ENG 10R- Mrs. Curley
ENG 10R- Mrs. Curley
William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act One
"Fair is foul and foul is fair."
--Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10: The witches in conversation
Vocabulary terms:
1. plight- n. bad condition or situation that someone is in
2. disdain- n. strong feeling of hate or dislike, also v. to hate or regard with a feeling of superiority
3. brandish- v. to wave around (usually a weapon, sword)
4. hurly-burly- n. noisy disorder, confusion, commotion
5. dwindle- v. to become smaller, shrink, decrease
6. corporal-adj. of or relating to the physical body
7. surmise- v. to guess that something must be true without much evidence, to infer
8. repentance- n. regret for any past action
9. dire- adj. dreadful, terrible, indicating a disaster
10. beguile- v. to influence by trickery, to charm
11. meek- adj. very gentle, kind, tame
12. ambition- n. strong desire to do something
13. harbinger- n. anything that foreshadows a future event
Key literary terms
Tragedies such as Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, & King Lear contain the following dramatic conventions…..
Soliloquy: (How is this different from a monologue?)
Stage Directions:
Aside:
Dramatic Irony:
In Act One, the war hero Macbeth returns home, and on the way, meets three witches who predict that he will one day rule Scotland. Seized by ruthless ambition and encouraged by his wife, lady Macbeth, he plans to murder King Duncan…
Setting: 11th century Scotland
- Please note: link to full text of Play made available on class website
Scene i
1. [“Thunder and lightning. Enter THREE WITCHES.”] This is an example of what dramatic convention? Why is the reference to the witches capitalized?
2. What mood is established at the beginning of the play? Note the presence of the three witches.
3. Why is Golgotha mentioned in line 40?
4. What literary technique is evident in the last two lines of this scene? (as in most other scene endings of Macbeth) Why is this used?
Scene ii
1. Who is Macdonwald?
2. Who kills him and how?
3. Macbeth is not present in this scene, but the Captain tells King Duncan about his deeds on the battlefield. What do we learn about Macbeth from their conversation?
4. What does the thane of Cawdor do to lose his title?
5. Who becomes the new thane of Cawdor? Why?
Scene iii
1. Why are the witches referred to as “weird” in the chorus? (lines 32-37)
2. What is the significance of line 38, specifically Macbeth’s statement “So foul and fair a day I have not seen?”
3. What two things do the witches predict for Macbeth?
4. What do the witches predict for Banquo? How do you know? Cite the line…
5. Who are Ross and Angus and what news do they bring?
6. What warning does Banquo give Macbeth? Cite the line/s….
7. How does Macbeth first react to the idea of murdering the king?
8. What is the function of the asides used in this scene?
9. What is Macbeth saying about chance in lines 143,4? How is personification present?
10. Note the presence of the rhyming couplet in lines 146,7. Why did Shakepeare incorporate it at this part of the scene?
Scene iv
1.What kind of man does King Duncan appear to be and why?
2.Who is Malcolm? According to his description, in what manner did the thane of Cawdor die?
3. What does Duncan mean when he states, “There’s no art/ To find the mind’s construction in the face”?
4.Why does Shakespeare use the imagery of plants and growing? How is this ironic?
5.What announcement does the king make about Malcolm?
6.Why does Macbeth say, “Stars, hide your fires.” Has his attitude toward fate changed? How?
Scene v
1. What is Lady Macbeth doing at the start of this scene? How is she characterized?
2. What does she think of her husband? What does she mean when she states that Macbeth “is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way….”? (Look at lines 17-20)
3. What prayer or request does she make to the deadly spirits?
4. Where is a “serpent” mentioned? What does Lady Macbeth mean? What literary technique is present here?
5. What will be her involvement in the plan to kill the king?
Scene vi
1. Where is the dramatic irony in this scene?
Scene vii
1. What are the arguments Macbeth offers against killing Duncan?
2.Is Lady Macbeth a manipulator? How so?
3. Explain Lady Macbeth’s plan to kill the king. Who is implicated/involved?
Locate the Soliloquies in Act I (Provide Character, Lines, & Significance):
Soliloquy #1:
Paraphrase:
Soliloquy #2:
Paraphrase:
Owl- significance in Act II? Dagger in Macbeth’s hallucination….. Lady Macbeth hopes to be queen...
Act II Vocabulary
1. Augment v. - to make greater, enlarge
2. Palpable adj- capable of being felt or touched
3. Stealthy adj.- acting in a sneaky or secretive manner, sly
4. Multitudinous adj.- existing in great numbers
5. Regicide n- murder of a king or monarch (What does the root cide mean?)
6. Equivocate v- to attempt to mislead, or hide the truth
7. Predominance n- superiority
8. Allegiance n- loyalty or the obligation of loyalty to a nation, a cause, etc.
9. Largess n- generosity in terms of gift-giving
10. Dishearten v- to weaken or destroy one’s hope
11. Minion n- a follower who is very eager to please his superior
Key Literary Terms
Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter used to reflect natural speech patterns (Macbeth is written mainly in this type of writing/meter).
