MACBETH

Act 1

Scene 1

Summary: Witches character established and atmosphere set

Setting: desolate place with thunder, lightening, rain and wilderness. Thus, the atmosphere is eerie
and sinister, unnatural, mysterious. The thunder and lightning are conducive for their survival and
foreshadows something ominous, bad.

By using the word ‘again’ it depicts that the witches have met before. Hence, a sense of ambiguity
arises and the reader wonders when was the last time they met? Why have they met this time? What
is going to happen? Therefore, creating an air of suspense .

Paradox: ‘When the battle’s lost, and won’ (Second Witch). Thus, it is a matter of perspective.
Although, there is both loss and victory- in reality, the essence of victory isn’t fly. Due to the lives lost
and all-round destruction/ annihilation.

Language: It is important to note that the witch’s speak in rhyming couplets for the following reasons:

a) This is so that the reader can differentiate between the supernatural and the real.
b) It gives the feeling of a hypnotic spell
c) This has been done on purpose to create an atmosphere of something sinister and mysterious.

Pathetic Fallacy used to indicate:

a) The mood and tone of the scene // sense of foreboding, turmoil, sinister, etc.
b) ‘Lightening, thunder and rain

IMPORTANT LINES:

1. ‘Fair is foul, Foul is fair

Hover through the fog and filthy air’

a) That there is duality to every character in this play

c) Emphasises upon the immorality of every character/ lack of a moral compass
d) ‘fog’ – means nothing is clear/ in clarity (murky)
e) Appearance v/s Reality

Glossary:

1. Hurly- Burly: turmoil

2. Graymalkin: a grey cat; the witch can transfigure.
3. Paddock: toad
4. Anon: I’m coming

Scene 2
Summary: Captain talks about Macbeth’s greatness and triumphant battle. Macbeth is portrayed as a
war hero. Macbeth becomes Thane of Cowder

Setting: In the King’s court after Macbeth and Banquo’s victory in the battle.

Evidence Technique Effect

“ Like Valour’s Minion”
“Brave Macbeth”
“Unseam’d him from the nave to
the chaps”
“ As sparrows, eagles or the
hare, the lion”
“ As cannons overcharged with
double racks”
“ Golgotha”
“ Till that Bellona’s bridegroom’
OTHER IMPORTANT REFERENCES
Simile, Personification Shows power and strength
Adjective Displays Macbeth’s fearlessness
and loyalty towards Duncan
Exaggeration Shows his strength, brutality,
mercilessness and power on the
battle field
Simile and Mocking tone As afraid sparrows are of eagles
and hares are of a Mighty lion .
Thus, the sparrow or hare (both,
animals of prey) has been
compared to the enemy and
Macbeth to a ferocious lion or
eagle (predatory animals)
#depicting his strength, valour
and almighty dominance
Simile Macbeth compared to cannons
filled with ammunition- twice
the amount of their capacity.
Thus, the amount of destruction
Macbeth can cause on the battle
field and the immense power he
possesses is twice the size of his
human body.
Biblical Illusion (place where Compares Macbeth to God
Jesus was crucifies) (Jesus) as well as, foreshadows
his death.
Metaphor He is compared to a
supernatural demigod. Thus,
depicts that Macbeth possessed
powers that no mortal man
could possess // nothing can
deter him.

1. Worthy to be a rebel: compared to a lowly creature (like vermin). Additionally, he has been
compared to vices of mankind- that he inherently possesses (such as greed, jealousy, anger,
hatred, etc.) – they naturally breed with him (he is compared to an inferior animal)
2. ‘And Fortune on his damned quarrel smiling, Show’d like rebel’s whore’ : Lady luck is being
compared to a prostitute. In the manner in which a prostitute has no single lover- Fortune or
Luck seems to be favouring Macbeth at one time and the rebel at another. (uncertainty of
quarrel)
3. ‘ Brandish’d Steel’ :Macbeth wielded his sword in a threatening manner (intimidating on the
battle field, everyone is scared of him)
4. ‘ Carv’d out his passage till he fac’d the slave’ : The verb ‘carved’ displays how skilled,
intricately and elegantly he fought in the battle field (giving him divine- god-like powers) ;
additionally, shows his experience
 DRAMATIC IRONY AND FORESHADOWING: After Duncan adjourns the court and declares Macbeth
the new Thane of Cowder. Thus, creating a comparison to the previous man holding the same
position – turns out to be a traitor; hence, foreshadowing the fact that Macbeth too will be disloyal
and creates a sense of deception.

Scene 3

Summary: Witches meet Macbeth and Banquo as they are returning from their victorious battle. In
this scene, Macbeth and Banquo’s reaction to the prophecies are seen. We can conclude that while
Macbeth immediately accepts the truth of the prophecies- is deep in thought and contemplating
ways in which he can attain the crown. Banquo on the other hand, questions the truth of the
prophecies and is very inquisitive to know more about it (he takes the more rational approach to
the witches).

Setting: The heath (thunder)

Witches having a conversation- One says that she has just come from “[k]illing swine” and another
describes the revenge she has planned upon a sailor whose wife refused to share her chestnuts.
Suddenly a drum beats, and the third witch cries that Macbeth is coming.

IMPORTANT LINE- ‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen’ A line similar to this one, has been marked
as the most crucial phrase said by the witches and the fact that Macbeth makes a statement very
similar to that alludes to the following things:

a) Comparison between the Witches and Macbeth can be made

b) As both of them, have an inherent evil being proliferating within them. Their, personalities
match and so does the manner in which they think.

“You should be women, yet your beard forbid me to interpret that you are so “
This phrase portrays the gender fluidity Shakespeare has chosen to give the witches. Thus, they
are neither man nor women- this depicts chaos and distortion in the atmosphere (neither male nor
female).

After witches till both BAnquo and Macbeth the prophecy they showed very different reactions:
Macbeth:
1. Doesn’t speak for a few minutes as:
a) Somewhere deep-down he had already dreamt about becoming King and sitting on the
throne one day—and thus, the fact that the witches’ prophecy said the same struck him
deeply. Macbeth was transfixed as to how the witches could read his mind and know
exactly what he had been thinking about.
b) He was extremely bewildered and shook by the prophecy. Hence, it was all advancing
towards him at full throttle and he needed time to grasp all of it.
c) He was thinking of ways to dispose of Banquo and become King
2. He keeps repeating what the witches said (constant reassurance)
Banquo:
1. He is jealous of the priority given to Macbeth (“ Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear
your favours nor your hate”)
2. Very rationally contemplating the prophecy and the truth behind them (doesn’t believe
everything said by the witches directly/ instantaneously) – questions motives of the witches.
NOTE: The character of Macbeth and that of Banquo are almost opposites of each other. Thus, Banquo
acts as a foil to Macbeth’s character. (the exact opposite of the main protagonist’s character).
 Scene 4

Summary: Duncan rewards both, Banquo and Macbeth and announces Malcolm (his son) as King.
Furthermore, this is the first time we see a glimpse of Macbeth’s evil/ power- hungry/ over-ambitious
character. While, both Macbeth and Banquo are equals - on the battle field and byh wit—Macbeth is
rewarded with the title of ‘Thane of Cowder’ and all Banquo got was Duncan’s love and respect.
Macbeth incvites Duncan, Malcolm, etc. to his castle in Iverness.

Setting: King Duncan’s castle

MACBETH (ASIDE) :
The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap
For in my way it lies. Stars hide your fires,
Let no light see my black, and deep desires,
The eye wink at the hand. Yet let that be,
Which the eye fears when it is done to see.

[To himself] Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland! Because he is between me and the throne, I’m either
going to have to move above him, or give up my hopes of kingship. Stars, hide your brightness so that my
evil desires are hidden from the light. May my eye be blind to the actions of my hand. Yet if I do the thing
that my eyes fear to see, I will be forced to see it once it’s been done.

Scene 5
Summary: Lady Macbeth enters
She receives her husband’s letter informing her about the wierd sister’s prophecy sbout him
becoming King as well as, the him receiving the title of Thane of Cowder.
 IMPORTANT LINES:
‘My dearest partner of greatness’

‘Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye,

Your hand, your tongue, look like th’innocent flower
But be the serpent under’t’

At Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth that describes his meeting with the witches.
She fears that his nature is not ruthless enough-- he's "too full o' th' milk of human kindness” (15)—to
murder Duncan and assure the completion of the witches' prophesy. He has ambition enough, she
claims, but lacks the gumption to act on it. She then implores him to hurry home so that she can "pour
[her] spirits in [his] ear" (24)—in other words, goad him on to the murder he must commit. When a
messenger arrives with the news that Duncan is coming, Lady Macbeth calls on the heavenly powers
to "unsex me here" and fill her with cruelty, taking from her all natural womanly compassion (39).
When Macbeth arrives, she greets him as Glamis and Cawdor and urges him to "look like the innocent
flower, / but be the serpent under’t" (63-64). She then says that she will make all the preparations for
the king's visit and subsequent murder.

Lady Macbeth has been established as an Equivocator

First she bids the spirits to literally deprive her of her femininity, to thicken her blood, and to stop her
ability to weep. Next, she prays that those same evil spirits should suckle her, converting what should
be her nourishing mother's milk to "gall" (bitterness). Lastly, she calls upon the night itself to hide her
actions in a "blanket" of darkness. It is no coincidence that these last words reflect those of Macbeth in
the previous scene: Shakespeare is creating a strong verbal bond between husband and wife that will
continue throughout the play.

When Macbeth enters his castle, his wife greets him in a way that again recalls the words of the
Witches; in particular the words "all-hail" and "hereafter" chill the audience, for they are the exact
words spoken to Macbeth by the Witches.

Scene 6
Summary: Lady Macbeth goes to welcome Duncan instead of Macbeth. In this scene we see glimpses of
Lady Macbeth’s deceitful attitude. Through this scene we can determine that she is an equivocator.

IMPORTANT LINES:
DUNCAN: This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our
gentle senses.
(Duncan remarks that Macbeth’s castle in Iverness has a pleasant setting—open, airy and breezy. The
fresh air in the environment awakens your settings.)
BANQUO: This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his loved mansionry,
that the heaven’s breath Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze, Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this
bird Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle. Where they most breed and haunt, I have
observed, The air is delicate.

