1. 1 Macbeth Introduction Macbeth was written by Shakespeare in 1605; it was the last in a series of four tragedies: Macbeth was written by Shakespeare in 1605; it was the last in a series of four tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear & Macbeth Hamlet, Othello, King Lear & Macbeth Macbeth is a thane (a person, ranking with an earl's son, holding lands of the king; the chief of a clan, who became one of the king's barons) who overthrows the rightful King of Scotland Macbeth is a thane (a person, ranking with an earl's son, holding lands of the king; the chief of a clan, who became one of the king's barons) who overthrows the rightful King of Scotland Shakespeare wrote Macbeth at the beginning of the reign of King James I Shakespeare wrote Macbeth at the beginning of the reign of King James I Before James succeeded Elizabeth I, he was king of Scotland Before James succeeded Elizabeth I, he was king of Scotland Placing the play in James’ homeland probably pleased him Placing the play in James’ homeland probably pleased him Shakespeare added mystical effects (e.g. witches) because James was fascinated with the supernatural Shakespeare added mystical effects (e.g. witches) because James was fascinated with the supernatural Shakespeare tied James to Macbeth by using the familial line of Banquo Shakespeare tied James to Macbeth by using the familial line of Banquo

2. 2 Will the real Macbeth please stand up? Macbeth was a real king of Scotland Macbeth was a real king of Scotland He took the throne by killing King Duncan He took the throne by killing King Duncan In actual history, Banquo was in collusion with him In actual history, Banquo was in collusion with him Macbeth reigned from 1040-1057 Macbeth reigned from 1040-1057 Unlike the Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play, Unlike the Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play, the real Macbeth: the real Macbeth: had a legitimate claim to the throne had a legitimate claim to the throne was popular and a strong leader was popular and a strong leader reign was successful reign was successful was killed at Lumphanan as opposed to Dunsinane was killed at Lumphanan as opposed to Dunsinane

3. 3 Connections for British Society “Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder, treason Should ever be forgot...” “Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder, treason Should ever be forgot...” In November 1605, the Gunpowder Plot was discovered In November 1605, the Gunpowder Plot was discovered Guy Fawkes and his followers (Roman Catholics) planned to blow up Parliament Guy Fawkes and his followers (Roman Catholics) planned to blow up Parliament They wanted to bring down the British government and put a Catholic rulers on the throne They wanted to bring down the British government and put a Catholic rulers on the throne The plot was discovered –Fawkes was found in the basement about to light 6 kegs of gunpowder -and the men involved were tried and killed as traitors The plot was discovered –Fawkes was found in the basement about to light 6 kegs of gunpowder -and the men involved were tried and killed as traitors Shakespeare sided with the king and seemed to think that a play about treason and death would find an audience at this time Shakespeare sided with the king and seemed to think that a play about treason and death would find an audience at this time

4. 4 So this is a comedy… right? Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies (it is also his shortest) Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies (it is also his shortest) Aside from the violent nature of the plot Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evil Aside from the violent nature of the plot Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evil He creates a serious and sinister mood by having most of the play take place at night He creates a serious and sinister mood by having most of the play take place at night There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural (witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts) There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural (witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts) Use of pathetic fallacy- nature empathizes/responds to actions of humans e.g. earthquake Use of pathetic fallacy- nature empathizes/responds to actions of humans e.g. earthquake

5. 5 Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 1 Witches - Supernatural influences Witches - Supernatural influences “Fair being Foul” - Paradox “Fair being Foul” - Paradox King Duncan - Scotland King Duncan - Scotland Duncan’s sons- Malcolm and Donalbain Duncan’s sons- Malcolm and Donalbain Generals - Macbeth and Banquo Generals - Macbeth and Banquo Thunder, lightning, and rain - sense of doom Thunder, lightning, and rain - sense of doom

6. 6 Macbeth Act 1 - Scene 2 Macdonaldwald’s rebellion Macdonaldwald’s rebellion Ross tells Duncan of Norway’s rebellion - King of Norway - Sweno Ross tells Duncan of Norway’s rebellion - King of Norway - Sweno Thane of Cawdor rebels against Duncan Thane of Cawdor rebels against Duncan Scotland wins - Macbeth gets title - Thane of Cawdor - “ THE SPOILS OF WAR” Scotland wins - Macbeth gets title - Thane of Cawdor - “ THE SPOILS OF WAR” Macbeth and Banquo - “Two spent swimmers” Macbeth and Banquo - “Two spent swimmers”

