Macbeth

Macbethisintroducedintheplayasawarriorhero,whosefameonthebattlefield
winshimgreathonorfromtheking.Essentially,though,heisahumanbeingwhose
privateambitionsaremadecleartotheaudiencethroughhisasidesandsoliloquies
(solospeeches).Theseoftenconflictwiththeopinionothershaveofhim,whichhe
describesas"golden"(I:7,33).Despitehisfearlesscharacterinbattle,Macbethis
concernedbythepropheciesoftheWitches,andhisthoughtsremainconfused,both
before,during,andafterhismurderofKingDuncan.WhenDuncanannouncesthathe
intendsthekingdomtopasstohissonMalcolm,Macbethappearsfrustrated.Whenhe
isabouttocommitthemurder,heundergoesterriblepangsofconscience.Macbethis
athismosthumanandsympatheticwhenhismanlinessismockedanddemeanedby
hiswife(seeinparticularActI,Scene7).
However,byActIII,Scene2,Macbethhasresolvedhimselfintoafarmore
stereotypicalvillainandassertshismanlinessoverthatofhiswife.Hisambitionnow
beginstospurhimtowardfurtherterribledeeds,andhestartstodisregardandevento
challengeFateandFortune.Eachsuccessivemurderreduceshishuman
characteristicsstillfurther,untilheappearstobethemoredominantpartnerinthe
marriage.Nevertheless,thenewfoundresolve,whichcausesMacbethto"wade"
onwardintohisselfcreatedriverofblood(ActIII,Scene4),ispersistentlyalarmed
bysupernaturalevents.TheappearanceofBanquo'sghost,inparticular,causeshimto
swingfromonestateofmindtoanotheruntilheisnolongersureofwhatisand
"whatisnot"(I:3,142).
ButMacbeth'shubrisorexcessiveprideisnowhisdominantcharactertrait.This
featureofhispersonalityiswellpresentedinActIV,Scene1,whenherevisitsthe
Witchesofhisownaccord.Hisboldnessandimpressionofpersonalinvincibility
markhimoutforatragicfall.
TheProgressiveCharacterofMacbethandQuotes
ThecharacterofMacbeth,aspresentedintheplay,isaprogressiveone.Astheplot
proceedshisfewgoodqualitiesdisappear,whiletheevilbecomemoreandmore
developed.Hiscareerisadownwardone.Hegoesfromgoodtobad,andfrombadto
worse.
Atthecommencementwemustnotice:
1.HisBravery.
Thewoundedsergeantbearsampletestimonytohisheroismwhenfightingagainst
MacdonwaldandSweno.
"ForbraveMacbethwellhedeservesthatname
DisdainingFortune,withhisbrandish'dsteel,

Whichsmokedwithbloodyexecution,
Likevalour'sminioncarvedouthispassage
Tillhefacedtheslave."I.ii.1620.
Andagain,Rossspeaksofhimas
"Bellona'sbridegroom,lapp'dinproof."I.ii.54.
Wemaynotice,too,Macbeth'sownwordswhenspeakingofhimself:
"Idaredoallthatmaybecomeaman,
Whodaresdomoreisnone."I.vii.47,48.
2.HisKindness.
Hiswifeknewwellthisfeatureinhischaracter,andsaysofhim:
"YetIdofearthynature;
Itistoofullo'themilkofhumankindness,
Tocatchthenearestway."i.v.1416.
FromthetimethatMacbethmetthewitches,theevilpointsinhischaracterassert
themselves.

3.HisAmbition.
ThattherewereevilthoughtsofanambitiousnatureinMacbethfromthebeginning
wemaybesure.Nosoonerhavethewitchesgreetedhimwith
"Allhail,Macbeth,thatshaltbekinghereafter!"
thanhestarts.
Ban."Goodsir,whydoyoustart:andseemtofear
Thingsthatdosoundsofair?"I.iii.5052.
Itwashisevilconsciencethatmadehimstart.WhenheisinformedthatDuncanhad
madehimThaneofCawdor,heatoncegiveswaytothetemptationsuggestedbythe
wordsofthewitches,andallowshisambitiousthoughtstohavefullsway:
"WhydoIyieldtothatsuggestion
Whosehorridimagedothunfixmyhair,
Andmakemyseatedheartknockatmyribs,
Againsttheuseofnature?"I.iii.134137.
ThewordsofLadyMacbethini.vii.clearlyshowthatambitiousdesignshadbeen
discussedatsomepointpriortotheeventsrecordedinI.iii:

"WasthehopedrunkWhereinyoudress'dyourself?"I.vii.35.
"Nortimenorplace
Didthenadhere,andyetyouwouldmakeboth."i.vii.52.
WhenDuncanproclaimsMalcolmasPrinceofCumberland,andMacbethfinds
himselffacetofacewithcrimeiftheobjectofhisambitionistobeattained,hesays:
"Thatisastep
OnwhichImustfalldown,orelseo'erleap,Forinmywayitlies."I.iv.48.
Andlateron:
"Ihavenospur
Toprickthesidesofmyintent,butonly
Vaultingambition."I.vii.2527.
4.HisTreachery.
AtfirstheregardstheideaofactingtreacherouslytoDuncanwithhorror:
"Mythought,whosemurderyetisbutfantastical,
Shakessomysinglestateofmanthatfunction
Issmother'dinsurmise."I.iii.139141.
Heappearstobehalfdeterminedtogiveuptheproject;butwhenhemeetsLady
Macbeththefallsooncomes.Sheknowswelltheweakpointsinhischaracter,andat
onceheistauntedwithcowardice,irresolution,andweakness.Sheshowshimhow
easyitwillbetoperformthedeed,nowthatthetimeandplace"havemade
themselves,"andatlasthegivesway:
"Iamsettled,andbendup
Eachcorporalagenttothisterriblefeat.
Away,andmockthetimewithfairestshow:
Falsefacemusthidewhatthefalseheartdothknow."i.vii.7982.
5.HisTyranny.
Whenoncehehasattainedtheobjectofhisambition,Macbeth'scharacterundergoes
achange.Heisnolongerthecautiousandhesitatingplotter,butbecomesbolderand
moreenergeticinhisscheming.Henowtakestobloodshedreadily.LadyMacbeth's
tauntsarenotrequirednowtospurhimon.HeplansthemurderofBanquoinamost
carefulandbusinesslikemanner.Hetellsthemurderers:
"Iwilladviseyouwheretoplantyourselves;
Acquaintyouwiththeperfectspyo'thetime,
Themomenton't;for'tmustbedonetonight."III.i.129131.