Comic Relief: writing (often within a play) that provides a humorous break from a very tense mood. Lower-ranking characters like servants or porters typically offer the comic relief.
Prose: non-poetic writing, or writing not divided into poetic lines, has no formal rhythm.
As Act II begins, Lady and Macbeth are about to perform the evil deed of murdering King Duncan….
Act II, Scene i
1. Who is Fleance?
2. In Act I, Macbeth exclaims, “Stars, hide your fires.” What about this night indicates he is doing evil?
3. What has upset Banquo? What does Banquo say he dreamed of in his sleep?
4. What is Banquo’s stance (opinion, position) when Macbeth implies that he might want an ally?
5. What vision or hallucination does Macbeth see? What does this show about Macbeth’s mental state?
Scene ii
1. What does Lady Macbeth do to the guard’s drinks?
2. What is happening with the owl in this scene? (line 3)
3. What sound makes Lady Macbeth think the murder is being committed?
4. What prevented Lady Macbeth from killing King Duncan herself?
5. In what state of mind are Macbeth and his wife after the murders?
6. What word is Macbeth unable to pronounce? Why might this be?
7. What does Macbeth forget to do? Does he correct his mistake? Why or why not?
8. What are some of the things he imagined during the crime?
9. Macbeth’s hands are now stained with ______.
10. What does Lady Macbeth mean when she utters the line, “A little water clears us of this deed….”
11. What does Macbeth hear at the end of the scene? What wish does he make?
12. Why did Shakespeare not stage the murder itself?
Scene iii
1. What is the purpose of the scene with the Porter?
2. What is the Porter complaining about?
3. List four unnatural events that take place the night of the murder.
4. What is the role of the owl?
5. What is the “Lord’s anointed temple”?
6. What is Macduff’s reaction to the murder?
7. Whom does Lenoxx blame for the murder? Cite the line/s….
8. What did Macbeth do the guards? What reason did he give? What is his real reason?
9. What is happening with Malcom and Donalbain at this point?
Scene iv
1. What unnatural occurrences do Ross and the Old Man discuss?
2. What does Macduff say about the servants and their roles in the murder?
Act III Vocabulary
1. Indissoluble adj.not able to be dissolved or undone
2. Dauntless adj- fearless, unable to be intimidated
3. Jocund adj.- cheerful
4. Infirmity n – a physical or mental defect
5. Malevolence n- ill will, spitefulness, evil
6. Barren adj- unproductive, sterile
7. Vile adj.- morally or physically offensive, horrible
8. Incense v- to cause to become extremely angry
9. Malice n- desire to inflict harm on another
10. Treachery n- betrayal, immoral and/or sneaky activity
11. Tedious adj-. marked by dullness, boring, requiring much labor
Act III beginS with Macbeth on the throne, but things are about to get messy…..
Act III, Scene i
1. What does Banquo suspect about Macbeth?
2. Paraphrase Macbeth’s soliloquy.
3. Why is Macbeth talking to these two murderers? What is he trying to convince them of and why? What does this manipulation resemble?
4. Who else are the murders told to kill besides Banquo?
Scene ii
1. What does Lady Macbeth mean when she states, “Tis better to be that which we destroy / Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy? (lines 6,7)
2. What does Macbeth mean when he states that the snake has been wounded, but not killed?
3. What is ironic about Macbeth’s statement in lines 30-34?
Scene iii
1. What major event occurs in this scene?
It can be argued that the climax of the entire tragedy (moment of highest tension) occurs in one of two places: [Exit FLEANCE] or when Macbeth states, “”Fleance is ‘scaped.” (line 21)