7. 7 Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3 The witches first prophecy has come true - Thane of Cawdor The witches first prophecy has come true - Thane of Cawdor Macbeth - “So foul and fair a day, I have not seen - recalls witches first scene Macbeth - “So foul and fair a day, I have not seen - recalls witches first scene Banquo - “The instrument of darkness tell us truths - only to betray us” Banquo - “The instrument of darkness tell us truths - only to betray us”

8. 8 Macbeth Act 1 Scene 4 Execution of Cawdor Execution of Cawdor “You can’t tell what is in a person’s heart by looking at his face” “You can’t tell what is in a person’s heart by looking at his face” “Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it” “Nothing in his life became him like the leaving of it” Duncan- Malcolm to be King Duncan- Malcolm to be King Macbeth- “Let not light see my black and deep desires” Macbeth- “Let not light see my black and deep desires” 8

9. 9 Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5 Macbeth’s home - Castle of Inverness Macbeth’s home - Castle of Inverness Lady Macbeth comes up with plan to kill Duncan - Husband weak Lady Macbeth comes up with plan to kill Duncan - Husband weak “The milk of human kindness” “The milk of human kindness” Lady Macbeth - Must pour spirits in their ear. (Hamlet killed that way) Lady Macbeth - Must pour spirits in their ear. (Hamlet killed that way) 9

10. 10 Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Lady Macbeth - chameleon - perfect hostess Lady Macbeth - chameleon - perfect hostess Duncan’s speech full of dramatic irony - “castle pleasant” - “air is sweeter” sees a martlet (a summer bird) Duncan’s speech full of dramatic irony - “castle pleasant” - “air is sweeter” sees a martlet (a summer bird) to Duncan the castle appears to be a paradise to Duncan the castle appears to be a paradise 10

11. 11 Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7 LadyMacbeth - convinces Macbeth to do the “horrid deed” Macbeth’s Soliloquy - marked by confusion Duncan - Kinsman and his subject, a good King and virtuous man, a popular King, and death would bring sorrow to Scotland Lady Macbeth Argument- “What could have been when he can be King” - “ Would kill her own baby to do this” 11

12. 12 Macbeth Act 2 Scene 1 Past midnight - Moon has set and the “Candles” of heaven cannot be seen - dark brooding Banquo draws sword - irony doesn’t know Macbeth is going to kill Duncan Dagger Speech - Mental disturbance “Is this a dagger which I see before me,The handle toward my hand?” — Macbeth, 2.1.42–3 12

13. 13 Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2 Lady Macbeth - “That which have made them drunk, hath made me bold, What hath quenched them have given me fire” Drunk with boldness and on fire with passion Lady Macbeth -would have murdered Duncan had he not looked like her father Macbeth has two concerns - he has murdered sleep, bloodiness of deed Lady Macbeth - blood is only like paint wash it off 13

14. 14 Scene 2 Knocking - knocking of their consciences actual knock Knocking - knocking of their consciences actual knock “With all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?”—Macbeth, 2.2.78–9 “With all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?”—Macbeth, 2.2.78–9 14

15. 15 Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3 Porter - light comedy Porter - light comedy farmer and equivocator have specific religious and historical connotations farmer and equivocator have specific religious and historical connotations A few months before Macbeth performed - Gunpowder plot - King James Guy Fawkes and John Garnett (nickname the farmer) A few months before Macbeth performed - Gunpowder plot - King James Guy Fawkes and John Garnett (nickname the farmer) Lennox - extraordinary weather -unnatural events - The universe and events related Lennox - extraordinary weather -unnatural events - The universe and events related 15

16. 16 Scene 3 Equivocation - The practice of lying in court about one’s religion Equivocation - The practice of lying in court about one’s religion Lady Macbeth faints when Macbeth proclaims he has killed the guards - avenge the act of treasonous malice - not in the plan Lady Macbeth faints when Macbeth proclaims he has killed the guards - avenge the act of treasonous malice - not in the plan Malcolm - England Malcolm - England Donalbain - Ireland Donalbain - Ireland 16

17. 17 Scene 3 Macbeth says he has killed servants - Lady Macbeth faints Macbeth and other Thanes swear to meet “in manly rediness” to avenge this act of “treasonous malice” “ There’s daggers in men’s smiles” Donalbain - Ireland Malcolm - England 17

18. 18 Macbeth Act 2 Scene 4 Macbeth has become King Macbeth has become King Donaldbain and Malcolm have fled Donaldbain and Malcolm have fled Old Man - Traditional figure in lit represents what “has been” Old Man - Traditional figure in lit represents what “has been” Omens -owl kills falcon - daylight has been replaced by night - horses of the King’s stable have eaten each other Omens -owl kills falcon - daylight has been replaced by night - horses of the King’s stable have eaten each other The world he has known has been turned on its head The world he has known has been turned on its head 18

