Macbeth Introduction

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Macbeth IntroductionMacbeth IntroductionWritten by William Shakespeare in 1605Written by William Shakespeare in 1605Macbeth is a man who overthrows the Macbeth is a man who overthrows the

rightful King of Scotlandrightful King of ScotlandShakespeare wrote Shakespeare wrote MacbethMacbeth at the at the

beginning of King James I’s reignbeginning of King James I’s reignBefore James succeeded Elizabeth I he was Before James succeeded Elizabeth I he was

king of Scotlandking of ScotlandPlacing the play in James’ homeland probably Placing the play in James’ homeland probably

pleased himpleased him

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Will the real Macbeth please Will the real Macbeth please stand up?stand up?

Macbeth was a real king of ScotlandMacbeth was a real king of ScotlandHe did kill King DuncanHe did kill King DuncanReigned from 1040-1057Reigned from 1040-1057Unlike the Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Unlike the Macbeth in Shakespeare’s

play, the real Macbeth:play, the real Macbeth:had a legitimate claim to the thronehad a legitimate claim to the thronewas a strong leader was a strong leader had a successful reignhad a successful reignwas killed at Lumphanan, not Dunsinane was killed at Lumphanan, not Dunsinane

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Connections for British SocietyConnections for British Society ““Remember, remember the fifth of November Remember, remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.Gunpowder, treason and plot.I see no reason why gunpowder, treasonI see no reason why gunpowder, treasonShould ever be forgot...”Should ever be forgot...”

In November 1605 the Gunpowder Plot was In November 1605 the Gunpowder Plot was discovereddiscovered Guy Fawkes and his followers (Roman Catholics) Guy Fawkes and his followers (Roman Catholics)

planned to blow up Parliamentplanned to blow up Parliament They wanted to bring down the British government They wanted to bring down the British government

and put a Catholic ruler on the throne and put a Catholic ruler on the throne The plot was discovered; the men involved were The plot was discovered; the men involved were

tried and killed as traitorstried and killed as traitors Shakespeare sided with the king and thought Shakespeare sided with the king and thought

that a play about treason and death would find that a play about treason and death would find an audience at this timean audience at this time

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So this is a comedy… right?So this is a comedy… right?MacbethMacbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most is one of Shakespeare’s most

famous tragedies (it is also his shortest)famous tragedies (it is also his shortest)Aside from the violent nature of the plot Aside from the violent nature of the plot

Shakespeare uses several literary devices Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evilto enhance the feeling of evilHe creates a serious and sinister mood by He creates a serious and sinister mood by

having most of the play take place at nighthaving most of the play take place at nightThere is a heavy emphasis on the There is a heavy emphasis on the

supernatural (witches, dreams, spells, and supernatural (witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts)ghosts)

There is unusual and frightening weather & There is unusual and frightening weather & environmental disturbances throughoutenvironmental disturbances throughout

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Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 1Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 1

Witches - Supernatural influencesWitches - Supernatural influences““Fair being Foul” - ParadoxFair being Foul” - ParadoxKing Duncan - ScotlandKing Duncan - ScotlandDuncan’s sons- Malcolm and Duncan’s sons- Malcolm and

DonaldbainDonaldbainGenerals - Macbeth and BanquoGenerals - Macbeth and BanquoThunder , lightning , and rain - sense Thunder , lightning , and rain - sense

of doomof doom

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Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 2Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 2

Macdonaldwald’s rebellionMacdonaldwald’s rebellionRoss tells Duncan of Norway’s Ross tells Duncan of Norway’s

rebellion - King of Norway - Swenorebellion - King of Norway - SwenoThane of Cawdor rebels against Thane of Cawdor rebels against

DuncanDuncanScotland wins - Macbeth gets title - Scotland wins - Macbeth gets title -

Thane of Cawdor - “ THE SPOILS OF Thane of Cawdor - “ THE SPOILS OF WAR”WAR”