The fact that the martlet (a bird) has made its home in the castle’s leaves and trees; this could have 2
possible meanings:
a) In the Jacobean era- the martlet was said to be a bird who ‘duped’ people. This alludes to
Macbeth’s true intention of inviting Duncan to his humble abode. Not to thank him instead, to
kill him off- in conquest of the throne and to fulfil the prophecy instead.
b) The fact that the martlet made its home in the castle depicts that it is comfortable and trusts
Macbeth’s home enough to live there. This creates a dramatic irony as, while the bird trusts the
castle with his life— contrary to that, lives will be taken in this very castle.

‘heavens breath’ : indicates that Duncan himself will take his last breath (is going to die)

What Lady Macbeth says
‘All our services in every point
twice and done and then done
double’
‘Those honours deep and broad
with which your majesty loads
our house’
‘Your servants everhave theirs
spurs’
What Duncan thinks she means
All the preparations have been
checked many times in order to
achieve perfection.
They are very grateful for the
titles showered upon Macbeth
by Duncan.
We are always your servants.
And our servants, we ourselves,
and everything we own belong
to you.
What the audience suspects she
means
The murder had been planned
with extreme deliberation and
to perfection; thus, nothing was
left to chance.
a. Thank you for coming to
our house and giving us
the opportunity to kill
you
b. Thank you for the title,
but why not the throne
[spurs]’ – shows the drive and
aggression that lady Macbeth
possesses.
Ironic- as later, they blame the
 murder on the servants/ guards
themselves.

The above table shows how Lady Macbeth is an equivocator/ deceitful/ means something but says
another.
This scene also depicts, how instead of the man of the family (Macbeth) coming to tgreet the guests –
Lady Macbeth goes. Thus, depicting the manner in which she wears the pants in the relationship/ is
more dominating/ more of the man.

Glossary
temple-haunting martle
t (4) bird that nests in church porches
loved mansionry (5) favorite building
jutty . . . vantage (6) eaves, convenient corner
pendent (7) hanging
procreant cradle (7) nest
haunt (8) regularly visit
love . . . love (11) As king, I must always acknowledge my subjects' love even though doing so is a
burden to me. But I must tell you that in taking trouble for me, you win God's thanks.
All . . . house (14) Even if I were to double my efforts on your behalf, it would be nothing compared
with the honour you pay by visiting our house.
cours'd (21) chased
purpose . . . purveyor (21) intended to arrive before him
holp (23) helped
in compt . . . audit (26) on your account, to be assessed by you

Scene 7

Summary: This is an extremely important scene. What begins with Macbeth’s soliloquy- wherein he
attempts to convince himself not to commit the murder (weighing the consequences of killing
Duncan) ; stating several reasons why. After which, Macbeth- has made up his mind. However, in the
course of a few dialogues Lady Macbeth succeeds in changing hsi mind and making the brave, strong
and wise war- hero gullible and like clay in her hands. Lady Macbeth uses the following means to do
the aforementioned:

1. Flattery
2. Accusing Macbeth of Cowardice
3. Questioning Macbeth’s manhood
4. Reassurance
5. Emphasising upon her own determination

Macbeth’s reasons to not commit the murder (mentioned in his soliloquy) :

Note: Macbeth never directly refers to the murder as a ‘murder’ instead uses euphemisms (this blow,
assassination, these cases) to indirectly refer to it. This is so that he can relieve himself of the guilt of
committing such a colossal sin of killing the king (regarded as the greatest sin in the Jacobean era)

1. There will be consequences if he kills Duncan: ‘Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here,But here,
upon this bank and shoal of time’
2. It will backfire: (Malcolm – his son will come to kill him) the ingredients of our poisoned
chalice To our own lips. He’s here in double trust
3. Not only is Macbeth Duncan’s subject, his relative as well his host (thus, I should protect him
from all harm not kill him myself) : First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both
against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door,Not bear the
knife myself.
4.  Duncan is an extremely virtuous/ noble/ humble and a good man and king: Besides, this
Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off
5. The guilt will be overwhelming: And pity, like a naked newborn babe,Striding the blast, or
heaven’s cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air,Shall blow the horrid deed in
every eye
6. Everyone will weep: That tears shall drown the wind

Technique Quotation Effectiveness

War imagery created: tighten the string on

your bow and soot the arrow in the correct
direction. Thus, with complete focus and
‘ But screw your courage to the sticking-place’
concentration (no distraction)
Flattery
‘And to be more than what you were, you
It makes Macbeth think that if he completes the
would be so much more the man’
task he would have done something that no
other man had dared to do; thus, he had
ventured within uncharted territories.

And live a coward in thine own esteem,

Letting I dare not wait upon I would,
Like the poor cat i’th’adage? (lines 43-5)
Accusing Macbeth of
cowardice
Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed
yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it
now, to look so green and pale At what it did
so freely? 
Here Lady Macbeth is referring to a proverb
in which a cat wanted to catch fish but didn’t
want to get its feet wet. It is effective because
Lady Macbeth is suggesting Macbeth won’t be
able to have self-respect if he doesn’t commit
the murder.

Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own

Most powerful weapon. Thus, making him feel
Questioning act and valor As thou art in desire? Wouldst
inferior to his own wife and evokes a drive to
Macbeth’s manhood thou have that Which thou esteem’st the
prove himself to her.
ornament of life

MACBETH
But what if we fail?
Plan made with immense planning and
Reassurance
LADY MACBETH deliberation – no chance for any error to occur.
We fail?

 Have given suck, and know How tender ’tis to

love the babe that milks me. I would, while it
Emphasising
was smiling in my face, Have plucked my
her own Uses element of shock
nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the
determination
brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to
this.
 ACT 2
Scene1

Also known as the dagger scene;In this scene it is almost as though Macbeth has been possessed by
pure ambition and power. The dagger tht he sees it is a mere aprition/ viosn/ illusion/ not tangible.
Either:

a) Macbeth imagines the dagger that has been created by his Heat-opressed brain; thus, he is
hallucinating, mentally disturbed, mentally disturbed, cannot differentiate between reality and
fiction/ fantasy
b) Or it is also possible that the witches created this hallucination in order to lure him into the act.
(witches’ orchestrated it)

In this scene Macbeth is completely aware of what he is about to do/ commit the crime:

1. The free will of going ahead with the crime was up to him
2. Final decision lies on him
3. Not doing it under any influence
4. No supernatural possession

Duncan sends a diamond for Lady Macbeth: This is significant as in the Jacobean era- diamonds
were gifted to people to ward of the devil or evil spirits. This is ironic as, Lady Macbeth herself has
been compared to the weird sisters; thus, possesses supernatural powers/ inhuman and her
soliloquy in scene 5.

Witchcraft celebrates. Pale Hecate’s offerings, and withered murder, Alarumed by his sentinel, the
wolf, Whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards
his design Moves like a ghost.:

- A comparison has been made to Hecate, the Greek goddess of witchcraft (who other
witches worship)
- “withered murder” – thus, murder is compared to a withered man; roused by cries and
howls
- “Tarkin” – is a Roman King (very cruel) who went around raping women and wrecking
disaster (striding towards murder like a ghost)
- Later on, Macbeth begins to talk to the ground// as he was becoming delusional// Paranoi
began to set in; Macbeth tells the ground – to conceal his footsteps so that, no one hears him
approach.
- The terrible silence is RIPE for murder (‘Heat of the deed’)

Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.:  

Knell- is a funeral bell (marking someone’s death)—foreshadows something ominous

Scene 2

Summary: The actual crime is committed; Macbeth goes to stab Duncan on his way but
encounters Banquo. His replies are in monosyllables (as a result, of the tension – he is very
 distracted) . The atmosphere itself increases the grave importance of the sinister act/
foreshadows death and evil. (The night)
After returning, Macbeth brings the dagger he committed the murder with – with him. Thus,
Lady Macbeth chastises him and herself, goes to cover up the traces and put blood on the
guards.

How has Shakespeare set the sinister, ominous atmosphere?

1. ‘ It was the owl that shrieks the fatal bell man’ : Owls are an ill-omen (just like a raven) thus,
foreshadowing death; the ‘fatal bell man’ is the one who strikes the funeral bell- marking
someone’s death.
2. ‘Owls scream, crickets cry’ : foreshadowing something sinister and something ominous
3. Stern good-night: grimaced farewell
4. Monosyllabic replies of Macbeth: arising tension and creating an eerie,, foreboding, baleful
(‘when?’)
5. ‘List’ning their fear, I could not say ‘Amen’ When they did say ‘God Bless us’. : Macbeth was
so ashamed/ guilty of the sin he committed. Additionally, this depicts that God hasn’t
blessed him and the act he committed; thus, foreshadowing the consequences he will face
for the unblessed sin he has committed.

‘Hangmen’s hand’ : In the Jacobean era- hang men were not only supposed to hang the person but also
disembowel their organs from the dead body.

Macbeth also starts hallucinating: ‘Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does
murder sleep”—the innocent sleep,’ - personified sleep (calling it innocent)

Ironically, when Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth about these hallucinations she doesn’t understand the
gravity of the situation. However, later on -- she herself spends sleepless nights// guilty of the sins
she committed. Another example of irony has been displayed: ‘ Will all great Neptune’s oceans wash
this blood’ (rhetorical question, hyperbole) Macbeth replies and Lady Macbeth replies saying, ‘ My
hands are of your colour, but I shame To wear a heart so white’.

*Knocks within*: These knocks increase the tension and anticipation in the atmosphere.

In conclusion, while in this scene Macbeth is delirious, Lady Macbeth is very calm, composed, practical
and assured.

Scene 3-

Summary: Famously known as, the porter scene. Although, this scene acts as a transition between
scenes/ acts as a relief for the tension; it does hold significance in terms of the actual play.

The porter is a palace gatekeeper; however, in his inebriated state he pretends to be the gatekeeper of
hell.

Farmer: Macbeth
Equivocator: Lady Macbeth/ Three witches
 Tailor: Macbeth
Study their stories

The atmosphere plays a key role in foreshadowing the events to come:

LENNOX
The night has been unruly. Where we lay,
Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say,
Lamentings heard i’ th’ air, strange screams of death,
And prophesying with accents terrible
Of dire combustion and confused events
New hatched to the woeful time. The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night. Some say the Earth
Was feverous and did shake.

