
had "eaten the insane roof" This highlights how Banquo sensibly believes that they are simply
seeing things due to them inducing something and that the witches are actually not real and are
merely fragments of their imagination. amplifying the fact that he is skeptical of their reality and
is cautious about them.
Shakespeare portrays Banquo to be rational/level-headed. Upon viewing the witches, Banquo
wonders if they are mortal, as they "look not like the inhabitants o' th' earth", as they have
"choppy finger(s)" "skinny lips" and beards. They are unkempt and appear to be man-like due to
their beards and unusual appearances. This suggests they are out of the ordinary and are not
meant to be trusted. Banquo even questions the witches to see if they are "fantastical" or that
"indeed Which outwardly ye show" in the name of truth. He is cautious of the witches and does
not believe them after they stated Macbeth's prophecy. He also states "if you can look into the
seeds of time, And say which grain will grow, and which will not, Speak then to me" the use of
"if" shows his doubt that they can predict the nature of life, as it is a near impossible task,
showing how he does not get swayed into believing the witches easily. Later, the witches
disappear into the air. Banquo does not believe his eyes and thinks he and Macbeth likely have
eaten the "insane root". This highlights how logical he is as he does not immediately believe in
the reality of the existence of the witches, rather suspecting they have taken drugs and
deceived themselves, hallucinating the whole occurrence. Unlike Macbeth, he is not easily
swayed by the temptations of the witches' prosperous prophecies, magnifying the nature of his
logical character.

Shakespeare portrays Macbeth to be ambitious and power hungry. Macbeth’s reaction to the
witches’ prophecies shine light into his ambitious character. When the witches announce he will
be king, he is intrigued, and immediately his desire to be king is revealed. This is shown when
he orders, "Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more.", in an authoritative tone he demands
that they "owe this strange intelligence" and says "speak, i charge you". He commands the
witches to stay, showing his excitement at the possibility of him becoming king and him wanting
his skeptical thoughts to be answered immediately. He is eager to know what the future holds
for him, revealing his ambition and kingship. He desires to be a ruler and hone the leadership
titles the witches have spoken of. However, the witches vanish as they had appeared, into thin
air. They have whetted Macbeth's appetite for power, making him extremely anxious to know
more details about the prophecy as he has likely entertained the possibility of becoming king.
After the witches vanish, Macbeth tells Banquo "Your children shall be kings" his tone is with a
hint of jealousy, amplifying his greed as despite being told that he may become king, he still is
unsatisfied and is fearful that Banquo’s sons will take over the throne, revealing his competitive
and highly ambitious nature.

2)Explore the significance of the theme of good and evil in the play
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth put on an innocent facade( appears to be good) —> to hide his evil
lurks within /evil intentions

● GOOD- Duncan and Banquo

● EVIL- M + LM, witches
● Imagery of light and dark
—>Natural order is disrupted
● puts on an innocent facade( appears to be good) —> to hide his evil lurks within /evil
intentions
1 or 2 paragraphs for M, 1 or 2 for B
Macbeth is intrigued by the witches’ prophecy
it is not an impression! feelings are not traits
Banquo:level-headed, cautious

the prophecy’s fuel Macbeths ambition.

DONT GROUP EVIDENCE TOGETHER e.g. “speak now or forever hold your peace” “meet you
when i’m out” , SPLIT THEM UP
i) 2 PEELS
—> if ask for 2 character, write 1 PEEL each OR 2 for 1 character and 1 for the other
ii) 2PEELS

[1]. [2]
HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE PORTRAY THE CHARACTER OF MACBETH?
—>he is a coward/timid [2]
through….
-inability to accept that he has committed murder
-through his hysterical reaction, nervous state, revealing how anxious he is
-through highlighting the contrast between LM’s bravery and his cowardice
-hallucination of daggerh

HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE PORTRAY THE CHARACTER OF LADY MACBETH?