He,whowassocautiousoverthemurderofDuncan,withoutanyhesitationor
thoughtsofthehereafter,putsLadyMacduffandherchildrentodeath.
6.HisImaginativeness.
ThroughouttheplaywehaveevidenceofMacbeth'slivelyimagination.Heimagines
heseesthebloodstaineddagger:
"IsthisadaggerwhichIseebeforeme,
Thehandletowardmyhand?"II.i.33,34.
Hefancieshehearsvoices.
"MethoughtIheardavoicecry'Sleepnomore!
Macbethdoesmurdersleep.'"II.i.99,100.
HealoneofallthecompanyseestheGhostofBanquoatthebanquet.
Heisgreatlyaffectedbythewordsofthewitches.Towardstheendhesaysof
himself:
"Thetimehasbeen,mysenseswouldhavecool'd
Tohearanightshriek;andmyfellofhair
Wouldatadismaltreatiserouseandstir
Aslifewerein't."V.v.1013.
ExaminationQuestionsonMacbeth
Question:WhateffectdoesLadyMacbeth'sdeathhaveuponMacbeth,anduponour
feelingstowardhim?
Answer:OnecommentatorseesinMacbeth'slanguageattheannouncement,
"Thequeen,mylord,isdead,"
theperfectindifferenceofaheartlesscriminaltothefateofthewifewhohadbeenso
faithfultohim.AnotherthinksLadyMacbeth'sdeathtoucheshimintheonly
remainingvulnerablepoint,andcallsforthsome"deeplyserious,solemn,elegiac
strains."Tousthereisspokenadifferentstorystill.Inthesewordsisembodieda
degreeofcombinedbitternessandcontemptwhichcouldonlybewrungfromastrong
heartdriventothelastextremeofdesperation.
Thebitternessisthatofahopelessanguishwhichthevictimfeelshasbeendrawn
downbyhisownhand.Tothenaturalgriefforthelossofthewifewhomhereally
loved,thereisadded,mostprobably,thestingingconsciousnessofhisownselfish
forgetfulnessofherintheseasonwhensheneededhimmostsorely.Thecontemptis
thatofamanwhohas"suppedfullwithhorrors,"andwhom"thefaintodourofblood
hasdisgustedwithallelse."Webeholdinsilencetheunmistakableevidenceofthe
inevitablebuthiddenworkingsbywhichjusticewillbesatisfied.Ourindignationis

appeased.Wenowfeelsincerestpityforthedeepmiserywhichweknowrendsthe
heartofafellowbeing.

Historical Context
Macbeth was most likely written in 1606, early in the reign of James
I, who had been James VI of Scotland before he succeeded to the
English throne in 1603. James was a patron of Shakespeares acting
company, and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote under Jamess
reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwrights close
relationship with the sovereign. In focusing on Macbeth, a figure
from Scottish history, Shakespeare paid homage to his kings
Scottish lineage. Additionally, the witches prophecy that Banquo
will found a line of kings is a clear nod to Jamess familys claim to
have descended from the historical Banquo. In a larger sense, the
theme of bad versus good kingship, embodied by Macbeth and
Duncan, respectively, would have resonated at the royal court,
where James was busy developing his English version of the theory
of divine right.
ShakespearewroteMacbethin1606.Itisimportanttounderstandthepoliticalcontext
inwhichitwaswritten,asthatisthekeytothemainthemeoftheplay,whichisthat
excessiveambitionwillhaveterribleconsequences.Shakespearewaswritingforthe
theatreduringthereignsoftwomonarchs,QueenElizabethIandKingJamesI.The
playshewroteduringthereignofQueenElizabeth,suchasAMidsummerNight's
Dream,areoftenseentoembodythegenerallyhappy,confidentandoptimisticmood
oftheElizabethans.However,thosehewroteduringJames'sreign,suchasMacbeth
andHamlet,aredarkerandmorecynical,reflectingtheinsecuritiesoftheJacobean
period.MacbethwaswrittentheyearaftertheGunpowderPlotof1605.
WhenQueenElizabethdiedin1603,shehadnochildren,orevennephewsornieces.
ThethronewasofferedtoJamesStuart,JamesVIofScotland,whothenbecame
JamesIofBritain.HewasadistantcousinofElizabeth,beingdescendedfrom
MargaretTudor,thesisterofElizabeth'sgrandfather,HenrytheEighth.Jameswasthe
sonoftheCatholicMaryQueenofScots,whohadbeendeposedandimprisoned
whenhewasababy,andlaterexecutedonElizabeth'sorders.Broughtupby
Protestantregents,JamesmaintainedaProtestantregimeinScotlandwhenhecameof
age,andsowasanacceptablechoiceforEnglandwhichhadbecomefirmlyProtestant
underElizabeth.However,hisaccessionwasbynomeansapopularchoicewith
everyone.SincehewasnotadirectdescendantofElizabeth,therewereotherrelatives
whobelievedtheyalsohadastrongclaimandJamesfearedthatdiscontentedfactions
mightgatheraroundthem.AtfirsttheCatholicshadhopedJamesmightsupport
them,sincehismotherhadbeensuchastaunchCatholic,butwhentheyrealisedthis
wouldnothappenconspiraciesdeveloped,oneofwhichwastheGunpowderPlot.
GuyFawkesandhismentriedtoblowupJamesandhisparliamentin1605.The
conspiratorswerebetrayed,andhorriblytorturedontherackuntiltheyconfessed.

