Macbeth

Macbeth

1. Cunning

   • Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo in order to cover up any suspicion of his involvement in Duncan's murder. He also feels that Banquo will try to kill him in order to fulfill the prophecy that Banquo will have his own line of kings.
     • Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns That which would be feared. 'Tis much he dares, And to that dauntless temper of his mind,He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do fear. And under him My Genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony's was by Caesar (3.1.57-63)
   • Macbeth puts on a false act and pretends to be loyal to Duncan but he intends on killing him in order to steal the throne and become king.
     • False face must hide what the false heart doth know (1.7.92)
   • Macbeth manipulates the murderers into thinking that all their problems in life are because of Banquo and that they aren't real men unless they take revenge on him.
     • And so of men. Now if you ave a station in the file, Not in the worst rank of manhood, say it, And I will put that business in your bosoms Whose execution takes your enemy off, Grapples you to the heart and love of us, Who wear our health but sickly in his life, Which in his death were perfect. (3.1.115-122)

2. Ambitious

   • Macbeth will do anything to become king, even kill his own cousin who has done nothing wrong to him.
     • I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself and falls on the other (1.7.25-28)
   • After he hears the first prophecy, Macbeth believes that if destiny wants him to be King then he will to whatever it takes to be king.
     • If chance will have me King Why, chance may crown me Without my stir (1.3.156-158)
   • Macbeth thinks that if killing Duncan could be done without causing problems later, then it would be good to do it as soon as possible
     • If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly. (1.7.1-2)

3. Brave

   • Wounded sergeant talks to Duncan about how courageous Macbeth was in the battle and that he deserves to be honored for his bravery.
     • For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name) Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like Valour's minion carved out his passage, Till he faced the slave, Which never shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements. (1.2.18-25)
   • Ross talks to the king about what went on in the battle, and how Macbeth won the battle for them by slaying the other side. Macbeth was practically a one man army.
     • Assisted by that most disloyal traitor The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict, Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapped in proof, Confronted him with self-comparisons, point against point, rebellious, arm 'gainst arm, Curbing his lavish spirit, and, to conclude, The victory fell on us. (1.2.59-65)
   • Macbeth tells his wife he is not afraid of doing anything that is suitable for a man, but if he went beyond what is suitable then that would not make him any less of a man.
     • I dare do all that may become a man, Who dares do more is none. (1.7.50-51)

4. Tyranny

   • Macbeth sends murderers to kill Macduff's family because he didn't want to lose the crown to anyone in Macduff's bloodline. He also wanted to send Macduff a message not to go against him.
     • The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to the edge of the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. (4.1.166-169)
   • Macbeth tells the murderers when and where to kill Banquo and to make sure that there aren't any mistakes, so Macbeth can look innocent. This shows that all the power has gone to Macbeth's head and that he does not really care anymore about the fact that he is murdering one of his closest friends.
     • I will advise you where to plant yourselves, Acquaint you with the perfect spy of the time The moment on it, for it must be done tonight. (3.1.149-151)
   • Macduff tells Malcolm about the horrible state Scotland is in under the tyrant Macbeth's rule.
     • Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny, lay thou, thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee. Wear thou thy wrongs. The title is affeered. (4.3.36-39)

5. Imaginative

   • Macbeth hallucinates a dagger leading him to Duncan's room to murder him while he is sleeping.
     • Is this a dagger, which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. (2.1.41-43)
   • Macebth hears voices in his head that are constantly reminding him about how he murdered Duncan with his own two hands in order to become king.
     • "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep" (2.2. 43-44) "Sleep no more!" "Glamis hath murdered sleep, therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more" (2.2.50-52)
   • Macbeth hallucinates Banquo's dead body sitting on his chair at the dinner table and he starts talking to his ghost in front of everyone.
     • Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy gory locks at me (3.4.61-62)