Macbeth Analyzing the Text Study Guide

What is the mood or atmosphere of Act II? What images or details in characters' speeches help to create this mood?

The mood or atmosphere of Act II is extremely suspenseful and stressful because everything is moving fast-paced and no one ever knows what is happening next.

Consider the description of Edward, the English king, in lines 146-159 of Scene 3. Why is this passage included in the play?

This passage was included in the play as a way to inform people that Macbeth's evilness could be healed with one touch from the English King, Edward.

Reread Lady Macbeth's soliloquy, lines 35-51, in Scene 5. Why does she ask for the spirits to fill her with "direst cruelty" and "make thick my blood"? What does this speech reveal about her character?

This speech reveals that even though Lady Macbeth was previously nurturing, she is asking to become more cold and selfish so that she can do whatever it takes for her and Macbeth to be on top.

The witches are sometimes seen as representing fate, or destiny. Do they merely reveal what will happen, or do they manipulate events?

They manipulate the events. For example, they said Macbeth would not die of someone born of a woman but they knew that Macduff was born of a cesarean.

Review Lennox's speech in lines 1-20 of Scene 6. What words and phrases in this speech convey an ironic tone?

Lennox figuring out that Macbeth killed Duncan and Banquo conveys an ironic tone because the audience already knows that Macbeth committed treason and if Lennox can figure this out then other nobles can do the same.

Using these passages as a guide, explain how Macbeth's attempt to resolve his conflict changes him. What message does Shakespeare convey through his change? Act I, Scene 3, lines 130-142; Scene 7, lines 31-35 Act II, Scene 2, lines 56-61 Act III, Scene 4, lines 93-96; lines 122-126 Act V, Scene 3, lines 19-28; Scene 5, lines 9-15

Macbeth attempts to become king by killing King Duncan but he really does not want to commit this act of treason. As the story progresses Macbeth becomes more heartless and cold. Shakespeare conveys the message of evil taking over a past good person.

Reread lines 47-56 in Scene 1. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo and feel threatened by his "being"? What is suggested about Macbeth's character through his action of hiring murderers to carry out his plan?

Macbeth fears Banquo because Banquo was at the prophecy and witnessed the Weird Sisters and now Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth becoming King soon after the prophecy. Also in the prophecy, Banquo's son is heir to the throne in the line of succession after Macbeth. Macbeth is seen as sly and selfish through his action of hiring the murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance.

How does Macbeth interpret the prophecies pronounced by the first three apparitions? Explain how knowledge of the witches' intent affects the audience's perception of these prophecies.

Macbeth interprets the prophecies by boasting that he will live a long life without extreme troubles that he can't take care of by force. The audience knows that the witches can add things into their prophecies as a way to influence the receiver's perception of them, therefore the audience knows that one or more of the prophecies may not come true.

Review lines 135-140 in Scene 4. In what way does this speech reveal a change in Macbeth's attitude from how he has felt in the past about his deeds?

Macbeth is no longer trying to find inner peace and he is no longer feeling guilty about his past actions.

In Shakespeare's tragedies, often the main character is given a chance to say something significant about his life just before he dies. What speech might function as Macbeth's farewell, even though it doesn't occur in Act V, Scene 8? Defend your choice with evidence from the text.

Macbeth's farewell speech is when he realizes that the witches' prophecy was not completely true. After Macduff tells Macbeth that he was born of cesarean, Macbeth says that the witches have tricked him with double meaning words. He ends his speech by stating that he will not fight.

In what ways do Macbeth's strengths contribute to his downfall? Cite examples from the entire play to support your ideas.

Macbeth's strengths such as determination and cold-heartedness contribute to his downfall because he didn't want anyone to get in his way of being king, which led to him committing countless acts of murder without much guilt. This turned many people against him and created enemies that were prepared to fight against him and his rule.

Explain Macduff's attitude toward Macbeth and his coronation. Use specific details from the text to support this inference.

Macduff does not believe that Macbeth should be coronated so fast because King Duncan just died. When Ross asks "Will you to scone?" Macduff replies "No cousin, I'll to Fife." This means that he is not going to the coronation and does not approve of it.

What is Malcolm's initial attitude toward Macduff? What is shown about Malcolm through the way he assesses Macduff's sincerity?

