Macbeth Analysis Scenes 4 and 5

Act 1 Scene 4 Summary: In the palace court room, King Duncan receives the news of the execution of Cawdor and formally thanks Macbeth and Banquo for their part in the battle. Then, to the private surprise of Macbeth, Duncan announces that his successor as king will be his son Malcolm.

TASK: Act out the scene. As you listen, read the scene in your play books. Look for the following language devices: A reference to appearance versus reality – hint: it refers to reading people’s faces. Foreshadowing using dramatic irony Evidence of Macbeth’s ‘good’ traits as a character. Metaphor of growing and planting – what are these lines really referring to? Colour imagery – black versus light – what are these representative of? Is the King represented as a powerful character? Why / why not?

Act 1 Scene 5 At Macbeth's home, the castle of Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband concerning his meeting with the Witches. She is immediately aware of the significance of their prophetic words and, on being informed that King Duncan will be paying a royal visit to Inverness, makes up her mind to carry out the murder of the king in order to hasten the prophecy. In doing so, she suggests that her husband is weak — he contains too much of "the milk of human kindness." When Macbeth arrives from the court of Duncan, bearing news of the king's forthcoming visit, his wife makes her plans clear to him.

Paradox Paradox - a statement that is apparently self-contradictory or absurd but really contains a possible truth. It is also used to describe an opinion or statement which is contrary to generally accepted ideas. Often, a paradox is used to make a reader consider the point in a new way. "War is peace." "Freedom is slavery." "Ignorance is strength." (George Orwell, 1984) "'Take some more tea,' the March hare said to Alice, very earnestly. 'I've had nothing yet,' Alice replied in an offended tone, 'so I can't take more.' 'You mean you can't take less,' said the Hatter. 'It's very easy to take more than nothing.'" (Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

Figurative Language Similes – flowers - disguise / appearance vs reality - time Act I, Scene v – Lady Macbeth to Macbeth

TASK: Act 1 Scene 5 Watch or Act out the scene. As you listen, look for the following: Evidence of Lady Macbeth’s shrewdness When Lady Macbeth refers to ‘illness’ what does she really mean? What is her opinion of her husband? Find examples of antithesis (contrast / juxtaposition). What is the effect of this language technique? Why does Lady Macbeth want Macbeth to hurry home? What does she say about fate and metaphysical aid? Why does she refer to a raven? What does she say that refers to cruelty as being a male trait? List some images Lady Macbeth refers to which help to build the overall feeling of foreboding after the messenger tells her the King and Macbeth are arriving. What does Lady Macbeth say which shows she is ambitious? What does Lady Macbeth say about Macbeth’s face? How is the image of night and day woven into what Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth?

Elizabethan Society - Norms Women only featured in the domestic sphere. They were expected to be wives and mothers and actually motherhood was their ultimate state. They were under-educated, submissive and had little rights in terms of land and money. There was a strong sense of order in Elizabethan society and it was expected that women would obey men. However – there was also a Queen for the Elizabethan age / then King James. QUESTION: Does Lady Macbeth’s character conform to these feminine norms?

Macbeth vs Lady Macbeth – Gender Representations: Video Watch scene 5 of the Polanski movie of Macbeth. Do you think Shakespeare challenges traditional gender roles through the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? Give specific evidence to support your view.

Act 1, Scene v: Lady Macbeth…further questions Look at Lady Macbeth’s opening soliloquy carefully consider how this soliloquy portrays her characterisation. How is the audience positioned to view her? How does she challenge the norms of Elizabethan society? How does she describe her relationship with Macbeth? Use evidence to support your opinions. Look at her second soliloquy. Select the words and phrases that develop Lady Macbeth as a dangerous and violent character and explain their connotative meanings. How does she greet Macbeth? How does this demonstrate her dual nature? How does Macbeth react to her plan and what does this suggest?

Act 1, Scene vi Reading King Banquo Lady Macbeth Imagery What imagery is used in this scene? What is the effect of the imagery used? What dramatic techniques are used in this scene? Why?

Act 1, Scene vi: The Welcome Consider the conversation between Banquo and Duncan about Macbeth’s castle. How does this link back to the paradox that ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’? How does Lady Macbeth greet Duncan? What does this suggest about her character? Can this be supported by previous scenes? How might this picture of a chameleon be related to Act 1 Scene vi?

Act 1, Scene vii Reading What imagery is used here? Macbeth Lady Macbeth What imagery is used here? What mood and atmosphere is created through this imagery?

Monologues and Soliloquies A Monologue is when one character speaks at length to another character. Think of it this way: a monologue is, literally, half of a dialogue (mono- = one, dia- = two.) So one character speaking to another without getting a response is a monologue. Example: When Henry V delivers his speech to the English camp in the Saint Crispin's Day speech ("we few, we happy few, we band of brothers") it is a monologue since he is speaking to other characters. A soliloquy is a character speaking his thoughts out lout for the audience to hear. The lines can be directed either to the audience, or, more often, the character is just speaking to himself. Example: When Hamlet contemplates suicide, he talks to himself about the pros and cons ("To be, or not to be, that is the question.") This is a soliloquy because he is speaking his thoughts aloud for the benefit of the audience, and not to another character.

Character Analysis In these lines, Macbeth is pondering the consequences of murdering Duncan. What conclusion does he come to? If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly: if the assassination 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, We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice To our own lips.

He's here in double trust; 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. 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; And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other. What themes are being developed in this section? How is Macbeth represented here? Revelation – The Trumpets

MACBETH We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. LADY MACBETH Was the hope drunk Wherein you dress'd yourself? hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,' Like the poor cat i' the adage? How is Macbeth feeling about the idea of murdering Duncan? What is Lady Macbeth saying about hope? Find two adjectives she uses to describe Macbeth. Are these positive or negative? What is her purpose in saying this to Macbeth?

Act 1, Scene vii: The Plot What does the line ‘I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums, and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this’ suggest about Lady Macbeth? Macbeth tell Lady Macbeth ‘bring forth men-children only; for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males’. What does this suggest about Lady Macbeth? Would she have been considered natural by Elizabethan society?

Act 2 Scene i As Macbeth makes his way toward the king's bedchamber, he encounters Banquo with his son Fleance. Banquo has been unable to sleep and explains to Macbeth that he has been dreaming of the weird sisters. After arranging to meet again in order to discuss the matter, Banquo asserts his allegiance to the king and bids good night to Macbeth. No sooner is Macbeth alone, than he has an extraordinary experience. Either in the heat of the moment or through some supernatural visitation, he sees a ghostly dagger indicating the way to the Duncan. Convinced that "there's no such thing," he climbs to the king's chamber. Why does Macbeth think he sees the dagger as he is heading to murder King Duncan?