Macbeth and Banquo - “Two spent Macbeth and Banquo - “Two spent swimmers”swimmers”

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Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3

The witches’ first prophesy has come The witches’ first prophesy has come true - Thane of Cawdortrue - Thane of Cawdor

Macbeth - “So foul and fair a day , I Macbeth - “So foul and fair a day , I have not seen” - recalls witches’ first have not seen” - recalls witches’ first scenescene

Banquo - “The instruments of Banquo - “The instruments of darkness tell us truths - only to darkness tell us truths - only to betray us”betray us”

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Macbeth Act 1 Scene 4Macbeth Act 1 Scene 4

Execution of CawdorExecution of Cawdor

-“You can’t tell what is in a -“You can’t tell what is in a person’s heart by looking at his face”person’s heart by looking at his face”

-“Nothing in his life became him -“Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it”like the leaving of it”

Duncan- Malcolm to be KingDuncan- Malcolm to be KingMacbeth- “Let not light see my black Macbeth- “Let not light see my black

and deep desires”and deep desires”88

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Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5

Macbeth’s home - Castle of InvernessMacbeth’s home - Castle of InvernessLady Macbeth comes up with plan to Lady Macbeth comes up with plan to

kill Duncan - Husband is weakkill Duncan - Husband is weak““The milk of human kindness”The milk of human kindness”Lady Macbeth – “Unsex me now. . .”Lady Macbeth – “Unsex me now. . .”

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Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6

Lady Macbeth=chameleon - perfect Lady Macbeth=chameleon - perfect hostesshostess

Duncan’s speech full of dramatic Duncan’s speech full of dramatic irony - “castle pleasant,” - “air is irony - “castle pleasant,” - “air is sweeter,” sees a martlet (a summer sweeter,” sees a martlet (a summer bird)bird)

to Duncan the castle appears to be a to Duncan the castle appears to be a paradiseparadise

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Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7Lady Macbeth - convinces Macbeth to do Lady Macbeth - convinces Macbeth to do

the “horrid deed”the “horrid deed”Macbeth’s soliloquy - marked by Macbeth’s soliloquy - marked by

confusionconfusionDuncan - Kinsman and his subject , a Duncan - Kinsman and his subject , a good King and virtuous man , a popular good King and virtuous man , a popular King , whose death would hurt ScotlandKing , whose death would hurt Scotland

Lady Macbeth’s arguments:Lady Macbeth’s arguments:

-“What could have been when he can -“What could have been when he can be King” be King”

- “ Would kill her own baby to do - “ Would kill her own baby to do this”this”

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Macbeth Act II, Scene iMacbeth Act II, Scene i

Past midnight - Moon has set and the Past midnight - Moon has set and the “Candles” of heaven cannot be seen “Candles” of heaven cannot be seen - dark brooding- dark brooding

Banquo draws sword - irony doesn’t Banquo draws sword - irony doesn’t know Macbeth is going to kill Duncanknow Macbeth is going to kill Duncan

Dagger Speech - Mental disturbanceDagger Speech - Mental disturbance““Is this a dagger which I see before Is this a dagger which I see before

me,The handle toward my hand?” —me,The handle toward my hand?” —Macbeth, 2.1.42–3Macbeth, 2.1.42–3

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Macbeth Act II, Scene iiMacbeth Act II, Scene iiLady Macbeth - “That which have made Lady Macbeth - “That which have made

them drunk, hath made me bold, What them drunk, hath made me bold, What hath quenched them have given me hath quenched them have given me fire”fire”

Drunk with boldness and on fire with Drunk with boldness and on fire with passionpassion

Lady Macbeth -would have murdered Lady Macbeth -would have murdered Duncan had he not looked like her Duncan had he not looked like her fatherfather

Macbeth has two concerns - he has Macbeth has two concerns - he has murdered sleep , bloodiness of deedmurdered sleep , bloodiness of deed

Lady Macbeth - blood is only like paint Lady Macbeth - blood is only like paint wash it offwash it off

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Act II, Scene ii (cont.) Act II, Scene ii (cont.)

