Macbeth

Question 1

Key points for ambition

Answer 1

1 - Beginning, M’s morals are stronger than his ambition.
2 - Beginning, LM’s ambition is at its strongest
3 - Middle - Macbeth’s ambition spirals out of control, leading him to commit more murder with ease as his conscience is destroyed by his insatiable ambition.
4 - Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambition leads to their downfalls. They both realise too late that their ambition has brought them no joy.

Question 2

Key points for power

Answer 2

1 - Malcolm and Duncan’s reigns are presented as rightful. Malcolm acts as a foil for Macbeth
2 - Macbeth’s reign of power is presented as illegitimate, suggesting that by defying the Great Chain of Being, power becomes meaningless
3 - Power in the wrong hands is presented as ultimately destructive to the country

Question 3

Key points for loyalty

Answer 3

1 - Loyalty has the potential to be manipulated and betrayed for personal desires, demonstrated through the characters of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.
2 - Misplaced loyalty can be fatal, represented through Banquo’s loyalty in Macbeth, as well as Macbeth’s loyalty in the witches.
3 - Complex nature of loyalty and betrayal, suggesting that at some points that the betrayal of a king can also act as a demonstration of loyalty to a country.

Question 4

Key points for gender

Answer 4

1 - Lady Macbeth transcends gender boundaries within the play. She feels that her gender holds her back. (Later wishes for her feminity back)
2 - Macbeth battles between fear and masculinity, allowing LM to manipulate him. Macbeth’s masculinity is a source of insecurity. Masculinity associated with violence.
3 - Positive image of masculinity associated with honour. Originally, Macbeth’s masculinity is honourable. Malcolm and Macduff.

Question 5

Key points for fate/free-will

Answer 5

1 - At the beginning, Macbeth seems to allow fate to run its course
2 - Shakespeare uses the witches to act as a symbol of fate. The witches never force Macbeth into acting, although they do play on his hamartia. Contrast between Banquo and Macbeth represents how Macbeth’s free will is really what causes him to commit regicide