Big ideas and themes

GuiltCan you ignore guilt?What happens if you try to?

Appearance vs. RealityHow can we tell our friends from our

enemies?How can we tell if someone can be trusted?Blurred distinctions – good/evil ||

male/female

ParadoxSomething that is made up of two opposite

things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible.○ Icy Hot○ A love-hate relationship○ In the play: “Not as happy as Macbeth, but

much happier”

Ambiguity open to more than one

interpretation; having a double meaning.

many statements are ambiguous, especially things said to Macbeth by the witches

For example, King Croesus of Lydia asked the oracle if he should attack Cyrus the Great of Persia. The oracle responded that such an attack would destroy a great empire. Croesus attacked, expecting victory.

However, his own forces were overwhelmed, and it was the Lydian empire of Croesus that was destroyed.

Term: “Thane” “Lord” or “Duke.” Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis.

Trajedy1. The main character is someone important2. who makes a major mistake (or mistakes)3. and causes disaster for many people.

Introduction

Many people think Macbeth was written in 1606, after the Gunpowder Plot – a failed assassination attempt aimed at killing King James.

More evidence for this?James was very interested in witchcraft. He

even wrote a book about it.Many think that witches were included in this

play so James would enjoy it.

But I don’t think so… I think Edward de

Vere was the real Shakespeare.

I think he wrote Macbeth about his part in killing a monarch – and feeling guilty about that. De Vere was one of 45

jurors who condemned Mary, Queen of Scots, to death in October 1587.

Interesting information about Macbeth There was a real

Macbeth, and he was King of Scotland from 1040-1057.

Actually, most of the characters were real people.

A lot of the play is historically inaccurate.The real Duncan was

young when he was killed, and he wasn’t a particularly great king.

Macbeth didn’t kill Duncan alone. Banquo actually helped him kill King Duncan…

Bad luck?

Many actors and other theater people consider it bad luck to mention Macbeth by name while inside a theatre.

To get around it, they refer to it indirectly as “the Scottish play, or “MacB,” or when referring to the character and not the play, “Mr. M.”

Act I, Scene 1

Three witches gather and say that they’ll meet with Macbeth before sunset and after a terrible battle that has been fought nearby.

Remember: “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”

Act I, Scene 2

The scene is set on a battlefield.

Macbeth’s army has been fighting the army of the traitor Macdonwald.

The King, Duncan, asks a brave soldier to comment on the course of the battle.

Act I, Scene 2, cont.

The Sergeant says that… The battle was evenly matched – with the

“whore” Fortune smiling temporarily on Macdonwald…

until Macbeth “brandished his steel, which smoked with bloody execution.” Macbeth carved his way through Macdonwald’s men until “he came face-to-face with the slave (Macdonwald)...”

…at which point Macbeth “unseamed him (Macdonwald) from the nave to the chops and stuck his head upon the battlements.”

Act I, Scene 2, cont.

Macdonwald’s men run – “trusting their heels.”

The King of Norway fights on the side of Macdonwald.

Norway hopes that a successful uprising by the traitor will allow Norway to gain political power in Scotland.

At this point, Norway sends his fresh forces onto the field to fight Macbeth and Banquo’s tired and battle-worn men.

The Sergeant sarcastically replies: “Yes. Like the sparrow dismays the eagle or the rabbit dismays the lion.”

Act I, Scene 2, cont.

Macbeth’s men defeat Norway’s army and then march to Fife, where Norway is working with another traitor, the Thane of Cawdor.

Remember: “Thane” = “Lord” or “Duke”

Macbeth wins this fight, too.

The King orders that the traitor Cawdor be executed and that Macbeth be named the new Thane of Cawdor.

Act I, Scene 3

Macbeth and Banquo ride from the battlefield.

Macbeth observes: “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”

Where have we heard this before?Macbeth’s first words echo those of the

witches…

Macbeth and Banquo happen across the three weird sisters, who greet Macbeth:“Hail, Thane of

Glamis.”“Hail, Thane of

Cawdor.”“Hail, he that shalt be

king hereafter.”

Act I, Scene 3, cont.

The greeting makes Macbeth think.

He already is Thane of Glamis (that was his father’s title, and he inherited it).

Macbeth knows, though, that he cannot be Thane of Cawdor. “The Thane of Cawdor yet lives…”

Macbeth wonders…

“Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” Macbeth asks.

Macbeth is even more flabbergasted (i.e. bamboozled, hoodwinked) at the witches’ suggestion that he could be king.

Act I, Scene 3, cont. While Macbeth thinks through the

witches’ greeting, Banquo asks them about himself.

About Banquo the witches say“You are lesser than Macbeth, but greater.”“You are not so happy as Macbeth, but

happier.”“You are not a king, but you will father

kings.”

