MACBETH By William Shakespeare

THREE PREDICTIONS  All hail, Macbeth! Hail to Thee Thane of Glamis! Macbeth was already Thane of Glamis. He inherited this title when his father died.  All hail, Macbeth! Hail to Thee Thane of Cawdor! Macbeth is puzzled by this title since to his knowledge, the Thane of Cawdor still lives. The original Thank of Cawdor is executed for being a traitor and Macbeth is awarded the title for his bravery and loyalty.  All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter! Macbeth is intrigued by this prediction. It encourages him to think murderous thoughts due to his “blind ambition.” He kills the King to obtain the throne.

THREE APPARITIONS  Beware Macduff. Macbeth is executed by Macduff.  Laugh to scorn the pow’r of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth. Macbeth believes that no mortal man can harm him since the witches/apparitions proclaim that “none of woman born” can harm him. Macduff reveals that he was “ripped” from his mother.  Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. Macbeth believes that it is impossible for the forest to move, but the soldiers use the boughs of the trees as camouflage.

MOTIF: BLOOD  Bloody soldier telling about Macbeth’s courageousness in Act 1, scene 2.  Bloody dagger leading Macbeth to kill Duncan in Act 2, scene 2.  Blood on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s hands after Duncan’s murder in Act 2, scene 2  There is a lot of blood in the play, since there is a lot of murder and evil going on. The graphic nature of all the blood really helps the audience to appreciate the depth of the situation in a visual way.

MOTIF: SLEEP  Duncan rests easy and comfortably at Macbeth’s castle, unaware of what is coming in Act 2, Scene 1  Macbeth is having nightmares about the witches in Act 2, scene 2.  “Macbeth does murder sleep” in Act 2, scene 2, since he murdered Duncan he knows he will never sleep well again.  Sleep, or the lack of it is mentioned several times throughout the play. In sleep, we dream, which many say is a reflection of our subconscious. Sleep is also considered a temporary or “mini” death. We are never as vulnerable as we are when we are sleeping.

MOTIF:DARKNESS  Did you notice that all things bad happened at night?  Duncan was murdered at night  The day after Duncan was murdered, Macduff and others speak about the awful night with wind, animals angry, and a moon that did not show itself.  Banquo killed in darkness  Lady Macbeth’s nightmares- needed candlelight by her side at all times

MOTIF: DARKNESS AND NIGHT  “Let not light see my black and deep desires” – Macbeth says upon learning about Malcolm’s claim to the throne in Act 1, scene 4  Lady Macbeth asks that the “dunnest smoke of hell” hide the deeds and “nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark.” in Act 1, scene 5 as they prepare to kill Duncan.  “By the clock ‘tis day, and yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.” Act 2, scene 2  Darkness and night is often associated with evil and the “dark side.” The more darkness that is seen or mentioned, the darker the play becomes, paralleling Macbeth’s decline.

MOTIF: VISIONS/HALLUCINATIONS/SUPERN ATURAL ELEMENTS  Macbeth speaks to the witches, in Act 1, Scene 2.  Macbeth sees the bloody dagger leading him to kill Duncan, in Act 2, scene 1.  Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the banquet in Act 3, scene 4.  Visions and hallucinations can be seen as a reflection of one’s conscience – and in this case, Macbeth’s guilt getting to him. The supernatural element adds a feeling that forces beyond nature are in control. The three together give the play deeper meaning, as Macbeth seems to embrace the forces of evil or the unnatural.

CHARACTERS  Study the characters on Quizlet! 

MACBETH  a Scottish general and the thane of Glamis who is led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the three witches, especially after their prophecy that he will be made thane of Cawdor comes true. Macbeth is a brave soldier and a powerful man, but he is not a virtuous one. He is easily tempted into murder to fulfill his ambitions to the throne, and once he commits his first crime and is crowned King of Scotland, he embarks on further atrocities with increasing ease.

LADY MACBETH  Macbeth's wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. Early in the play she seems to be the stronger and more ruthless of the two, as she urges her husband to kill Duncan and seize the crown. she eventually commits suicide.

BANQUO  The brave, noble general whose children, according to the witches' prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne.

KING DUNCAN  The good King of Scotland whom Macbeth, in his ambition for the crown, murders.

MACDUFF  A Scottish nobleman hostile to Macbeth's kingship from the start. He eventually becomes a leader of the crusade to unseat Macbeth. The crusade's mission is to place the rightful king, Malcolm, on the throne, but Macduff also desires vengeance for Macbeth's murder of Macduff's wife and young son.

MALCOLM  The son of Duncan, whose restoration to the throne signals Scotland's return to order following Macbeth's reign of terror. Malcolm becomes a serious challenge to Macbeth with Macduff's aid (and the support of England).

HECATE  The goddess of witchcraft, who helps the three witches work their mischief on Macbeth.

FLEANCE  Banquo's son, who survives Macbeth's attempt to murder him.

PORTER  The drunken doorman of Macbeth's castle.

LADY MACDUFF  Macduff's wife

DONALBAIN  Duncan's son and Malcolm's younger brother