1. Macbeth, Revision Obviously on the Big Day you need to sound as good as possible and find answering the question easy. This is a quick way to do it. You could be asked a question about how a play or character changes/developed/contrasts. Basically they are asking how it is different at the end from what you read at the start.

2. The play is full of basic contrasts. At the start Macbeth is described as: “brave Macbeth” and “valour’s minion” Act 1, sc. 2. Line 16. Duncan calls him: “valiant cousin” and “noble Macbeth” Act 1, sc. 2 lines 24, 70

3. What the audience suspects Essentially, none of these descriptions are true: Macbeth is not in time “noble” or “valiant” but a trusting Duncan, already let down by the original Thane of Cawdor, is looking for security. He believes that Macbeth is his man, based on the idea that a general who defeats the invading Norwegians must be trustworthy.

4. The turning point Ironically, Macbeth’s friend Banquo, apart from Lady Macbeth he is the closest to him, believes that Macbeth has: “playedst most foully” for the high status he now enjoys. At the beginning of Act 3 he says this and by the end of the act Macbeth’s reputation has declined everywhere.

5. Not a good word about him Macduff claims that: “Not in the legions/Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned/In evils to top Macbeth.” Act 4, Sc. 3, lines 55-7 This is an emphatic language – Macduff knows nothing but hatred for Macbeth and goes well beyond Banquo’s mere suspicions.

6. Malcolm’s opinion of Macbeth It is interesting to note how this contrasts with his father’s “noble” and “valiant” labels. Malcolm says: “I grant him bloody,/Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,/Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin/That has a name.” Act 4, Sc. 3, lines 57-60

7. More contrasts In the end all compliments have been replaced by curses Macbeth is more often called “the tyrant” than his actual name. The “cursed head” of the “dead butcher” is displayed. Act 5, Sc. 6. Lines 94 and 108

8. Macbeth’s demise is hinted at Earlier in the play, Act 1, Sc. 7, lines 8-10 Macbeth has somehow predicted all of it. “…that we but teach/Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return/To plague the inventor.” Act 1, Sc. 7 In short Macbeth’s wicked actions will somehow “plague” him, return to haunt him.

9. Macbeth’s final words His castle surrounded by a huge army Macbeth knows that his situation is hopeless and his thoughts become morose: “…that which should accompany old age,/As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must look not to have…” Act 5, Sc. 3, lines 24-6 His life has had its joy removed as a result of his actions.

10. Macbeth’s final words, contd. Alone and melancholy, Macbeth states: “Life’s but…a tale/Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/Signifying nothing.” Act 5, Sc. 5 The other characters are not on stage but the audience hears Macbeth’s despair. In his life all purpose has been removed.