1. William Shakespeare

2. He observed the tragic drama of his time.
History
Most widespread ideas about tragedy come from Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC- 322BC).
He observed the tragic drama of his time.
Shakespeare writes using this ancient tradition while targeting his current audience (i.e. special effects)

3. History Continued
Based on real people and events (Macbeth was King of Scotland )
He took the main events from The Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland
According to The Chronicles-Macbeth was a good ruler and overturned original king with much help from others who were displeased

4. The Play
Tragedy- a story in which a heroic character dies or comes to another unhappy end.
Main character- (Most times) dignified, courageous, and often high ranking.
Tragic Flaw- The character’s downfall; a character weakness or error in judgment.

5. Characters Macbeth- (Thane of Glaims and eventually Thane of Cawdor)
Lady Macbeth
King Duncan
Donalbain
Malcolm
Banquo
Fleance
Macduff
Three Witches

6. Act I Summary
Witches (3) meet Macbeth and Banquo on their return from battle
Macbeth Thane of Cawdor after traitor Macdonwald is executed
Witches predicts 3 things: Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and King and Banquo will produce a king
Macbeth finds out he is Thane of Cawdor and now believes the witches
Lady Macbeth plots a murder

7. Literary Elements of Act I
Irony:
Dramatic:
Macbeth hears prophecy becoming Thane of Cawdor (we already know that he is)
King states the pleasant atmosphere surrounding Macbeth’s home
Theme- Fair is foul, and foul is fair
Appearances are deceiving; good and evil become blurred
Tragedy is established
The witches strong connection with Macbeth

8. Macbeth is agonizing over committing murder Lady Macbeth belittles him
Act II Summary
Macbeth is agonizing over committing murder
Lady Macbeth belittles him
Lady Macbeth frames servants (asleep)
Macbeth kills servants out of “revenge”
Malcolm and Donalbain flee and are suspected of being murderers

9. Literary Elements of Act II
Symbolism
Blood- filthy witness/murder
Metaphor
Scene ii Lines 34-39
Knitter who untangles threads, bath soothes laborer, ointment heals mind
Murdering sleep
Kings body=temple
Scene 4, day appearing as night (even though it’s day, the darkness is still overpowering)
Irony
Situational/Dramatic: Macbeth kills servants out of “revenge” but really its to protect himself
Situational/Dramatic: The porter is laughing, meanwhile we know the guards are about to find…?
Verbal: “Rough night”

10. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance
Act III Summary
Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance
Banquo is killled but his son escapes
Macbeth is told about the murder while at his celebratory dinner
Begins seeing Banquo’s ghost (guilt)
Lady M covers, “something he’s had since boyhood”
Plans to see witches
See Macduff suspects Macbeth of being bad; Lennox is still siding with Macbeth

11. Act III Literary Elements
Foreshadowing
Banquo goes riding with Fleance, be back later followed by Macbeth’s soliloquy
Symbolism
Light and dark (good vs. evil)
Motif: (recurring subject or theme)
Sleep
Irony:
Situational-appealing to the murders by questioning manhood
Verbal- “I hope it turns out he’s late b/c of rudeness and not b/c something bad happened.”

12. Act IV Summary
Macbeth goes to see witches and they give him 3 more prophecies
Beware Macduff
No son born of a woman can harm him
Won’t be defeated until Birnam Wood marches toward him
Macduff in England helping Malcolm
Malcolm is experiencing self-doubt
Macbeth has Macduff’s family murdered
Malcolm rambles about insecurities to Macduff (test of trust)
The men are ready to gather together an army to defeat Macbeth

13. Act IV Literary Elements
Symbolism
3’s (back then, an unlucky number)
Foreshadowing
Apparitions
Supernatural elements
Ghosts/spirits
Characterization of Macbeth
Downfall is now apparent to all
Greed his downfall
Overly confident

14. Act V Summary Lady M is going crazyguilt
“Unnatural acts cause supernatural things”
Malcolm leading English army-meeting with another army to combine forces against Macbeth
Lady M dies Macbeth finds out “it was bound to happen”
Malcolm’s army in Birnam Wood, use branches as disguise
Approach castle “the wood is moving”, Macbeth kills Young Siward
Macduff (motive=revenge) was “ripped from mother” and cuts off Macbeth’s head

15. Macbeth Analysis Macbeth:
Begins as a nice kinsman and respectful of his leader
Implanted with ideals of power (from who?)+ influenced by wife= murder
What’s his tragic flaw?
Easily tempted weak character?
Never truly comfortable with being a villain
Chooses to do wrong
Internal conflict

16. Lady Macbeth
Very strong and “wears the pants” in the beginning manipulative
Handles Macbeth’s guilt (celebration) and blows it off
Begins to suffer from guilt, eventually dies
Heavily influenced by greed heavily afflicted by madness
Sensitivity becomes her weakness/downfall

17. Never trusted Macbeth (From the time the king died)
Macduff
Never trusted Macbeth (From the time the king died)
Wanted Macbeth removed all along; however, deepened after he murdered MacD’s family
Mom delivered him via C-section
Ends up beheading Macbeth (good vs. evil)

18. Macbeth’s best friend initially Indifferent about witches prophecies
Banquo
Macbeth’s best friend initially
Indifferent about witches prophecies
Believes Macbeth is up to no good
Dies (murdered) because he was a “threat”
Son Fleance escaped

19. Three Witches
“weird sisters”
Represent the subconscious of our characters?
They know the weaknesses of everyone and play off of that
Exaggerated and laughable
Are they independent or works of fate?
Create self-fulfilling prophecies
Unreasoning evil reader left with questions

20. Themes Unchecked ambition Masculinity vs. Cruelty
M: not in his nature to kill but desires drive him
LM: Easy to think of evil deeds, plan it, but can’t live with it
Once you use evil as a means to accomplish desires for power, it’s hard to stop
Masculinity vs. Cruelty
Witches and LM: prove women are just as ambitious.
Women are capable of being evil and cruel but societal constraints hold them back

21. Kingship vs. Tyranny Theme
King Duncan (even when dead) still referred to as king Macbeth becomes a tyrant
King offers order and justice with sense of comfort Macbeth didn’t

22. Reoccurring structures used to help develop theme 1. Sleep
Motifs
Reoccurring structures used to help develop theme
1. Sleep
Characters complain of being unable to sleep, murdering sleep, or sleep walking
2. Hallucinations
Hallucinate about crimes committed
3. Violence
Whole play is based upon violence

23. Prophecy Motifs Gets the play in motion
All are fulfilled (Except one, Banquo) fate or self-fulfilling prophecies

24. Blood Weather Symbols Guilt (can’t be washed clean)
Permanent stain of one’s conscience
Weather
Storms accompany the witches always (bad weather for evil creatures)
Storms during Duncan’s murder