Scene iv
1. How does Macbeth feel about Fleance’s escape?
2. How does Lady Macbeth explain her husband’s behavior to other guests? What does she say to her husband?
3. What happens to make the ghost reappear?
4. What change does the ghost bring about in Macbeth? Can everyone on stage see the ghost? Why or why not?
5. What does Macbeth plan to do next? Why?
Scene v
1. Who is Hectate? Why is she angry?
2. How does Hectate plan to get even with Macbeth?
3. What does Hectate say is “mortals’ chiefest enemy”? Why might she say/think this?
Scene vi
1. What does Lenoxx think about Duncan’s sons? How does the audience know this?
2. Who does the Lord refer to as a “tyrant”?
3. Where is Macduff? Why?
The Tragedy of Macbeth, Acts IV & V
Key Literary Terms/Concepts:
Internal conflict:
Example:
External conflict:
Example:
“Man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many” – Aristotle on Tragic Heroes
Shakespearean hero/ tragic hero:
Tragic Flaw:
Example:
Elements and Structure of a Shakespearean Tragedy
In Technique of the Drama (1863), German critic and playwright Gustav Freytag mapped out what he considered to be the most effective structure for a play, based on the writings of Aristotle, Shakespeare, and other he considered to be outstanding playwrights. In short, Freytag believed the action of the play could be organized in the shape of a triangle, stressing that there should be five distinct parts as follows:
Act 1- Exposition:
Act II- Rising Action:
Act III: Climax
Act IV: Falling Action
Act V: Catastrophe or Denouement:
Act IV
Scene i
1. Why does Macbeth travel to see the three witches? What are the witches brewing?
2. What is the first of the three messages or predictions that Macbeth receives from the weird sisters?
3. What is the second prediction that Macbeth receives from the witches?
4. How does the second prediction seem to contradict (conflict, or go against) the first prediction?
5. What precaution does Macbeth take?
6. Why is Macbeth quick to accept these predictions as true?
7. What is the third prediction that Macbeth receives from the witches?
8. Why is Macbeth pleased by this third prediction?
9. What does Macbeth conclude?
10. What questions do the witches refuse to answer with words?
11. Instead, what visions do the witches parade before Macbeth?
12. What is the meaning of this last vision?
13. What does Macbeth plan to do to Macduff’s family?
Scene ii
1. Why is Lady Macduff so upset?
2. What imagery is used to describe Macduff’s family?
3. What is ironic about Macduff’s son’s speech?
4. What warning does the messenger give Lady Macduff?
5. Compare and contrast Lady Macduff with Lady Macbeth.
6. How is the murder of Macduff’s family unlike the other murders Macbeth has either committed or planned?
Scene iii
1. Why is Malcolm suspicious of Macduff at first?
2. What does Malcolm mean when he says, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell”? How does Malcolm apply this to Macduff?
3. What does Malcolm think when he hears Macduff’s family is still in Scotland?
4. While testing Macduff, what are the evil traits that Malcolm says he (Malcolm) has?
5. What does Macduff say about the late King Duncan?
6. When asked how Macduff’s family is doing in Scotland, Ross answers “…they were at peace when I did leave ‘em.” What double meaning is there in these words?
7. Who does Macduff initially blame for the loss of his family and why?
8. Explain the context of this quote: “Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief convert to anger; blunt not the heart but enrage it.”
Act V
Scene i
1. What does Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking suggest about her mental state? What does she do and say as she sleepwalks?
2. What does Lady Macbeth say as she rubs her hands? With what does she think her hands are stained?
3. Why does Lady Macbeth’s maid not want to repeat what Lady Macbeth says as she sleepwalks?
4. Why might the doctor say that Lady Macbeth’s illness is beyond his ability to cure? What does he say she needs instead of a doctor? What does he seem to know about her “illness”?
Scene ii
1. What two forces are joining against Macbeth?
2. How is Macbeth preparing for this encounter?
3. Why does Macbeth find himself in an especially dangerous position within his own castle?
4. What does Angus say motivates Macbeth’s followers?
5. How would you describe Macbeth’s mental state? What does the following simile mean: “Now he does feel his title/Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe/ Upon a dwarfed thief.”
Scene iii
1. What does the opening scene tell us about Macbeth’s character?
2. Does Macbeth realize the effects of his deeds? How do we know?
3. Why does Macbeth become angry with the doctor?
Scene iv
1. How has Birnam Wood “moved” to Dunsinane?
Scene v
1. What is Macbeth’s attitude in this scene? Why is he not meeting the invaders in hand-to-hand combat?
2. Macbeth says he has always been numb to fear. What was he like before he killed Duncan?
3. How does Macbeth react to Lady Macbeth’s death? Why?
4.To what two things does Macbeth compare life when he hears that Lady Macbeth is dead?
5. What news enrages Macbeth?
6. Macbeth is almost suicidal in this scene, yet he does not decide to kill himself. What does he do instead and why?
Scene vi
1. What is the purpose of this short scene?
Scene vii
1. What is Macbeth’s situation at the beginning of this scene?
2. Why does Macduff want to kill Macbeth himself?
3. Why are Malcolm and Siward able to enter the castle so easily?
Scene viii
1. Why does Macbeth at first want to avoid a fight with Macduff?
2. Macduff threatens to exhibit Macbeth as part of a freak show. How does Macbeth react?
3. What is Siward’s reaction to his son’s death?
4. Who finally slays Macbeth?
5. What is Malcolm’s first promise? How does he describe Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
6. What information is given about Lady Macbeth’s death?
7. Actually, the end of this play is a beginning. What does it begin?