Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

[ Macbeth background]
William Shakespeare
• born and raised in Stratford upon Avon, England
• believed to be born on 23rd April 1564
• At the age of 18 he married a 26-year-old, Anne Hathaway
• Belonged to acting company called Lord Chamberlain’s men,
they built the globe theatre. When Queen Elizibeth I died and
King James I took over the name changed to the King’s men.
• Macbeth was written for Kind James
• Shakespeare became a director, actor, playwright and
shareholder in the company, and became quite wealthy
• He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets
• In 1611 retired to Stratford upon Avon
• In 1616 he died on 23rd April (his believed birthday)

Entertainment in Elizabethan times

• Very different form today
• Only boys and men were allowed to act on stage. There was a law that ladies were not
allowed to act

The globe theatre

• Shaped like an enormous ring doughnut
• Sometimes called the “Wooden O”
• 3 Storeys, open air area in middle called ‘the pit’
• Bricks and timber
• Burnt down in 1613 due to a canon that was set
off, thus setting fire to the roof. It happened
during a performance of henry VIII, the globe
was rebuilt immediately
• 3000 people could be held inside and 1000 people
could stand outside
• Was on the south bank of the river Thames in London, England
• Outside city = could not be controlled by officials who disapproved of theatres
• 1642 – The puritans got the globe closed down
puritans – a group of people who condemned theatres as evil as it showcased
scandals
• Plays had to be performed in the day, because there was no artificial lighting
• Plays were only staged in the summer, because there was more daylight than in the
winter

The Pit:
• Common Folk paid 1 penny to stand in the yard.
• Cheapest tickets.
• 500 max.
• Audience was called groundlings/ stinkards.
• Kept it lively by throwing fruits+ nuts etc.
• Known to be aggressive+ violent.

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The great chain of being:

Posh folk: During the middle age people believed
• Tickets around edge of pit cost 2 everything was arranged in certain
pennies. order.
• Seating for 1500 people.
• To the left+ right of musicians’ area, The Celestial world:
above stage were most expensive 1. God
seats. 2. Angels
• 5 pennies. Human world:
• Rich nobles paid to sit on side of stage 1. King
on cushioned seats- they did this to be 2. Pope
seen. 3. Men in all positions placed above
female counterparts like Dukes, Lords
The heavens and the hell: and Thanes.
• Painted ceiling= heavens. 4. Slave or savage
• Angels/ fairies would fly around by The Sublunary world:
swinging with ropes. 1. Man
• Hell located under the stage+ located 2. Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish+
under the trapped door. insects.
• Characters associated with evil 3. Oysters then unmoving animals.
entered the stage like this. 4. Trees, flowers, grass.
5. Inanimate objects: gold above silver,
The balcony: metals above stones, soil above clay.
• Gallery above the stage was Satan and the fallen angels were not
sometimes required by musicians. part of the great chain of being coz
• Sometimes used to enact other Satan’s crime was to challenge this
scenes like Romeo+ Juliet.@ the hierarchy and continues to try undo it.
balcony scene.
Violations of hierarchy such as killing the
Playhouse flags: king or adopting animalistic behavior
• Black= tragedy. [ Macbeth/ Hamlet] were associated with chaos and
• White= comedy. [ Merchant of Venice] unravelling God’s plan. EVIL.
• Red= historical. [ Henry VIII/ Julius
Caesar]

The divine right of kings:

• Kings were seen as God’s
representatives on earth thus they
were the supreme upholder of order
on earth.
• If this position was violated [ killed] it
would destroy the perfect order in
the universe and bring chaos to the
world.
• Any act of treason or treachery
against king was considered a mortal
sin against God.
• Penalty was death.

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Scotland: Witches and witchcraft:

• M is set during the Medieval times • Shakespeare drew on the popular
around the +-11th century in Scotland, in traditions of his time and used them
the northernmost region of what is for his own purposes.
known as the UK. • Popular beliefs about witches+
• Due to the location far north, witchcraft:
Scotland is often damp, dark and • Associated with the dark+ death.
dreary, which creates perfect setting • In Christian countries they were
for a play of witchcraft+ evil deeds thought to be the agents of Satan
done under the cover of darkness. going about their business at night.
• In scene 2 of play, 2 battles are • They were believed to gather near
mentioned: graves to conduct their evil rites and
- A rebellion led by Macdonwald- a make potions+ poisons.
Scottish traitor. He has raised an • Frowned upon by society.
army of Irish mercenaries. [ • If people were accused of witchcraft
Western Isles] to fight king Duncan. they were tried and if found guilty,
- Sweno, the King of Norway, has executed.
invaded and landed in Fife with large • 2 common ways of killing witches were
army. The Thane of Cawdor, a by burning at the stake and drowning.
Scottish nobleman turns traitor as • King James 1 was a devout believer in
well and allies with Sweno. witchcraft, and he even published a
• Most scenes take place in Scotland. book on the subject- he advocated
• King Duncan’s headquarters are at that witches should pursued. [ he
Forres. hates witches]
• Much of the action takes place around • Witches were supposed to be capable
Macbeth’s castle at Inverness. of doing all the things that the three
• Closing battle takes place at his castle weird sisters are said to perform in
at Dunsinane. Macbeth.
• For an Elizabethan audience, the play • Believed that they could see into the
would have been frightening because it future, that they could create
was set at both a time and place that storms, hail, thunder and lightning.
had wild reputation. • Believed to be able to sink ships, dry up
springs, stop the sun and change night
Macbeth: to day and day to night.
• Ideas for his plays were found in in • Cause death of enemies and could
historical sources. make themselves invisible, it was
• Lives of great rulers with their believed.
dramatic conflicts provided excellent • Open graves and steal parts of the
plots for plays. bodies to make potions.
• Did not follow his sources closely, he • Could call up the dead and converse
messed with the facts. with spirits.
• He took the most interesting parts
and sometimes added new material to
make it exciting on stage.
• For Macbeth he used Holinshed’s
Chronicles of England, Scotland, and
Ireland as his source.
• A number of alterations.
• Macbeth was written in 1606 during
Elizabethan era.

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Shakespeare’s language: Rhymed verse:

• Language has 3 different forms- • Witches speak in trochaic tetrameter
blank verse, verse with rhyme, and [ chanting speech]
prose. [ noble- blank; witch- rhyme; • Lines made up of 4 feet or 8 beats
normal- prose] with emphasis on 1st syllable.
• Each of these is significant and is used • Weirdness of witches and their
by Shakespeare and other playwrights horribly capricious brand of evil are
of his time to give particular effects. brought to life by the combination of
• They help to indicate to the audience this childlike- seeming chant with its
the social status or nature of person simple language and their gleeful
who is speaking. descriptions of their evil pastimes.
• All the noble spoke in blank verse.
• The chanting sound of the witches’ Prose:
• Refers to ordinary speech with no
speech opens the play immediately
regular pattern of accentual rhythm.
signals to audience that these are
• Text does not all have same number
strange beings different from
of syllables.
ordinary country folk.
• Flexibility of prose allows Shakespeare
• His use of form varies and is flexible
to produce widely different effects is
for a purpose.
clearly demonstrated in M.
• Prose is form of speech used by
Blank Verse:
• Verse without rhyme with definite common and often comic people in
rhythmic pattern. Shakespearean drama.
• Iambic pentameter which means that • The porter’s drunken ramblings are
rhythmic pattern of line is made up of set in prose.
five iambs or beats. • Important characters can also speak
• Most of play is blank verse coz M is in prose.
predominantly about the upper • In her sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth
classes. loses the customary controls of
• Blank verse is mostly preferred form verse and talks ‘straight’ for the 1st
coz it’s close to natural speaking time in the play.
rhythms of English, but its formal
rhythmic structure elevates it above Understanding Shakespeare’s use
ordinary speech and thus leads an of pronouns:
element of distinction to the speech • Modern English uses only four
of nobles. pronouns for addressing a person’s
• Lack of rhyme is significant coz you, your, yourself, and yours.
rhyme would bring a sing-song effect • Used ten pronouns: thou, thee, thy,
destroying the impression of natural thyself, thine, ye, you, yourself and
speech. yours.
• Sharing of a line of blank verse by 2 • Use of these pronouns were
speakers. grammatical and cultural.
• Gives an impression of urgency to the • Their application depended not only on
dialogue- that the 2nd speaker is syntax but also on social status of
rushing to respond to the 1st. the persons addressed.

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[ Act 1 scene 1: ]
Setting: Figures of speech:
An open place. Heath or bar wasteland, Paradox
Scotland • “Lost and won”
• Even if they won the battle, they
Themes: would still have lost the lives of their
natural vs. supernatural: soldiers
Line 2: what happens in society is
mirrored in nature. The witch’s intent is Paradox and pun
to create disturbances. Troubled an • “Fair is foul and foul is fair”
ominous atmosphere. • Witches’ motto
The witch’s evilness is emphasized by • Good is evil and evil is good
lightning and thunder
Chain of being: Important quotes:
Line 3: ‘when the hurly-burly’s done’ • “Fair is foul and foul is fair” – things
Fighting noise+ confusion is over. These aren’t what they seem
are consequences of the power • “When the battle’s lost and won” –
struggles involving traitors. Paradox – soldiers are lost on both
Winning and losing: sides of the lines
Line 4: “when the battle’s lost and won”
One side will lose+ the other will win. Even Summary:
the side that has won has lost some • Play opens with a storm in the heath.
soldiers during battle. • 3 witches are discussing when they will
Fate vs free will: meet again.
Line 7: “there to meet with Macbeth” • Mention M’s name + the battle.
To meet with Macbeth whom is • Their evil comes to show.
corruptible. • Arrange to meet with M.
Appearance vs reality: • Know M is corruptible.
Line 11: “fair is foul and foul is fair”
Appears to be good, but turns out to be
evil+ the other way around. What is evil
will be corrupted to look good by
witches.

