Evil and wrong-doing in Macbeth

B Grade Marking Criteria Candidates develop a perceptive personal response. There is understanding of the techniques by which meaning is conveyed and of ways in which readers may respond. They support their responses with detailed references to language, theme, structure and context. Candidates show analytical skill when exploring: The play’s implications, contemporary relevance and historical context Characterisation, structure and theatricality Shakespeare’s use of linguistic devices

Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare in the early 1600s. What was the world like then?

Contemporary Issues Shakespeare wrote Macbeth towards the beginning of King James I reign in 1605 Before King James succeeded Elizabeth I he was king of Scotland and placing the play in James’ homeland probably pleased him Londoners were interested in Scotland and James 1 was interested in Witches. He even wrote a book on them Macbeth is a play about a man who overthrows the rightful King of Scotland

The Story In the play, Macbeth and his friend Banquo are returning from battle when they come across three witches. These witches prophesise that Macbeth will gain the title of the Thane of Cawdor and later become the King of Scotland. They play on his hopes and ambition.

The witches also say to Banquo that his sons will be king, although he will not be king himself. Macbeth's doubts about the witches’ prophesy are lessened when two men, sent by King Duncan, greet him as Thane of Cawdor.

The prospect of being King leads him to thoughts about murdering King Duncan. This is regicide. Macbeth writes to his wife, telling her of the witches’ prophecy. When her returns, she forcefully persuades Macbeth to murder King Duncan. They plan drug the King’s guards, murder King Duncan and gain the throne of Scotland.

King Duncan's is murdered and his two sons flee the country in fear of their lives. Macbeth is then crowned King but he is not happy. He fears Banquo suspects him and Macbeth wants Banquo and his son killed. He sends murderers to kill them. However, Fleance escapes. Disturbed that his men are deserting him and are not loyal, Macbeth goes to see the witches to get them to predict his future.

The witches show Macbeth apparitions which tell him three things: He must beware of Macduff He will not be killed by any man born of woman He is safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle. Meanwhile Macduff has joined forces with Malcolm, one of Duncan's sons and with English support plans to defeat Macbeth.

Macbeth, angry with Macduff's treachery, sends troops to kill his wife and children. Right before the battle, Macbeth learns that the advancing army has used branches from Birnam Wood to hide their numbers and that it looks like the wood is advancing towards his castle. This was part of the witches' prophesy. On the battlefield, Macbeth is confronted by Macduff who reveals he was not "of woman born" but was "untimely ripped" from his mother’s womb, which today would be called a cesarean section. Again, see the witches prophecy.

Macbeth now realizes he is doomed, but he continues to fight until he is killed. Malcolm then becomes the King of Scotland.

Evil and wrong-doing in Macbeth

The Witches

Act I Scene 1

Let’s look at Act 1 Scene 1.The play begins with the witches planning to meet with Macbeth. Weather Riddles Witches Familiars

The Witches Act 1 Scene 1 They are traditional symbols of evil People in the 1600s and 2009 would see them as evil and meddlers in man’s affairs They meet in bad weather / God upset They are called by their familiars They are linked to Macbeth They speak in riddles

The Witches Act 1 Scene 3 They create spells –Traditional activity of witches They commit mindless acts of cruelty – Killing swine & Captain of the Tiger They play on Macbeth’s ambition –Predicting he will become Cawdor & King They predict the future and influence events

Act 4 Scene 1 It is now later in the play and the Witches are visited by King Macbeth who demands they predict his future. They create a spell to conjure up apparitions for Macbeth. This tricks him by telling him he is safe until: 1.Birnham Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle 2.Man born of woman cannot harm Macbeth

“Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing,– For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.“ Macbeth (IV, i, 14-15) The witches wreaked havoc, conjured spirits and manipulated Macbeth to his eternal demise.

Now write up the section on The Witches Meet in thunder and rain – God upset Traditional symbols of evil 1600 audiences views on witches Speak in riddles Make spells Called by familiars Lead Macbeth on Don’t forget to use quotations! Appear three times in the play Create apparitions

B Grade Marking Criteria Candidates develop a perceptive personal response. There is understanding of the techniques by which meaning is conveyed and of ways in which readers may respond. They support their responses with detailed references to language, theme, structure and context. Candidates show analytical skill when exploring: The play’s implications, contemporary relevance and historical context Characterisation, structure and theatricality Shakespeare’s use of linguistic devices

Comment on the evil and wrong-doing in Macbeth Conditions: Read Shakespeare’s Macbeth, discussed issues, written at home Task:Shakespeare Brief introduction to the play (max 10 lines) 61959Name Date

Evil and wrong doing Macbeth Macbeth’s driven by his ambition to be King He is influenced by the evil witches in 1:3 & 4:1 He is influenced by Lady Macbeth’s evil He commits regicide, despite being rewarded by King Duncan for saving Scotland He employs murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance He slaughters Macduff’s wife and children

Evil and wrong doing Lady Macbeth Asks evil spirits to ‘unsex’ her Says she will influence Macbeth Uses many persuasive techniques on Macbeth Plans Duncan’s murder Drugs the guards Returns the daggers to lay the blame on theguards