Jon Finch and Francesca Annis in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ by Roman Polanski, 1971 Performer - Culture & Literature Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella, Margaret Layton © 2012

1. Main characteristics The shortest of Shakespeare’s tragedies. Complex psychological analysis of what takes place in the mind of the criminal. James Heath, I have done the deed, 1888. Kansas City, Carbonell-Weinglass Collection Performer Culture & Literature

1. Main characteristics No villain pitted against the hero. Macbeth begins as a brave warrior but, led by ambition, he chooses evil and becomes a murderous tyrant. Parable of the tragic hero. Performer Culture & Literature

Symmetrical development 2. Dramatic structure Symmetrical development Climax Rising action Falling action Introduction Conclusion Performer Culture & Literature

2. Dramatic structure Symmetrical development Introduction Rising action Climax Falling action Conclusion Symmetrical development Introduction The first two scenes: the appearance of the three witches and the news of Macbeth’s bravery in battle. The three Witches in ‘Macbeth’ by John Barnes, 1964 Performer Culture & Literature

2. Dramatic structure Symmetrical development Rising action Introduction Rising action Climax Falling action Conclusion Symmetrical development Rising action Macbeth meets the three witches: their prophecy begins to work on his ambition. He kills Duncan. Performer Culture & Literature

2. Dramatic structure Symmetrical development Climax Banquo’s murder Introduction Rising action Climax Falling action Conclusion Symmetrical development Climax Banquo’s murder (Act III, Scene 3) Performer Culture & Literature

Macbeth retreats to Dunsinane Castle 2. Dramatic structure Introduction Rising action Climax Falling action Conclusion Symmetrical development Falling action Fleance’s escape the banquet scene arousing of Macduff Macbeth retreats to Dunsinane Castle Thèodore Chassèriau (1819-1856), Macbeth seeing the ghost of Banquo, 1854. Musée des Beaux-Arts, Reims Performer Culture & Literature

Final fall and death of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth 2. Dramatic structure Introduction Rising action Climax Falling action Conclusion Symmetrical development Conclusion Final fall and death of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth Henry Fuseli, Lady Macbeth sleepwalking, 1798, Musée du Louvre Performer Culture & Literature

3. Themes Regicide, as an act against Nature, brings chaos. Reversal of values: ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’. (the Three Witches) Henry Fuseli, Macbeth, Banquo and the Three Witches, 1793. Petworth House, National Trust. Performer Culture & Literature

3. Themes Equivocation and false appearance d. Future time Gabriele Lavia in Macbeth, 2009 Equivocation and false appearance d. Future time chain of metaphors connected with clothing. cluster of imagery concerned with growth: babies, seeds, plants, trees. Performer Culture & Literature

4. Features of a tragic hero Nobility of birth or wisdom. A flaw, either a mistake in the character’s actions or in his personality that leads to a downfall. A reversal of fortune caused by his flaw. The realisation that the reversal was brought about by the hero’s own actions. The audience has to feel pity and fear (catharsis) for the character. Performer Culture & Literature

5. Style Use of blank verse. Blank verse is basically unrhymed iambic pentameter: ‘Macbeth does murther Sleep, - the innocent Sleep; Sleep, that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care’ (Act II, Scene 2) Performer Culture & Literature

5. Style If one character ends his speech without finishing his line verse, the following speaker completes that line. Inclusion, within the verbal structure of verse, of metrical space for other, non-verbal signs. Performer Culture & Literature

5. Style A striking use of imagery: - similes - metaphors - symbols ‘The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures’ (Act II, Scene 2) - metaphors ‘Life’s but a walking shadow’ (Act V, Scene 5) - symbols ‘the innocent Sleep’ ‘A little water clears us of this deed’ Performer Culture & Literature

5. Style Use of dramatic irony: Duncan’s appreciation of the beauty of Macbeth’s castle ‘This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses’ (Act I, Scene 6) Performer Culture & Literature

6. The characters Macbeth a brave general, leader of Duncan’s army together with Banquo; urged into action by his wife; lacks moral courage; ambitious and superstitious; becomes cruel and unscrupulous. Jon Finch in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ by Roman Polanski, 1971 Performer Culture & Literature

6. The characters Lady Macbeth suppresses her natural instinct to plan the murder; strong-willed, supports Macbeth in his weakness; devoted to her husband, she ends up in madness. John Singer Sargent, Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, 1889 , Tate Gallery, London. Performer Culture & Literature

6. The characters King Duncan peaceful and refined; shows poor judgement of human nature. Banquo a contrast to Macbeth in his modesty; does not follow temptation like Macbeth. Performer Culture & Literature

6. The characters Macduff becomes important after Banquo’s murder. noble, loyal, patriotic kills Macbeth at the end. Malcom Duncan’s son. Becomes king of Scotland after Macbeth’s death. Performer Culture & Literature

7. The supernatural The Three Witches and their prophecies lead Macbeth to success. The chaos of nature on the night of Duncan’s murder. Banquo’s ghost. Henry Fuseli, The Three Witches, 1788, Zurich, Kunsthaus Performer Culture & Literature