Macbeth

• “In thunder lightning or rain”- the witches. Themes of supernatural gender. Sets up the power of the witches. They cant physically control Macbeth yet do possess supernatural qualities. Can be seen as a prologue for the entire play the “thunder” is rumbling and noise the tension before the storm. Lightning is the act of regicide. The rain is the consequence of the thunder and lightning. Context goes against patriarchy and religious society as gives 3 witches god like powers. witches are democracy represent evil you should stay with your king
• “Smoked with bloody execution unseamed him from the nave to the chops“- captain theme violence. “Smoked“ shows his speed and precision. ”execution“ Macbeth’s not scared. Hyperbole makes Macbeth seem like a god of war. the juxtaposition the way he kills is precise the battlefield is his canvas and blood is what he paints with.“unseamed“ shows Macbeth’s skill and precision.context patriarchal society Macbeth embodies patriarchy strong powerful. Freud and the id motivated by his desire to kill
• “You Should be women And yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so”- banquo themes of supernatural And power.Witches sacrificed everything for power. they felt powerless in a patriarchal society. The witches have everything that lady Macbeth wants. During the Jacobean period women were supposed to be sweet kind etc. They shouldnt be filled with the powers the witches posses. The withces had to take on masculine appearance to become powerful and to be heard
• “Unsex me here” - Lady Macbeth themes of gender power ambition guilt. Associates weakness with femininity wants to be stripped of this compassion. Lady Macbeth’s desire to remove all weak aspects. Prefix “un“ protagonists constantly attempt to undo what has been given to them. However Imperative portrays her desperation wants to urgently kill Duncan there only opportunity. Patriarchal society man is superior cant have power if you are a women the supernatural is the only way out to gain power. freud and id slave to her desires begging to become queen. shes useless in a patriarchal society
• "the instruments of darkness tell us truths win us with honest trifles to betray in deepest consequence"-Banquo themes of supernatural ambition. metaphorical noun "instruments" witches are playing Macbeth like a fiddle a pawn in the devils game supernatural can sound beautiful their real role is to betray though. noun "darkness" deep evil within Macbeth. Banquo is anthesis to Macbeth however not all innocent because knows prophecies will favour him one day. lets fate play out fate is god doesn't want to go against god. context writing of James "demonology" warned against supernatural
• "look like th' innocent flower But be the serpent under't" - lady Macbeth themes gender false appearance. "serpent" biblical allusion serpent that tricked eve didn't appear harmful just like Macbeth doesn't seem harmful to Duncan. Macbeth has destructive nature concealed by his false face. juxtaposition between "flower" and "serpent" shows dangerous divide between outward appearance and inward nature. imperative verb "look" highlights her power over her husband she gives him command. "innocent" adjective emphasises how good she wants him too look on the outside. context patriarchal society
• 2nd part "look the innocent flower" foreshadows Macbeths downfall as the serpent will take over and destroy any good part of him. Macbeth is evil in actions while lady Macbeth is evil in psychology
• "heat oppressed brain"-Macbeth themes of ambition false appearance impact of supernatural. soliloquy first time Macbeth is showing weakness however doesn't express this in front of his wife. "heat" moulds and changes things Macbeths brain has been moulded in act 1 to manipulate him into doing things they want. foreshadows Macbeths downfall we see already mental deterioration so will heighten in later acts. context patriarchy stark juxtaposition between the epitome of patriarchy he was at the start.
• "upon my head the placed a fruitless crown" - Macbeth kingship ambition. shows the weakness of man wanting more Macbeth at the start yearned to be king now that he is king now thinking about lineage. this was the motivation to kill Banquo jealous that Banquo has a descendant. also shows Macbeth is paranoid instead of living in the moment and enjoy being king is instead planning ahead. ironic because may have gotten away with regicide if didn't murder Banquo catalyst for the downfall. context goes against divine right of kings because didn't get there honestly he wont reap the rewards of it.
• "thou canst not say i did it. never shake?/thy gory locks at me"- Macbeth theme guilt supernatural. start of Macbeths downfall admitting that he is guilty in front of the nobles making a fool of himself. a product of his "heat oppressed brain". however this was the tipping point for Macbeth he is now accepted his evilness and his heinous side fully immersed in it. his dual nature of the flower and serpent has been completely taken over by the serpent. juxtaposition between how kings are supposed to act very unprofessional. Context divine right of kings Macbeth is unfit to be king.
• "Brief candle"-Macbeth theme guilt ambition. "candle" is a metaphor for life that's why its referred to as brief no one dies a natural death. Macbeth for the first time contemplates the fragility of life he now wants death he's infirm of purpose doesn't see the reason for living anymore. biblical imagery of candle represents gods light he's replaced god with lady Macbeth when she dies he's become nihilistic lost faith lost purpose.
• "lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player"-Macbeth themes ambition guilt relationship. "shadow" represents him trying to catch power a never ending pursuit much like the "fruitless crown". Macbeth is showing us side of us we have never seen we see that Macbeth realises that his pursuit of power was worthless and has accepted his fate. Shakespeare is trying to emphasise if you go against the king there is no forgiveness no matter how much sympathy you feel. context religion god is ultimately above the fruits of Macbeths labour will never be sweet because he got them by dishonour.