Theywerethenexecutedinthemostbrutalfashionasawarningtootherwouldbe
traitors.Shakespeare'splayMacbethistosomeextentacautionarytale,warningany
otherpotentialregicides(kingkillers)oftheawfulfatethatwillinevitablyovertake
them.
Althoughhismother,MaryQueenofScots,wasabeautifulandcharmingwoman,
JamesIwasawarehewasuglyandlackinginthecharismawhichinspiredloyalty.
Buthewasanintelligentandwelleducatedman,andespousedvariousbeliefswhich
hefeltwouldkeephispositionsecure.Oneofthesewasthesocalled'divinerightof
kings'.ThiswasthebeliefthatthepowerofmonarchswasgivendirectlybyGod,and
thusmonarchswereanswerableonlytoGod.AnyoppositiontotheKingwasan
attackonGodhimself,andthereforesacrilege,themostheinousofsins.The
anointingceremonyatthecoronationmadetheKingvirtuallydivine.AlltheStuart
kingsstronglysupportedthebeliefintheir'divineright'toruleasitwasaneffective
safeguardoftheirposition.TheyevenclaimedChristlikepowersofhealing.In
Macbeth,ShakespearealludestoKingEdwardofEnglandsuccessfullyhealingthe
sick:'suchsanctityhathheavengivenhishand'.QueenAnnewasthelastBritish
monarchwhoused'theQueen'stouch'inthisway.

Lady Macbeth
Macbeth'swifeisoneofthe
mostpowerfulfemale
charactersinliterature.Unlike
herhusband,shelacksall
humanity,asweseewellinher
openingscene,whereshecalls
uponthe"Spiritsthattendon
mortalthoughts"todepriveher
ofherfeminineinstincttocare.
Herburningambitiontobe
queenisthesinglefeaturethat
Shakespearedevelopedfarbeyondthatofhercounterpartinthehistoricalstoryhe
usedashissource.LadyMacbethpersistentlytauntsherhusbandforhislackof
courage,eventhoughweknowofhisbloodydeedsonthebattlefield.Butinpublic,
sheisabletoactastheconsummatehostess,enticinghervictim,theking,intoher
castle.WhenshefaintsimmediatelyafterthemurderofDuncan,theaudienceisleft
wonderingwhetherthis,too,ispartofheract.
Ultimately,shefailsthetestofherownhardenedruthlessness.Havingupbraidedher
husbandonelasttimeduringthebanquet(ActIII,Scene4),thepaceofevents
becomestoomuchevenforher:Shebecomesmentallyderanged,amereshadowof
herformercommandingself,gibberinginActV,Scene1asshe"confesses"herpart
inthemurder.HerdeathistheeventthatcausesMacbethtoruminateforonelasttime
onthenatureoftimeandmortalityinthespeech"Tomorrowandtomorrowand
tomorrow"(ActV,Scene5).

LadyMacbethisShakespeare'smostevilfemininecreation.Hersatanicprayertothe
forcesofdarknessinAct1ischillingtomodernreadersanditwouldhavebeen
absolutelyterrifyingtoJacobeangroundlingswatchingthehorrorunfoldin
Shakespeare'sownGlobeTheatre.MostcriticalanalysisofLadyMacbethfocuseson
herascatalystforMacbeth'sfirstmurder,thatofDuncan,andthelinearprogression
ofherdeterioratingmentalstate,culminatinginhersleepwalkingscene.
However,themostinterestingfacetofLadyMacbeth'scharacterishardlyever
explored:thatsheherselfintendstocommitthemurderofDuncan,whileherhusband
merelyplaysthesmilinghost.ThispreciousdetailgivesLadyMacbeth'sinvocation
newweightandhercharacternewdepth.JohnDoverWilson,theeditorofthefirst
editionofTheCambridgeMacbeth,wasoneofthefirstscholarstobringthis
hypothesistolight.Ashewritesinhisintroductiontotheplay:
ThewholepointofLadyMacbeth'sinvocationisthatsheintendstomurderDuncan
herself.Shespeaksof'myknife'andof'myfellpurpose.'Andthesameresolveis
impliedineverythingshesaystoMacbethafterhisentry.Shebidshimput"This
night'sgreatbusinessintomydispatch"...shetellshimheneeddonothingbutlookthe
innocentandkindlyhost;shedismisseshimwiththewords'Leavealltheresttome'.
Allthisseemsobviousdirectlyitispointedout,thoughonceagainnooneappearsto
havenoticeditbefore,simplybecauseintheendthemurderisofcourseperformed
byMacbethhimself;andmustbe,howeverthedramaisshaped.Isuggest,bymeans
ofafurtherdialoguebetweenhusbandandwife,precededperhapsbyascenein
which,goingtothebedroomknifeinhand,shecannotbringherselftotheaction;and
Ifurthersuggestthatwhenhereachedthispointin1606Shakespearefoundhehadno
roomforsuchdevelopmentsandhadtoextricatehimselfasbesthecould.Andhow
triumphantlyhedoesit!Firsthewritesasoliloquy('Ifitweredone,when'tisdone')
forthebeginningofscene1.7,whichconveystheimpressionthatMacbethwas
intendingallalongtodothedeedhimself;hethenlaterinthesamescenemakesthe
guiltypairtalkasiftheywereproposingtodoittogether;andfinally,thoughhe
sendsMacbethtothebedroomalone,hebringsLadyMacbethontoinformusthat
shehasalreadybeenthere,andthat
Hadhenotresembled
Myfatherasheslept,Ihaddone't.
TraitsofLadyMacbethandQuotes
OfallShakespeare'sfemalecharactersLadyMacbethstandsoutfarbeyondtherest
remarkableforherambition,strengthofwill,cruelty,anddissimulation.
1.HerAmbitionandResolution.Atthecommencement,shehasfargreaterstrength
ofwillthanherhusband.Whilehehesitatesandisdistrustfulofhispowers,shenever
wavers.Sheneedsnosupernaturaltemptationstourgeheron.Whilereadingher
husband'sletter,shedeterminesonthecoarsetobepursued,andnothingturnsher
fromthatcourseuntilthegoalofherambitionisreached.Herfirstwordsafter
readingthelettershowclearlythestrengthofherdetermination:
"Glamisthouart,andCawdor;andshaltbe

Whatthouartpromised."I.v.13,14.
Sheappearstobeperfectlyawareofherownstrength,andoftheinfluencewhichshe
possessedovertheweakwillofherhusband:
"Hietheehither,
ThatImaypourmyspiritsinthineear;
Andchastisewiththevalourofmytongue
Allthatimpedestheefromthegoldenround."I.v.2326.
HergreetingofMacbeth,andthewordssheusesimmediatelyafter,showthather
planshadalreadybeenformed:
"GreatGlamis!WorthyCawdor!
Greaterthanboth,bytheallhailhereafter."I.v.52,53.
"Hethat'scoming
Mustbeprovidedfor:andyoushallput
Thisnight'sgreatbusinessintomydispatch."I.v.6466.

