Final Review Help Pt. 2 for English III Honors
Unusual things that happened to Macduff and Lennox?
- A stormy night blew chimneys down - there were strange screams during the night - an owl screeched all night - the earth shook
I. European Literature Continued
- TRAGEDY OF MACBETH: Review your notes, worksheets, handouts, and PowerPoint Reading Passage o Do know the major themes and motifs? o Can you define literary terms specific to Macbeth? (notes & PPT) o Do you understand how true history and politics shaped the story? o How did lingering medieval beliefs affect the story? (i.e. witches, cosmic order, etc.) o Review your notes, worksheets, and handouts o Go to itslearning for review webpages from the "Bulletins" if still Available o Micro passages with general multiple choice
Witches could
- predict the future - bring on night and the daytime - cause fogs and tempests - kill animals - curse enemies with fatal or wasting diseases - cause nightmares and sterility - take demonic possession of any individual - raise evil spirits by concocting a brew
Between 1560 and 1603
100s of people, mostly women, were convicted and executed
The Ghost of Banquo joins the banquet; he takes the seat of Macbeth. Why does he look so grisly 1 ? (lines 27-28)
Because he was murdered just a little while ago.
Why is Banquo surprised at M's reaction?
Because the witches talked about great things and a great future for M
The Real (Historical ) macbeth
Born in 1005, son of a ruling family Father murdered by his cousin Married the grand daughter of the High King of Scotland (Gruach)
An appeal to Elizabethan People's interest
Country stable ---> good and virtuous king Evil occurs in darkness Blood and murder expectation Thriller - threat to king, evil behind threat
Rhyming lines the witches spoke in.
Couplets
Why doesn't Lady M commit the murder?
Duncan looked like her father.
Lines 59-72: Lady M's plan?
Duncan's journey will leave him tired, and she will get his servants drunk. This will leave them confused and forgetful and they will fall asleep. That is when they can take Duncan and blame his servants.
Mac asks B to meet him later for some words...what does he offer?
He asks him to stick with him and there would be a reward.
Is Lady Macbeth aware that her husband has planned two deaths?
NO
1604
Official Act of Parliament, anyone found guilty of practicing witchcraft should be executed
Lady Macbeth tells her husband he "must leave this" in line 36. What strong metaphor does Macbeth use to describe his mental state? (lines 37 -38)
Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Omen of death heard by Lady Mac?
Screech of an owl
Macbeth's mental state at the end of this scene?
Shaken and guilt ridden
Lines 39-40: Lady M's persuasion?
She is asking him if he is afraid to act how he desires. Asking if he is a coward.
Why does Macbeth kill the king's men?
So they couldn't prove their innocence or accuse the real murderers
Lines 34-37: Drops of sorrow
Tears of sadness
What does the public suspect about the king's sons?
They hired the guards to kill Duncan...and Macbeth was named king.
What do the witches predict in Act 1 Scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo?
They predict Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor, and eventually king. They predict Banquo will be lesser than Macbeth, and greater, no so happy, and yet happier. They also predict that all of his descendants will be kings, but not him.
Macbeth tells the murderers that Banquo is their enemy. Why do the murderers decide to take the job?
They take the job because it could lead to a better life than what they have now and they would die trying to get that better life.
Why might Lady M pretend to faint?
To distract attention from Macbeth
At the beginning Banquo is murdered and Fleance flees. What is Banquo's dying request to his son?
To get revenge.
Banquo responds by saying that you
can't trust part of the truth
King James I
1. Elizabeth I had the mother of James I, mary Stuart killed/executed 2. She appointed James I before she died 3. Gunpowder plot of 1605 was a failed assassination attempt of James I 4. The rebellion's leader was Guy Fawkes; however he has his own day on Nov 5 *The appointment of James I was a good political move, unifying England and Scotland under 1 king *Macbeth echos interest of James
What's the takeaway?
1. Shakespeare modeled the play after an actual historical figure. 2. Some of the plots points are the same 3. The real Macbeth was nearly universally loved, but Shakespeare's Macbeth was not
11th cent Scotland AD
1. a violent and troubled country 2. feuding families and clans fought to control trade and territory 3. the castle was the power base of each rival war lord (thane) 4. political murder and revenge killings were commonplace
Describe the vision Mac has at the end of scene I
A dagger covered in blood, and the fact that he will be murdering Duncan, stabbing him, causes it.
Major themes or tropes
Ambition Equivocation Blood Madness Manliness Disturbances in the world's natural order
B's answer to Mac's q...
