Power and Kingship

• "As cannons over-charged with double cracks"

  • sense of Macbeth's explosive power who is highly capable of killing
  • strong "c" mimics the dynamic movements of Macbeth through the war
  • Macbeth stands above the rest
• "too full of the milk of human kindness"

  • he is not only good natured but it will stop him from becoming king
  • it should be women who are kind and gentle not men
  • she implies Macbeth needs to be supernatural to suceed
• "come you spirits, that tend on my mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe, top full of direst cruelty"

  • embraced with the supernatural
  • explicit rejection of femininity
  • she is willing to be powerful
• " A falcon towering in her pride of place was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed"

  • powerful falcons should not be killed by weak owls
  • hierarchy was vital to a countries stability
  • lack of strength links with Macbeth killing the king
• "sleek o'er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight"

  • juxtaposition links to hypocrisy and two faced of Macbeth's behaviour
  • unpleasant and ugly to be king
  • reminds the audience of deceitful nature
• "your wife and babes savagely slaughtered"

  • images of innocence, love, care
  • indicates the level of violence that Macbeth is using
• "The mind I sway by, and the heart I bear, shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear"

  • finally regained control over his behaviour
  • emphasises his emotions
  • suggest weak body movements that Macbeth rejects
• "I have no words my voice is in my sword"

  • everything he needs to so as deliver justice and revenge
  • more than his physical weapon
  • contains anger and hatred of Macbeth's victims