Beginning to analyse language Act 1 Scene 2

Beginning to analyse language Act 1, Scene 2

Key areas to consider: • What denotation can you take from individual words/ lines? (what do you literally think it is saying? ) • What connotations do you think of? • Are there any links in your quotation to what is said elsewhere in the scene/ play? • What is the overall effect of the line for the rest of the scene/play? • Are there any links to sounds that may be significant? (onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme, humour, sibilence, oxymorons, paradox, etc? ) • Examine the use of punctuation – does it add anything to the lines? (Are we forced into certain interpretations because of encouraged pauses, etc? )

Associations Under the magnifying glass Connotations Sounds ‘As cannons over-charged with double crack; So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. ’ Overall effect. Links Language.

Under the magnifying glass Connotations Cannon, over-charged, crack – powerful way of killing, determining the winning or losing of a battle, weapon of mass destruction, extreme power of force and sound not easily matched Associations Cannon – fire, destruction, power Over-charged – extreme blast of power, over-sufficient (excessive), war Double/ doubly/ redoubled – twice, repetition, pair Crack – powerful sound (whip), broken, destroyed Strokes – lines, technique, suffering Foe – opponent, enemy, person Double/ doubly/ redoubled ‘As cannons over-charged with double crack; So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. ’ Overall effect Macbeth is this weapon of mass destruction – we are given an early insight that he will not desist until the “battle” is won. This could be an extended metaphor for Macbeth’s eventual downfall within the play. . Sounds Repetition of ‘”double/doubled/ redoubled” = harsh soundly & makes for powerful irony later in the play when Macbeth betrays Banquo, his best friend & the man that made him “doubly” as strong “Cannons”& “crack”, create a powerful alliteration to this metaphor demonstrating Macbeth as the ultimate soldier, reinforced by the “over-charged” sound of an already powerful weapon. Links Language Semantic field of war, conflict and fighting – creates an energized and powerful tone ‘Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof’

Topic Sentence (Point): Macbeth and Banquo are described by the Captain as highly effective soldiers in battle by defeating the enemy and honoring their King. Quotation: ‘As cannons over-charged with double crack; So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. ’ Analysis: Shakespeare’s metaphor creates a sense that Macbeth and Banquo, are an extremely powerful force who’s prowess in battle cannot easily be matched. A force that is ‘over -charged’ and ‘doubly’ as powerful as any other. The repetition of the sense of dualism that runs through these lines, ‘double’ ‘doubly’ ‘redoubled’ not only highlights that these men have twice the strength in battle of other men but this reinforcement might also give indication to the strong partnership between Macbeth and Banquo. Together the two of them are painted almost like a weapon of mass destruction amidst a backdrop of a wider semantic field of war: ‘cannons’, ‘foe’. In this context of praise, given by the Captain to Macbeth and Banquo’s heroism, ‘redoubled’ suggests that they would stop at nothing to gain victory for King and country and were prepared to make multiple attacks upon the enemy to be victorious. However, perhaps ‘redoubled’ might also be Shakespeare’s way of foreshadowing the reversible nature of their friendship. This can be seen later in the play when we witness a greed fuelled Macbeth seek to maintain ultimate power at all costs, including turning against his best friend Banquo in order to maintain his place as supreme ruler.

Choose two of the following questions to answer: • What have I learned today? • Why have I learned it? • How will I be able to use what I have learned today? Your task • Put one answer on each post-it for your two chosen questions. • Place your answers beside the questions positioned around the room.