Sheshowsthepowerofherwilloverherhusband,especiallywhentheymeetthe
secondtimeafterhisreturn.Hehesitatesaboutcommittingthesuggestedcrime,butat
thelastiscompletelyovercomebyherloftydetermination.
Macbeth."Ifweshouldfail?
LadyM.Wefail!
Butscrewyourcouragetothestickingplace
Andwe'llnotfail."I.vii.5961.
Macbethhimselfshowstheeffectherpowerhasuponhim,whenheexclaims
"Bringforthmenchildrenonly,
Forthyundauntedmettleshouldcompose
Nothingbutmales."I.vii.7274.
2.HerDissimulationandCunning.LadyMacbethknowsrightwellwhenshetells
herhusbandto"leavealltheresttome,"thatbydissimulationandcunningshecould
planandcarryoutthemurderofDuncan,sothatnosuspicionwouldrestuponeither
Macbethorherself.WhenshewelcomesDuncantoherhome,herconductshowsthat
sheisperfectintheartofdissembling:
"Allourservice
Ineverypointtwicedoneandthendonedouble
Werepoorandsinglebusinesstocontend
Againstthosehonoursdeepandbroadwherewith
Yourmajestyloadsourhouse."I.vi.1418.

3.HerPresenceofMind.Ononeoccasiononlydoesshelosecommandofher
feelingsandforgetherself.WhensheisinformedofDuncan'sintentiontostayather
castle,shebetraysherjoyattheopportunitypresentedher,andexclaims:
"Thou'rtmadtosayit."I.v.29.
Whenherhusbandreturnstremblingandterrorstrickenfromthemurder,shenever
losesherpresenceofmind,butremainscalmandeventriestoallayhisfears.On
discoveringthatMacbethhasforgottentosmearthegroomswithblood,andthathe
hasbroughtawaythedaggersfromthedreadchamber,shebidshimreturnandcarry
outtheunfinisheddetailsoftheplot.Hefirmlyrefusestogo.Atthissheexclaims:
"Infirmofpurpose!
Givemethedaggers:thesleepingandthedead
Arebutaspictures:'tistheeyeofchildhood
Thatfearsapainteddevil,"II.i.116119.
andcarriesoutthefearfulmissionherself.Onherreturnsheagainexhibitsherself
possession.Whiletheknockingisgoingonatthecattlegate,shepersuadesMacbeth
toretiretohischamber.
4.HerEnergy.Knowingherhusband'sweakness,sheassumesthemanlypart,and
callsuponthespiritstofillher
"Fromthecrowntothetoetopfull
Ofdirestcruelty."I.v.40.
Shebidsherhusband
"Onlylookupclear;
Toalterfavoureveristofear:
Leavealltheresttome."I.v.69,70.
Sheplansthemurder;shedrugsthegroomsandlaysthedaggersready.Shewould
havegiventheblowwithherownhands
"Hadhenotresembled
Myfatherasheslept."II.i.76.
5.HerAffection.Onthenightofthemurder,itwasheraffectionatememoryforher
deadfatherwhichalonemadeherpausewheninthemidstofcrime.Throughoutshe
isadevotedwife.Herwholeambitionisforherhusband.Sheneverspeaksofherself,
orofelevationforherself,exceptononeoccasion.
"Whichshalltoallournightsanddaystocome
Givesolelysovereignswayandmasterdom."I.v.67,68.

Shehadhadchildren,thoughnonehadlived.Thatshehadbeenanaffectionate
motherwemayinferfromherwordstoherhusband:
"Ihavegivensuck,andknow
Howtender'tistolovethebabethatmilksme."I.vii.54,55.
Gervinusthusdescribesherdownfall:"Whenthedeedisaccomplished,shestandsat
firststill,whileMacbethnowbeginstopushonwithbolderstrides.Butwhennoneof
thegoldenexpectationsarerealizedwhichsheexpectedastheresultofthedeed,
when,insteadofsuccessfulgreatness,theruinofthelandandofherconsortfollows,
herpowerssuddenlyrelaxandsink.Supportedbyhim,shecouldhavelongandfor
everwithstoodtheemotionsofconscience,nature,andaharrowingimagination;but
doubtinghim,shedoubtsherselfalso.Likeivy,shehadtwinedherfreshgreenness
aroundthebranchesofakinglytree;whenthestemtottersshefallstotheground;her
ironheartdissolvesinthefireofthisafflictionandthismistakenexpectation.
"Still,evennowhercharacterandthestrengthofherwillareevident;herresistance
insufferingisnowasapparentasbeforeheractivityindoing.Bydayshecontinues
mistressofheremotions,butinthenight'herfearinfectedmindtothedeafpillow
willdischargeitssecrets.'Accordingtothepoet'spoeticphysiologyandpsychology,
herunnaturallystrainedconscienceandpowerofdissimulationavengethemselves
duringsleep,andthesomnambulist,selfbetraying,actsasitwereallthesecretguilty
scenesoveragain.Onceshethoughtshecouldwithalittlewaterclearawaythe
witnessesofthatdeed,butnow,inthetortureofherhardenedheartshecomplains
withgroansofanguishthatthesmellandstainofbloodwillneverwashaway.She
endsherlifewithsuicide."

