Macbeth

Macbeth

1. Ambition

   • 'I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent but only vaulting ambition'
   • Knows that ambition could cause his downfall
     • 'o'er leaps itself
       • Aim too high and lose everything. Foreshadowing his tragic downfall
   • In Shakespeare's tragedies hero is usually noble person with one flaw leading to downfall.
   • 'stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires.'

2. Guilt

   • Madness is the consequence of his guilt
     • 'Amen stuck in my throat'
       • Audience were strongly religious Christians so he may be viewd as a sinner
     • Sees 'ghost' of Banquo
   • Lady Macbeth
     • Her guilt is shown near end of story
       • Sleepwalks
       • She shows it subconsciously whereas Macbeth shows it cpnsciuosly
     • Carries 'taper' shows she might be afraid of the dark
       • 'Come thick night' Ironic
     • Is remorseful just when Macbeth killed Duncan
     • 'What will these hands ne'er be clean?'
   • Macbeth
     • Asks lots of questions and was very uncertain 'Whence is that knocking
       • Spoke confident and certain at the beginning and end of the play
         • 'Speak I charge you,'....'I will not yield.'
     • 'Will all of great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?'
       • 'Blood' can be a metaphor for murdering king
       • 'Neptune' is a roman god and he could be viewed as sinner for turning against Christiamnity
     • 'I am afraid to think what I have done;look on't again I dare not.'
     • 'O full of scorpions is my mind dear wife.'

3. Macbeth

   • Portrayed as 'brave' and a strong soldier at the beginning of the play
     • 'Brave Macbeth' Captain Act 1 scene 2
     • 'O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman' Duncan Act 1 Scene 2
     • 'unseamed him from the nave to th'chops.' Captain Act 1 Scene 2
     • 'Bellona's bridegroom.' Ross Act 1 scene 2
     • 'Horrid image... make my seated heart knock at my ribs.
   • Easily influenced by others
     • Lady Macbeth manipulates him to Kill Duncan
       • Killing Duncan will make him 'more the man.'
         • Lady Macbeth refers to mascuiinity and strength as violence and cold-hearted
       • Doesn't want to be referred to as a 'coward'
     • Trusts witches about prochecy
       • Heavily relies on the prophecies and are swayed by them.
         • 'owe this strange intelligence.'
   • Struggles with his conscience
     • 'Methought I heard a voice cry,'Sleep no more!Macbeth does murder sleep-innocent sleep'
       • Struggle to sleep from grief, guilt, fear.

4. Lady Macbeth

   • Shown as stong willed and ambitous
     • Possibly wanted to Macbeth to be king more than Macbeth.
       • 'too full o'th'milk of human kindness.'
   • Against stereotypes of women in the 1600s
     • Takes advantage of it by pretending to faint
     • Wishes to be 'unsexed' as women are perceived to be weak and faint
   • Question's Macbeth's masculinity
   • Manipulative and cunning
     • 'Look like th'innocent flower but be the serpent under't
     • 'Sleek o'er your looks be bright and jovial amongst your guests tonight.'
   • Consume by Guilt of her actions later in the story
     • Becomes deranged
   • Lacks remorse during time of Duncan's murder
     • 'My hands are of your colour but i shame to wear a heart so white.'
     • 'A little water clears us of this deed.'
       • Goodness makes him a 'coward' and stops him from achieveing ambition
   • She becomes annoyed as Macbeth keeps her in the dark after becoming King.
     • 'Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck.'
       • He patronises her and loses as much faith in her as last time.
   • 'Screw your courage to the sticking place.'

5. Context

   • Marriage
     • Women who didn't marry were assumed to be witches
   • Gender Roles
     • Women were meant to stay in the house and clean/look after the children
     • Women were seen as inferior
   • Gun Powder Plot
     • Act of treason
   • Religion
     • Christianity
       • People were very religious at the time