Characters:
Witches:
Weird sisters.
Interested in MB
Evil and foul weather.
Macbeth:
Might be tempted to do evil.
Corruptible.
Gray Malkin:
1st witch’s familiar [cat].
Paddock:
3rd witch’s familiar [toad]

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

[ Act 1 scene 2: ]
Setting: Figures of speech:
• Camp near Forres. Simile
• Forres is King Duncan’s military camp • line 8+9: “2 spent swimmers”
• during the battle the two armies were
Themes: compared to 2 tired swimmers holding
Betrayal: onto each other, as one is above
Line 65-66: “Our bosom interest. Go water then the other is under, and so
pronounce his present death, and with his the motion continues, this shows that
former title greet M.” it was unclear who would win the
Former TOC loses title to M+ also loses battle.
life
Personification
Winning and losing: • line 14-15:
Line 18: even the winning side loses • Macdonwald thought that fortune
soldiers. was on their side, but in reality, it
seems like fortune was on Macbeth’s
Appearance vs reality: side.
TOC seemed to be loyal to KD but
turned out to be traitors. Metaphor
• line 17: “brandished steel”
Characters: • meaning a sword.
Duncan: Personification
Too old to fight.
• line 17: “disdaining fortune”
2 sons Malcolm+ Donalbain. Malcolm is • -M pays no attention to fortune.
oldest. Donalbain is the youngest
Metaphor
Wounded Sergeant: • line 18: “smoked bloody with execution
Gives account of battle and M’s like valour’s minion”
bravery. • many deaths+ M is like a servant for
bravery, it almost looks as if the
Ross: sword were causing the damage not
Brings news M has defeated the
the person wielding the sword.
enemies.
Personification
Macbeth: • “My gashes cry for help”
Mighty and brave.
• His injuries cannot cry or ask for help,
Macdonwald: only the person experiencing the pain
Rebel. can cry for help

Thane of Cawdor: Metaphor

Secret traitor. • line 25-28
• just when they thought the battle
Lennox+ attendants: was over new threats arrived.

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Simile • “What he hath lost, noble M hath

• line 35: “as sparrows eagles, or the won.”- KD repaying M for his loyalty
hare the lion.” and bravery. [irony] Winning+ losing.
• M+ B are as afraid of the new threat
as an eagle is afraid of a sparrow. This Summary:
simile shows their fearlessness on the • KD waiting for reports from the
battlefield. They were not afraid of battlefield.
the threat. • Wounded sergeant tells him of M’s
bravery.
Simile • Also, of Macdonwalds betrayal.
• line 37:
• Ross arrives with news that king of
• M+B are like cannons filled with twice
Norway [Sweno] + Cawdor [traitor] are
number of explosives. Thus, showing
defeated.
that they are ready for a new battle
• Duncan orders death of TOC and
to begin.
promises to reward M with his title.
Metaphor
• line 54: “Bellona’s bridegroom.” Two battles:
• M fought so bravely that it seemed • M+B fight Macdonwald+ Irish
he could be the husband of the roman mercenaries.
goddess of war. • Battle is undecided.
• M kills Macdonwald.
Important quotes: • Irish flees.
• “The victory fell on us”- Ross with • Sweno behind Macdonwald.
news of M’s victory. Winning+ losing. • Attack M from rear.
• “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall • M defeats Norwegians.
deceive our bosom interest, go • M is hero and kills many. [ valor’s
pronounce his present death.” – refers minion]
to KD. Deception. • Sweno begs for peace.

[ Act 1 scene 3: ]
Reversal of natural order/ kingship vs
Setting: Tyranny:
• A heath near the Battlefield. Regicide is punishable by death// even
• Setting suits, the characters [ foul the mere thought of it is.
weather and evil witches]
appearance vs reality:
Themes: Witches have beards that prevents B
Ambition: from correctly identifying them.
M is eager to become King + puts beliefs
in witches as their prophecy echoes his
Clothing image
is used to refer to titles. He says the
desire.
title is not his therefore he is borrowing
Equivocation/ deception/ good vs evil: a robe since TOC is still alive.
Witches say 1 thing + mean another. Hide
the truth and lure M with words that Fate vs free will
sound good. “If chance may have me king, why
chance, may crown me without my stir”

M chooses that he will become king in

good time and to not intervene with
fate.

