Macbeth

Act One

Scene One -Line 10

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

Macbeth: The Soldier

• Brave (line 16)

• Did not depart the battle until he had found Macdonwald and cut him open from the navel to the jaw (lines 21-22)

• Macbeth will receive the Thane of Cawdor’s title and wealth. (line 65)

The Witches

• Atmosphere - a desolate heath (wasteland) during a thunderstorm

• Hand in hand - suggest an evil ritual which adds to the atmosphere

• Their tale defines their limitation as well as their powers.

– “Though his bark cannot be lost” means “I do not have the power to destroy him”

Macbeth speaks

“So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”

The weather is rotten but the victory is great.

The weather is an omen for the evil that will befall Scotland.

Thane of Cawdor

King

Father of Kings

Literary Term

• Paradox– a statement that

appears to contradict itself, yet has a valid meaning.

• “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater” (l 66)

• Not so happy, yet much happier”(l 67)

Literary Term

• Aside– A short statement or

speech in which a character expresses his thoughts to the audience.

Conveys a character’s intentions, motives, and state of mind

Literary Term

• Motiff– a repeated pattern

• “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes” (l109)

• “New honors come upon him like our strange garments” (l146)

• Why?– Underscores the idea that

Macbeth is taking what is not rightfully his.

Macbeth cannot continue performing his duties honorably and fulfill his ambition to become king!

Loyal thane vs. Killer

What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to the letter?

Excited yet worried.

Why is she worried?He has too much “good” in him to be truly ruthless.

Why does she summons evil spirits?

To make her strong enough to kill Duncan

How does she plan to handle Macbeth?

•Goad him into action with scornful words.

•Calls him less of a man!

Who first speaks of murder?

• Lady Macbeth– “O, never shall sun that

morrow see!”

• Who is she really thinking about?– Herself or her husband

Make the “thematic” connection

• “…look like th’ innocent flower, but the serpent under’t.”

• Look innocent to mask your real self – deception

Scene 7

ll 1-28

Macbeth list the “pros” and “cons” of killing Duncan

He will be king!

1. The other nobles may get the same idea.

2. Duncan is his cousin.

3. He should be loyal to the king.

4. As a guest, I should protect him.

5. Scotland loves Duncan and will turn on his killer.

6. He is really a good king.

Ambition

“I have nothing to spur the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition…”

The agony of his decision

Evil vs. Good = Witches’ world of “damnation” + heavenly “trumpet-tongued angels

Bleeding sergeant

Weird sisters

Killing of the traitor

Duncan’s tears when he sees Macbeth

Snake under a flower

Dashing out the brains of a baby

A horse falling

Borrowed robes

Respond

• Who is more responsible for the plot against Duncan Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?

• Describe the relationship between Macbeth and his wife.