—>figurative devices, character actions, communication beteeen characters
-her commanding tone
-Revealing how she managed to manipulated M and persuaded him in the end
WHEN SEEING WITCHES, COMPARE M AND B
Good phrases
-LM is emasculating M
-sternly warns
-use harsh words to degrade M of his worth
-she does not respect M of his position or as a man implying that he is cowardly and unable to
take the plunge and achieve his ambition
-authoritative figure
-stripping M of his manhood
-witches are imaginary, B question their existence
-fragments of their imagination
-although the prophecy promised by the witches are tempting and advantageous for Banqyo, he
is rational and realistic, and remind cautious regarding their truthfulness and does not easily
believe in what the witches are saying,
-fuel hope and ambition of becoming king
-phropercies kindled his ambitions
-fixated on prophecy and idea of becoming king
 -preoccupied by thoughts of kingship
-release his vivid imagination
-the king is fooled by M’s show of loyalty
-he is oblivious to M’s ill intentions, thinking he is good-hearted

CA3 LIKELY TESTED THEMES

AMBITION 1.3 Macbeth wants to become the king and the witches prophecies
- Orders “Stay you help fuel his ambition. Shakespeare portrays Macbeth to be
The theme of ambition is imperfect speakers, tell ambitious and power hungry. Macbeth’s reaction to the witches’
expressed through macbeth’s me more.” prophecies shine light into his ambitious character. When the
desire to know more about the witches announce he will be king, he is intrigued, and
prophecy. - M demands they “owe immediately his desire to be king is revealed. This is shown
this strange intelligence” when he orders, "Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more.",
and says “speak i charge in an authoritative tone he demands that they "owe this strange
you”. intelligence" and says "speak, i charge you". He commands the
witches to stay, showing his excitement at the possibility of him
- Macbeth tells Banquo becoming king and him wanting his skeptical thoughts to be
"Your children shall be answered immediately. He is eager to know what the future
kings" holds for him, revealing his ambition and kingship. He desires
to be a ruler and hone the leadership titles the witches have
spoken of. However, the witches vanish as they had appeared,
into thin air. They have whetted Macbeth's appetite for power,
making him extremely anxious to know more details about the
prophecy as he has likely entertained the possibility of
becoming king. After the witches vanish, Macbeth tells Banquo
"Your children shall be kings" his tone is with a hint of jealousy,
amplifying his greed as despite being told that he may become
king, he still is unsatisfied and is fearful that Banquo’s sons will
take over the throne, revealing his competitive and highly
ambitious nature.

The theme of ambition is - Fill her with “direst She want to get rid of all her compassion and love.
expressed through Lady cruelty”
Macbeth’s determination to attain - “Come to my woman’s
the throne from Duncan. breasts,and take my milk
for gall”
- “Plucked my nipple from Merciless
his boneless gum” -determination to reject maternal instinct that a women should
- “Spongy officers, who have and be as merciless as possible to help m
shall bear the guilt of our
great quell.” Put blame on officers

LM fuels M’s burning ambition.

APPEARANCE VS REALITY
“Stars, hide your fires, 1:4.50-52 M’S NEED TO HIDE HIS TRUE
Let not light see my black and INTENTION
deep desires, Appear
The eye wink at the hand” to mean that h does not want the
light(good) to see his bad
desires,
Metaphor
-Starlight represents the light of
the heavens and he does not that
to see the dark of his soul
Wink-he wants to close his eyes
and be blind to not accept what
he truly is, a murderer

M is disguising his intentions to

fool others so he can be the king.
→D’s previous promises vs M
subsequent invocation of
darkness to extinguish their
brilliance in order to hide his
“black” desires
→evokes a sense of mischief &
sin, malevolence(spite)

“look like th’innocent flower, 1.5.63-64 M’S NEED TO HIDE HIS TRUE
But be the serpent under’t” LM INTENTION
-referenced to biblical serpent
who deceived adam and eve, a
temptress to disobey god
LM tells M to be deceitful,
-parallel it LM to how she is Eve,
giving M the apple and M is
Adam
-thus reinforcing this link w a
biblical story
-LM asks M to look & act
innocent but be as evil as a
serpent underneath
-he is not naturally disposed to
hiding his emotions, but must
now put on a show of loyalty to
avoid suspicion

“False face must hide what the 1.7.82 -means that he needs to put on a
false heart doth know.” Macbeth false front in order to hide his
intentions
“There’s no art -D is right that you “cannot find
To find the mind's construction in Duncan the mind's construction in the
the face.” face”, desires can be hidden
 -alliteration of “F”, reminding us
of fair is foul

“ There’s no art/ To find the 1.4.11-14 DUNCAN MISREADS OTHER

mind's construction in the face. Duncan CHARACTERS AND IS
He was a gentleman on who, I DECEIVED BY THEIR
built/ An absolute trust” OUTWARD
APPEARANCE(LM&M)
-uses pronoun “he” to refer to old
thane of cawdor
-ironic because the new thane of
cawdor is a man he also places
absolute trust in, and he was
deceived
-M is already having thoughts abt
killing the king