Yeah… that’s totally clear…

Act I, Scene 3, cont.

Ross and Lennox arrive and greet Macbeth as “Thane of Cawdor.”

They tell him that Duncan has promoted him as a way of thanking him, and Duncan wants to meet with Macbeth and Banquo personally.

Banquo: “Can the devil speak true?”

Banquo suggests that all of what the witches said must be true.

Also, Banquo knows the witches are evil.

Act I, Scene 3, cont.

Macbeth ponders this and wonders whether the witches are good or evil.

“This… cannot be ill, cannot be good.”

It can’t be false (ill) since part of it has come true already.

It can’t be good since it’ll take Duncan’s death (by murder?) for me to become king.

• The King says to Macbeth that there is no way he can fully repay him.

• Duncan then announces that he has an important announcement about who will inherit his throne.

• Could it be?......

Act I, Scene 4

D’oh! Malcolm has been named Prince of

Cumberland (next in line to the throne)!

Why would Macbeth have any hopes that he would be elevated ahead of the King’s own son? Duh!Losing.

What is Macbeth’s reaction to this announcement?

Important: In this scene, Duncan says …

“There is no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He [the executed Thane of Cawdor] was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.”

In other words, I can’t trust my eyes.He seemed trustworthy, but he wasn’t.Fair is foul? Foul is fair?Appearance vs. reality

Themes Established thus far in Macbeth

“Fair vs. Foul” “Borrowed robes” One cannot read a man’s mind in his

face.Our outward appearance does not reveal

our inward thoughts/plans.

Act I, Scene 5

Lady Macbeth reads a letter sent by her husband about what the witches have predicted.

He tells his wife that he’s invited Duncan to their castle as a guest.

She begins to formulate her plan to assassinate Duncan.

Act I, Scene 5, cont.

Lady Macbeth asks “spirits that tend on mortal thoughts” to unsex her. She continues, saying: “Come to my woman’s breasts and take my milk for gall.”Um… weird.Blurred distinctions.She wants to do away with things that make her

a woman, like making milk and not killing people in cold blood.

She reveals her intentions to her husband.

Macbeth dismisses her ideas immediately.

Lady Macbeth gets him to reconsider.Treachery is the quick-and-easy way to become

king.

She warns him that his appearance can reveal the reality if he’s not careful.“Look like the innocent flower,” she says, “But

be the serpent under it.”

Act I, Scene 6 Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle

(Inverness) and comments on its pleasantness and “good vibes.”

Dramatic Irony happens when the audience knows more about what is going on in a drama/comedy than one or more of the characters know.• Dramatic irony is a staple of horror movies.

We – the audience – know that the psycho-killer is hiding with his machete when the cute girl and her obnoxious boyfriend are about to make out.

Two-faced Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan affectionately, hiding her real intentions.

Act I, Scene 7 Macbeth’s first soliloquy: “If it were done

when it is done, then it is better it were done quickly.”

i.e., If I could guarantee no further problems after the murder, and the whole thing is done, then it would be best to kill Duncan and kill him quickly.

He is here in double-proof, Macbeth says, reminding us that Duncan is not just Macbeth’s sovereign, but his cousin as well.

Macbeth also comments that as Duncan’s host he “should lock the door against any murderer” not bear the knife himself.

On top of that, Duncan has been a good and benevolent king, not worthy of any treachery against him.

Macbeth decides that he and his wife will make no more plots against Duncan: “We will proceed no further in this business.”

She calls him a wuss. “When you dared to do the deed, then you were a man… now that [our opportunity] has presented itself… you [are] impotent.”

She also reminds Macbeth that had she promised so, she would “dash the brains out” of a baby even in the act of nursing the infant.

Act 2, Scene 1

Banquo tells Macbeth he dreamed about the witches.

Macbeth’s second soliloquy: “Is this a dagger I see before me, The handle toward my hand?” He’s hallucinating. Goin’ crazy…?

Act 2, Scene 2

Macbeth murders the King.

Lady Macbeth says she would have done the deed herself… except Duncan looked so much like her father… sure.

Macbeth botches the job. He returns to his chamber bloody and with the murder weapons, which he was supposed to plant on the guards.

Lady Macbeth, after calling her husband a “weak-willed creature,” plants the dagger and returns… now just as bloody as her husband.

Remember:1. “Macbeth has murdered sleep.”2. “Can all great Neptune’s ocean wash this

blood from off my hand?”

Act 2, Scene 3

In most of his tragedies, Shakespeare balances scenes of intense drama or action with lighter scenes – which often contain crude, offensive humor.

Macbeth is no different. Act 2, scene 3 immediately follows Duncan’s murder.

This scene is commonly called the “porter” scene.

