Macbeth

Macbeth

1. Characters

   • Macbeth
     • Kills Duncan
     • Starts as a controllable, manipulated warrior
       • Ends as a controlling, royal, weak man
   • Lady Macbeth
     • Goes insane
     • Starts as a strong character, in control
       • Ends as a weak, insane, controlled woman
   • King Duncan
     • Gives Macbeth the honour of thane of Cawdor
     • Sons
       • Donaldblain
       • Malcolm
       • Flee to England when Duncan's murdered (placing suspicion on them)
   • Banquo
     • Fleance
       • Escapes during Banquo's assasination
       • Is ready to take the throne back for his family
     • Best friend of Macbeth
     • Sons will be kings
   • 3 Witches
     • Prophesised that Macbeth will be king and thane of Cawdor and that Banquo's sons will be king
       • Malcolm invades Scotland and uses Birnam wood for cover (Birnam wood walks)
         • Malcolm is not born of woman, but is cesarean, meaning he can kill Macbeth
     • Supernatural
     • Speak in rhyme
       • As if all the same person
     • Later prophesised that Macbeth will only fall from power when birnam wood walks and he cannot be killed by anyone born from woman

2. Key themes

   • Fate
     • Macbeth's fate to be king
     • Macbeth's fate to die
   • Destiny
     • The witches write destiny
     • The destiny of scotland
   • Tradgedy
     • Links to Romeo and Juliet
     • Death of Duncan
       • The countless, tragic deaths Macbeth caused
   • Different
     • Follows the antagonist
       • Malcolm would usually be the followed one, the play about how he fought back for the good of Scotland
         • Instead we follow the evil ruler of Scotland, and learn of his downfall
     • At the time, women were seen as housewives, and could never amount to anything except for cleaning
       • Lady Macbeth being so controlling over Macbeth was unheard of in shakespearean times