As long as he doesn't lose his honor, he will.
Why doesn't Macduff attend the coronation?
Because he is suspicious of Macbeth
What do Duncan's sons Malcom and Donalbain plan to do?
Flee and protect themselves for fear they are next to be murdered
Why does Macduff come to Mac's castle?
He came at Duncan's command
Lines 59-68: What advice is Lady M giving her husband?
He has to greet the king warmly and innocently, hiding all emotion. Then later that night, strike!
Lines 14-18: Lady Macbeth describing her husband...
He is full of human kindness and good to do anything evil
Line 82......Macbeth says "False face must hide what the false heart doth know."
He is implying that you need to hide your evil intentions by your fake face
Shakespeare was a playwright, not a historian. However...
He knew that history provided great material for plays: war, conflict, ambition, the downfall of great rulers, etc.
Why does Macbeth invite Banquo to a banquet at his court?
He wants to make him the guest of honor to decrease any suspicion he may have as well as lull him into a sense of security so he wouldn't expect he was next on the kill list.
A Macbeth for King James?
Interest in witchcraft is well known Daemonology (1599) James went in 1605 to Oxfod, met by 3 "witches"
Name of the M castle?
Inverness
How is the planning of Banquo's murder different from that of Duncan's? How is Macbeth behaving in these planning stages?
It different because Macbeth is bolder and Banquo's happened quickly and with less persuasion from others. It was with less second guessing and Macbeth was confident and kept to himself.
Whose idea is it to murder Duncan?
Lady M
As Macbeth kills Duncan, what does Lady M hear?
Owls and crickets
Faustian pact
Pact with devil provides guidance, power
Marlets at the castle?
Perfect and beautiful
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says "Nought's had all's spent,/Where our desire is got without content?
She is saying that they did the deed and killed Duncan getting what they wanted, but they still are not happy or content. She is saying it may have been better to not have done what they did than to live with guilt and anxiety.
Who is Lady M talking to and sum it up
She is talking to the raven (the devil) about killing Duncan.. all evil.
Macbeth's first words in the play
So foul and fair a day I have not seen.
Who is sentenced to death?
The Thane of Cawdor
Lines 25-28: What is M saying...
The only thing motivating him is ambition, something that makes people rush into disaster...
Witches and Witchcraft
Witchmania in the Elizabethan era Most believed in witches Circulating pamphlets containing takes of witches and witchcraft - really popular
Just after he has been named Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth wonders if he can
believe the witches' prophecies
Witches were said to have....
diabolical powers
Mysogyny
is the hatred of women
Macbeth talks about the witches in his
letter to his wife
Couples make the play sound
more riddle like and eerie and mysterious
Duncan's personality is....
secretive and double sided yet sweet and caring and lovable
The titles of nobility (Lines 40-43) are like
shining stars
Macbeth's reaction to the witches =
startled and afraid
There was a belief that witches allowed devils to
suck their blood
Those who confessed did so under
torture or because they were in the grip of delusions recognized today as psychiatric disorders
The real DUNCAN and MACBETH
1. Duncan was the king of Scotland at the time the real Macbeth was born 2. Duncan was 38 at the time of his murder - a murder possibly committed by the real Macbeth 3. Macbeth was elected High King of Scotland in 1040 4. Macbeth rules Scotland for 17 yrs during which time Scotland had become comparatively peaceful and stable 5. Duncan's son, Malcom, invaded Scotland in 1054, supported by Edward the Confessor 6. Macbeth was killed on Aug. 15, 1057 and buried at Iona, the sacred burial place of the Kings of Scotland
The Many Meanings of Macbeth
1. a historical thriller - a fast moving, action packed murder mystery demonstrating that crime doesn't pay 2. a psychological study of a murderer's mind 3. a play of political and social realism - how oppressive and hierarchical society can corrupt individuals 4. a play of illusions - the effect of the mysterious or supernatural on humans 5. a play of ideas or themes - example of appearance versus reality 6. a play about gender 7. a tragedy - the fall of a great person brought about by a fatal flaw in their character; everyone dies and there is a moral at the end
Parts of people = power in black magic. What did the 1st witch have.....
A pilot's thumb who drowned trying to return home.
Accused witches were examined for "Devil's Mark"
A red mark on their body from which the devil has sucked blood.
When the play begins, there are 2 wars in progress
Civil war in Scotland - king Duncan vs McDonwald's (a thanes) rebels National War - Scotland, led by King Duncan, against invading Norway
What group were prime targets for witchcraft? Difference between magician and a witch? What is a familiar? Purpose of the Longinus Charm?