19. 19 Macbeth Act 3 Scene 1 Banquo suspects Macbeth - gains comfort from 2nd prediction - his own children will be Kings Even with new title Macbeth does not feel at ease calls murderers dogs but he shows his inhumanity and imperfections -also wants to kill Fleance 19

20. 20 Act 3 Scene 2 Macbeth plans murder not Lady Macbeth Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s world not at peace Macbeth wants to get rid of his bond with humanity “We have scorched the snake, not killed it.”—Macbeth, 3.2.15 “Duncan is in his grave; After lifeʼs fitful fever he sleeps well.”—Macbeth, 3.2.24–5 20

21. 21 Act 3 Scene 3 Banquo killed - Murderers lantern extinguished - Fleance escapes Banquo killed - Murderers lantern extinguished - Fleance escapes Forces of darkness are at odds with light Forces of darkness are at odds with light Murderers capable of poetry Murderers capable of poetry Escape of Fleance turning point - Peripeteia - sudden reversal of fortune Escape of Fleance turning point - Peripeteia - sudden reversal of fortune Banquo’s dying words “to revenge” Banquo’s dying words “to revenge” 21

22. 22 Act 3 Scene 4 Macbeth has Thanes of Scotland over - Macduff not there Macbeth has Thanes of Scotland over - Macduff not there Murderers tell Macbeth what happened - Macbeth losses it Murderers tell Macbeth what happened - Macbeth losses it Macbeth sees ghost - goes into a fit Macbeth sees ghost - goes into a fit Macbeth has lost control Macbeth has lost control Macbeth will kill Macduff and visit three sisters Macbeth will kill Macduff and visit three sisters “It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.” —Macbeth, 3.4.152–53 “It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.” —Macbeth, 3.4.152–53 22

23. 23 Act 3 Scene 5 Hecate joins three sisters Hecate joins three sisters Hecate Some say this scene was not in the orginal play Some say this scene was not in the orginal play 23

24. 24 Act 3 Scene 6 Lennox reveals doubts about Macbeth - Did he kill the guards hastily? Lennox reveals doubts about Macbeth - Did he kill the guards hastily? Macduff has fled to Scotland to join forces with Malcolm also asks help from King Edward of England Macduff has fled to Scotland to join forces with Malcolm also asks help from King Edward of England 24

25. 25 Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1 “Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”—Witches, 4.1.10–1 Macbeth goes to weird sisters and demands to be shown apparitions of the future 1. disembodied head of a warrior who warns Macbeth of revenge 2. blood-covered child who cannot be killed by any man “ of woman born” 25

26. 26 3. a child wearing a crown promises Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane 3. a child wearing a crown promises Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons and sees a procession of Banquo and future kings Macbeth asks about Banquo’s sons and sees a procession of Banquo and future kings Macbethless future Macbethless future Macduff has fled to England and Macbeth announces revenge of Macduff’s wife and children Macduff has fled to England and Macbeth announces revenge of Macduff’s wife and children “I’ll make assurance double sure.”— Macbeth, 4.1.93 “I’ll make assurance double sure.”— Macbeth, 4.1.93 26

27. 27 Act 4 Scene 2 Lady Macduff feels Macduff has acted dishonestly Son says the world is full of dishonest men 27

28. 28 Act 4 Scene 3 “At one fell swoop.”—Macduff, 4.3.256 Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty - says he would be a great tyrant - reverse psychology Macduff still hates Macbeth - Malcolm has gotten what he wants Macduff’s loyalty Ross tells him of the slaughter of wife and child - Macduff vows revenge 28

29. 29 Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1 “Out, damned spot! out, I say!”—Lady Macbeth, 5.1.31 “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” —Lady Macbeth, 5.1.46–7 “What’s done cannot be undone.”—Lady Macbeth, 5.1.62–3 Played in dark except one candle Lady Macbeth has gone mad - sleepwalks and tells fragments of events 29

30. 30 overheard by doctor and lady-in-waiting overheard by doctor and lady-in-waiting Lady Macbeth is seen rubbing her hands - (quotes at the beginning) Lady Macbeth is seen rubbing her hands - (quotes at the beginning) Lady Macbeth needs a “divine” Lady Macbeth needs a “divine” Spiritual darkness - 1 candle Spiritual darkness - 1 candle 30