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

Characters: Important quotes:

Witches: • “So foul and fair a day I have not
• Evil. seen”- M. Ironic that such a brave,
• Want M’s soul. loyal soldier should repeat the witches’
• Persuading. words.
• Manipulative. • “…why do you start and seem to fear
things that do sound so fair”- Banquo
Macbeth: repeats words.
• Corruptible.
• “What, can the devil speak true? –
• Trusts witches.
Banquo immediately recognizes the evil
Banquo: in the witches. He doesn’t put his trust
• Not trust witches. in them.
• Thoughts are pure + warns M about • “Why do you dress me in borrowed
witches. robes?” – He is unknowledge about
becoming TOC – [clothing image]
Ross:
Angus: Summary:
• Witches meet again to prepare for M.
Figures of speech: • Tell about their evil deeds+ suffering
Dramatic irony of captain.
very words of the witches under the
• Banquo sees them 1st and they do not
spell- they name M TOC.
respond to him, since he is not evil, he
Metaphor and clothing image cannot be corrupted, on the other
• “Why do you dress me in borrowed hand they only speak to MB thus
robes” showing us again that MB is not pure,
• Titles are compared to clothes he is already being corrupted
• M’s new title is compared to the • They call Macbeth Thane of Glamis,
previous owner of the title, he says Thane of Cawdor and future king.
that it is a borrowed title since the • They tell Banquo lesser than MB but
previous ToC is still alive greater, not so happy yet much
happier, not king but father of kings…
Irony/pun/alliteration/paradox - all lies.
• “So fair and foul a day” + “fear… that
• Ross+ Angus tell M that he is TOC + he
do sound so fair”
must go to Duncan.
• It’s the witch’s motto
• 1st soliloquy- ambition= he has already
• It is ironic that such a loyal soldier
thought of murder - fate vs free will.
repeats their words
• Foul = weather, fair = victories of the
battle

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

[ Act 1 scene 4: ]
Setting: Characters:
Forres. Duncan’s palace Duncan:
Oblivious + unaware of the evil deeds
Themes: being planned against him
Appearance vs reality:
• Line 11-14: “There’s no art to find the Fair, rewards everyone.
mind’s construction in the face.”- M is
Malcolm:
trustworthy in looks but he is plotting Becomes PoC
a murder.
• Line 23: “In doing it, pays itself.” – M Donalbain:
talks about his loyalty when planning a Greedy+ angry.
murder. Macbeth:
• Line 44-45: M says that everything • Shocked because he thought he will be
done by him, that is not done for the named prince of Cumberland.
king, is hard work. • Greedy+ jealous.
• Ambitious.
Ambition:
Wants to be king and is willing to get rid • Appears to be loyal but isn’t
of any obstacles in his way • Insincere and corruptible
• Duncan’s cousin
Good vs evil: • Chooses to take him becoming king
Asks for darkness to cover evil deeds. into his own hands, wants to kill D and
Because he knows what he’s doing is M
wrong
Ross+ Angus+ Lennox:
Fate vs free will:
Makes conscious decision to kill the king.

Summary:
• Malcolm- Tells KD TOC confessed+ died
noble death.
• Duncan thanks M for role in battle.
• Malcolm= prince of Cumberland
[Duncan’s heir].
• M sees this as an obstacle.
• Starts taking matters into his own
hands to make sure the prophecy
comes true.
• Duncan says they will go to celebrate
the victory at INVERNESS M’s castle.
• M goes ahead to tell Lady M.

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Figures of speech: Important quotes:

Metaphor: • “There’s no art to find the mind’s
• “I have begun to plant thee, and will construction in the face.”- Duncan/
labor to make thee full of growing” TOC. [appearance vs reality]
• Duncan compares his people and • “There if I grow the harvest is your
servants to children who are obedient own.” -Banquo is sincere+ loyal to
to him Duncan.
• “That is a step on which I must fall
Simile down or o’erleap, for in my way it
• “… signs of nobleness like stars”
lies.”-[ambition/ fate vs free will]
• Nobility is compared to the stars
• “Stars hide your fires, let not light see
Metaphor my black and deep desires.” [good vs
• “That is a step on which I must fall evil]
down, or o’erleap for in my way it lies.” • “It is a something Kingsman.” -M=
• Macbeth sees D and M as plotting KD murder.
stones/obstacles he need to remove
from his path in order to become king

Personification:
• “Stars hide your fires.”
• MB is talking to the stars, he is asking
them to not shine, he wants to hide his
evil desires from everyone.

