Macbeth The Scottish Play Themes in Macbeth Evil

Macbeth “The Scottish Play”

Themes in Macbeth: Evil Ambition Appearance vs. Reality Honor and Loyalty Fate and Destiny

A motif is a recurring element, event, idea, or theme. Motifs are often used to create a mood or emphasize a theme or an idea.

Motifs in Macbeth: Predictions Violence Hallucinations Gender Weather Sleep Blood

Setting in Macbeth th 11 Century Scotland

Locations in Macbeth Inverness = Macbeth’s castle Dunsinane = King Duncan’s castle

Characters in Macbeth: Thane of Glamis Captain in King Duncan’s army Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife

Characters in Macbeth Banquo: Captain in Duncan’s army Companion of Macbeth Son named Fleance

Characters in Macbeth Duncan: King of Scotland (Popular and honored king) Two sons: Malcolm Donalbain

Literary Terms Tragedy – a literary work in which the main character suffers as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope. Tragic hero - usually the protagonist who has heroic traits but also flaws that ultimately lead to his/her own downfall. Tragic flaw - a trait in a character (usually the hero) that leads to his/her downfall. HAMARTIA – a tragic flaw that causes the downfall of the hero. HUBRIS – excessive pride and disrespect for the natural order of things

Dramatic Devices Aside- brief comments spoken by a character that are directly delivered to the audience or to him/herself. Others onstage appear NOT to hear. Soliloquy – a speech made by a character alone onstage so the audience can learn the character’s innermost thoughts and feelings.

Literary Terms Foil- a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character. The objective of the foil is to highlight the traits of the other character. The term foil is usually applied to a contrasting character.

Characters in Macbeth Ross-a Scottish nobleman -messenger -delivers the news of Macbeth’s victory over the King of Norway to King Duncan

Characters in Macbeth Macdonwald – leader of rebel forces fighting against Duncan (“from the nave to the chops”) The Thane of Cawdor - traitor (“and with his former title, greet Macbeth”)

Scotland vs. Norway managed to attack Scotland with the help of- the Thane of Cawdor who had sided with Norway and thus was a traitor to Scotland - Macdonwald who rebelled against King Duncan and Scotland

Scotland vs. Norway Sweno, Norway’s king, is not allowed to bury his men until he hands over $10 K to Duncan/Scotland Duncan & Macbeth are “kinsmen”

Scotland vs. Norway “doubtful it stood” “but brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name” The Captain describes Macbeth’s actions on the battlefield – specifically when Macbeth seeks out Macdonwald and kills him.

Scotland vs. Norway The Captain describes Macbeth’s actions: “brandished” “smoked” “carved” “unseamed” “fixed”

Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair The witches say this at the end of Act I Scene I Macbeth says “so foul and fair a day I have not seen” to Banquo right before seeing the witches. Why was the day “foul and fair”?

Witches’ Predictions Macbeth: 1. Thane of Glamis 2. Thane of Cawdor 3. King

Witches’ Predictions Macbeth: By Sinel’s death, I know I am Thane of Glamis (who is Sinel? ) But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives…

Witches’ Predictions Banquo: 1. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater 2. Not so happy, yet much happier 3. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none

Witches’ Predictions Banquo: What, can the devil speak true? Macbeth (confused) asks, “The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrowed robes? ” Macbeth is caught up in the news and Banquo warns him to be careful of the “instruments of darkness. ” Macbeth comes around to the idea that “if chance will have me King, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir. ” (what does that mean? )

Macbeth’s got 99 Problems And Malcolm is one of them: Duncan names Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland – why is this significant?

Par-tay at Inverness Duncan’s coming, yo! _______________ Macbeth sends a letter to Lady Mac: -he tells her about the predictions and his titles -a messenger gives her the heads up that Duncan is coming to celebrate

Par-tay at Inverness Lady Macbeth: -her concerns about her husband -her plans for Duncan -her wish to be “unsexed” Macbeth tells his wife- “we will speak further” Lady Mac tells her husband- “leave all the rest to me”

Par-tay at Inverness Contrast. Duncan’s assessment of the castle with Lady Macbeth’s plans _______________ Lady Macbeth as “hostess” Duncan’s gift to Lady Macbeth

Act I Scene vii Consider all the ways in which Macbeth feels he cannot murder Duncan “We will proceed no further in this business. ”

Lady Mac’s Mind Games Identify the ways in which Lady Macbeth chastises her husband in order to get him to go through with the murder “But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we’ll not fail. ”

Murder Plot 1. What is the plan for murdering Duncan? 2. How does the plan go wrong? 3. What is Macbeth’s emotional state? 4. How does Lady Mac “save the day”?

Comic Relief Comic relief is a humorous interlude in a serious literary work or drama (especially a tragedy). It is intended to relieve the dramatic tension or heighten the emotional impact by means of contrast. Who is the “star” of this scene and why is the scene supposed to be funny?

Macduff is in the house Macduff: -the Thane of Fife -cousin of Ross (the messenger) Why is he at Inverness? What did he discover? What did Macbeth admit doing? What will Malcolm and Donalbain do?

Weird Stuff An old man and Ross discuss strange events after Duncan’s death: 1. Day and night switched 2. An owl attacked and killed a falcon 3. Duncan’s horses ate each other (for realz)

By the end of Act II… 1. Weird events that happened when Duncan was killed 2. Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country 3. Macbeth is going to be “invested” at Scone. 4. Ross will attend the coronation; Macduff will not