Knocking - knocking of their Knocking - knocking of their consciences- actual knockconsciences- actual knock

““With all great Neptune’s ocean With all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my wash this blood Clean from my hand?”—Macbeth, 2.2.78–9hand?”—Macbeth, 2.2.78–9

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Macbeth Act II, Scene iiiMacbeth Act II, Scene iiiPorter - light comedyPorter - light comedyfarmer and equivocator have specific farmer and equivocator have specific

religious and historical connotationsreligious and historical connotationsA few months before Macbeth A few months before Macbeth

performed - Gunpowder plot – James performed - Gunpowder plot – James I- Guy Fawkes and John Garnett I- Guy Fawkes and John Garnett (nicknamed the farmer)(nicknamed the farmer)

Lennox - extraordinary weather -Lennox - extraordinary weather -unnatural events - The universe and unnatural events - The universe and events relatedevents related 1515

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Act II, Scene iii (cont.)Act II, Scene iii (cont.)Macbeth says he has killed servants - Macbeth says he has killed servants -

Lady Macbeth faintsLady Macbeth faintsMacbeth and other Thanes swear to Macbeth and other Thanes swear to

meet “in manly readiness” to avenge meet “in manly readiness” to avenge this act of “treasonous malice”this act of “treasonous malice”

“ “ There’s daggers in men’s smiles”There’s daggers in men’s smiles”Donaldbain - IrelandDonaldbain - IrelandMalcolm - EnglandMalcolm - England

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Macbeth Act II, Scene ivMacbeth Act II, Scene ivMacbeth has become KingMacbeth has become KingDonaldbain and Malcolm have fledDonaldbain and Malcolm have fledOld Man - Traditional figure in lit. Old Man - Traditional figure in lit.

represents what “has been”represents what “has been”owl kills falcon - daylight has been owl kills falcon - daylight has been

replaced by night - horses of the replaced by night - horses of the King’s stable have eaten each otherKing’s stable have eaten each other

The world he has known has been The world he has known has been turned on its headturned on its head

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Macbeth Act III, Scene iMacbeth Act III, Scene i

Banquo suspects Macbeth - gains Banquo suspects Macbeth - gains comfort from 2nd prediction - his comfort from 2nd prediction - his own children will be Kingsown children will be Kings

Even with new title Macbeth does not Even with new title Macbeth does not feel at easefeel at ease

calls murderers dogs but shows his calls murderers dogs but shows his own inhumanity and imperfections -own inhumanity and imperfections -also wants to kill Fleancealso wants to kill Fleance

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Act III Scene iiAct III Scene iiMacbeth, not Lady M., plans B’s murderMacbeth, not Lady M., plans B’s murderMacbeth and Lady Macbeth’s world not Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s world not

at peaceat peaceMacbeth wants to get rid of his Macbeth wants to get rid of his bondbond

with humanitywith humanity““We have scotch’d the snake, not killed We have scotch’d the snake, not killed

it.”—Macbeth, III.ii.15it.”—Macbeth, III.ii.15““Duncan is in his grave; After life’s Duncan is in his grave; After life’s

fitful fever he sleeps well.”—Macbeth, fitful fever he sleeps well.”—Macbeth, III.ii.24–5III.ii.24–5

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Act III Scene iiiAct III Scene iii

Banquo is killed – Murderers’ lantern Banquo is killed – Murderers’ lantern extinguished - Fleance escapesextinguished - Fleance escapes

Forces of darkness are at odds with Forces of darkness are at odds with lightlight

Murderers capable of poetry Murderers capable of poetry Escape of Fleance = turning point = Escape of Fleance = turning point =

