1 hour 45 examination. Spend 45 minutes on each question.

This leaves you a total of 15 minutes to

plan, read and prepare your answers.

This section comes just after Duncan’s murder, where Macbeth explains to Lady Macbeth what
occurred after the murder, including hearing nearby servants praying.

MACBETH
One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other;
As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.
Listening their fear, I could not say 'Amen,'
When they did say 'God bless us!'
LADY MACBETH
Consider it not so deeply.
MACBETH
But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'?
I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen'
Stuck in my throat.
LADY MACBETH
These deeds must not be thought
After these ways; so, it will make us mad.
MACBETH
Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast,--
LADY MACBETH
What do you mean?
MACBETH
Still it cried 'Sleep no more!' to all the house:
'Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor
Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.'
LADY MACBETH
Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,
You do unbend your noble strength, to think
So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,
And wash this filthy witness from your hand.
Why did you bring these daggers from the place?
They must lie there: go carry them; and smear
The sleepy grooms with blood.
MACBETH
I'll go no more:
I am afraid to think what I have done;
Look on't again I dare not.

Starting with this speech, explain how far you think Shakespeare presents Macbeth as
stressed in this scene. (34 marks)
-How Shakespeare presents Macbeth as stressed in this speech.

- How Shakespeare presents Macbeth as stressed in the play as a whole.

1 hour 45 examination. Spend 45 minutes on each question. This leaves you a total of 15 minutes to
plan, read and prepare your answers.

- Shakespeare presents Macbeth as stressed as result of his guilt and paranoia. In the extract,
Macbeth reveals how after the murder of king Duncan how he “could not say Amen”. This reveals
how Macbeth is spiritually destroyed after the act of regicide which was expected at the time of
the Jacobean era as murder of the king went against the natural God-given order and is seen as a
cardinal sin. Shakespeare is perhaps deterring the audience from plotting against the king which
was rampant as shown through the gunpowder plot in 1605, Shakespeare is able to appeal to King
James as promoting the monarchy and showing the consequences of going against and therefore
being able to receive patronage and sponsorship from the King. Shakespeare is suggesting how
Macbeth will not be able to prevail as a righteous king as he was not appointed by God hence, he
is unable to maintain his reign this would cause Macbeth to feel worried and leads him on his
spree of wanton murders.

- Shakespeare presents Macbeth as having a façade of seemingly being confident and ambitious
but inwardly being anxious. When Macbeth initially it contemplating the murder of Duncan he
asks for “stars to hide your fires let not light see my deep and black desires”. The semantic field of
darkness creates a sinful and ominous atmosphere and Macbeth’s acknowledgment of his wicked
way as being “deep” and “black” shows the extent of his evilness and planning for the murder.
Furthermore, through the use of the noun “desires” suggests how passionately Macbeth is
yearning to become king. Shakespeare is revealing how Macbeth has the freewill in deciding to
commit regicide and premeditating Duncan’s murder yet when he confides in Lady Macbeth he is
in doubt as he asks “if we should fail?”. This reveals how his hubris could not overcome his anxiety
and fears committing the murder. The question posed to Lady Macbeth reveals his vulnerability
and his disturbed nature as he is uncertain of the how success his acts will be. Shakespeare
possibly is suggesting how having a façade of powerful is unable to overcome your conscience
which will convict.