Malcolm initially was annoyed with Macduff because he did not want to go back to Scotland and take back his rightful place. Macduff is extremely thoughtful and sympathetic towards the people of his Kingdom because of the way he changed his mind after seeing how sincere and worried Macduff was.

Review Malcolm's last speech in Act V, Scene 8. How are his words an echo of Duncan's language earlier in the play? How does this speech thematically and structurally unify the play?

Malcom's last speech echoes Duncan's language earlier in the play because he begins giving nobles new titles for devotion just like Duncan did to Macbeth.

Explain the dramatic irony of lines 100-112 in Scene 3. Why is Macbeth's action significant?

The dramatic irony of lines 100-112 in Scene 3 is Macbeth stating that he killed the guards because he was upset and needed to hold them accountable for their treason against King Duncan. Macbeth's action is significant because placed himself in the middle of the murders instead of staying away from them. This can make him suspicious but can also seem like he was loyal to the King.

Explain the dramatic irony of these lines in Scene 3: lines 4-8 ("Each new morn . . .") line 14 ("He hath not touched you yet.") line 180 ("No, they were well at peace when I did leave 'em.")

The dramatic irony of these lines is that Macduff is informing Malcolm that the people in heaven are crying out for Macbeth to be stopped and Malcolm is saying that Macduff has not been directly impacted so he should not be concerned at this moment. When Ross enters he informs Macduff and Malcolm that Macduff's family is fine, all while the family was brutally slaughtered by Macbeth.

What do the images in lines 6-19 of Scene 4 suggest about the act of killing the king? What is foreshadowed about Macbeth's reign by the description in these lines?

The images in lines 6-19 of Scene 4 suggest that the act of killing the king was extremely unexpected. Macbeth possibly having an unexpected death during his reign is foreshadowed by these lines.

Reread lines 16-23 of Scene 2. What impression of Macbeth is created by these details?

The impression that is created by these details is that Macbeth is a brave and strong man who is also a very violent warrior.

Lady Macduff and Malcolm both question Macduff's motives for fleeing Scotland. Think about the crimes Macbeth has already committed. Why might the nature of these crimes have led Macduff to believe his family would be safe at his castle?

The nature of the crimes that Macbeth has already committed might have led Macduff to believe that his family would be safe at his castle because Macbeth usually kills people who are in a position to take away his power and Macduff's family have nothing to do with power.

Some critics believe that Scene 5 was not part of the original text but was added to the play later. What is the purpose of Scene 5?

The purpose of Scene 5 was to have the witches foreshadow Macbeth's future troubles. He is described as wayward, which means unpredictable, and someone with so many troubling secrets has no business being unpredictable.

What is the purpose of the appearance and speech of the messenger in Scene 2? Who might have sent this messenger?

The purpose of the appearance and speech of the messenger in Scene 2 was to inform Macduff's family that they were in danger and I believe that Lady Macbeth may have sent the messenger as a way to try and help Macduff's family.

What is the purpose of the first scene? Explain.

The purpose of the first scene is to foreshadow Macbeth becoming the Thane of Cawdor.

What does Banquo's ghost in Scene 4 represent? Explain how the presence of the ghost affects Lady Macbeth's behavior, even though she cannot see it.

Banquo's ghost represents Macbeth's guilty conscience expressing itself in the form of a hallucination. The presence of the ghost affects Lady Macbeth's behavior by making her defensive and aggressive against Macbeth by telling him to be a man.

How is Macbeth's conflict intensified by the events in Scene 4? What lines from his aside in Scene 4 (lines 48-53) develop the audience's understanding of this conflict?

Before scene 4 Macbeth believed that he wouldn't have to act on the prophecy but Duncan names Malcolm as the heir to the throne which intensifies his internal conflict.

Review lines 28-32 in Scene 4 and Duncan's lines in Scene 6. How does Duncan's language in these passages convey his character? Explain.

Duncan's language conveys his character as is very trusting but also naive to what is happening around him.

What does Fleance's escape suggest about Macbeth's luck?

Fleance's escape suggests that Macbeth's luck is running out quickly.

Throughout the play, symbols, or objects, or ideas that stand for something other than themselves, are used to represent major ideas and themes. What is symbolized by the repeated incidences of images of blood, sleep, and darkness?

Innocence is symbolized by sleep, evil is symbolized by darkness, and guilt is symbolized by blood.

