Maricar Vazquez

English Pd. 7
Buchan
Holiday Assignment

1. Based on scene 5, how is Macbeth characterized? Focus on the letter he writes to

Lady Macbeth as well as his wife’s reaction to that letter.
When the readers first hear of Macbeth, he is described as a brave and capable warrior
who was able to defeat millions and thousands of soldiers single-handedly. However,
based on Act 1 Scene 5, we realize that his physical courage as well as self-righteousness
is also tainted by his consuming ambition as well as a tendency to self-doubt. For
example, in his letter to Lady Macbeth, we can see traces of the doubt present in his
mind. In fact, he did not believe that the prophecies of the three witches were to come
true, yet, he was still interested in what they had to say, thus leading him to “desperately
question them further.” This shows that he has a desire to become the king of Scotland;
however, does not know if he has the power as well as the confidence to obtain it.
Therefore he tells his wife to keep it a secret, displaying his reluctant attitude.
2. How is Lady Macbeth presented to the reader? Explain by offering at least 3 examples
from scenes 5-7 of the play.
During the first encounter with Lady Macbeth, her ruthless and ambitious attitude
becomes evident when we find her plotting the death of King Duncan. She is much
stronger and more manipulative than her husband, Macbeth. In fact, she seems to be fully
aware of Macbeth’s reluctant attitude and knows that she must persuade him to commit
murder. She refers to her husband as “too full o' th' milk of human kindness,” (1.5.4) and
lacks the boldness to claim what is rightfully his. Whenever Macbeth should find himself
doubting, Lady Macbeth uses her manipulative mind to demolish any of these objections.
In fact, she repeatedly questions his manhood until he feels that he must commit murder
to prove himself, “What beast was ’t, then,/ That made you break this enterprise to me?/
When you durst do it, then you were a man;/ And to be more than what you were, you
would/ Be so much more the man.” (1.7.47-50) Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth can be seen as
a masculine soul inhabiting a female body, which may be the link to her ambition and
violence, and is solely concerned for immediate power, “Come, you spirits/ That tend on
mortal thoughts, unsex me here,/ And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full/ Of direst
cruelty.” (1.5.30-33). Lady Macbeth’s remarkable strength and will to persist with the
plan overpowers those of Macbeth’s, thus leading him to follow her desire.
(Note to Self: Possible Theme – Powers Based On Gender)
3. How does Macbeth’s soliloquy at the start of scene 7 provide insight into his
character?
Macbeth’s soliloquy at the beginning of Act 1 Scene 7 provides the readers insight into
Macbeth’s mind as well as a clearer definition of his character. For example, we can see
that Macbeth is an ambivalent character who is constantly debating with himself whether
or not to continue with the assassination or remain as the dutiful servant of King Duncan.
Firstly, Macbeth muses of the kindness that Duncan had shown to him and states that he
has “borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ So clear in his great office,” (1.7.17-8).
However, he is unable to suppress his own desire for power. In fact, he avoids answering
his own questions about loyalty to the crown as well as the consequences that will be
placed upon him if he undergoes the murder. Instead, he wishes for the battlefield’s
simple and consequence-free actions “If it were done when ’tis done,” he says, “then
’twere well / It were done quickly” (1.7.1–2), thus exposing not only his weak heart but
also his weak conscience, for he does not wish to face the consequences. We are also
exposed to Macbeth’s way of thinking and his conscience of how his actions will affect
the whole nation after he has done the “bloody instructions.” In fact, he believes that
these “bloody instructions” that he will bring upon the world, will “return/ To plague th'
inventor: this even-handed justice/ Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice/
To our own lips.” (1.7.9-12) This also shows that he is afraid of the outcome as well as
the consequences of his actions. His soliloquy also reveals that he is aware that through
these actions he is creating his own path to destruction.