Translation :

LENNOX
The night was wild. Where we were sleeping,
the wind blew down the chimneys. 
People are saying they heard cries of grief in the air, strange screams of death,
and terrifying voices prophesying fire and chaos that will result in
the beginning of a new and awful time. The owl—that omen of destruction—
hooted all night long. Some people are saying
that the earth shook from a fever.

1. Night was chaotic

2. Extremely windy (hollering of wind heard)
3. Cries of grief could be heard
4. Something ominous (atmosphere created)
5. Prediction of an approaching catastrophe
6. Civil War (dire combustion)
7. The children born at this time were unhappy and ‘woeful’)
8. Cries of the owl (bad/ ill-omen)
9. The Earth shook like a child with a fever

Macduff: regards Lady Macbeth as ‘ O gentle lady’ – Irony

Glossary

a. Sacrilegious murder: the dead body compared to a temple; where the god resides – Thus,
Duncan is symbolic of God.
b. Gorgon: Medusa like creature
c. Trumpets: ‘knell’ blown during war

Scene 4-
Summary: Famously known as The Old Man scene (contains 3 pathetic fallacies). In this scene the Old
man represents how the public perceives the events that are transacting; he is almost like a
spokesperson. Additionally, the old Man also symbolises wisdom and experience. Furthermore, the
aforementioned scene depicts the manner in which even nature is against the sins being committed. In
conclusion, this scene alludes to how the acts being committed are unnatural/ against nature’s normal
course/ and foreshadows the future violence to come.

ROSS
Ha, good father, Thou seest the heavens,
as troubled with man’s act, Threatens his bloody stage. 
By th’ clock ’tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.
Is ’t night’s predominance or the day’s shame
That darkness does the face of Earth entomb
When living light should kiss it?

The above lines display the FIRST pathetic fallacy.

The heavens are troubled with man’s act and are looking down at the ‘bloody theatre’ :
a) Either Earth where these cursed acts are occurring
b) Or the globe theatre (as, the dome/ ceiling is painted as the heavens)
He goes on to say that- Although, it is day tight (according to the clock) – darkness envelops the Earth
instead of sunlight kissing it. The travelling lamp is metaphorical for the sun which is being
overpowered by darkness.
Furthermore, by using the word entomb a comparison (metaphor) has been made to a dead body;
while the dead body has been compared to the Earth- the coffin being the darkness – doesn’t allow the
sunlight to pass through. Like a coffin not allowing anything to penetrate through it (to the corpse
laying within).
The fact that the Earth is being compared to a dead body could once again allude to the life’s being
taken and the ominous acts taking place on it. (Lifelessness)
Hence, although it is daytime it seems like night.

OLD MAN
‘Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that’s done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.

The above lines portray the SECOND pathetic fallacy.

This pathetic fallacy depicts Over- ambition. Although, Macbeth should be killing only soldiers
(mouse)- he attempts to kill a falcon (predatory bird)- King Duncan ; thus, trying to achieve and
accomplish more than he should.

ROSS
And Duncan’s horses—a thing most strange and certain—
Beauteous and swift,
the minions of their race,
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending ‘gainst obedience,
as they would Make war with mankind.

The above lines portray the THIRD pathetic fallacy.

Duncan’s horses are best of the breed and loyal to him (these horses are being compared to Banquo
and Macbeth). These two horses are said to have broken through the stables and refused to listen to
the people around them. Furthermore, they were at war with Mankind—these, 2 horses fought and
ate each other. Thus, depicting CANNIBILISM in the animal world.; This comparison of Macbeth and
Banquo to horses is a War Imagery and depicts the manner in which – at first they fought side by side
and were loyal to Duncan. Additionally, it foreshadows a possible dual between Macbeth and
Banquo// disruption of teh natural order of things.

QUESTION PAPER:

1. Passage based question

(Describe the supernatural imagery)

- to what extent is supernatural imagery important in bringing out the ominous tone?
- Place where witchcraft can happen
- Heath- barren place
- Hurly-burly (turmoil)
2. Essay based questions (usually characters or themes)

3. Character Traits
a. Witches (intro- position in society)
- Evil
- vindictive, pirates wife, deprive them of sleep, arouse a tempest (Act 1 scene 3)
- Sly/ Mis-leading Half- truths (want you to think something else, talk in riddles)
- Gender fluidity (show distortion in the atmosphere, chaos )

b. Duncan
- Righteous
- Noble
- Gullible (unsuspecting) / naive – thane of cowder
- Good King (in every soliloquy of Macbeth; respected- Ross says I wish Macbeth’s rule is worse
then Duncan... everyone likes him – even horses loyal to Duncan // in scene 4 – act 2)
- Had his favourites

c. Macbeth
- War- hero (valiant, supernatural strength) – act 1 scene 2
- Ambitious (abuse of power) – My wish is reason enough
- Duality of Macbeth ( should he go ahead with the murder) – scene 7 (soliloquy)
- Gullible (to what lady Macbeth says) – BLINDED BY LOVE (first person he sends the letter to);
she uses herself to convince him
Enters saying my dearest love// my equal in greatness
- Disloyal (dramatic irony—thane of cowder title is cursed – scene 2 ; Appearance v/s reality)
- Moral conscious (VULNERABILITY OF CHAARACTER—swayed so easily , guilty)
- Talks in short sentences before and after the murder (tense, doesn’t want to give out too much)
—stage craft; knocking – voices sound threatening (atmosphere created)
d. Banquo (from act 3, scene 1)
- War hero /Courageous (Act 1 scene 2)
 - Natural- inherent goodness (reaction to prophecies)
- Good morals and ethics (although, he was neglected by Duncan )
- Rational// non- reckless// rational (if he confronts Macbeth his own life will be in danger)
- Quick-witted (on the field; made good decisions on the field) // he constantly questioned the
prophecy – if it were true or not
- Loyal to Duncan (even witches prophecies couldn’t tempt him)

e. Lady Macbeth
- Equivocator (use hedging)
- Persuasive
- Vulnerable (invoke evil to take away feminism to take it away)
- Intelligent (knows what to say when, manhood; goes to complete task – she went and
completed task- saw crime scene and when she came back she was very calm and collected)
- Uses Macbeth (never returns endearments)
- Dominating
- Vindictive
- Calculating
- Businesslike
- Manipulative ((orchestrated it))
- Determined
- Controlling
- Selfish

ALWAYS USE AUDIENCE

Themes:

1. Ambition
2. Appearance v/s reality
3. Manhood
4. Abuse of power (Macbeth and lady Macbeth)
5. Destiny and fate
6. Violence
7. Witchcraft and supernatural

Lady Macbeth – her interactions with different characters portray different facets of her character

1. Equivocator
2. Persuasive
3. Vulnerable (invoke evil to take away feminism to take it away)
4. Intelligent (knows what to say when, manhood; goes to complete task – she went and
completed task- saw crime scene and when she came back she was very calm and collected)
5. Uses Macbeth (never returns endearments)
6. Dominating
7. Vindictive
8. Calculating
9. Businesslike
 10. Manipulative ((orchestrated it))
11. Determined
12. Controlling
13. Selfish

45 mins—25 mark answer

Ambition leads to abuse of power leading to violence (vicious cycle of violence)

Make comparison between Banquo’s murder and Duncan’s .

Porter- sins ppl have committed

- Tailor: Macbeth
- Farmer: Macbeth
- Equivocator: Lady Macbeth // weird sisters

ACT 3

Scene 1

Summary: themes: Greed (discontent), Paranoia (fear), Supernatural (Fate, Prophecies), Jealousy,
Betrayal (mistrust)

The scene commences with a short aside from Banquo as he grows increasingly suspicious of
Macbeth:

Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

As the weird women promised, and I fear
Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings. If there come truth from them—
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.

In the royal palace of Forres, Banquostates his suspicion that Macbeth fulfilled the witches' prophecy

by foul play. But he notes that since the prophecy came true for Macbeth, perhaps it will come true for
him as well.

Thus, Banquo suspects Macbeth, but it is his own ambition—the possibility that the prophecy might
be true for him too—that occupies his mind.

Sennet sounded. – adds to the drama of the scene as, auditory imagery to depict the current authority
and power that Macbeth beholds.
- Macbeth enters, with other thanes and Lady Macbeth. He asks Banquo to attend a feast that
evening (withheld on the occasion of his coronation) . Banquo says he will, but that
meanwhile he has to ride somewhere on business. Macbeth asks if Fleance will be riding
with him. Banquo says yes.
 - Macbeth’s curiosity foreshadows his plans to murder Banquo and Fleance (serves as the
perfect opportunity for him to commit the deed)
- Subsequently, Macbeth tells him that they need to discuss the issue of Malcolm and
Donalbein who have both fled as they may be plotting against him.
We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed
In England and in Ireland, not confessing
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
With strange invention. But of that tomorrow,

- Macbeth then, wishes him a safe journey. The following lines depict his equivocation skills /
dual personality:

I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,

Macbeth’s soliloquy: (translation)

To be the king is nothing if I’m not safe as the king. I’m very afraid of Banquo. There’s
something noble about him that makes me fear him. He’s willing to take risks, and his mind
never stops working. He has the wisdom to act bravely but also safely. I’m not afraid of anyone
but him. Around him, my guardian angel is frightened, just as Mark Antony’s angel supposedly
feared Octavius Caesar. Banquo chided the witches when they first called me king, asking them
to tell him his own future. Then, like prophets, they named him the father to a line of kings.
They gave me a crown and a scepter that I can’t pass on. Someone outside my family will take
these things away from me, since no son of mine will take my place as king. If this is true, then
I’ve tortured my conscience and murdered the gracious Duncan for Banquo’s sons. I’ve ruined
my own peace for their benefit. I’ve handed over my everlasting soul to the devil so that they
could be kings. Banquo’s sons, kings! Instead of watching that happen, I will challenge fate to
battle and fight to. the death. Who’s there?!
To be thus is nothing, They hailed him father to a line of kings.
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature And put a barren scepter in my grip,
Reigns that which would be feared. 'Tis much he 65Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
dares, No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so,
And to that dauntless temper of his mind For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered;
To act in safety. There is none but he Put rancors in the vessel of my peace
Whose being I do fear, and under him 70Only for them; and mine eternal jewel
My genius is rebuked, as it is said Given to the common enemy of man,
Mark Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!
When first they put the name of king upon me Rather than so, come fate into the list,
And bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike, And champion me to th' utterance. Who’s there?
A comparison between the above soliloquy and Macbeth's previous soliloquies in 1.7 and 2.1reveals a
key change in his character. Macbeth is again contemplating murder, but what impels his deliberation
this time is not guilt and shame but panic and rage. The murder of Duncan has made the murder of
Banquo a necessity and, more importantly to Macbeth's character development, a facile task. Gone is
any trace of the humanity under the vaulting ambition -- gone are the moments of reflection and
regret that prompted "this Duncan/Hath borne his faculties so meek" (1.7.17) and that incited the
shameful plea "Thou sure and firm-set earth, Hear not my steps" (2.1.56).