ElizabethanWomen
TheRoleofElizabethanWomenEducationTheNobility
TheElizabethanerabroughttheRenaissance,newthinkingtoEngland.Elizabethan
womenfromwealthyandnoblefamiliesweresometimesallowedtheprivilegeofan.
Education.ThegirlsofNoblebirthwereinvariablytaughtbytutorsathomeand
Elizabethanwomenweretaughtfromtheageoffive,orevenyounger.Various
languagesweretaughtincludingLatin,Italian,GreekandFrench.Musicanddancing
skillswereessentialforElizabethanwomen.Elizabethanwomenwerenotallowedto
gotouniversity.
TheRoleofElizabethanWomenEducationTheCommoners

TheElizabethanwomenwhowerecommonerswouldnothaveattendedschoolor
receivedanyformaltypeofeducation.Elizabethanwomenwouldhavehadtolearn
howtogovernahouseholdandbecomeskilledinallhousewifelyduties.Her
educationwouldhavebeenpurelyofthedomesticnatureinpreparationfortheonly
realcareeroptionforagirlmarriage!SingleElizabethanwomenweresometimes
lookeduponwithsuspicion.Itwasoftenthesinglewomenwhowerethoughttobe
witchesbytheirneighbours.AllElizabethanwomenwouldbeexpectedtomarry,and
wouldbedependantonhermalerelativesthroughoutherlife.
TheRoleofUnmarriedElizabethanWomeninSociety
Atonetimesinglewomenmightspendtheirlifeinaconventornunnerybutdueto
thedissolutionofthemonasteriesthiswasnolongeranoption.Theonlyalternativeto
marriageforElizabethanwomenfromthelowerclasseswasthereforedomestic
service.Themarriedstatewasseenashighlydesirablebyallwomenofthelower
classes.WithparentalpermissionitwaslegalforElizabethangirlstomarryat12
althoughitwasnotusualformarriagesatsuchyoungages.
TheRoleofElizabethanWomeninMarriage
Elizabethanwomenwereexpectedtobringadowrytothemarriage.Adowrywasan
amountofmoney,goods,andpropertythatthebridewouldbringtothemarriage.It
wasalsoreferredtoashermarriageportion.AftermarriageElizabethanwomenwere
expectedtorunthehouseholdsandprovidechildren.Largefamilieswerethenormas
themortalityrateforchildrenandbabieswassohigh.ManyElizabethanwoman
madearrangementforthecareoftheirchildrenincasetheythemselvesdiedduring
childbirth.
TheRoleofElizabethanWomeninSociety
Elizabethanwomanwereraisedtobelievethattheywereinferiortomen.TheChurch
believedthisandquotedtheBibleinordertoensurethecontinuedadherencetothis
principle.TheprotestantleaderJohnKnoxwrote:

"Womeninhergreatestperfectionwasmadetoserveandobeyman."

ElizabethanWomanweretotallydominatedbythemalemembersoftheirfamily.
Theywereexpectedtoinstantlyobeynotonlytheirfatherbutalsotheirbrothersand
anyothermalemembersofthefamily.Thepunishmentfordisobeywasthewhipping
stooltheElizabethangirlswerebeatenintosubmissionanddisobediencewasseen
asacrimeagainsttheirreligion.ElizabethanWomencouldnotbeheirstotheir
father'stitles.Alltitleswouldpassfromfathertosonorbrothertobrother,depending
onthecircumstances.Theonlyexceptionwasthemonarchy.

TheRolesofFamousElizabethanWomeninSociety
QueenElizabethI15331603nevermarried.Anindependentanddominant
womanwhowouldnotshareherthronewithaman.Shewouldhavealsobeen
requiredtoshowtotalobediencetoherhusband
LetticeKnollys15401634LadyinWaitingtoQueenElizabethmarriedthe
Queen'sfavourite,RobertDudley,EarlofLeicester,insecret
MarySidneyHerbert,CountessofPembroke15611621referredtoastheSwan
ofAvon.ThesecondmostimportantwomaninEnglandnexttotheQueen
AmyRobsartRobertDudley'sfirstwifewhodiedinmysteriouscircumstances
KatAshleyFaithfulservantofQueenElizabethfromasmall,neglectedchildto
themostpowerfulwomaninEngland
MaryQueenofScots15421587Elizabeth'scousinwhowaskeptprisonerin
EnglanduntilherexecutionfortreasonconspiredwithRomanCatholicsculminating
intheBabingtonPlot
TheFourMary'stheLadiesinWaitingtoMaryQueenofScotsMaryBeaton,
MarySeaton,MaryFlemingandMaryLivingstone
LevinaTeerlincfemalepainteroftheElizabethanera

Representations of Lady Macbeth

The Three
Witches
Throughouttheplay,thewitchesreferredtoas
the
weirdsistersbymanyofthecharacterslurklike
darkthoughtsandunconscioustemptationstoevil.Inpart,themischieftheycause
stemsfromtheirsupernaturalpowers,butmainlyitistheresultoftheirunderstanding
oftheweaknessesoftheirspecificinterlocutorstheyplayuponMacbethsambition
likepuppeteers.
Thewitchesbeards,bizarrepotions,andrhymedspeechmakethemseemslightly
ridiculous,likecaricaturesofthesupernatural.Shakespearehasthemspeakin
rhymingcoupletsthroughout(theirmostfamouslineisprobablyDouble,double,toil
andtrouble,/Fireburnandcauldronbubblein4.1.1011),whichseparatesthem
fromtheothercharacters,whomostlyspeakinblankverse.Thewitcheswordsseem
almostcomical,likemalevolentnurseryrhymes.Despitetheabsurdityoftheireyeof
newtandtoeoffrogrecipes,however,theyareclearlythemostdangerouscharacters
intheplay,beingbothtremendouslypowerfulandutterlywicked(4.1.14).

