Macbeth By William Shakespeare Key Facts l Time

Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Key Facts l Time and place written: 1606 England l Setting (time): The Middle Ages, 11 th c. l Setting (place): Various locations in Scotland; also England briefly l Protagonist: Macbeth l Internal Conflict: The struggle within Macbeth between his ambition and his sense of right and wrong

Themes l The corrupting nature of unchecked ambition l The relationship between cruelty and masculinity l The difference between kingship and tyranny

Symbols l Blood is everywhere in Macbeth l Symbolizes guilt that sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. l l Weather Thunder and lightening accompany the witches l Terrible storms on the night of Duncan’s murder. l

Characters l l l l Duncan-King of Scotland Macbeth-General of the king’s army, afterwards King of Scotland Lady Macbeth-Wife of Macbeth Banquo-General of the king’s army (and later a ghost) Macduff-Thane of Fife; suspicious of Macbeth from the start Lady Macduff-Wife of Macduff Hecate-Head witch Siward-Earl of Northumberland, General of the English forces.

Literary Terms l Tragedy-A story in which a heroic character dies or comes to an unhappy end, because of a tragic flaw, an error in judgment; or circumstances beyond his control. l Tragic Flaw-a character weakness l l Macbeth’s tragic flaw is too much ambition Foil-a character who sets off another character by strong contrast, or being almost opposite.

Literary Terms Monologue-a long speech given by a character in a story, movie, play, etc. or a performer. l Soliloquy-A long, usually serious speech that a character in a play makes to an audience and that reveals the character’s thoughts. l Aside-A comment spoken by a character in a play that is heard by the audience but is supposedly not heard by other characters on stage. l

Vocabulary l l l Solemn-very serious or formal in manner, behavior, or expression. Rebuked-to speak in an angry and critical way to someone. Rancor-an angry feeling of hatred or dislike for someone who has treated you unfairly. Barren-not able to bear children; providing no shelter or sustenance; incapable of sustaining life. Patricide-The act of murdering your own father. Jovial-full of, or showing high-spirited merriment and cheerfulness.

Macbeth Plot Diagram Macbeth’s murder of Duncan. Macbeth and Banquo’s encounter with the witches initiates both conflicts; Lady Macbeth’s speeches motivate Macbeth into murdering Duncan and seizing the crown. The entirety of Act I Macbeth’s murders. Macbeth’s 2 nd meeting with the witches. Macbeth’s final confrontation with Macduff and the opposing armies. ? ? ?