Elederly women Witches do magic with bodies, and magicians do magic with words It is familiar everywhere with the same pattern To heal
Line 35-39: What does Duncan do for Malcom?
He bestows Malcom his kingdom.
How does Mac mismanage or bungle the murder? How does Lady M fix it?
He brought the daggers with him... she puts them back with Duncan's guards and frames them.
What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald?
He calls him valiant cousin and worthy gentleman
Lines 48-53: What is Macbeth saying? He is comparing the new Prince of Cumberland as a step.
He is saying that he would have to take a step over him or give up.
Soliloquy by Macbeth...
He is saying that it would be best to do everything quickly and he doesn't mind doing it, but there will be punishments for such actions.
Lines 12 - 15: Duncan is talking about Cawdor...what is he saying? What does this say about Duncan?
He is saying that there is now way to trust a man by looking at his face, and that he trusted Cawdor completely.
In lines 20-27 what problem is Macbeth having again? Why does he envy Duncan?
He is second guessing everything again, and he envies Duncan because while he is suffering with guilt and fear, Duncan is peaceful not having a care in the world.
What did the Thane of Cawdor say before he died?
He openly confessed his treasons, begged for forgiveness, and repented deeply.
Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth's new title. He is, however, leery. What does he say about the motives of "the instruments of darkness"?
He said they often tell of good things which may happen, without telling the bad consequences.
Lines 22-27: How does Macbeth respond to Duncan's praise?
He says it is his duty to serve and that it in itself is its own reward. No extra thanks is necessary.
What lie does Mac tell B?
He says that he hasn't thought of the witches at all.
Examine the first three lines spoken by BANQUO: "Thou hast it now—king, Cawdor, Glamis, all / As the Weïrd Women promised, and I fear / Thou played'st most foully for 't." What is he beginning to suspect about Macbeth (specifically)?
He suspects that Macbeth did not play fair to be king and cheated his way into the position.
Act 2 - foreshadowing with Banquo's words to Fleance?
He talks about darkness, nightmares, and uneasiness about the witches...showing how he knows nothing will end well.
Lines 16-34: Duncan talking about Macbeth....
He talks to him with high praise and respect, and speaks very highly of him.
What news does Ross bring Macbeth?
He tells Macbeth that he is now the Thane of Cawdor.
Why do you think he tells her? Its 11th cent Scotland....what do you think their relationship is like?
He tells her because she is his partner in greatness. Seeing as he wants to share his wealth and talks to her, it is seen they have a very good relationship.
Porter to?
Hell....symbolic because of the deed done that night...it might be where M and Lady M are going...
Fair is foul and foul is fair
Hover through the fog and filthy air
Ringing bell signal?
It is a signal from Lady Macbeth that the time is right to commit the murder.
Line 59: How is M feeling?
It is showing how he is second guessing everything.
Macbeth says to the First Murderer, "The worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present." What does that mean?
It means that though Fleance is weak now, in time, he may hurt him and become the rightful king. As of now, though, he is too young and insignificant to bring him harm.
What does he decide to do with that knowledge? (line 10)
Keep it to himself and have hope that his prophecy will come true as well.
What is the point of the first scene literally and in reference to the whole play?
Literally, the witches are deciding when they shall meet again. This scene sets the mood for the whole play and introduces many different themes, as well as the character Macbeth.
Effectiveness of water....M and Lady M's opinions...
M - believed if he was washing his hands in an ocean, the ocean would turn red but he would still have blood on his hands Lady M - a little water would take care of everything...literal blood and guilt
What does Macbeth hear?
Macbeth murders sleep....Macbeth shall not sleep....
Why is Macbeth afraid of Banquo (lines 49-54)
Macbeth's fear of Banquo is that, through him, the second part of the witches' initial prophecy will come true.
Who discovers the murder?
Macduff
The 1st witch intentionally causes storms to tempest toss sailors.. what else does she plan?
She will drain the life out of him and make sure he doesn't sleep. He will live as a cursed man and waste away in agony for 81 weeks.. alone!
Ross and the Old Man discuss the strange things..what do they suggest about the order of the universe and kings?
They are all natural acts and show disorder of nature... 1. dark during the day 2. an owl killed a falcon 3. Duncan's horses broke free and fought each other and ate each other's flesh
How does Lady M treat Duncan?
With care and gratefulness, sucking up to him...
Does the appearance of a third murder seem odd? Why?
Yes, because the others were not informed that he would be there, but he said to have been sent by Macbeth.