[ Act 1 scene 5: ]
Setting: Themes:
Inverness M’s castle Good vs evil/ light vs dark:
• M is inherently good; ambitious which is
Irony: also his downfall.
• Line 14-21: LM describes • LM asks power of darkness to help
characteristics that she sees as her.
weakness, audience knows that M has • LM uses power of words to influence
already begun to plan the murder. M negatively.
• Line 57: LM wants to know when KD will
leave again but she has already
Deception:
M should appear innocent before the
decided to kill him.
king and everyone else but should also be
• Line 65: LM is going to “take care” of
prepared to commit the murder.
KD- she’s going to kill him.
• “Wouldst not play false, and yet Appearance vs reality:
wouldst wrongly win.” M is plotting KD’s “Look like the innocent flower…” MB
murder. must look innocent but he must be like a
serpent

Reversal of natural order:

Regicide (to kill your king)

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

Characters:
Lady Macbeth: Figures of speech:
• Stronger. Metaphor
• Ambitious – but more determined • L23-28
• Cruel. • poison his thoughts with her words.
• Influence over M.
Metaphor and personification, also
• In control. symbol of death.
• Ruthless. • L36-38: “the raven himself is hoarse.”
• Manipulative – pressures MB into • Messenger has foretold the murder
taking the crown of KD without realizing it.
• Doesn’t want inner conflict like MB
Personification
Macbeth: • L50: “that my keen knife does not see
• Too Kind, not evil enough the wound it makes”
• Indecisive, he wants to become king • the knife is an inanimate object that
but cannot decide if they should leave cannot see but can inflict wounds.
it up to fate or if they should kill
Duncan Personification
• Moral.
• L48-50: “Come thick night and pall thee
in the dunnest smoke of hell.”
• Ambitious+ not wicked, he is a man of
conscience
• heaven must not be able to see
through his darkness to stop her.
• Wants to gain achievements
[good vs evil/ ambition] They know
legitimately.
what they’re planning is wrong and evil
• Won’t do anything evil, but if
something falls into his lap that was Simile
achieved through evil, he will gladly • L60-61: “Your face, my thane, is as a
accept it book where men may read strange
• “My dearest partner of greatness” – matters”
They have a very loving relationship, in • M’s face is compared to a book that
which they can share secrets. can be read easily. He must learn to
hide his emotions to appear innocent
Summary:
• LM reading M’s letter about witches’ Simile
prophecies. • L62-64: “Look like innocent flower but
• He is too gentle to achieve greatness. be the serpent underneath”
• She will have to sacrifice her humanity • M must look innocent but he must be
to help him get the crown. ready to strike like the serpent
• Messenger arrives to announce Metaphor
Duncan’s visit. • “O never shall sun that morrow see
• LM decides Duncan must die. the next light of day.”
• M arrives and they discuss their plans. • KD will not see the next light of day,
since he will be killed in the castle at
night. [reversal of natural order]

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Important quotes:
• “Yet I do fear thy nature. It is too full of the milk of human kindness.”- LM about M.
• “Unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the…” – LM calling on evil forces to help
her to guide M. [ goof vs evil/ destruction of natural order/ ambition]
• “Your face, my Thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters.”- LM telling
him to hide his true feelings [appearance vs reality]
• “Only look up clear. To altar favor ever is to fear.” -LM is telling M to change the
expression on his face coz it could be interpreted as fear. [appearance vs reality]
• “My dearest partner of greatness” – LMB and MB shares a loving relationship in which
they can share secrets and confide in each other.

[ Act 1 scene 6: ]
Setting: Characters:
Inverness. - Outside. Duncan:
Fatal flaw = Too trusting.
Themes:
Good vs evil: Rewards those loyal to him
KD awarded M + he plans to do more Cousin of M.
which justifies KD’s goodness + fairness
as a king, while LM + M is plotting evil. Trusts M= good relationship.

LM echoes the witches. Malcolm:

Donalbain:
LM welcomes Duncan but is planning his
Banquo:
murder.
Macduff:
Duncan is good and LMB is evil Ross+ Angus:
Appearance vs reality/ equivocation: Lady Macbeth:
Appears to be loyal.
Castle looks pleasant+ peaceful, but
inside M + LM acts the gracious hostess
to hide her betrayal + limit suspicions.
Figures of speech:
• Simile
LM doesn’t feel any loyalty towards KD • L23-24: “And his great love sharp as a
even if she says so. (She says what she is spur.”
supposed to feel but in reality, she does • M’s love for LM is compared to a
not) horse that runs very fast to reach
its destination. He has hurried home to
Kingship vs tyranny: see his wife/ plan KD’s murder.
Duncan is fair+ kind, giving- thanks LM
for hospitality
Summary:
• KD and his followers arrive outside
Important quotes: Macbeth’s castle.
• “This castle hath a pleasant seat”-
• Banquo+ Duncan talks about the
KD.
beauty and serenity of the scene.
• “And his great love sharp as his spur.”
• LM comes to greet them and acts as
-KD.
the perfect hostess.

