By William Shakespeare Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Key Facts Time and place written: 1606 England Setting (time): The Middle Ages, 11th c. Setting (place): Various locations in Scotland; also England briefly Protagonist: Macbeth Internal Conflict: The struggle within Macbeth between his ambition and his sense of right and wrong

Themes The corrupting nature of unchecked ambition The relationship between cruelty and masculinity The difference between kingship and tyranny

Symbols Blood Weather Blood is everywhere in Macbeth Symbolizes guilt that sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Weather Thunder and lightening accompany the witches Terrible storms on the night of Duncan’s murder.

Characters Duncan-King of Scotland Macbeth-General of the king’s army, afterwards King of Scotland Lady Macbeth-Wife of Macbeth Banquo-General of the king’s army (and later a ghost) Macduff-Thane of Fife; suspicious of Macbeth from the start Lady Macduff-Wife of Macduff Hecate-Head witch Siward-Earl of Northumberland, General of the English forces.

Literary Terms Tragedy-A story in which a heroic character dies or comes to an unhappy end, because of a tragic flaw, an error in judgment; or circumstances beyond his control. Tragic Flaw-a character weakness Macbeth’s tragic flaw is too much ambition Foil-a character who sets off another character by strong contrast, or being almost opposite.

Literary Terms Monologue-a long speech given by a character in a story, movie, play, etc. or a performer. Soliloquy-A long, usually serious speech that a character in a play makes to an audience and that reveals the character’s thoughts. Aside-A comment spoken by a character in a play that is heard by the audience but is supposedly not heard by other characters on stage.

Vocabulary Solemn-very serious or formal in manner, behavior, or expression. Rebuked-to speak in an angry and critical way to someone. Rancor-an angry feeling of hatred or dislike for someone who has treated you unfairly. Barren-not able to bear children; providing no shelter or sustenance; incapable of sustaining life. Patricide-The act of murdering your own father. Jovial-full of, or showing high-spirited merriment and cheerfulness.

Macbeth Plot Diagram Macbeth’s murder of Duncan. Macbeth and Banquo’s encounter with the witches initiates both conflicts; Lady Macbeth’s speeches motivate Macbeth into murdering Duncan and seizing the crown. Macbeth’s murders. Macbeth’s 2nd meeting with the witches. Macbeth’s final confrontation with Macduff and the opposing armies. The entirety of Act I ?????