Theaudienceislefttoaskwhetherthewitchesareindependentagentstoyingwith
humanlives,oragentsoffate,whosepropheciesareonlyreportsoftheinevitable.
ThewitchesbearastrikingandobviouslyintentionalresemblancetotheFates,female
charactersinbothNorseandGreekmythologywhoweavethefabricofhumanlives
andthencutthethreadstoendthem.Someoftheirpropheciesseemselffulfilling.
Forexample,itisdoubtfulthatMacbethwouldhavemurderedhiskingwithoutthe
pushgivenbythewitchespredictions.Inothercases,though,theirpropheciesare
justremarkablyaccuratereadingsofthefutureitishardtoseeBirnamWood
comingtoDunsinaneasbeingselffulfillinginanyway.Theplayoffersnoeasy
answers.Instead,Shakespearekeepsthewitcheswelloutsidethelimitsofhuman
comprehension.Theyembodyanunreasoning,instinctiveevil.
The Relationship Between Macbeth and the Witches
Although most modern readers would agree that Duncan's murder is
a direct result of Macbeth's ambition coupled with the pressure
placed on him by Lady Macbeth, Jacobean audiences would have
had a much different view, placing blame squarely on the powers of
darkness. Shakespeare altered the sources he used in constructing
the play to cater to this deep and prevalent belief in the occult. The
following is an excerpt from my article on Shakespeare's dramatic
changes (the full article is located in the sources section):
Notable changes are made by Shakespeare in his depiction of
Holinsheds three weird sisters, and it is apparent that the
alterations are implemented partially to instill trepidation in the
audience. Holinsheds sisters are creatures of the elderwood . . .
nymphs or fairies (Chronicles 268). Nymphs are generally regarded
as goddesses of the mountains, forests, or waters, and they possess
a great deal of youthful beauty. And similarly, fairies are defined as
enchantresses, commonly taking a small and dainty human form.
Holinsheds illustration of the creatures Macbeth chances upon is far
removed from the portrayal Shakespeare gives us through Banquo:
What are these,
So witherd and so wild in their attire,
That look not like th inhabitants o th earth,
And yet are ont? Live you? or are you aught
That man may question? . . .
By each one her choppy finger laying
Upon her skinny lips. You should be women,
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret
That you are so (1.3.39-46).
Shakespeare transforms the weird sisters into ugly, androgynous
hags, and they take on a more sinister role than was assigned to
them in Holinsheds Chronicles. Shakespeares sisters are far more
theatrically captivating than the nymphs found in Holinsheds text,
and as a guide, Shakespeare may have consulted Scots The
Discoverie of Witchcraft. The Discoverie contains a brilliant
description of witches, and it is possible Shakespeare used it as a
basis for purely dramatic reasons:

One sort of such said to bee witches, are women which be

commonly old, lame . . . poor, sullen, superstitious . . . They are
leane and deformed, shewing melancholie in their faces, to the
horror of all that see them (Discoverie, Chapter 3).
Shakespeares hags, fascinating and frightening, appeal to our
interest in the demonic supernatural. Most people do not believe in
fairies, but many acknowledge the presence of evil in our world. A
known believer in witchcraft during the time Shakespeare was
writing Macbeth was King James himself. King James was so
enthralled with contemporary necromancy that he wrote a book on
the subject, Daemonologie. As with the dramatists incorporation of
the effects of the human conscience in Macbeth, it is probable that
Shakespeare took into account his monarchs position regarding
witches when he altered the portrait of the weird sisters in
Holinsheds work, thus capitalizing on the opportunity to subtly
acknowledge and please King James. In Daemonologie, King James
writes:
For where the Magicians, as allured by curiositie, in the most parte
of their practices, seekes principallie the satisfying of the same, and
to winne to themselves a popular honoure and estimation: These
witches on the other patre, being intised either for the desire of
revenge, or of worldly riches, their whole practices are either to
hurte men and their gudes, or what they possesse... (Daemonologie,
Second Book, Chapter 3)
Compare this to the actions of Shakespeare's weird sisters in Act I,
scene iii:
1 Witch: Where has thou been, sister?
2 Witch: Killing swine.
3 Witch: Sister, Where thou?
1 Witch: A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap,
And mounch'd, and mounch'd, and mounch'd: 'Give me,'
quoth I:
'Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed ronyon cries.
[So they seek revenge]
1 Witch: And the very ports they blow,
And all the quarters that they know
I' th' shipman's card.
I'll drain him dry as hay...(1.3.1-29)
King James also states that witches can 'rayse stromes and
tempestes in the aire, either upon land or sea, though not
universally; but in such a particular place and prescribed bunds as
God will permitte them so to trouble' (Daemonologie Book Three,
Chapter 5).
This is visible in Shakespeare's play (Act 1, scene 3), where the
second witch can give the first witch a wind. Shakespeare's
reshaping of Holinshed's weird sisters also performs the thematic

function of introducing a significant presence of evil with which

Macbeth is confronted. The malignant hags are the primary reason
for our ability to feel true sympathy for Macbeth despite his heinous
crimes. "[Macbeth and his Lady] breathe in a region so vast that
good and evil, viewed from very high, become almost indifferent
and much less important than the sheer act of breathing" (Marvin
Rosenberg, The Masks of Macbeth, 24). The metamorphosis of
Holinshed's nymphs into demonic agents lessens somewhat the
tragic hero's culpability; "[Macbeth's] will to act diminishes, in
favour of degrees of slavery to fate" (Ibid).
Why are the Three Witches referred to as the Weird Sisters?
In the Folio edition the spelling is weyward. Our modern-day
meaning of weird, i.e., odd or strange, is not really accurate. Weird
here comes from the Anglo-Saxon wyrd, and means fate or destiny.
Thus the Weird Sisters are foretellers of Macbeth's fate.
In Shakespeare's primary source for Macbeth, Holinshed's
Chronicles, the Weird Sisters are "goddesses of destinee", but they
are far more sinister in Shakespeare's version. I discuss
Shakespeare's changes in An Analysis of Shakespeare's Sources for
Macbeth:
Notable changes are also made by Shakespeare in his depiction of
Holinsheds three Weird Sisters, and it is apparent that the
alterations are implemented partially to instill trepidation in the
audience. Holinsheds sisters are creatures of the elderwood . . .
nymphs or fairies (Chronicles 268). Nymphs are generally regarded
as goddesses of the mountains, forests, or waters, and they possess
a great deal of youthful beauty. And similarly, fairies are defined as
enchantresses, commonly taking a small and dainty human form.
Holinsheds illustration of the creatures Macbeth chances upon is far
removed from the portrayal Shakespeare gives us through Banquo.
Shakespeare transforms the Weird Sisters into ugly, androgynous
hags, and they distinctly take on a more sinister role than was
assigned to them in Holinsheds Chronicles...(from Sources for
Macbeth, Shakespeare Online).