Macbeth forfeited his soul with the murder of Duncan. What is left now is the husk of a man who
shows not a hint of compunction as he plans the murder of his noble friend. There is no remorse after
the deed either. He was unable to say 'Amen' after Duncan's murder; now he effortlessly says
"Thanks" to the hired assassins who slay Banquo, adding maliciously, "There the grown serpent lies"
(3.4.38). 

What makes Macbeth a tragic character and saves him from becoming a one-dimensional monster is
that he is perpetually conscious of his evil choices. He is poignantly aware of the rapid deterioration of
his humanity, as we will see in his final and pivotal soliloquy in Act 5. 

As, the Murderers enter. Macbeth briefs them about their last meeting. Saying that, he had explained
to them: (translation) Well, did
you think about what I said? You should know that it was Banquo who made your lives hell for so
long, which you always thought was my fault. But I was innocent. I showed you the proof at our
last meeting. I explained how you were deceived, how you were thwarted, the things that were
used against you, who was working against you, and a lot of other things that would convince
even a half-wit or a crazy person to say, “Banquo did it!”

Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave

And beggared yours forever?: Describes Banquo as someone who has, spurred them towards an early
grave and put their families into poverty.

Macbeth uses the same technique used by Lady Macbeht to convince the mUrders to kill Banquo- he
questions their manhood:
Now, if you have a station in the file,
Not i' th' worst rank of manhood, say ’t,
And I will put that business in your bosoms,
Whose execution takes your enemy off,

This depicts the manner in which, Macbeth has evolved as a character. From Lady Macbeth convincing
him to execute Duncan... There is now a role reversal; emphasises upon his transition to evil.
Second Murderer: Revels in sheer anger and fury due to the injustice the world has thrown upon him.
He is sick of being kicked around from one pit into another.

First Murderer: He is so sick of bad luck and trouble/ predicaments that he is willing to risk his life on
any bet, as long as it would either fix his life or end it all at once, (he’d rather die, than live such a life).
That I to your assistance do make love,
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.
- He needs their help to mask this death from the public eye (as he can’t use his power in this
manner openly)
With barefaced power sweep him from my sight
And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,

- Macbeth then says that it is equally important to kill Fleance as it is to kill Banquo (as the
prophecy, says that Banquo’s descendents will sit on the throne):
Fleance, his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour.

Last lines (rhyming couplet)

It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight,

If it find heaven, must find it out tonight

These lines are symbolic as, they echo the witches’ speech pattern; depicting, the manner in which
Macbeth is slowly and gradually becoming more like them. (The evil within him is taking over and
spreading through his body like a tyrant) .

Scene 2

Summary: this scene depicts a rapid shift in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship for the
following reasons:
1. He doesn’t tell her about his plan to murder Banquo
2. They both suffer from the mental anguish and aftermath of Duncan’s murder separately (Lady
Macbeth doesn’t confide in Macbeth anymore )
3. He spends most of his time away from her
Thus, depicting how despite having the crown and the power they aren’t happy or satisfied.
In this scene the audience sees a distinct role reversal; Macbeth no longer has any internal conflict or
confusion. (LM is uneasy and on the edge/ anxious)

(Elsewhere in the castle, Lady Macbeth expresses despair and sends a servant to fetch her husband.
Macbeth enters and tells his wife that he too is discontented, saying that his mind is “full of scorpions”
(3.2.37). He feels that the business that they began by killing Duncan is not yet complete because there
are still threats to the throne that must be eliminated. Macbeth tells his wife that he has planned “a
deed of dreadful note” for Banquo and Fleance and urges her to be jovial and kind to Banquo during
the evening’s feast, in order to lure their next victim into a false sense of security (3.2.45))

Lady Macbeth: 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy

Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
These lines depict Lady Macbeth’s guilt and despair taking over (Meaning: It’s better to be the person
who gets murdered than to be the killer and be tormented with anxiety.)

LM: Using those thoughts which should indeed have died

With them they think on? Things without all remedy
Should be without regard. What’s done is done.:
Why are you keeping to yourself, with only your sad thoughts to keep you company? Those thoughts
should have died when you killed the men you’re thinking about. If you can’t fix it, you shouldn’t give
it a second thought. What’s done is done.

MACBETH
We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer,
Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
20In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead,
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave.
25After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.
Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing
Can touch him further.
She (LM) asks why he spends so much time alone. Macbeth responds: "We have scorched the snake,
not killed it" (3.2.15). He fears someone might try to kill him as he killed Duncan, and seems envious
of Duncan's "sleep" Thus, in killing Macbeth they

In order to keep power built by violence, more violence is always needed. Macbeth knew this would
happen; he's caught in the vicious cycle of violence:

- The cyclical nature of violence (as a theme) is brought out here.

- Every time you commit the act of murder, you become more evil
- It becomes almost like second nature
- Remorse/ guilt decreases
- Note the difference of feelings and atmosphere in the first and most recent murder.
(Macbeth first seemed very tense, unsure, anxious, nervous and fearful... however, now- he
seems almost confident, blaze, comfortable )

Hence, Macbeth is portrayed in a very negative light- there is no longer anyone (witches or LM )
spurring him on. He is both aware and committing these sins out of his own motive.

Macbeth :And make our faces vizards to our hearts,

Disguising what they are.

Theme of – Appearance v/s reality and the character’s dual personality is highlighted. As well as, the
reversal in roles as Now, MACBETH is the one tell Lady Macbeth to conceal all her feelings and
disguise her emotions.

 "O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!" – here the audience sees the psychological toll these
murders have taken on Macbeth ( his paranoia is becoming more and more apparent)
Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
45Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.:
Foreshadows all kinds of ill omen- the night time is ripe for murder; the bat, dung-beetle and Hecate
create a dark imagery

The following lines show a change in dynamics of their relationship (from ‘partners of equal’ and
planning a murder and executing it together Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth to stay innocent and remain
in the dark about the murder that he has planned single-handedly) :

MACBETH
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed.
The following lines draw connection to Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1 (Come, thick night and pall
thee in the dunnest smoke of hell.......)

Come, seeling night,

Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day;
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
Which keeps me pale! Light thickens; and the crow
Makes wing to the rooky wood:
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;
While night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So, prithee, go with me.

Bad things, can be made stronger by more bad things themselves (bringing out the vicious cycle of
violence itself)
 Scene 3

Summary: In this scene the murderers kill Banquo however, fail to execute Fleance (he escapes/ runs
away).
 Scene 4

Summary: This scene “symbolises the last supper” in which Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples,
“Judas.” It’s as if we now what’s about to happen. It’s the last time Macbeth will ever sit down with his
allies and friends to share food in perfect harmony. This scene depicts the festivities to celebrate the
coronation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth- their first dinner as King and Queen; where, he sees the
ghost of Banquo. Macbeth’s paranoia, guilt and apprehension becomes clear.

Macbeth makes all his invitees sit according to their ranks/ in hierarchy. This is for the following
reasons:

1. To establish his superiority (to please his insecurities)

2. This is IRONIC/ hypocritical – due to the fact that he murdered Duncan and climbed the ranks
in a foul/ unethical/ wrong manner. He disturbed the natural order of thinks; thus, it is
hypocritical that he says the former lines
3. He tries to establish some control and order

Subsequently, he tells Lady Macbeth that he will mingle with all the guests; while she should sit on the
throne .
This once again, shows the shift in dynamics of their relationship- as earlier it was Lady Macbeth who
welcomed Duncan when he came to their palace. (CONTRAST)
Ourself will mingle with society,
And play the humble host.
Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time
We will require her welcome.
Afterwhich,
Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's good
That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it,
Thou art the nonpareil.
- If you killed Banquo you are good, if you killed Fleance you are the best.
- By talking to the Murderer, he piques everyone’s curiosity and arises suspicion

But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in

To saucy doubts and fears

- After getting the news that, Fleance has fled- he describes his state as restricted, helpless
and restricted. Stopped by the saucy doubts of fear (persistent, constant)

Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect,

Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air:

- Before he got the news he describes his state as, firm, free and spontaneous as the air.

But Banquo's safe?: he keeps asking about the decease of Banquo. Depicting his instability of mind,
guilt, he is going down the slippery slope very fast AND PARANOIA!

MACBETH: He would rather see hi blood on the murderers than, in his veins.

There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled

Hath nature that in time will venom breed,
No teeth for the present. Get thee gone: to-morrow
We'll hear, ourselves, again.: he describes Banquo as a grown serpent and Fleance as the worm.
Linked to earlier, he have scaled the snake, not killed it yet. Thus, this worm (baby snake); while we
killed the snake; the worm will grow to develop into a snake (fangs)—worm has qualities of becoming
venomous eventually (dangerous)

Here had we now our country's honour roof'd,

Were the graced person of our Banquo present;
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness
Than pity for mischance!— upon this, Banquo’s ghost appears. Thus, depicting his guilt and paranoia
that is eating them alive. Is guilt ridden conscience is being constantly portrayed on stage.
Significance of Banquo sitting on Macbeth’s seat:
1. Banquo being on his seat serves as a reminder of the witch’s prophecy; that Banquo’s
descendents will sit on the throne.
2. The fact that someone else has taken his seat/ position of control—his paranoia and the
foreshadows the fact that he doesn’t fit in as, he has disturbed the natural order of things to
reach his position (the hierarchy has been spoiled).
3. Foreshadowing

Which of you have done this?

Thou canst not say I did it: never shake
Thy gory locks at me.
 In the above lines, Macbeth’s guilty conscience is on complete display. As, despite not being
blames, his automatic response was to defend himself. His paranoia makes him see the ghost of
Banquo (a figment of his imagination).