“This castle hath a pleasant seat; 1:6.1-3 DUNCAN MISREADS OTHER

the air Nimbly and sweetly CHARACTERS AND DECEIVED
recommends itself Unto our BY THEIR OUTWARD
gentle senses.” APPEARANCE(LM&M)

“Fair and noble hostess” -shows the gaping chasm in

- calls LM which D perceives M’s castle as
pleasant but it would be where he
is killed(irony)
-moments before D speaks, M
and LM were discussing murder,
black desire, serpent and being
the serpent under the flower
-D words”nimbly”, “sweetly”,
“gentle”, suggests a place of
peace and beauty
-Irony, oxymoronic, as audience
knows of M’s plans to murder
-oxymoronic as the discussion of
planned murder immediately
precedes this scene of
pleasantness

-the king is fooled by M’s show of

loyalty
-he is oblivious to M’s ill
intentions, thinking he is
good-hearted
 -the castle appears to be
attractive, stunning, inviting,
secure, but murder is about to
happen there
-DRAMATIC IRONY as the
audience knows that M and LM
plan to murder him that very night

Impressions for M
-skeptical
-doubtful
-fearful
-tempted
-excited
-hesitant
-weak and careless
-tormented by guilt
-agitated
-overwrought with fear, extreme state of nervousness
LADY M
-decisive
-resolute
-brave and bold
-enthusiastic/eager
-manipulative/shrewd/mallicous/cunnning
-degrading/harsh/curt
-cruel
-aggressive/assertive/forceful
-determined/resolute
-persuasive
-sly/cunning
-rational, calm, composed

Lady Macbeth wields power over Macbeth and is the domineering one in the relationship.
She has tremendous influence over Macbeth and is able to manipulate him easily. Initially,
Macbeth had decided that they would ‘proceed no further in this business’(91) as he had
already earned ‘golden opinions from all sorts of people’(91) and Duncan had ‘honoured him of
late’(91). Although he made a very firm and decisive statement, Lady Macbeth did not back
down and launched into a passionate tirade. She proceeds to challenge him, taunting her
husbands courage and manliness in a vehement series of rhetorical questions, questioning if
he was so ‘afeared/ To be the same on thine own act and valour/ As thou art in desire?’(91)
mocking his lack of ambition and determination to pursue his goals and go after what he wants.
Instead of wanting to dress himself in the ‘golden opinions of others’, she mocks him further by
saying that his previous ‘hope’ must have been ‘drunk’ since he now looks so ‘green and
pale’(91), emphasizing how weak and incapable Macbeth is so much that he lost his will and
ambition.
Lady Macbeth challenges him further if he wants to ‘live like a coward’ for his entire life(91),
going back on his words, saying that he ‘dare not’(93) even when he has set his mind to it. This
effectively wounds Macbeth’s manly pride as this implies that he is too cowardly to take the
plunge and achieve his ambition as he would always let his cowardice get the better of
him(other evidence about LM’s manipulation and persuasiveness?) So vociferous and
overbearing is Lady Macbeth that overwhelmed Macbeth begs for ‘peace’ and proceeds to
change his mind in favour of what his wife prefers. Persuaded by his wife, he finally made up his
mind to commit murder, indicating that he is ‘settled, and bend up/each corporal agent to this
terrible feat’ This testifies to the power Lady Macbeth wields over her husband, who, when
confronted and challenged by her, is unable to stand his ground, but instead bends to
her influence.

DISCUSS MACBETH’S ROLE ON HIS OWN TRAGIC DOWNFALL

—>consider all points and factors that affect his downfall

Macbeth's fault for his own downfall

● He was overconfident and reckless
- chose to abandon his strategic position in the castle and boldly challenged Macduff and
Malcolm’s army
● He chose to believe in the witches’ prophecies
● He was the one who executed the murder of a Duncan
● He planned the murder of B and F and MD wife and children
Other factors that lead to his downfall
Witches
● The witches contributed to M’s downfall by influencing his ambitious nature and offering
him misleading prophecies.
- by telling M that he will become the King of Scotland, the witches stimulate his ambition
- Even though M had the opportunity to dismiss their prophecy, their predictions are a
significant factor motivating him to commit regicide
● The witches deceived M by offering him misleading apparitions
- manipulate M into becoming overconfident and boldly challenging MC and MD’s army
- results in his eventual death in the final battle

- planted a seed in M mind and fuelled his ambition to kill D

- misleading apparitions which cause him to be overly confident
LM
- Insulted his manhood to provoke M to kill D(manipulation)
- Encouraged him to pursue his ambition + goals
-