Peripeteia = sudden reversal of Peripeteia = sudden reversal of fortunefortune

Banquo’s dying words: “to revenge”Banquo’s dying words: “to revenge”2020

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Act III Scene ivAct III Scene ivMacbeth has Thanes of Scotland to Macbeth has Thanes of Scotland to

banquet - Macduff not therebanquet - Macduff not thereMurderers tell Macbeth what Murderers tell Macbeth what

happened - Macbeth is upsethappened - Macbeth is upsetMacbeth sees ghost - goes into a fitMacbeth sees ghost - goes into a fitMacbeth has lost controlMacbeth has lost controlMacbeth will kill Macduff and visit Macbeth will kill Macduff and visit

three sistersthree sisters““It will have blood, they say: blood It will have blood, they say: blood

will have blood.” —Macbeth, will have blood.” —Macbeth, III.iv.152–53III.iv.152–53

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Act III Scene vAct III Scene v

Most agree this scene was not in the Most agree this scene was not in the original playoriginal play

Hecate (goddess of witches) joins the Hecate (goddess of witches) joins the weird sistersweird sisters

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Act III Scene viAct III Scene vi

Lennox reveals doubts about Lennox reveals doubts about Macbeth - Did he kill the guards Macbeth - Did he kill the guards hastily?hastily?

Macduff has fled to England to join Macduff has fled to England to join forces with Malcolm and also asks forces with Malcolm and also asks help from King Edward of Englandhelp from King Edward of England

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Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1““Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire

burn, and cauldron bubble.”—Witches, burn, and cauldron bubble.”—Witches, 4.1.10–14.1.10–1

Macbeth to witches-demands Macbeth to witches-demands predictionspredictions

1. disembodied head: “Beware 1. disembodied head: “Beware Macduff” Macduff”

2. blood-covered child: Macbeth cannot 2. blood-covered child: Macbeth cannot be killed by any man “ of woman born”be killed by any man “ of woman born”

3. a child wearing a crown promises 3. a child wearing a crown promises Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Birnam wood moves to DunsinaneBirnam wood moves to Dunsinane 2424

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Act 4, scene 1Act 4, scene 1

Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons and sees a procession of Banquo and and sees a procession of Banquo and future kingsfuture kings

Macbethless futureMacbethless futureMacduff has fled to England and Macduff has fled to England and

Macbeth announces revenge of Macbeth announces revenge of Macduff’s wife and childrenMacduff’s wife and children

““I’ll make assurance double sure.”—I’ll make assurance double sure.”—Macbeth, 4.1.93Macbeth, 4.1.93 2525

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Act 4 Scene 2Act 4 Scene 2

Lady Macduff feels Macduff has Lady Macduff feels Macduff has acted dishonestlyacted dishonestly

Son says the world is full of Son says the world is full of dishonest mendishonest men

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Act 4 Scene 3Act 4 Scene 3

““At one fell swoop.”—Macduff, 4.3.256At one fell swoop.”—Macduff, 4.3.256Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty - says Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty - says

he would be a great tyrant - reverse he would be a great tyrant - reverse psychologypsychology

Macduff still hates Macbeth - Malcolm Macduff still hates Macbeth - Malcolm has gotten what he wants: Macduff’s has gotten what he wants: Macduff’s loyaltyloyalty

Ross tells him of the slaughter of wife Ross tells him of the slaughter of wife and child - Macduff vows revengeand child - Macduff vows revenge

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1““Out, damned spot! out, I say!” (5.1.31)Out, damned spot! out, I say!” (5.1.31)““All the perfumes of Arabia will not All the perfumes of Arabia will not

sweeten this little hand.” (5.1.46–7)sweeten this little hand.” (5.1.46–7)““What’s done cannot be What’s done cannot be

undone.”(5.1.62)undone.”(5.1.62)Played in dark except one candle, Played in dark except one candle,

indicates spiritual darknessindicates spiritual darknessLady Macbeth has gone mad - Lady Macbeth has gone mad -

sleepwalks and tells fragments of sleepwalks and tells fragments of eventsevents

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Act 5, scene 1 (cont.)Act 5, scene 1 (cont.)overheard by doctor and lady-in-overheard by doctor and lady-in-

waitingwaitingLady Macbeth is seen rubbing her Lady Macbeth is seen rubbing her

hands -hands -Lady Macbeth needs “divine” help:Lady Macbeth needs “divine” help:

“ “More needs she the divine than the More needs she the divine than the physician.” (5.1.68)physician.” (5.1.68)

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3Macbeth dismisses reports of Macbeth dismisses reports of

invasion and reports of his own men invasion and reports of his own men deserting (confident tyrant)deserting (confident tyrant)

Trusts the propheciesTrusts the propheciesCriticizes servant: “cream-faced,” Criticizes servant: “cream-faced,”

“lilly liver’d”) “lilly liver’d”) Servant announces huge armyServant announces huge armyMacbeth orders Doctor to cure Lady Macbeth orders Doctor to cure Lady

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 4Macbeth Act 5 Scene 4

English and Scotish armies under English and Scotish armies under leadership of Malcolm meet at leadership of Malcolm meet at Birnam WoodBirnam Wood

Malcolm orders soldiers to cut a Malcolm orders soldiers to cut a branch and carry it in front of them branch and carry it in front of them as camouflage to “shadow the as camouflage to “shadow the number of our hosts” (5.4.7-8)number of our hosts” (5.4.7-8)

taken from Holinshed’s Chronicles - taken from Holinshed’s Chronicles - 15771577

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 5Macbeth Act 5 Scene 5Macbeth fully armed - brave rhetoricMacbeth fully armed - brave rhetoricshriek offstage - The queen is deadshriek offstage - The queen is deadBirnam Wood appears to have Birnam Wood appears to have

uprooted itself advancing towards uprooted itself advancing towards DunsinaneDunsinane

Shakespeare - Power-seeking tyrants Shakespeare - Power-seeking tyrants tend toward self-destructiontend toward self-destruction

““I have supped full with horrors.”—I have supped full with horrors.”—Macbeth, 5.5.14 - Banquo’s ghostMacbeth, 5.5.14 - Banquo’s ghost

Re: Life: “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, Re: Life: “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow. . .”—Macbeth, 5.5.21and tomorrow. . .”—Macbeth, 5.5.21

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6

Malcolm and his troops have reached Malcolm and his troops have reached DunsinaneDunsinane

Macduff’s ordering of troops Macduff’s ordering of troops indicates discipline - harbinger or indicates discipline - harbinger or sign of what is to comesign of what is to come

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 7Macbeth Act 5 Scene 7

Macbeth challenged by son of SiwardMacbeth challenged by son of SiwardMacbeth’s forces have surrendered Macbeth’s forces have surrendered

Dunsinane CastleDunsinane Castle““They have tied me to a stake: I They have tied me to a stake: I

cannot fly”cannot fly”kills young Siward - “Thou wast born kills young Siward - “Thou wast born

of woman”of woman”Macduff - ironic timing- takes place Macduff - ironic timing- takes place

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 8Macbeth Act 5 Scene 8Macbeth and Macduff finally face to faceMacbeth and Macduff finally face to faceMacbeth wants to avoid Macduff: “My Macbeth wants to avoid Macduff: “My

soul is too much charged/With blood of soul is too much charged/With blood of thine already” (5.8.6-7)thine already” (5.8.6-7)

Macbeth thinks he’s invincibleMacbeth thinks he’s invincibleMacduff tells him he entered the world Macduff tells him he entered the world

“Untimely ripp’d” from mothers womb“Untimely ripp’d” from mothers wombMacbeth realizes witches are “imperfect Macbeth realizes witches are “imperfect

speakers”speakers”Macbeth diesMacbeth dies

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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 9Macbeth Act 5 Scene 9

Malcolm proclaimed new king of Malcolm proclaimed new king of ScotlandScotland

true friends “we miss” true friends “we miss” loyalty loyalty he will rule with graciousness and he will rule with graciousness and

humilityhumilityMacduff enters with Macbeth’s headMacduff enters with Macbeth’s head

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