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•

Irony:
• Line 14-20: LM’s language is formal to show her loyalty and obedience towards the
king, but she is not sincere.
• Line 25-28: D could inspect the castle and find it in order- suggests everything is fine
and there is no need to fear, but his murder was plotted in one of the rooms.
• Line 1: [dramatic] D does not know how misleading this atmosphere is and that, behind
the walls, his host+ hostess is planning his murder. Ironic that KD finds the setting
peaceful.
• Line 10-31: KD is totally unsuspecting of the cruel hypocrisy. LM’s welcoming speech.
What she says she feels is what she should feel, but she does not.

[ Act 1 scene 7: ]
Setting: Characters:
Inverness- inside. Butler and servants:
Macbeth:
Themes: • Ambitious. [fatal flaw]
Appearance vs reality: • Inner conflict+ lacks courage.
“False face… false heart.”- M must • Brave outside+ coward inside.
pretend to enjoy the feast while hiding • Indecisive.
his true feelings. • Afraid of going to hell.
Good vs evil: • Worries about soul.
• M decides not to proceed. • He wants to impress LMB so he
• LM manipulates him [negative willingly agrees to the plan despite his
influence]. morals.
• Calls him unmanly.
Lady Macbeth:
Ambition. • Ruthless + cunning. + confident
• Remains MB’s fatal flaw • Cruel+ manipulative. – calls MB a
• Wants to become king but is too coward
pleased with his new title • Go-getter, - woman/man of her
• Does not have enough courage to word
stand up to his wife • Ambitious.
• Admired by MB
Kingship vs tyranny:
• Tyrant = someone who only cares for
Irony:
himself, and will go against the rules to Line 15-16: as a host your guest’s safety
achieve what he wants – MB should be the most important goal. It
• King = looks after his subjects and is a would be completely wrong to betray his
good and kind king, rewards those loyal trust. LM does betray the trust.
to him – D
Important notes:
• “I have no spur to prick the sides of
my intent but only vaulting ambition.” –
[ambition/ fatal flaw].

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Figures of speech:
Metaphor Summary:
• L6: “But here upon this bank and shoal • Duncan and noblemen at feast.
of time.” • M leaves the feast and is thinking
• M compares his life to a sand bank in about what he should do.
ocean of eternity. • LM persuades him to carry out the
murder.
Metaphor
• L10: “the even-handed justice”
• Justice is compared to a woman
holding a scale

Simile
• L18-19: “that his virtues will plead like
angels…”
• KD’s good virtues will cry out like
angels against murder.
• “But screw your courage to the
sticking place and we’ll not fail.’- LM is
ruthless.
• “Bring forth men children only.” -M
about LM.
• “False face must hide what the false
heart doth know.” M [appearance vs
reality]

[ Act 2 scene 1: ]
counselled!”- Banquo staying loyal to
Setting: Duncan+ having clear conscience.
Inverness- courtyard. (After dinner) • “I think not of them!”- M lying to B
about witches’ prophecies.
Summary: • “Words to the heat of deeds too cold
• Banquo+ Fleance comment on dark night.
breath gives!” – M murder Duncan
• Surprised to find M still awake.
before his confidence to act cools.
• Banquo+ M talk about prophecies.
• M lies to Banquo to test his loyalty.
Themes:
• Banquo sticks to honesty.
Natural vs supernatural and good vs
• The sergeant exits to tell LM to ring
evil
bell this is the sign that the scene for • Preparing to murder the king.
the murder is set. • Unlike M, B does not give in to the
• M hallucinates about dagger. witches’ prophecies, yet he senses
something is amiss.
Important quotes: Hosting:
• “Is this a dagger which I see before A guest raping the hostess (Tarquin) or
me, the handle toward my hand?”- a host murdering a guest (MB) are both
soliloquy guilty conscience. foul crimes against hospitality. Hosts
• “… but still keep my bosom franchised should protect their guests
and allegiance clear, I shall be

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

Good vs evil: Figures of speech:

• M’s actions in this scene proves Metaphor
conflict between what is good and evil. • L4: “There’s husbandly in heaven. Their
M is moving away from goodness when candles are all out.”
having these murderous thoughts. • Heaven seems to be saving its energy
• B is not associated with any evil or tonight, the stars are compared to
violence candles
• “Hold take my sword.”
simile+ pun
Equivocation: • “A heavy summons lies like lead upon
“who’s there?” “A friend” MB says he is a
me.”
friend but in reality, he is a
• Summons = calling someone
murderer/enemy
• Lead = his tiredness is compared to
Deception/good vs. evil/destruction of being as heavy as lead
natural order Irony
Duncan is at peace unknowing of the evil • “I think not of them”
being plotted against him • MB says he does not think about the
prophecies, yet it is all that he thinks
Characters: about
Banquo:
• Loyal to KD. Soliloquy
• No violence, does not give into • L32: “Is this a dagger which I see
temptation before me?”
• determined to keep his conscience • MB’s thoughts before he kills KD, he is
clear troubled by a guilty conscience thus he
started to hallucinate. He sees a
Fleance: dagger floating in the air
12-14 years old

