Macbeth

1
Macbeth
2
Act I

• Macbeth meets the witches in Act I and is
  immediately tempted by their prophecies.
• Both speak in contradiction
• Witches with the prophecy Fair is foul and foul
  is fair.
• Macbeth in Scene three when speaking with Banquo
  about the battle So foul and fair a day I have
  not seen.
• These contradictions link them

3

• By the end of Act I Macbeth is not a good man,
  but he is not a evil either. He is TEMPTED by
  the prophecies, however he does have doubts. He
  is inability to stand up to his wifes ability to
  manipulate him brings on his down fall.

4
Lady Macbeth

• Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a very
  powerful character. This is an unusual
  characterization for female characters of this
  time period.
• Through her, and her behavior, we explore the
  theme of Masculinity and cruelty. Shakespeare,
  and his audience at the Globe would associate
  cruelty with men.

5

• This is evidenced by several of Lady Macbeths
  and Macbeths statements throughout the play.
• Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts,
  unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the
  toe top-full of direst cruelty.
• Bring forth men-children only, For they
  undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but
  males.

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ACT II

• The appearance of Fleance (Banquos son) is a
  reminder of the witches prophecy.
• Banquos knowledge of the witches prophecy
  makes him a potential friend and a potential
  enemy.
• If Macbeth succeeds in killing Duncan, Fleance
  will be in danger.

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Duncans Chamber

• This is a hidden area where the murder of Duncan,
  the guards and a future death will take place.
• The audience at the Globe would not actually see
  these killings, however, all who enter this
  chamber emerge powerfully changed.

8
Irony

• After the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth tells
  Macbeth A little water clears us of the deed.
  How easy it is then.
• Ironically, they are both unable to wash away the
  guilt of the murder.

9

• After Macbeth murders Duncan, strange things
  happen in the atmosphere and in nature. Duncans
  horses eat one another and an owl kills a falcon.
• These strange occurrences cast a menacing shadow
  over Macbeths coronation. By killing Duncan,
  Macbeth releases chaos among ScotlandThe good,
  benevolent king is replaced by a tyrant.

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ACT III

• During this act, Macbeth sinks even lower into
  madness. He arranges the murder of his best
  friend, and his son in order to insure that no
  one will find out that he and his wife have
  killed the king.

11
The Banquet

• This is simultaneously the high point of
  Macbeths reign and the beginning of his
  downfall.
• High point all are celebrating his coronation
• Downfall he is haunted by Banquos ghost and
  appears to be insane in front of his subjects.

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• It is appropriate that Banquos ghost and not
  Duncans haunts Macbeth. He also heard the
  prophecies but took no action to further his own
  interests.
• Shakespeares message is that ambition does not
  require bloodshed.

13
ACT IV

• In this scene Macbeth descends into complete
  madness. When he murders Macduffs family this
  act of violence is seen as the worst. It is not
  done for political gain or to silence an enemy,
  it is strictly done out of malice.

14
Cruelty and Masculinity

• Once again in this act this theme is explored.
  When Macduff is told that Macbeth has killed his
  family his reaction is to weep. Malcolm states
  to Dispute it like a man. Macduffs reply is
  But I must also feel it like a man.

15

• Shakespeares commentary on masculinity here is
  that Macduff is truly a man and a human being.
  It is appropriate for Macduff to weep and it in
  no way effects his masculinity.

16
ACT V

• The resolution of the play takes place in 8
  short scenes.
• Lady Macbeth falls into madness and Macbeths
  downfall is complete.

17
Sleepwalking

• Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth sleepwalk during
  the play. Sleep is associated with innocence and
  inability to sleep is associated with guilt.
• Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are unable to sleep
  after the murder of Duncan. Macbeth doth murder
  sleep.

18
Irony

• Ironically, Lady Macbeth believes that she has a
  spot of blood of on her hands. During Act V she
  cannot wash away the imagined spot of blood Out
  , damned spot, out, I say! She cannot wash away
  the guilt of her crimes.

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Witches

• The witches have much power over the events in
  the play.
• Duncans murder
• Banquos murder
• Their prophecies truly come to fruition

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• Birnum Wood marches on Dunsinane
• (Malcolms men camouflage themselves with a
  bough from a tree in the woods)
• No man of woman born can harm Macbeth. (Macduff
  is actually born of a C-section. Macduff was
  from his mothers womb untimely ripped.

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Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

• This speech, given by Macbeth immediately after
  his knowledge that his wife has killed herself,
  is a reflection of his hopelessness. Life has no
  meaning.
• However, if we are to take them at face-value,
  then his actions truly signify nothing and they
  are meaningless rather than evil.

22

• Or. It could be a commentary by Shakespeare
  about his theater and how the events on stage
  have signified nothing. Remember the Gunpowder
  plot and his fathers involvement. This could be
  Shakespeares way of covering himself.

23
Macbeths Death

• Macbeths death comes as somewhat of a relief.
  He is not a sympathetic heromore so a tyrant.
  He is truly a tragic hero. His ambition causes
  him to take action that ultimately brings on his
  downfall.
• When he kills Duncan his virtue is gone.
• Theme Ambition must be checked to maintain
  order.