Explain the purpose for Act 1 Scene 1
- A famous scene
- Elizabethans are extremely superstitious so the scene is quite scary
- Sets the stage for Macbeth
- Overall purpose: establishes the setting, establishes a great deal of suspense, and introduces the main character
Meaning of “in thunder, lightning, or in rain”
- A metaphor
- the witches can see the future, the witches have some understanding of the past to the future, and they know when the battle is done
- Reference to them having an understanding of the future that they know when it is going to thunder, lightning, and rain
- Witches know where Macbeth is going to be and what time
Meaning of “fair is foul, and foul is fair”
the reference at the end sets the end of the play where things that were once good will be bad → foreshadows events of the play where things that were good will be evil and things that were evil will be fair
When is the war over?
As of Act 1, Scene 2
What kind of war was it?
Civil war where someone tries to overthrow the King –> King of Norway wanted to do this
Why did Macbeth get Thane of Cawdor title?
- Scotland fended off the enemies because of Macbeth and Banquo. → only reason they win war
- Duncan is happy and captures the thane of cawdor and kills him off to give the thane’s title to Macbeth
- Battle over, Macbeth gets thaneship as he was such a noble person in the fight
Why is Act 1, Scene 2 here?
- Shakespeare has to establish Macbeth’s role and establish Macbeth’s character and without this his decline is meaningless, he is loyal and reason that the war was won → #1 function
- We need this scene to understand his decline
- It also provides a lot of background information on how the war ended and what happened
What procephies did Banquo get?
he will be lesser than Macbeth but greater, he will be not as happy as Macbeth but happier, and that his sons will become kings, even though he will not.
Why do the wicthes tell Macbeth about the prophecy of Thane of Glamis?
Macbeth is not shocked about this because he already knows this, the witches tell him this to entrap him by telling him what is already true → the more likely to believe the next thing, by knowing that he is thane of cawdor and glamis by doing nothing but being himself, he believes that he will be king
What figurative language is in Act 1, Scene 3 where he receives prophecies?
Decent amount of dramatic irony as we know he will be Thane of Cawdor
Why does Macbeth heart start to pound and what does this reinforce?
- Macbeth contemplates the events if it’s good or not saying that witches cannot be good and if they are so bad why have they given him so many good he questions, his heart starts to pound and starts the picture and think that King Duncan will die and makes him shake a lot → reinforces that Macbeth is loyal and has a little human nature to himself as he questions it
What is Malcolm’s position and what is he named?
- Malcolm is king’s son and heir to the throne
- Malcom is named successor
What does Macbeth comment on not being upset about King Duncan dying and what does this show?
Macbeth wouldn’t be upset about King Duncan dying and that if his hands did it or someone else’s he wouldn’t look at → you see his decline here
Why does everyone go to Macbeth’s castle and what does this do to the play?
Everyone is going to go to Macbeth’s castle to celebrate the war and Malcolm’s success → advances plot
What language is the letter written in and what does this show about Lady Macbeth’s character?
Lady Macbeth is reading a letter but it is in prose → her character is highly intelligent and dual-faced
What does the letter contain and what does this show about their relationship?
- Showing a trusting and open relationship
- The letter says that Macbeth is telling her of the prophecies not what he is going to do (does not suggest killing the king)
- The letter announces Macbeth’s promotion to the thaneship of Cawdor and details his meeting with the witches.
What is Lady Macbeth’s response to Macbeth’s letter?
- She says that Macbeth is too nice, implying that she is more evil and less kind
- She states that it is great that he has ambition but its not good enough if he doesn’t have the illness → not having the guts to do it or be immoral
- She says that he wouldn’t want to cheat himself but he wouldn’t complain if he won
- Line 25: she wants to influence him by using her words to convince him to kill Duncan
What unthinkable action did Shakespeare add and how did it affect the audience?
Suggests the unthinkable as by killing the king in Shakespeare’s time is very risky as it shows society the suggestion of killing the king, got people excited about this craziness
Why is Lady Macbeth seen as evil but understanding in her soliloquy before the King arrives?
- Shakespere is showing the effect of oppression as Lady Macbeth can’t show her strength to be a lady thane
- It shows that when women are oppressed, it shows how women can’t be as equal as man
- The only way she can find power is through this murder and convincing Macbeth to do it
How does Lady Macbeth greet Duncan and what does it reinforce?
- Lady Macbeth greets Duncan in a very lovely tone ← reinforcing that she is two-faced and deceptive nature of a personality
- Misleads us about her character
What figuartive language is in Act 1, Scene 6 when the King arrives and what does it show about his charcater?
Duncan comes and says that it smells great here at the castle and he is excited to be here ← dramatic irony as he is going to be killed
Shows that Duncan is oblivious
What reasons did Macbeth consider (4)?
- First reason: those who do bad things might have bad things come upon them, he is scared of karma
- The second reason: he is hearing double trust, he feels that he needs to protect him as his host and his loyal soldier
- Last reason: “I have no spur…” most important, he has no reason to kill the king, only his desire which is not enough
- Third reason: Duncan is a good king and a good person and if he was killed everyone would be sad as no one wants him gone
What does Macbeth conclude at the part scene and how does Lady Macbeth change his mind?
- It is the party scene and Macbeth has decided that he will think about the murder and concludes that he will not murder him
- Lady Macbeth convinces him to go through with it by mainly manipulating his manhood
- She tells him that she would take their baby off her breast and crushed its skull if she said that she would do so
- Tells him to be a man and Macbeth begins to admire her stern confidence to go through with the murder
What is the plan of the murder?
They are going to get the guards drunk and stab the king with the servant’s weapons
