Macbeth

• Introduction

  • Macbeth is about the corrupting power of ambition - he is an ambitious nobleman who murders the Scottish King due to Witches prediction that he will rule Scotland
  • Shakespeare shows that even honorable men can be corrupted by ambition - Macbeth betrays his King, his country and his own conscience to satisfy his lust for power
  • Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show power that's taken unfairly doesn't bring happiness, but leads to guilt, madness and death
• Supernatural

  In 17th century, people were very fearful of witchcraft - it was seen as responsible for everything bad that happened in life

  When King James I took the throne, he insisted on hanging the witches
• Jacobean era

  Women were supposed to obey men/husbands - if women argued, they could be beaten - parents raised women to believe men were more important - men with status in society were expected to behave in an honorable way/show loyalty and bravery

  Shakespeare made a lot of leading women strong characters
• Catholics v protestants

  
  

  When Catholics realised James I did not support Catholics, conspiracy theories (Gunpowder plot) were developed
• Divine right of Kings

  People believed kings were appointed by God, answer to higher power and could not be governed by anyone on Earth - any attempt to remove monarchs was a crime against God

  Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne, going against will of God and Divine Right of Kings - his loss of throne helps restore natural order
• Summary

  Act one:

  • scene one - witches are introduced
  • scene two - Duncan talks about battle
  • scene three - Macbeth meets Witches, who tells him he'll be King
  • scene four - Macbeth starts to think about killing Duncan
  • scene five/six - Lady Macbeth learns of witches' prophecy - Duncan arrives at castle
  • scene seven - Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan
• Summary

  Act three:

  • scene one to three - Macbeth realises Banquo's a threat, so has him killed
  • scene four - Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost
  • scene five - Hecate (ruler of witches) plans to ruin Macbeth
  • scene six - Lennox is told of a plot to overthrow Macbeth
• Summary

  Act four:

  • scene one - Macbeth visits witches' and is shown three apparitions that predict his future
  • scene two to three - Macbeth has Macduff's wife and son killed - Malcolm tests Macduff, and Macduff learns of the murders
• Summary

  Act five:

  • scene one - Lady Macbeth sleepwalks
  • scene two to four and six - English army advances, disguised as Birnam Wood
  • scene five and seven - Lady Macbeth kills herself and Macbeth kills Young Siward
  • scene eight - Macduff kills Macbeth
  • scene nine - Malcolm becomes King
• Key quotes

  • "Dwarfish theif dressed in giant's robes" - kingship - power
  • "Fruitless crown" - kingship
  • "All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, Oh, Oh!" - Lady Macbeth - nothing in the world will erase the stain of King Duncan's death from her conscience - guilt