macbeth

• what are macbeth‘s key characteristics?

  • brave

  • ambitious

  • ruthless

  • paranoid
• what themes does macbeth represent?

  • ambition

  • power

  • fate vs free will

  • guilt and paranoia

  • appearance vs reality
• what is macbeth‘s role in the play?

  initially a brave warrior loyal to king duncan, he becomes consumed by ambition after hearing the witches’ prophecies
• macbeth’s character development

  act 1, scene 7:

  • macbeth’s first soliloquy, he reflects on the consequences of murdering king duncan which reveals his internal conflict

  • pivotal moment as it foreshadows his mental decline

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  act 2, scene 1:

  • the dagger soliloquy, he has visions of a bloody dagger leading to duncan

  • dramatic device used to convey how supernatural forces have overcome him

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  act 3, scene 4:

  • macbeth‘s guilt and paranoia, he sees banquo’s ghost at his banquet

  • signifies his deteriorating mental state and the consequences of his ruthless quest for power

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  act 5, scene 5:

  • macbeth’s isolation and final soliloquy, he has become increasingly isolated and is surrounded by enemies

  • he reflects on the meaningless and futility of his life, capturing his despair