LADY MACBETH
Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,
And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat;
The fit is momentary; upon a thought
He will again be well: if much you note him,
You shall offend him and extend his passion:
Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?

She once again assumes the role of the humble host- she tells the guests to sit down and not be too
worried. As, what they see is momentary/ temporary and he will be fine in a little while; however, if
you pay too much attention to him/ gawk at him- it will offend him . Thus, his spasm will get worse.
Have your dinner, don’t be too bawked by his behaviour.

LM: O proper stuff!

This is the very painting of your fear:
This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said,
Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts,
Impostors to true fear, would well become
A woman's story at a winter's fire,
Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!
Why do you make such faces? When all's done,
You look but on a stool.
What, quite unmann'd in folly?
- Lady Macbeth, once again questions Macbeth’s manhood (same tactic/ strategy previously
used)
- In reference to the dagger scene in Act 1- a contrast is created between Macbeth’s first
murder and his most recent. While, earlier- he is depicted as being uncertain, doubtful and
extremely scared before committing the deed. The audience can safely assume that the
main influence behind the murder of Kind Duncan were the three weird sisters who’s
illusion is enchanted and manifested in the dagger scene; being the driving force and lady
Macbeth’s equivocating powers/ abilities. However, now- there is no dagger driving him or
hypnotising him. This time, the ‘dagger’ is a display of his fears.
- Additionally, Lady Macbeth seems to be mocking his outbursts (‘flaws’); she portrays them
as being not genuine or fake and that, they will soon become fables that will be passed on
from one generation to another, that kids will tell each other after asking their
grandparents (thus, they will become like an old-wives tale).
- Hence, she alludes to his shameful act by telling him that he has a reputation to uphold due,
to the number of people being witness to this or viewing this projection of his mental
instability and weak/ vulnerable self. Therefore, may begin to question his capability/
ability to rule well. As a result of which, he will appear as a lunatic – when the vision passed.

MACBETH
Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo!
how say you?
Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.
If charnel-houses and our graves must send
Those that we bury back, our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites.
 - The line , “why, what care I’ depicts the contrast and steady decline/ downfall of Macbeth’s
character depicts the following novel traits of his personality:
1. His Arrogance: his condescending behaviour is portrayed as though, no one is better
than him- since, he has now assumed the highest possible position to rule over all of
Scotland.
2. His over ambition: Ambition is what drives Macbeth and Lady Macbeth even in the past,
however, there is a stark change between the two trait now- as this ambition is making
Macbeth greedy, reckless and willing to go till any extent to remain in power.
3. Doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions: and is willing to reach any heights to
fulfil his aims and desires.
- Charnel houses: a vault where people stored bones. Hence, in this line- he seems too be
threatening Banquo (indirectly). He says that if the dead are going to return from their
graves, then there’s nothing to stop the birds from eating the bodies. So there’s no point in
our burying people. As though, Macbeth is the predatory bird.

MACBETH

I do forget.
Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends,
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
To those that know me. Come, love and health to all;
Then I'll sit down. Give me some wine; fill full.
I drink to the general joy o' the whole table,
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss;
Would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst,
And all to all.

- Macbeth tells the lords not to be amazed as, this is quite a natural phenomena for him. He
seems to have a strange illness (those who know him well know this)
- This illness could be a reference to PTSD ; him being a soldier
- He refers to Banquo and says he wishes that Banquo could have joined them. ; thus, raises a
toast to him.

Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO

MACBETH
Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!
Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
Which thou dost glare with!
- Avaunt!- depicts his complete fear and anxiety as he sees Banquo’s ghost once again. He
says, stay out of my sight
- Essentially, in the above lines Macbeth tries to reassure himself that Banquo is infact dead
and not alive. His state of guilt is eating him alive, thus, he tells Banquo to return to his
grave.
- He describes Banquo’s eyes as blank and devoid of any emotion and life (dead)

MACBETH
What man dare, I dare:
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble: or be alive again,
And dare me to the desert with thy sword;
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me
The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!
Unreal mockery, hence!

GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

Why, so: being gone,

I am a man again. Pray you, sit still.

- In the above lines Macbeth feels the need to reassure all the lords at the banquet that, he is
still a man. His insecurities seem to become very abvious – he depicts his courage
portraying that, no matter who challenges him he wont be scared.
- Since, lady Macbeth constantly questions his manhood, internally Macbeth seems to do the
same.
- He says if i fail i will allow people to call me a girl

LADY MACBETH
You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting,
With most admired disorder.
- Deeper meaning noted (ruined the natural order of things, foreshadows how his reign will
lead to a downfall in the reign of Scotland.

MACBETH
Can such things be,
And overcome us like a summer's cloud,
Without our special wonder? You make me strange
Even to the disposition that I owe,
When now I think you can behold such sights,
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,
When mine is blanched with fear.

- He is still under the spell and tells the lords that they are doubting his own nature (he is not
in control of his own behaviour)—thus, the audience begins to question his mental stability
and sanity. He says, how can the Lords look at the ghost and have life in their cheeks while
his face is pale with fear.

MACBETH
It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood:
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;
Augurs and understood relations have
By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth
The secret'st man of blood. What is the night?
- Macbeth’s insanity and mental instability is highlighted
- He says, murder will be avenged .
- His animalistic nature seems to be depicted as he says, once you have tasted blood, you
want more (his unhinged, wild, uncontrollable hunger cannot be tamed)
- His paranoia speaks as he says: stones have been known to move, give away their secrets
and trees to speak (his guikt, paranoia makes him believe that the seemingly impossible
will occur and the trees and stones will give away his secrets)
- In the olden times, the study of the pattern of birds flight was seen to predict the future
(‘Augurs’)
 - Maggots, etc: are birds that depict an ill-omen as well, as if one practices with them, they
can be taught ot speak. Thus, Macbeth is afraid that all the natural elements of the Earth
will plot against him to reveal all his sins (thus, even the craftiest murderer will fall prey to
nature—nature’s way will reign)

MACBETH
I hear it by the way; but I will send:
There's not a one of them but in his house
I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow,
And betimes I will, to the weird sisters:
More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know,
By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er:
Strange things I have in head, that will to hand;
Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd.
- He is going to visit the weird sisters to seek the answers to his questions
- Macbeth has allotted a spy to every person’s house who he thinks could be a threat to his
position as king.
Important notes on this scene:
1. His disjointed speech depicts the manner in which he is at an internal battle with himself. Filled
with fear, guilt, paranoia. Thus, he isn’t as eloquent as he used to be. The two halves of his
personality themselves are at war with each other. He is slipping into insanity- his speech
mimics the witches way of talking.
2. His guilt ridden conscience, is weighing on him heavily –which is constantly being portrayed on
stage
3. By using the word ‘blood’, ‘bloody’ 8-9 times in this one scene : it foreshadows the multiple
more deaths that are to come and Macbeth’s violent, lingering thoughts of death- his inner
violence and inherent aggression. Therefore, reemphasising his guilt and paranoia- the blood
of so many people are smeared on his hands (this acts as a reminder of all these murders).
4. The irony of Banquos’s appearance at that exact moment: just as Macbeth mentions Banquo he
seems to appear as a conjured image/ figment of Macbeth’s guilt ridden self and fearful,
paranoid mind. Re emphasising his hypocritical behaviour as he pretends to miss Banquo’s
presence at the Banquet.
5. The time/ setting is neither morning nor day (the time in the middle): thus this reflects the
following things:
- The time is ripe for his next murder
- Day and night are at odds with each other. thus, depicting his inner turmoil or conflict (the
morality within him is fighting/battling with his insanity)
- This time id often alluded to a time that is perfect for witchcraft, and all kinds of other sins
6. The significance of the manner in which the men leave the banquet depicts the following
things:
- The instability of the Kingdom as Macbeth’s reign commenced (foreshadowing that
Scotland will crumble under him)
- Depicts the manner in which Macbeth himself broke the natural order of things when he
attained the position of King/ ruler of Scotland (disruption of natural order)—thus, soon
everything will fall.
- Association to the witch’s prophecies as they refer to the ‘hurly burly’ and the ‘rotten’ state
in Scotland.
- Evidence:
LADY MACBETH
I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse;
Question enrages him. At once, good night:
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.
7. The paradoxical nature of Macbeth’s response to the prophecies
Scene 5
Purpose of the scene:
1. In the Elizabethan era, the audience loved to see the witches as they were a controversial topic
that spurred excitement in the mind of the reader; hence, to increase box office revenue –
Shakespeare increases the number of scenes dabbling in witchcraft and wizardry
Important notes:
1. Every time the witches appear on stage the thunder, lightning and rain is repeatedly depicted
as as atmosphere ripe for witchcraft
- The atmosphere itself reflects their sheer power and mysteriously ominous persona
- The thunder and lightning foreshadow the transaction of violent, aggressive events that are
to come.
2. Hecate- according to Greek mythology is the queen of all witches, the mistress of charms, the
almighty power. However, the fact that the weird sisters don’t tell her about the prophecies
they told Macbeth this makes her angry. Additionally, her ego is hurt- as these prophecies
withhold great importance and impact the entirety of Scotland and lives of many other too.
Thus, in sadistic way she wants to play her part too. (be a part of the grand scheme)
3. She calls the three witches ‘overbold’: thus, reckless, stepping over their boundaries and too
smart for their own good. (too powerful thus, don’t fear anything else)
4. ‘How did you dare to traffic with Macbeth?’ – in the former lines, Hecate objectifies Macbeth
and makes him appear as an object to be traded and trafficked. This tells us how insignificant
he is in front of her potency. This also highlights the arrogance and condescending persona of
Hecate. Lastly, this makes the audience believe that this is all a game for her.
5. And, which is worse......loves for his own ends’ : these lines foreshadow Macbeth’s fate and what
she thinks of him. Firstly, Macbeth’s selfish persona is reiterated as, the only reason why he
approaches the witches and even talks to them is for his own needs and desire to hear the
prophecies. Secondly, she foreshadows the fact that eventually, he will be left alone too (due to
selfishness)
6. ‘And you all know, security is a mortal’s chiefest enemy’: in this line she foreshadows what they
will do to Macbeth. BY making him feel indestructible that itself will eventually lead to his own
downfall.
7. She calls him a ‘wayward son’: someone who doesn’t believe in witchcraft. Additionally, by
referring to him as their ‘son’- Hecate highlights the fact that he has done so many evil things
that he is almost like their son (a part of them, just like them)
8. Furthermore, his evil personality foreshadows the fact that he is going to die alone and Lady
Macbeth will ultimately go crazy, so power hungry that nothing else will matter other than, his
ambition and hunger; which will leave him without nay confidants.
9. ‘vessels’- refers to all the instruments required to brew a potion or create a spell.
10. The vaporous drop: evokes a sense of mystery and an eerie calmness that foreshadows
extremely ill feats that will occur. Additionally, it depicts the fact that they have the power to
deceive Macbeth into being the cause of his own downfall ( – by evoking death, fool fate ).
HECATE
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Have I not reason, beldams as you are,
Saucy and overbold? How did you dare Your charms and every thing beside.
To trade and traffic with Macbeth I am for the air; this night I'll spend
In riddles and affairs of death; Unto a dismal and a fatal end:
And I, the mistress of your charms, Great business must be wrought ere noon:
The close contriver of all harms, Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vaporous drop profound;
I'll catch it ere it come to ground:
Was never call'd to bear my part,
Or show the glory of our art?
And, which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,
Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.
But make amends now: get you gone,
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i' the morning: thither he
Will come to know his destiny:

Scene 6
Important notes:
- The lord calls him a ‘tyrant’ thus, depicting his ability to cause rampaging destruction and
being ruthless, merciless, bloodthirsty, authoritative dictator
- Mention of King Edward to depict a contrast in what Macbeth should be like and what he is.
Thus, to set an ideal example of a King (divine rights of the king) in front of the audience
and to subtly praise the King seated in the audience.
- The people respect him not out of respect or love but out of fear for their lives
- Macbeth only bestows titles on those who will benefit him and stick with him ( selfishness
portrayed )
- LENNOX
And that well might
Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance
His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel
Fly to the court of England and unfold
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accursed!

- The desperation and agony/ trouble faced by the people is highlighted.

Act 4
Scene 1
Creation of tension in this scene in the following ways:
Props:
1. The use of a cauldron is a direct reference to witchcraft and the brewing of potions and spells
2. The use of such peculiar items for the potion sets a sense of mystery and supernatural—
emphasising their cannibalism, malice
Sound:
1. Thunder, lightning and rain seems to be a constant atmosphere every time the witches appear.
Therefore, this sound is a sure association to the witches. Additionally, this creates a sense of
tension, anticipation, foreshadows the occurrence of ominous events; the lightning shows
supernatural activity.
2. The people are thus, intrigued and the audience remains on the edge of their seats as,
witchcraft was a very topical issue then.
Spiritual and anti-religious (racist)
1. Finger of birth strangled babe: not baptized as the child has been strangled due to a prostitute
giving birth to it in a ditch
 2. Liver of a blashpheming jew
Refrain (Double, double toil and trouble.....):
1. Depicts the dual personality of all characters and their duality thus, laying emphasis on the
theme of APPEARANCE V/S REALITY
2. They mean (literally,) let the toil and trouble of the world double/ increase rapidly
3. The vicious cycle of violence is foreshadowed as, one act of violence leads to another as, quickly
Use of music and Songs:
1. In the Elizabethan era, music and song symbolised witchcraft.
2. Thus, the witches are shown to be conversing in rhyming couplets
3. The black spirits song
Lastly, the symbolism of the the line’ my fingers are prickling and something wicked is coming my
way:
1. Ironically, at this point Macbeth walks onto the stage (depiction of Mcabeht being the 4 th witch)
THIS SCENE IS IMPORTANT AS,:
- This is the first time that Macbeth approaches the witches instead of it being the other way
around. Thus, depicting his greed, ambition.
- This seems to shock the witches as, they are generally feared- however, Macbeths
willingness to come visit them is odd. However, can be justified as he himself is so evil now
that he is almost like the fourth witch
- He orders the witch to tell him prophecies and give him answers no matter what is at stake
such as, unleashing the violent winds and creating complete anarchy
 The foaming waves, to swallow navigation and leave sailors stranded
 Flatten unripe corn thus, allowing farmers to go into a loss- he is willing to sacrifice the
wellbeing of his subjects (signs of a bad ruler)
 Let the castles crumble on the head of the residents head- causing death
 Allow seeds of motherhood (fertility) to get mixed up causing, chaos
- The three apparitions use their equivocation skills to talk to Macbeth. (Appearance v/s
reality)
1. Apparition 1 : an armed head: depicts the manner in which Macbeth is going to die.
(warns him about Macduff)
2. “ 2: A bloody child : relates to prophecy which depicts that no man born to a woman can
kill him; however, we find out that Macbeth had been born to his mother unnaturally.
3. A child crowned with a tree in his hand: relating to the line in the prophecy depicting
that, he won’t be killed till forests can walk- hence, depicting the way he is going to die
- Thus, the witches succeed in boosting Macbeth’s ego using a uality in language and
foreshadowing.

Change in character of Macbeth:

- At the start of 'Macbeth' Macbeth is described with words such as "noble", "worthy" and
"brave" this shows him in a positive way. However at the end of the play he is described
with words such as "Hell-hound", "coward" and "bloodier villain" which shows him to be a
completely different person. He is now shown in a negative light. Macbeth's characteristics
are turned around and the witches show this in the opening scene.

- However, by Act III, Scene 2, Macbeth has resolved himself into a far more stereotypical
villain and asserts his manliness over that of his wife. His ambition now begins to spur him
toward further terrible deeds, and he starts to disregard and even to challenge Fate and
Fortune. Each successive murder reduces his human characteristics still further, until he
appears to be the more dominant partner in the marriage. Nevertheless, the new-found
 resolve, which causes Macbeth to "wade" onward into his self-created river of blood (Act
III, Scene 4), is persistently alarmed by supernatural events. 
1. Selfish
2. Change of dynamics of his relationship with lady Macbeth
3. Tyranny (no longer a valiant soldier, instead sends the murderers to do his dirty work)
4. Insanity and paranoia is striking due to his guilt ridden conscience
5. No longer hesitates before murder (thus, its become second nature)
6. Pride and arrogance
Macbeth act 5

Important Questions:

- Do you feel sympathetic towards Lady Macbeth?

- Describe the change in the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
- How has Macbeth’s character changed through the course of the play?
 Lost a part of himself with the murders
 Numb (no longer feels any emotion)
 Cold-hearted
 From a valiant warrior to a ruthless tyrant
 He is delusional and impractical
 He has embraced his inherent evil with full force
 He is now fighting for vengeance (fuelled by his revenge since, thanes fled and betrayed
him)
 His tyranny is unhinged and unstoppable, uncontrollable

1. Now that Banquo, Lady Macduff and her sons have all been murdered. Lady Macbeth has been
kept in the dark about all of these plans. Thus, the dynamic of their relationship has significantly
changed. In the time that she needs Macbeth the most; she has been left to the women in the
chamber to take care of her.

Act 5

Scene 1

Summary: this scene is a manifestation of all Lady Macbeth’s fears and repressed guilt that has been
left to fester. Thus, like a wound it hasn’t been cured and will eventually lead to amputation. The
intense atmosphere created reflects her mood and the internal turmoil in her mind. Lady Macbeth’s
sleepwalking is symbolic for her depleting/ disintegrating mental state and the manner in which their
sins have finally caught up to her.

Language: Shakespeare adopts varying language features to differentiate characters or tones of the
story. While the witches’ speech is in trochaic tetrameter, the normal story is in an Iambic pentameter.
However, Lady Macbeth in this scene uses Inverse/ Prose manner of speech which has been used for
the old man and porter in previous scenes. This manner of speech represents the local crassness. Her
disjointed/ fragmented speech, incoherence depicts her unstable state of mind.

- She seems possessed and almost insane.

- There is a stark difference between her personality seen when she refers to her hands as ‘little
hands’ thus, depicting feminine qualities (earlier: ‘turn my milk to gall’)

Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen

her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon

her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it,
write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again

return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.

This repetitive motion depicts hints of insantity. The paper depicts the following things:
1. It represents the letter she received from Macbeth
2. It is almost as though she is trying to recreate the old relationship they had. Subconsciously,
this is her way of telling him how much she misses him and it is like, she is writing back to him
3. Or, she wants to take back everything that happened after she received the letter first
4. Or, she is replaying the scene over and over again- to, the first time the inception of murder
was planted in her head.

A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once

the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of

watching! 

Literal definition: It is unnatural to be asleep; yet act as though you are awake.
The above lines represent the distortion of the natural order of; which is a regularly occurring theme
through the play.

The Gentlewoman refuses to relay information:

- Macbeth’s tyranny
- She is afraid of slandering the queen
- There is no other witness

[Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper]

The significance of the candle:
- Establishes the night time setting
- Adds to the tension
- Portrays her almost as a ghost (depicting that she is in the final stages of her mortal life;
reality is slipping away)
- Creates an IRONIC comparison. As, while in the earlier scenes lady Macbeth seems to be
invoking/commanding darkness (e.g.......). not only does she rely on the darkness to hide
her sins but is also comfortable in it. However, now – she insists that the candle remains by
her side:
Why, it stood by her: she has light by her
continually; 'tis her command.

- ; alluding to her fear of the darkness and guilt ridden conscience.

IT IS ALMOST AS THOUGH SHE HAS MADE A PACT WITH TTHE EVIL AND NOW SHE IS FACING ITS
CONSEQUENCES.
It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus

washing her hands: I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.
‘accustomed’ : her usual, regular activity that represents a glimpse of OCD

LADY MACBETH:
Out, damned spot! out, I say!--One: two: why,
then, 'tis time to do't.--Hell is murky!--Fie, my
lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we
fear who knows it, when none can call our power to
account?--Yet who would have thought the old man
to have had so much blood in him.
The above lines are a combination of arbitrary lines that have been mentioned in previous scenes.
- ‘one: two’ depicts the chiming of the clock during the scene of Duncan’s murder (Act 2
Scene 2)
- ‘ Hell is murky’  darkness and depicts her guilt ridden conscience
- These are all lines are from their fist sin of regicide.
- This automatic act is a reminiscence of her earlier remark after the murder of Duncan, "A
little water clears us of this deed." 
- While, Lady Macbeth didn’t understand the graviy of the situation and didn’t sympathise
with Macbeth when he returned to their room after Duncan’s murder. Now, the guilt of this
murder cant seem to be shaken off.

