Macbeth

Tragedy – a play in which a character’s actions have inevitable consequences. These deeds can never be forgiven or corrected.

Tragic Hero – usually the title character of the play:

Macbeth Tragic Flaw –

the character defect that leads to a character’s downfall: TOO ambitious

Prophecies of the Witches: Macbeth:

Thane of Cawdor King

Banquo: Lesser than Macbeth, yet greater Not as lucky as Macbeth, yet much

luckier You won’t be a king, but your sons will

be

Signs of Guilt

Macbeth: Floating dagger Voices Ghost of Banquo

Lady Macbeth: Sleepwalking Washing her hands

Apparitions

1st apparition: Beware Macduff Macduff kills Macbeth in the end

2nd apparition: No man born of woman can harm Macbeth Macduff was not “born of woman.” He was

born via c-section 3rd apparition:

Macbeth will not be conquered until Birnam Woods moves to Dunsinane

Malcolm’s army uses branches from B.W. as camouflage when they approach Dunsinane

Death Summary

Macbeth kills Duncan (King) Macbeth kills 2 guards Macbeth has murderers kill Banquo Macbeth has murderers kill Macduff’s

family Lady Macbeth kills herself Macbeth kills Young Siward Macduff kills Macbeth

THE Soliloquy of Macbeth

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrowCreeps in this petty pace from day to day,To the last syllable of recorded time;And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.

Analysis

Repetition: Signifies the monotony of life

Personification Metaphors: Life is a

Brief candle – life is short Walking shadow – evanescent Poor player – a brief, meaningless

performance Tale told by an idiot – meaningless

Alliteration Stands alone for emphasis

Conflicts of Macbeth

Main Internal: Should I kill Duncan?

Main External: Lady Macbeth Macduff

Themes: Guilt

Guilt is inescapable and unavoidable. Violence

“Blood will have blood” – Violence will only bring about more violence (on the instigator).

Ambition A person has to maintain a balance concerning

ambition. Too much ambition can lead to your downfall.

Evil Evil is constantly tempting humans.

Deception “Fair is foul and foul is fair” Things and people are

not always what they seem. The world is deceptive.