Macbeth

• Macduff act 2 scene 2 "O horror, horror, horror!"


  • Repetition "horror" shows genuine shock and grief
  • Repetition "horror" mirrors witches rule of three - demonstrates chaos theyre creating
  • discovers violation of divine right of kings -foreshadows he'll restore natural order
  • love for duncan, theme of revenge
• Macduff act 2 scene 2 "Bleed, Bleed, poor country! Great tyranny!"

  • shows concern for his country and emphasises his patriorism 

  • Emerges of a symbol of hope as he gathers an army
  • reinforces the idea that how a monarch rules impacts the people and the land
  • personification "bleed, bleed" connotes gore, suffering and agony - all a result of macbeths "tyranny"
• Macduff act 4 scene 3 "Let us hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men"


  • "like good men" shows he believes fixed gender roles of the jacobean era - men should protect women ect
  • aligns with society - would have been seen as a hero by the audience
  • foil to macbeth
• Macduff act 4 scene 3 "My pretty chickens"

  • metaphor to highlight grief
  • family man - shown through pet name "chickens"
  • hurt and distressed as his "wife and babes, savagely slaughtered" -highlights macbeths evil nature as he attacked vulnerable innocent children, theme of revenge as he will bring end to chaos
  • possessive pronoun "my" shows he thinks he owns his family - jacobean norm, shows guilt as it was his duty to protect family
  • subverts gender norms as he shows emotion
• Macduff act 2 scene 3 "Most sacrilegious murder, hath broke ope, The Lords anointed temple"

  • compares duncans body to that of a church - shows link between mornarch and religion in jacobean society
  • divine right of kings - committing regicide is a sin against God himself as he chooses the king
• Malcolm act 4 scene 3 "a weak poor innocent lamb to appease an angry God"

  • allusion to Jesus Christ - "Lamb of God"
  • "lamb" also has connotations of weakness and naivety - knows hes vulnerable and wont just open up to anyone.
  • learns from his fathers mistakes of being too naïve
  • "Angry God" imagery shows he will soon have to face the powerful macbeth - also foreshadows macbeths downfall as he went against God
• Malcolm act 4 scene 3 "Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell"

  • allusion to lucifer - he was a high, exalted angel until he betrayed God and banished, much like macbeth who was seen as "noble" but now is a "tyrant" - foreshadows macbeths downfall.
  • malcolm doesn't know who to trust as evil (Macbeth/Satan) can disguise itself as good
• Malcolm's final speech (Act 5 scene 9) - Iambic Pentameter

  • Previously didn't - emphasises his character development and ascension in the social hierarchy
  • elevate the great chain of being - "By grace of grace" shows everything is back to being guided by God
• Malcolm act 4 scene 3 "Let us seek out some desolate spot and there weep our sad bosoms empty"

  • shows sympathy towards Macduff and the situation in Scotland
  • does not promise macduff anything - emphasises his wariness
  • important as Macduff is begging for his help in the battle against evil
  • "Weep" and "Sad" show the compassion he has for his country.
• King Duncan act 1 scene 2 "noble macbeth"

  • epithet - (expresses a quality of someone mentioned)
  • Duncan's hamartia is his trustworthy nature
  • portrays his uplifting nature - grateful and respects Macbeth dearly
• King Duncan act 1 scene 4 "There's no art to find the minds construction in the face"

  • shows humility - feature macbeth lacks as he is filled with pride (7 deadly sins)
  • cant tell peoples motives - foreshadows macbeths plot to betray and kill him
• King Duncan act 1 scene 4 " Honour, like stars, shall shine on all deservers"

  • honour should be bestowed on those according to their character/actions - ironic as macbeth kills duncan the same night he makes this comment
  • comparison of "honour" to the "stars" could link to predestination - who is glorified by God and rewarded is decided, therefore, Macbeths demise is his destiny.
• Macbeth about King Duncan "Silver skin" with "golden blood"

  • creates a tone of softness and beauty
  • "silver" mirrors the soul - coveys Duncan as someone honest and a perfect fit to be king
  • "gold" associated with love, compassion. generosity - emphasises he was too trusting
  • ancient Egyptians saw gold as eternal and indestructible - divine right of kings will always be, so Macbeth will never be a true king