These words are spoken by Lady Macbeth in Act 5, scene 1, lines 30–34, as she sleepwalks through
Macbeth’s castle on the eve of his battle against Macduff and Malcolm. Earlier in the play, she
possessed a stronger resolve and sense of purpose than her husband and was the driving force behind
their plot to kill Duncan. When Macbeth believed his hand was irreversibly bloodstained earlier in the
play, Lady Macbeth had told him, “A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.65). Now, however, she too
sees blood. She is completely undone by guilt and descends into madness. It may be a reflection of her
mental and emotional state that she is not speaking in verse; this is one of the few moments in the
play when a major character—save for the witches, who speak in four-foot couplets—strays from
iambic pentameter. Her inability to sleep was foreshadowed in the voice that her husband thought he
heard while killing the king—a voice crying out that Macbeth was murdering sleep. And her delusion
that there is a bloodstain on her hand furthers the play’s use of blood as a symbol of guilt. “What need
we fear who knows it when none can call our power to account?” she asks, asserting that as long as
her and her husband’s power is secure, the murders they committed cannot harm them. But her guilt-
racked state and her mounting madness show how hollow her words are. So, too, does the army
outside her castle. “Hell is murky,” she says, implying that she already knows that darkness intimately.
The pair, in their destructive power, have created their own hell, where they are tormented by guilt
and insanity.

Doctor
Do you mark that?

- The doctor’s shock on becoming aware of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s acts

LADY MACBETH
The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?--
What, will these hands ne'er be clean?--No more o'
that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with
this starting.

- While audience assumes that Lady Macbeth isn’t aware of the murder of Lady MAcduff and
their children, we now become aware that she too feels a certain level of guilt and a burden
for these acts.
 - ‘no more of that’ – reference to the Banquet scene
- Use of repetition

LADY MACBETH
Here's the smell of the blood still: all the
perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand. Oh, oh, oh!

- Oh!- depicts a burst of emotion/ possible agony

- Refers to her hand as ‘little’ giving it feminine qualities (turn my milk to gall) IRONIC
- Reference to ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood 
Clean from my hand?—therefore, so much time later lady Macbeth is suffering this same
guilt

Doctor
What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.

- ‘sorely charged’ : painfully burdened’

Gentlewoman
I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the
dignity of the whole body.
- Even if someone made me queen; i would prefer to not be made queen than, have such a
burdened heart

Doctor
This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known
those which have walked in their sleep who have died
holily in their beds.
- He tries to reassure himself that, he has known people who have sleepwalked and died
natural deaths

LADY MACBETH
Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so
pale.--I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried; he
cannot come out on's grave.
- ‘wash your hands’- knocking scene
- The second revelation is made

Doctor
Even so?

LADY MACBETH
To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate:
come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's
done cannot be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed!

Thus a vivid and condensed panorama of all her crimes passes before her. Like all reported cases of
hysterical somnambulism, the episode is made up, not of one, but of all the abnormal fixed ideas and
repressed complexes of the subject. The smell and sight of blood which she experiences, is one of
those cases in which hallucinations developed out of subconscious fixed ideas which had acquired a
certain intensity, as in Macbeth's hallucination of the dagger. Since blood was the dominating note of
the tragedy, it was evidence of Shakespeare's remarkable insight that the dominating hallucination of
this scene should refer to blood. The analysis of this particular scene also discloses other important
mental mechanisms. 

How this scene creates tension:

1. Language
2. Atmosphere
- The lack of natural light again, evokes a sense of unease and of strangeness in the reader, as
if the room itself is incompatible with nature,
3. Irony in Lady Macbeth’s dialogues
4. Character reactions (gentlewoman and the doctor)

Scene 2

Summary:

- In this scene the noose seems to be tightening on Macbeth

- While, he wants to meet his end with dignity (not plead or cry)—inherently he knows that
he is fighting a losing battle
- Revenge burns in Macduff and Malcolm due to Macbeth’s merciless murders of their
respective families
- Macbeth hasn’t been respected like Duncan was. Instead of referring to him as ‘noble King’,
etc. he is being called a ‘Tyrant’ and “Monster’ to depict the lack of love or respect for him
amongst his subjects and his own court

The English power is near, led on by Malcolm,

His uncle Siward and the good Macduff:
Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes
Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm
Excite the mortified man

‘mortified man’ – even a dead man would arise to take revenge for such injustice

many unrough youths that even now

Protest their first of manhood.

Amongst the list of soldiers fighting with Malcolm and Macduff are several young men that haven’t yet
reached manhood (no beards) but, are yet willing to fight for justice.

Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies:

Some say he's mad; others that lesser hate him
Do call it valiant fury: but, for certain,
He cannot buckle his distemper'd cause
Within the belt of rule.

- Fortification: through moats, catapults, spears, etc.

- People say he is mad and others who hate him less say, that his anger is spurring from
bravery (valiant fury)
- He cannot control his diseased mind; neither, can he control the coutry like you can use a
belt.
- Belt imagery: how a belt controls/ holds a pair of trousers or used to hide belly fat; unlike
that, he cannot control his mind or his country
- Thus, he has now become unhinged, out of control, tyrannical, impulsive (traits that no King
should possess
Now does he feel
His secret murders sticking on his hands;
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach;
Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in love: now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.

- His past is finally catching up to him

- His murders are sticking to his hands like, slime
- There are revolts amongst his own ranks; reminding him of his own disloyalty, breach of
trust, unfaithfulness
- Those who listen to him don’t do it out of love, but out of fear
- Reinforces ‘dress him in borrowed robes’: he can’t fill the giant’s robe (Duncan’s shoes)
- ‘dwarf thief’ : depicts a lack of respect and low integrity (willing to go to any extent for the
throne); as though, it was a stolen crown that he wore since, he didn’t deserve it

Who then shall blame

His pester'd senses to recoil and start,
When all that is within him does condemn
Itself for being there?

- Who can blame his ‘fraid nerves’/ on edge

- When all the aspects of his nature are revolting against him
- His past is catching up to him
- He’s fighting an internal battle with himself

Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal,

And with him pour we in our country's purge
Each drop of us.

- Malcolm is compared to the medicine of the country or the saviour

- Purge: cleanse, free country from the tyrannical reign
- ‘pour’ : blood
- Compared to Jacobean rule reference: they used to make an incision and allow the blood to
pour out to allow the body to rid itself of all the toxins and restore its balance; when the
body was plagued with disease

Or so much as it needs,
To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.
Make we our march towards Birnam.

We will draw how much ever blood necessary, we need to water/nourish the sovereign
flower and drown the weeds (Macbeth and his followers)

Scene 3

Summary: Macbeth’s overconfidence and arrogant persona is depicted. His overconfidence and almost
gloating tone that stems from his blind belief in the witch’s prophecies. There is an inherent sadness
in the atmosphere as, not only his fellow thanes have fled and betrayed him – but his wife too is losing
all connection to sanity.

Even as Macbeth runs through the prophecies, his belief in their protective power blinds him to the
instability of his actual situation; the thanes have defected, his troops are loyal in name only, and
enemy armies are gathering nearby. He believes so strongly that the witches have given him a
complete and true vision of his future that he takes no preventive action when he learns 10,000 troops
have arrived in Scotland. Nonetheless, though he seems assured of his safety, he is less so in his
happiness.

- ‘spirits’ that know the outcome of all human consequence have confided in him/ reassured
him
- ‘false thanes’: disloyal
- ‘Epicures’: weaklings, self-indulgent
- ‘sway’ – control myself
- ‘sag’- droop

Macbeth is fearless because of the prophecies, but he seems to wish he weren't. He knows his life is
awful, but he's so gripped by ambition that he can't turn back.

The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon!

Where got'st thou that goose look?
- Discriminates against him by saying, may the devil turn you black, you white faced fool
- Uses derogatory names to establish his superiority

Go prick thy face, and over-red thy fear,

Thou lily-liver'd boy. What soldiers, patch?
Death of thy soul! those linen cheeks of thine
Are counsellors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face?

- Because his face is so white from fear; Macbeth tells him to cover his paleness with blood
flow.
- The liver is known as the seat of courage; lily-liverd refers to a lack of courage
- Linen cheeks: his pale face is persuading others to be scared too
- ‘whey’ – the white liquid in milk
Seyton!--I am sick at heart,
When I behold--Seyton, I say!--This push
Will cheer me ever, or disseat me now.
I have lived long enough: my way of life
Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf;
And that which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not. Seyton!

The significance of his servant’s name: ‘Seyton’ sounds like Satan; therefore, referring to how he sold
his soul to the devil and hence, now he has to pay the price.
- ‘push’ refers to the crisis at hand; which will either make him victorious or de-throne him
- Afterwhich, Macbeth ponders over his life and what it has come to.
- He compares life to an autumn leaf ‘sere’ alludes to it being dried and withered
- While, in old age one looks forward to the love and support of family and friends, honour
and respect as well as, obedience. Macbeth has none. Instead he gets curses (not loud,
instead behind his back); since, they know they will be punished. However, they are deep-
rooted and very meaningful.
- ‘mouth honour’: flattery that is said only for the sake of it. They dont mean it
- Lastly, what he has is a lingering life, which his heart would gladly end – though, he cannot
bring himself to end it.

I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack'd.

- Being a King, Macbeth would rather die a dignified death, than flee and be called a coward
THROUGHOUT THIS SCEN MACBETH REPEATEDLY CALLS FOR HIS ARMOUR :
Give me my armour.
Give me mine armour.
I'll put it on
Come, put mine armour on; give me my staff.
Bring it after me.

This creates a contrast to his previous valiant self (valour’s minion, Bellona’s bride). Now he
has no way out but, to fight!

‘skirr’: means to search/ scour

- This depicts the manner in which Macbeth’s paranoia has begun to set in
- Send ot more horses to fortify the gates and hang anyone who peaks of fear
- Send out more horses; skirr the country round;
Hang those that talk of fear.
Next, instead of referring to Lady Macbeth as his wife he refers to her using a very detached term and
calls her ‘your patient’. This depicts the changing dynamic and a shift in Macbeth’s priorities.
To which, the doctor replies by saying that, although her disease is not physical it is the kind that
brings endless visions that torment her and keep her from sleeping. thick coming fancies,

Cure her of that.