Macbeth: Irony:
• Lies to B, showing how corrupted he • Line 14: KD gives LM a diamond to
has become thank her for being a good hostess,
• Tries to justify his guilty conscience yet she is the one who put murderous
• Overwrought and hallucinates. (Dagger thoughts in M’s mind.
resembles the one he must use to kill • Line 16: unlike M+LM KD is at peace. He
D) feels secure even though he should
• Plans murder. (Takes hallucination as a not.
sign to go through with murder) • Line 20: witches have in fact been the
• Becomes the embodiment of murder only thing on his mind.
• Paradox line 49: dreams are supposed
to be peaceful, but wicked dreams
actually refer to nightmares.

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

[ Act 2 scene 2: ]
Setting: Figures of speech:
Inside the castle of inverness. A Metaphor
• L3: “Owl.”
chamber inside M’s castle.
• Owls are thought to be birds of ill
omen+ is compared to the official who
Themes:
rings the bell outside the cells of
Guilt:
• M feels guilty about killing KD. prisoners condemned to death.
• Hallucinates about hands plucking out Personification
his eyes. • L7-8:
• Death+ life is struggling to decide
Sleep [innocence] and good vs evil whether attendants live or die.
• “M does murder sleep.”
• MB has killed his innocence by killing D Metaphor
• Not being able to sleep = guilty • L27: “hangman’s hands”
conscience • after people were hanged for treason,
they had to be disemboweled resulting
Equivocation and Appearance vs reality in bloody hands. Macbeth is the
Lie about murder. They put on pj’s to
murderer.
appear as if they have been sleeping,
they must appear innocent Metaphor
• L38-40: “sleep.”
Characters: • M no longer deserves to sleep. Sleep is
Lady Macbeth: also compared to death.
• Anxious+ does not trust M to
complete the deed.
Personification
• L47:
• Only sign of weakness- D resembled
• Blood is personified as a person who
her father.
can tell people of M’s crime.
• Takes control after M starts falling
apart. Simile
• Ruthless, unfazed by blood • L53-54: “sleeping and the dead are but
• On edge+ drinking to have courage as pictures.”
• MB failed the plan, she takes action • LM accuses disemboweled M of being a
coward when he didn’t want to take
Macbeth: the daggers back.
• Regrets deed, ill ridden
• Hears voices+ has hallucinations- guilty Hyperbole
conscience. • “Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash
• Starts falling apart, feels guilty, this blood clean from my hand?”
unstable • his bloody hands will rather color the
• Feels isolated from God, feels as if he whole sea red.
cannot be reached by God’s mercy
• Failed to stick to the plan, he took the
daggers with him
• He realizes the deed was vile and evil
• No longer a brave and loyal soldier,
now identifies as a murderer
• MB has doomed himself

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

Summary:
Irony: • LM is waiting for M to return after
• Line 12+13: this is LM’s only sign of murdering Duncan.
weakness so far. The powers of evil • She would have done it herself if he
could not get her to kill the King coz he hadn’t looked so much like her father.
resembled her father. • M returns with blood on his hands and
• Antithesis Line 47: refers to the blood the daggers of the guards which was
on M’s hands. This is evidence of his not part of the plan.
act of killing. • He is appalled that he couldn’t pray.
• Line 68-69: M feels so guilty that not • LM takes daggers back- M refuses.
even oceans of water will clear the • Loud knocking is heard.
deed of his mind. • LM tells M to wash the blood from his
hands.
Important quotes: • M wishes KD were still alive.
• “This is a sorry sight.”- regrets killing
KD.
• “I could not say ‘Amen’.” -M doesn’t
deserve mercy for his treacherous
deed. He is outside of the reach of
God’s grace.
• “You do unbend your noble strength…”
-LM thinks M is a coward.
• “Infirm of purpose.”- she takes
control.
• “I shame to wear a heart so white.”-
LM is ruthless.