The persistent knocking of Macduff and Lennox wakens the castle’s porter, who shuffles toward the gate – still a little drunk from the night before – to admit the knocker.

Why does the porter take so long to open the gate?

Act 2, Scene 3, cont.

Macduff and Lennox have come to meet Duncan and leave with him from Inverness (the castle).

Macbeth – who has “just awakened” – tells Macduff to go ahead and get Duncan. Macduff, of course, comes back screaming the news that the King’s been murdered.

Macbeth admits that he killed the King’s obviously guilty guardshe says he could not restrain his anger at

their treachery.

Macduff’s reaction to this news?

Macduff tells Lady Macbeth that the details of the murder scene are so terrible that “the reciting of [them] in a woman’s ear would kill her as she heard [them].”

Um… no. She planned it. Dramatic irony & appearance vs. reality

Macolm and Donalbain – the King’s sons – agree to leave Scotland.

Act 2, Scene 4

An Old Man and Ross (a thane loyal to Duncan) talk of the strange occurrences of the night before.

Often in drama/literature, events in the setting mirror events between people.A murder story: “It was a dark and stormy

night…”

Besides the night’s storminess, the sun was dark, and Duncan’s beautiful and well-bred horses killed each other and became cannibals.Uh… that’s weird.

Macduff and Ross seem to agree that Malcolm and Donalbain’s quick departure from Scotland makes them look guilty.

Macbeth is in Scone for his coronation.

Macduff makes it clear that he has no intention of attending.Hmmm… Maybe he doesn’t like the idea of

Macbeth becoming king…

Act 3, Scene 1

Macbeth invites Banquo to be the guest of honor at a feast. Banquo says he will attend – he has been ordered to, after all, but that he’ll be a few minutes late. He wants to go riding with his son, Fleance.

Macbeth’s 3rd soliloquy: “To be king is nothing but to be safely king…

My immortal soul I have given to the devil to make the children of Banquo kings!”

By convincing some murderers that Banquo is the cause of their misfortunes, Macbeth persuades them to assassinate Banquo and Fleance in the evening as they return to the castle for the feast.

Act 3, Scene 2

Like her husband does, Lady Macbeth says (to herself) that “We gain nothing and sacrifice everything when we get what we want without achieving happiness.”

Lady Macbeth notices that her husband is upset and preoccupied.

She assumes that he is still distracted by Duncan’s murder.

He tells her that he has something awful planned – but he will not reveal any other details of his plan to murder Banquo.

Act 3, Scene 3

Banquo’s murder.

Fleance?

Who is the third murderer? Macbeth?Then why don’t the other two assassins

recognize him?Could it be that he’s in disguise? Maybe

he’s disguised (i.e. wearing “borrowed robes”) so that the other two guys don’t recognize him?

Is he another guy like them who is just sent as insurance?Why send two murderers when you can

send three?

Act 3, Scene 4

The banquet. Macbeth “worries” that Banquo is late.

The first murderer delivers the news that Banquo is dead, but Fleance is escaped. Why does Macbeth act like he isn’t aware of this?

Banquo’s ghost appears. Macbeth starts screaming at what all the

others see as an empty chair. Lady Macbeth tells them to pay no mind

to Macbeth’s disturbing behavior.“He has been like this since boyhood, “ she

says.

Act 3, Scene 5

The “chief of the witches,” Hecate, acknowledges that they (the witches) have a firm grasp on Macbeth.

But she’s not all that impressed, as he is only acting selfishly. It’s not like he’s worshipping evil.

His sin is bad, but his motivation is what matters more to her.

Act 3, Scene 6

Lennox (who is loyal to Duncan – not Macbeth) makes sarcastic remarks about Macbeth to another person.

“Banquo shouldn’t have been out riding late, by himself, alone. He got what he deserved.”

Lennox reveals that Macduff has gone to England to join forces with Malcolm and various English noblemen (with the blessing of England’s king, Edward) to raise an army against Macbeth.

Why would Edward, King of England, care about what happens in Scotland?

Well… why do we care about what happens in Mexico?

We’ve heard three soliloquies from Macbeth up to this point in the play. Remember: a soliloquy is a long speech

that a character delivers aloud and which no other character overhears.

The purpose of a soliloquy is to reveal a character’s inner thoughts to the audience.

In movies, soliloquies are done using a “voice over,” where we hear a character’s voice, but see that he or she is not speaking.

Soliloquies are usually referred to by their first lines.

I, vi, 1-28: “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly.”

II, I, 33- 63: “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”

III, 1, 48-72: “To be thus [king] is nothing, but to be safely thus…”

Act 4, Scene 1

Macbeth returns to the witches and demands more information.