Historical Context
Witch trials in the early modern period
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Punishments for witchcraft in 16th-century Germany. Woodcut from
Tengler's Laienspiegel, Mainz, 1508.
Thewitchtrialsintheearlymodernperiod,alternatelyknownastheGreatWitch
Craze,[1]wereaperiodofwitchhuntsthattookplaceacrossearlymodernEuropeand
theEuropeancoloniesinNorthAmericabetweenthefifteenthandeighteenth
centuries.[2]ThetrialsweresparkedbythebeliefthatmalevolentSatanicwitcheswere

operatingasanorganizedthreattoChristianity.Thoseaccusedofwitchcraftwere
portrayedasbeingworshippersoftheDevil,whoengagedinsuchactsasmalevolent
sorceryatmeetingsknownasWitches'Sabbaths.Manypeopleweresubsequently
accusedofbeingwitches,andwereputontrialforthecrime,withvarying
punishmentsbeingapplicableindifferentregionsandatdifferenttimes.
Beliefintherealityofmagicandtheexistenceofmalevolentwitcheswaswidespread
inEarlyModernpopularculture,butitwasamongtheeducatedelitethattheideaof
witchesasDevilworshippersdeveloped.TheRomanCatholicChurchhadpersecuted
varioushereticalgroupsduringtheprecedingLateMedieval,anditwasfromthat
contextthattheEarlyModernwitchtrialsemerged.Thepeakofthewitchhuntwas
duringtheperiodoftheEuropeanwarsofreligion,betweencirca1580and1630.The
huntsdeclinedintheearlyeighteenthcenturywiththegrowthoftheEnlightenment
andrationalismamongtheeducatedelites.Lawswereimplementedtobringaboutthe
endoforganisedpersecutionofaccusedwitches,althoughsporadiclynchingsof
accusedwitchescontinuedbeyondtheEarlyModern.
Overtheentiredurationofthephenomenonofsomethreecenturies,anestimated
totalof40,000peoplewereexecuted.Amongthebestknownofthesetrialswerethe
ScottishNorthBerwickwitchtrials,SwedishTorskerwitchtrialsandtheAmerican
Salemwitchtrials.AmongthelargestandmostnotableweretheTrierwitchtrials
(15811593),theFuldawitchtrials(16031606),theWrzburgwitchtrial(1626
1631)andtheBambergwitchtrials(16261631).Thesociologicalcausesofthe
witchhuntshavelongbeendebatedinscholarship.Mainstreamhistoriographysees
thereasonforthewitchcrazeinacomplexinterplayofvariousfactorsthatmarkthe
earlymodernperiod,includingthereligioussectarianisminthewakeofthe
Reformation,besidesotherreligious,societal,economicandclimaticfactors.
Academicscholarshiponthesubjecthasintensifiedsincethe1970s,allowingfora
sophisticatedunderstandingofthetrials.Meanwhile,alternativeperspectiveshave
alsodeveloped;thewitchculthypothesisheldthatthewitchespersecutedwere
practitionersofasurvivingpreChristianreligion,andhasledtotheformationofthe
NeoPaganreligionofWicca.Thetrialshavesinceprovidedinspirationforvarious
fictionalisedportrayalsinliteratureandfilm.

Banquo

Banquo's role in the original source for Macbeth was as Macbeth's

co-conspirator. In Shakespeare's play, he is depicted instead as
Macbeth's rival; the role of fellow plotter passed to Lady Macbeth.
Like Macbeth, Banquo is open to human yearnings and desires: He
is, for example, just as keen to hear what the Witches have in store
for him in Act I, Scene 3. He is kept from sleep by his dreams of the
Witches (Act II, Scene 1). And in his soliloquy at the start of Act III,
Scene 1 "Thou hast it now . . . " there is more than a hint of
resentment and, possibly, of the same naked ambition that leads
Macbeth astray. Nevertheless, Banquo is a sympathetic figure for
several reasons. First, he is ignorant of what the audience knows
concerning the murder of the king and of his own impending doom.
Second, he is a father whose relationship with his son is clearly an
affectionate one.
Banquo - The brave, noble general whose children, according to
the witches prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne. Like Macbeth,
Banquo thinks ambitious thoughts, but he does not translate those
thoughts into action. In a sense, Banquos character stands as a
rebuke to Macbeth, since he represents the path Macbeth chose not
to take: a path in which ambition need not lead to betrayal and
murder. Appropriately, then, it is Banquos ghostand not Duncans
that haunts Macbeth. In addition to embodying Macbeths guilt for
killing Banquo, the ghost also reminds Macbeth that he did not
emulate Banquos reaction to the witches prophecy.

Video:
http://study.com/academy/lesson/banquo-in-macbeth-characteranalysis-death-characteristics.html

Key quotes
Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.
Act1:3Macbethisintriguedbythewitches'prophecies.Asksforhelpfromevil
creatures.
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical
ThewitcheshadnotspokenofmurderingthekingwhichshowsthatMacbethhas
thoughtofbeingkingpreviouslyandthemeanshewouldusetobecrowned.
the instruments of darkness tell us truths;
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
In deepest consequence
Banquoisverycautiousinhisresponsetotheprophecies.
merciful powers, [to] Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose
Act1:2Banquoasksfordeliverancefromtemptationsothathewillberestrained
fromthoughtsoftreason.
So I lose none
In seeking to augment it, but still keep
My bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear,
I shall be counsell'd
Banquowillnotcompromisehisloyaltytothekingforpersonalgain.Ironicbecause
theaudienceisawarethatMacbethisabouttocommityregicide.
Macbeth does murder sleep
Macbethisacontrasttothenobleheroandisoverwhelmedbyremorseandguilt.
Emphasisestheunnaturalnessofwhathehasdone.
Fears and scruples shake us:
In the great hand of God I stand and thence
Against the undivulg'd pretence I fight
Of treasonous malice.
BanquotakescontrolfollowingthedeathofDuncan.HecaninvokeGod'sname
becauseheisaninnocentmanwhilstMacbethcannotevensay"Amen"
torture of the mind
MacbethrevealstoLadyMacbeththathenowfearsBanquofollowingthemurderof
Duncan.