Why might Shakespeare have decided to show the murder of Lady Macduff and her children on stage? Explain how watching this scene rather than hearing about the event occurring offstage might affect the audience's view of Macbeth.

Shakespeare might have decided to show the murder of Lady Macduff and her children on stage because watching the scene unfold allows the audience to clearly see how cruel and cutthroat Macbeth is.

What moment might be called the climax, or highest point of tension, in Act V? What is clear to the audience and to Macbeth at this point?

The climax may be when Macbeth and Macduff are head to head because it is clear that the witches' prophecies were not true and Macbeth will die.

How does porter's scene increase tension and suspense?

The porter's scene increases tension and suspense because while the porter was drunk and rambling the audience is wondering what will happen when the King and guards will arrive.

What possible plot developments are foreshadowed in Scene 6? Cite text evidence to support your prediction.

The possible plot developments that are foreshadowed in Scene 6 are the downfall of Macbeth due to his growing suspicion in the murders. The text evidence is Hecate calling Macbeth wayward and Lennox coming to the conclusion that Macbeth killed both Duncan and Banquo.

Interpret Explain how Donalbain's statement that "There's daggers in men's smiles" relates to the sons' decision to flee. How is their action interpreted by Duncan's nobles?

Donalbain's statement that "There's daggers in men's smiles" relates to the sons' decision to flee because other people in Macbeth's castle could be two-faced like the guards who allegedly killed King Duncan and they fear for their lives. Their action is interpreted as being suspicious because they immediately left after it was announced that their father was murdered.

What do these passages in Scene 2 suggest about the effect of Duncan's death on Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and their relationship? lines 4-7 ("Nought's had, all's spent . . . doubtful joy.") lines 16-26 ("But let the frame of things disjoint . . . him further.") lines 44-55 ("Be innocent of the knowledge . . . go with me.")

Lady Macbeth feels that killing Duncan was a waste of time and she would rather be dead like Duncan than alive and uncertain of what will happen next because they cannot undo the actions that they already took. Macbeth regrets the murder of Duncan because of the amount of mental torture he is being put through with the nightmares from guilt. When Lady Macbeth asks what should be done with Banquo and his son, Macbeth replies that evil actions need to be backed up with more evil actions so that they are strong together, with Lady Macbeth not stopping him at this moment they are sticking together as a way to stay at the top.

Explain how Lady Macbeth's actions in Act V, Scene 1, draw meaning from the images of blood, darkness, and sleep that has run through the play. Does her deterioration redeem her character in the eyes of the audience? Why or why not?

Lady Macbeth losing her mind shows how she lost her innocence(sleep) and became guilt(blood) ridden when evil(darkness) took over and she conspired and committed murder.

A paradox is an apparent contradiction that reveals a truth. The witches end the first scene with a paradox: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." Explain the ways in which this contradiction is shown to be true in Act I.

The contradiction "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" is shown to be true because something fair is not typically foul, and even though Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were outwardly loyal to King Duncan and kind they were inwardly plotting his murder.

Predict Review lines 2-14 in Scene 4. What do this description of the previous Thane of Cawdor's actions and ultimate fate foreshadow, or hint at, for Macbeth?

The description of the previous Thane of Cawdor foreshadows that Macbeth may be executed like the previous Thane because he was treasonous so Duncan appointed Macbeth due to his loyalty, but Macbeth is now plotting against the King and being treasonous just like the previous Thane of Cawdor.

Explain the dramatic irony of Duncan's reaction when he arrives at Macbeth's castle.

The dramatic irony of Duncan's reaction when he arrived at Macbeth's castle because when he entered he said he felt pleasant and safe but he does not know that the people that he is staying with are planning to murder him.

Macbeth's active imagination contributes to his internal conflict. Explain what these passages from Act II reveal about this conflict. the appearance of the dagger (Scene 1, lines 32-48) the voice after the murder (Scene 2, lines 33-41)his refusal to return to the room (Scene 2, lines 48-50) his words after the discovery of Duncan's death (Scene 3, lines 85-90)

These passages from Act II reveal that Macbeth's internal conflict between killing and not killing King Duncan resulted in the king being murdered. The daggers show that the deed was done and after Duncan's death was discovered Macbeth covers it up by stating that he killed the guards for killing Duncan.