[ Act 2 scene 3: ]
Setting: Themes:
Inverness, Entry of M’s castle. Natural vs supernatural/chain of being
KD’s death was a crack in God’s nature.
Important quotes: Weird winds etc. mature protested
• “Had I but died an hour before this against the murder.
chance, I had lived a blessed time.”
Dramatic irony.
Appearance vs reality:
• LM knows KD was murdered. M knows
• “The spring, the head, the fountain of
what is the matter. LM appears
your blood is stopped.”- pun+
gentle, but she planned the murder of
euphemism for death of Duncan.
KD.
• “In the great hand of God, I stand.” –
• People’s smiles cannot be trusted
Banquo.
• “Where we are there’s daggers in Deception:
men’s smiles, the near in blood, the • MB must appear sincere, must hide
nearer bloody.” – metaphor guilty conscience
• Links with MB’s words – “false face
must hide what the false heart doth
know”

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

Clothing image: Figures of speech:

It looks like Duncan was covered with a Metaphor and allusion
rich garment • L65-66:” With a new Gorgon”
• In Greek Mythology, the Gorgon
Equivocation:
He’s lying, he says he loved KD, that’s why Medusa (snakes for hair) turns every
he killed the guards, but in reality, he man who looks at her into stone.
wanted to make them look guilty Duncan’s body has the same effect, it
shocks people into standing still.
Characters: Metaphor
Porter: • L70: “and look on death itself”
• Comic relief. • Sleep is compared to death; sleep is a
• Porter of hell’s gates. counterfeit of death.
• Drunk and talkative
Metaphor and allusion
Macduff: • L72: “The great doom’s image”
• Good. • They will see a sight like a picture of
• In a state of panic as he discovered the Last Judgement when ghost will
Duncan’s murder rise from their graves. The sight of a
• Places himself in the position of God dead Duncan is compared to that of
Lennox: which will happen to Christians on the
Nature disturbed mirrors society. Last Judgement Day, when Christians
will rise from the dead
Macbeth:
• Equivocator. Simile
• Has gone beyond the plan, killed the • L73-74: “As from your graves rise up,
guards (he admits he killed the guards and walk like sprites, to countenance
out of love for Duncan – lies) this horror”
• Links with note on the last Judgement
Lady Macbeth:
• Acts as if she knows nothing Irony:
(equivocator) • Line 1: Porter doesn’t know he is
• Faints: 1. Shocked by MB going beyond speaking truth.
the plan • Dramatic irony: “but this place is too
2. Tries to cover their tracks cold for hell.”- Inverness is hell- KD
3. Tries to draw all the attention has been murdered here.
away from MB • Irony+ inner conflict: “twas a rough
Banquo: night.”- inner conflict he is the reason
• Good. for his own restlessness.
• Remains loyal to D • Line 36: we know he has not been
sleeping at all.
Donalbain: • Antithesis line 77-80: LM is seen as
Ireland.
gentle but planned the murder, she is
not weak.

Malcolm:
England.

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023

Summary:
• The drunken+ talkative porter is called to open the gates of Inverness.
• Macduff+ Lennox have come to wake Duncan.
• M takes them to Duncan’s room.
• Macduff discovers the murder- everyone is shocked.
• LM faints when she hears M did not stick to the plan+ killed the guards too.
• The Thanes decides to get dressed+ meet in the hall.
• Donalbain flees to Ireland.
• Malcolm to England.

[ Act 2 scene 4: ]
Setting: Figures of speech:
Outside Inverness. MB’s castle Metaphor+ personification
• L7: “By the clock ‘tis day, and yet dark
Themes: night strangles the travelling lamp.”
Reversal of natural order: • Metaphor: Sun is compared to a lamp;
• Nature retaliated against Duncan’s Darkness is closing in on the land like a
murder. Strange things happened. tomb would enclose a person
• Things that normally would be • Personification: The night is given the
impossible is now possible like an owl ability to strangle
hunting a falcon, Duncan’s horses
returning to their wild state
Metaphor
• L38: “Lest our old robes sit easier
• What happens in society is mirrored in
than our new”
nature.
• Duncan was a better king, than MB will
Kingship vs Tyranny/reversal of ever be. Previous times under KD
might have been better than the new
values/overthrown or destruction of role under M.
natural order
M’s killing KD makes him a tyrant. Irony/contrast
Clothing image A king is chosen by God and yet MB has
MB is not fit to be king now become king through deceit and lies

Characters: Important quotes:

Old man: • “A falcon towering in her pride of
place, was by a mousing owl hawked at
Ross:
and killed.”- overthrow of natural
Macduff:
• Doesn’t go to Scone for coronation, order.
goes home to Fife • “Lest our old robes sit easier than our
• Does not support MB, suspects him of new!”- time spent under Duncan’s rule
the murder was easier than the future under M.
• He shows his opposition to M.

Macbeth
Will be crowned king

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 Danelle Hamman Macbeth 13 April 2023
•

Summary:
• Ross and old man discuss strange event of previous night.
• Hawk/ owl; horses; day is dark.
• Macduff reports Malcolm+ Donalbain fled- they have been blamed for the murder.
• Macduff was not convinced they did it.
• M is to succeed Duncan.
• On the way to Scone to be crowned.
• Macduff will not attend coronation.
• Duncan was buried in Colme kill.

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