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?
- Macbeth’s tone in these lines are very nonchalant and casual. He proposes that she be given
a forgetting serum to ensure that in her detached state of mind; she doesn’t spill his secrets
- On the other hand, this can also be interpreted as, Macbeth inquiring for himself. As he
wishes to erase his memory and forget all the painful memories of the past. Thus, showing
Macbeth’s guilt too
- LITERAL: cure her of it then, erase all the troubles that are imprinting themselves in her
mind, give her something sweet that, will cause forgetfulness and that weighs on the heart

Therein the patient

Must minister to himself.
- With a disease such as this, only the patient can cure himself (In a time like this, Lady
Macbeth needs her husband the most. However, he is too caught up in murders and petty
things to save her.
MACBETH
Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it.
Come, put mine armour on; give me my staff.
Seyton, send out. Doctor, the thanes fly from me.
Come, sir, dispatch. If thou couldst, doctor, cast
The water of my land, find her disease,
And purge it to a sound and pristine health,
I would applaud thee to the very echo,
That should applaud again.--Pull't off, I say.--
What rhubarb, cyme, or what purgative drug,
Would scour these English hence? Hear'st thou of them?
 - He becomes angry when the doctor suggests Lady Macbeth must cure herself, possibly
because that course might also require her husband's support, and Macbeth has no time for
that.
- Thus, he views her as a burden/ Macbeth’s selfish attitude is portrayed.
- His frantic dialogue and internal turmoil are connected as, he continuously switches
between instructions to the doctor and Seyton. This depicts his deteriorating mental state,
frantic state, internal battle and guilt-ridden conscience.
- It also draws a parallel to Lady Macbeth’s state on Act 5 Scene 1 (disjointed, fragmented
speech pattern)
- He asks the doctor if he can find a cure to cleanse the country of all its enemies
- Similar, to how a doctor would take a urine sample to understand the disease; he asks the
doc to do the same with his country.
- ‘rhubarb, cynne’ are medicines, laxatives and cures
- He asks the doctor about Lady Macbeth, and then commands that the man cure her.
- Macbeth seems totally out of touch with reality. He is a man warped beyond any semblance
of humanity.

Doctor
Ay, my good lord; your royal preparation
Makes us hear something.
- He uses flattery to say that Macbeth’s preparation is enough of an antidote

Scene 4
While, Malcolm seems very confident in their victory; Macduff is more practical and cautious

Scene 5

The opposition of light and dark as symbols for life and death is the foundation upon which much of
Shakespeare’s Macbeth is built.

In Act V Scene V of Macbeth, strong words covey all of these thoughts to the reader. The tone for
Macbeth’s speech is immediately set after hearing of the death of Lady Macbeth. Having lost his queen,
and seeing his hopes turn to ashes, the bitter Macbeth now comments on life in caustic words.

“Tomorrow creeps in this petty pace.” The basic feel of this brings a negative connotation to
tomorrow. It keeps coming slowly and slyly as if to attack. What exactly does this petty pace refer to?
It is the progression of life, as Macbeth now sees it. This negative and dark imagery continues to grow
because tomorrow is unrelenting. “[T]ommorow creeps…To the last syllable of recorded time.”

With these dreary remarks Macbeth presents his hopeless outlook. He feels the only way to end the
pain of life is through death. “And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death.”

What can be taken from this is that from our earliest recollection, we are constantly being
guided forward from yesterday to our death. If light is life, then the light just leads us to death.
When these lines are read together it enables the reader to see the despair and agony Macbeth is now
suffering. The past is pushing him ahead and the future is creeping in on him. He has nowhere in time
or space to escape. Death is the only place left to go.

“Out, out brief candle!” Lady Macbeth’s candle has burnt out and soon his will also. Although he
talks here about life being light (the candle flame), light is not desirable to him. He wants to extinguish
it. Macbeth is at the point in his life where he is now trapped by his fate. The consequences of
his actions have caught up with him. This may very well be why he has such a dreary outlook on
life. Life is associated with light but Macbeth is at a state where he sees no significance in having lived.
“Life’s but a walking shadow.” Macbeth is saying here that one’s life is dark and dreary, and that the
light of life only serves to cast a dark shadow.

“ [A] poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more.” A person
lives his life like a bad actor. He only get one chance on the stage, and he does a terrible job. “Struts
and Frets his hour” says that everyone overdramatizes events. Life according to Macbeth is like this
and it ends…. “Signifying nothing.” We can easily distinguish between what is life and what is death in
the world of Macbeth through the interpretation of light/dark imagery.

Analysis:

Hang out our banners on the outward walls;

The cry is still 'They come:' our castle's strength
Will laugh a siege to scorn: here let them lie
Till famine and the ague eat them up:
Were they not forced with those that should be ours,
We might have met them dareful, beard to beard,
And beat them backward home.
- Refers to preparations for victory (‘hang out ..’ )
- ‘seige’ is a strategy planned by the opposition. Wherein, they set up camp outside the
fortress of the Castle. To wait till, the castle runs out of resources and as an intimidation
technique. However, Macbeth believes that he can turn this around. Till, their camp suffers
from illness, lack of resources, hunger and thirst.
- This depicts Macbeth’s delusion and bad strategy/ planning. A warrior of that capability
and skill has now been reduced to this. (depicts the manner h=in which he wants to
constantly reverse the natural order of things)
- He continues by saying that if, so many of his soldiers and thanes hadn’t fled, then they
would have been able to attack; instead of waiting for the siege to end. They, would drive
the opposition back to England.

A cry of women within

MACBETH
I have almost forgot the taste of fears;
The time has been, my senses would have cool'd
To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair
Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir
As life were in't: I have supp'd full with horrors;
Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts
Cannot once start me.
- The manner in which , the countless sins has made Macbeth Numb from emotion and
almost overconfident
- The fact that he has committed worse, more heinous crimes alludes to the fact that, the
mere cry of women does nothing to faze him or make him afraid, repent, morose or guilty
- However, there was a time when the cry of women would have made him shake in his
boots- for example in Act 2 Scene 2; when mere knocking had startled him and forced him
into a feared frenzy.
- dismal treatise rouse (sinister tale; like a ghost story)
- a time when his hair would rise, and he would get goose bumps when he heard a mere
ghost story/ gory—like the Banquet Scene which, seemed to be a manifestation of his worst
fears.
 - Instead, now he has feasted on the true horrors of life (from murders, apparitions to
ordering the assassinations of all, slaughtering, mass prosecutions, etc. )
- Thus, horror is now familiar to his bloody thoughts and can no longer startle him or shake
him

SEYTON
The queen, my lord, is dead.

MACBETH
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
- Depicts her bad timing
- Although, he knew that it was going to happen eventually, he wanted it to have happened
after he came back victorious
- After which, he suddenly shifts to very philosophical tone; instead, of reminiscing their
good times- he begins to talk about life
- While, it would have been inevitable, he feels morose but no guilt since, he could have been
there for her / to help her heal
- However, some may interpret this line as, she deserved to live longer

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
- Depicts the meaninglessness of life.
- Life is but a series of trivial, monotonous events till the last second of our very life
- As, our life comes to an end it marks the beginning of another life

- The phrase ‘out, out brief candle’ strikes an immediate association to Lady Macbeth’s scene
of Out, out damned spot.
- The candle represents her life that has now been extinguished and the manner in which
Macbeth too no longer wants to live. He knows that his end is near.
- The fact that Lady Macbeth needed to die to clear her off her sins; similarly, this
foreshadows Macbeth’s nearing end
- Thus, he is aware that the only way to clear his burdened conscience is death. Thus, panic
sets in
- Life is an illusion he says
- Then, he further compares life to a stage
- Whereas, we are the actors who spend our life on stage in vain as we are trying to prove
our dignity and passion and ultimately face death
- ‘full of sound and fury’ refers to the manner in which, we hype things up without any
definite meaning; it could refer to the unnecessary emotional baggage we drag with us on
stage
- This, depicts his now pessimistic way of thought; where man’s existence means nothing in
the bigger scheme of things (futility of life). This school of thought is referred to as
NIHILISM
Messenger
As I did stand my watch upon the hill,
I look'd toward Birnam, and anon, methought,
The wood began to move.

MACBETH
Liar and slave!

Messenger
Let me endure your wrath, if't be not so:
Within this three mile may you see it coming;
I say, a moving grove.

MACBETH
If thou speak'st false,
Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive,
Till famine cling thee: if thy speech be sooth,
I care not if thou dost for me as much.
- If you are lying then, I will ensure that you will be hung alive, till you die of hunger. Till you
shrivel up with starvation and the blood drains out of your body
- A gory image is evoked (depicting his panic frenzy, fear and desperation)
- However, if you are telling the truth I wouldn’t mind facing the same fate as you

I pull in resolution, and begin

To doubt the equivocation of the fiend
That lies like truth: 'Fear not, till Birnam wood
Do come to Dunsinane:' and now a wood
Comes toward Dunsinane. Arm, arm, and out!
If this which he avouches does appear,
There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here.
I begin to be aweary of the sun,
And wish the estate o' the world were now undone.
Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack!
At least we'll die with harness on our back.
- Thus, as Macbeth’s resolve is completely failing- for the first time, he begins to doubt the
witch’s prophecy; their indirect lies, equivocation and deception.
- If this is something that the messenger ascertains: they have no option but to fight.
- I begin to be aweary of the sun: he is now weary of life ; he has accepted his fate
- Macbeth wishes that the established order fall in chaos ; even in his final moments he wants
to distort the natural order of things (post his death too)—so that he can leave his legacy/
mark
- ‘wrack’- ruin
- He wants to at the least die a soldier’s death, with dignity and honour
How is lady Macbeth’s death made dramatic in this scene?
- Lady Macbeth has always been Macbeth’s pillar of strength, key strategist
- Now with her gone—his nihilistic attitude of life emerges (pessimistic/ he is fighting a
losing battle)
- Now everything has finally crumbled
- His end in near
- Macbeth loses everything in this scene and his fate too is near (FINAL DOWNFALL OF HIS
CHARACTER)

1. Stage craft:
- Cry of women
 - Panting messenger
- Seyton
2. Death of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s Nihilistic thoughts
3. Light and dark imagery
4. Contrast between start and end of this scene. Change in Macbeth’s character