Context | Complexity | About | Quotes |
Scottish play for James I | * Macbeths views on Good/evil Right/wrong | * Contemporary audience confused by the conflicting opinions in the first two scenes-Macbeth linked to both good and evil. | * Witches-“fair is foul and foul is fair” * Macbeth-“so foul and fair a day I have not seen” * Witches-“there to meet with Macbeth.” * “Valiant cousin”, “worthy gentleman”, etc. |
| | * Taken in by the witches-could he be under a spell? Or was he thinking these things anyway?- Look at language | * “rapt” * “fair is foul” |
Divine right of kings | | * Macbeth understands his decision to kill Duncan will send him to hell- why does he proceed? –look at soliloquy and imagery | * Hallucinates, sees daggers-“A dagger of the mind, a false creation” * “Who should against his murder shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.” |
| | * He is capable of complex thought | |
| | * He feels guilt/remorse(after Duncan and Banquos murders and facing Macduff)-but this does not stop him-sympathy after his death? | * “Will all great Neptune’s seas wash this blood Clean from my hand?” * “The multitudinous seas incarnadine.” * “dead butcher” |
Role of women | * Relationship with his wife | * Not usual dynamics of a medieval husband and wife | * “dearest partner” |
Changes history-LM actually a good queen | | * Lady Macbeth linked to witches | * “of direst cruelty; make thick my blood,” * “…look like th’innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.” |
| | * Macbeth allows her to change his mind | * LM-“but screw your courage to the sticking place,” * Macbeth-“bring forth men-children only” |
| | * Deterioration of the relationship * Does not involve her in Banquo’s murder | |
Aristotle | * Tragic hero | * His fatal flaw-he realises this but still acts | * “vaulting ambition” |
| | * Reversal of fortune | * “tomorrow, and tomorrow,...