They agree to reveal to him three apparitions

The Three Apparitions:1. A helmeted head. This apparition warns:

“Beware Macduff; beware the Thane of Fife.”

2. A bloody baby. The second illusion delivers this warning: “Macbeth cannot be harmed by any man born of woman.”

3. A crowned child holding the branch of a tree. This third apparition promises that “Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood (a forest near his castle) comes to Dunsinane hill (the hill on which Macbeth’s castle is built).”

Act 4, Scene 2

Lady Macduff wonders why her husband has abandoned her and gone so hastily to England.

She observes that “even when our actions are not traitorous, our fear can make us look like traitors (lines 3-4).”

Regardless of her husband’s true intent, Lady Macduff tells her friend Ross that he has betrayed her and his children… and that he may, in fact be a coward.

Lady Macduff and all of her children are brutally murdered in their undefended castle by Macbeth’s henchmen.

Act 4, Scene 3

Macduff meets with Malcolm in England.

Malcolm confides in Macduff that he (Malcolm) is lustful and greedy.

Malcolm wonders if Macduff could support his right to the throne knowing that his evils would make Macbeth look “white as snow” and “innocent as a lamb.”

At first, Macduff reassures Malcolm, suggesting that no one can be as evil as Macbeth has been.

Soon, though, Macduff admits that not only is Malcolm not fit to be king, he’s not fit to live.

Malcolm confesses that he was only testing Macduff’s loyalty.

Malcolm is pleased that Macduff has shown that he wants what is best for Scotland – he does not just want to get rid of Macbeth.

If Macduff wanted Malcolm to come back no matter how evil Malcolm was (even if he’s worse than Macbeth), it’s probably a trap to kill Malcolm.

Malcolm says Macbeth has already tried this trick.

Here’s the point: Malcolm doesn’t just trust people (like his father Duncan did).

Ross comes in with some bad news for Macduff.

It has to be very difficult to tell someone that his whole family has been murdered.

So Ross misleads Macduff at first with equivocal wording.

When they learn about the deaths of Macduff’s family, Malcolm urges him to let this fuel his rage – sort of like inspiration to go kill Macbeth.

But Macduff says he can’t do that immediately.

First, he has to grieve it, because he really is sad.Compare this to Macbeth in the future…

Act 5, Scene 1

Lady Macbeth’s maid has summoned a doctor to try to cure Lady Macbeth of sleepwalking.

The doctor says that Lady Macbeth’s seeming wakefulness while being absolutely unaware of anything happening around her is unnatural.

Duh. (Remember: “Macbeth has murdered

sleep” – II, ii, 35).

Lady Macbeth mentions the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s family.

This is while she scrubs her hands, trying to wash away imaginary blood that her guilt causes her to see.

“Out, damned spot!”( V, i, 27).

This reminds us of what Macbeth says in Act II

Can all great Neptune’s ocean wash [Duncan’s blood] from my hands?” (ii, 58-9).

Lady Macbeth replied then that “A little water will clear us of this deed.” (II, ii, 66-7).

Irony.

(also mention “perfume”)

Act 5, Scene 2

English soldiers along with Malcolm and Macduff have assembled near Macbeth’s castle.

Cool lines: “Now [Macbeth] feels his hidden

murders sticking to his hands.” Sticking… like drying blood.

“His followers act only because they are commanded to do so, not out of love.” (Angus: V, ii, 18-9).

“Now he feels his title of King draped loosely round him, hanging like a giant’s robe upon a dwarf-like thief.” (Angus: V, ii, 19-20).

Act 5, Scene 3

Macbeth’s men are abandoning him in droves.

Those who remain are terrified of the superior English force gathering near the castle.

Act 5, Scene 4

Despite his professed confidence in the “safety” guaranteed by the witches’ prophesies, Macbeth seems to be giving in to panic and fear.

Act 5, Scene 4

Malcolm orders the soldiers in the woods to do something, and one of the prophesies will come true… in a way.

Act 5, Scene 5

Macbeth hears the news that his wife is dead.

Was it suicide? His reaction: “She should have died

later.” In other words: “Oh well. It was bound to

happen some time.”

Act 5, Scene 6

The English forces under Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward capture Macbeth’s castle.

Act 5, Scene 7

Macbeth kills Young Siward (“You’re obviously a man that was born of

woman!”)

Outside, the English forces report that Macbeth’s few remaining men do not even fight. Several have come face-to-face with Malcolm himself and do not attack him.

Act 5, Scene 8

Macduff confronts Macbeth (“Turn, hell-hound, turn!”)

Macduff reveals to Macbeth how he fits the prophesy…

The witches’ prophecies were ambiguous

open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.

Macduff kills Macbeth. Siward ironically observes that they

have been very successful with almost no deaths.

Malcolm immediately assumes his rightful place as King.