Thou hast it all now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

As the weird women promis'd and I fear
Thou played'st most foully for't
TherelationshipbetweenBanquoandMacbethhaschanged.Hehaslostthe"golden
opinions"
Whose absence is no less material to me
MacbethplanstokillFleancetoo
Dies. Fleance escapes.
StagedirectionthattransfersthesympathyforMacbethtoBanquo.Suggeststhat
Banquowillfatheralineofkings.
Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present,
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness
Than pity for mischance.
MacbethbecomesarrogantfollowingthedeathofBanquo.
My lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth
LadyMacbethtriestocoverupMacbeth'sbehaviourduringthebanquetscene.
However,thiswouldcausealarmandsuspicioninaJacobeantimebecausefitswere
seentobeamanfiestationofevil.
right-valiant Banquo
tyrant
LennoxandanotherLorddiscussthestateofScotland.ShowsBanquoisstillathreat
afterdeath.
I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried
Banquo'smurderalsoaddstoLadyMacbeth'sdistress.Sherelivesherconversations
withMacbethafterthebanquetscene.

Macduff
Macduffisthearchetypeofthe
avenginghero,notsimplyoutfor

revengebutwithagoodandholypurpose.Macduffisthecharacterwhohastwoof
themostsignificantrolesintheplay:First,heisthediscovererofDuncan'sbody.
Second,thenewsofthecallousmurderofhiswifeandchildren(ActIV,Scene3)
spurshimtowardhisdesiretotakepersonalrevengeuponthetyrannicalMacbeth.
WhenheknocksatthegateofMacbeth'scastleinActII,Scene3,heisbeingequated
withthefigureofChrist,whobeforehisfinalascensionintoHeaven,goesdownto
releasethesoulsofthedamnedfromhell(thesocalled"HarrowingofHell").
LikeMacbeth,Macduffisalsoshownasahumanbeing.Whenhehearsofthedeath
ofhis"prettychickens,"hehastoholdbackhisemotions.Evenwhen(inActIV,
Scene3)Malcolmurgeshimto"Disputeitlikeaman,"Macduff'sreply"Iwilldoso.
ButImustalsofeelitasaman"enablestheaudiencetoweighhimagainstMacbeth,
anunfeelingmanifevertherewasone.Inthefinalcombatbetweenheroandanti
hero,thishumanityisrecalledoncemorewhenMacduffcriesout,"Ihavenowords;
myvoiceisinmysword."ItishisverywordlessnessthatcontrastswithMacbeth's
emptyrhetoric.
The Character of Macduff
Kenneth Deighton.
Throughout the play Macduff shows himself to be possessed of great
energy. Except when deeply moved, he is a man of very few words.
He frequently acts impulsively; but he is thoroughly honest, has
great depth of feeling, and is a true patriot.
1. His Honesty.
At first he firmly believes that Duncan's attendants, suborned by
Malcolm and Donalbain, have committed the murder, and he does
not hesitate in letting his opinion be known.
Macd. "They were suborn'd:
Malcolm and Donalbain, the king's two sons
Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed." II. iv. 24-26.
This freely expressed opinion may, in some degree, account for the
reception he afterwards meets with from Malcolm in England.
Though he speaks in this manner, yet we may infer from his
subsequent conduct that he had also strong suspicions of Macbeth.
The slaying of the grooms was a shock to him.
He does not go to the coronation, neither will he visit the King even
when he receives a direct invitation to do so:
Len. "Sent he to Macduff?
Lord. He did: and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,'
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,

And hums, as who would say, 'You'll rue the time

That clogs me with this answer.'" III. vi. 39-43.
2. His Impulsiveness.
That he is impulsive, acts on the spur of the moment and without
any consideration for the results, is clearly shown in his flight into
England. Up to this point he has been careful in all his proceedings.
Now, without the slightest warning, he leaves his wife and little ones
at the mercy of Macbeth. It is very difficult to account for his
conduct in this matter. By some it has been ascribed to cowardice;
but his actions, especially towards the end of the play, prove him to
be anything but cowardly. His wife does not understand his conduct:
Lady Macd. "Wisdom! to leave his wife, to leave his babes, His
mansion and his titles in a place
From whence himself does fly? He loves us not;
He wants the natural touch: for the poor wren,
The most diminutive of birds, will fight,
Her young ones in her nest, against the owl." IV. ii. 5-11.

Perhaps he suddenly discovers that unless he takes to immediate

flight his life is in great danger. The exigencies of his case prevent
him taking his wife and children with him. He will not be able to
protect them even if he remains; but by obtaining help from England
he may be able to rescue them, as well as others of his fatherland,
from the hands of the usurper. At the time of his flight he has not
the slightest idea that Macbeth will be so cruel as to put his family
to the sword.
3. His Patriotism.
When he reaches England, he finds that his greatest obstacle is
Malcolm. This prince has become very suspicious, and looks upon
him as a spy. He protests the honesty of his intentions, and that he
is not treacherous; but it is all to no purpose. His genuine outburst of
grief for his country, handed over to tyranny, raises some doubt in
the mind of Malcolm. The latter then puts him to a severe test.
Malcolm declares himself to be a monster from whom any country
would be thankful to escape.
"The king-becoming graces,
As justice, verity, temperance, stableness,
Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,
I have no relish of them, but abound

In the division of each several crime,

Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should
Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell,
Uproar the universal peace, confound
All unity on earth." IV. iii. 91-99.
He is completely unnerved at this list of horrors, and he gives up all
hope for his country:
"Fare thee well!
These evils thou repeat'st upon thyself
Have banished me from Scotland. My breast, Thy hope ends here!"
IV. iii. 111-114.
This genuine show of patriotism disarms Malcolm's suspicions, and
henceforward they work together for the rescue of their country.
4. His Affection.
The outburst of his emotion on the receipt of the news of the
massacre of his family proves that he was not devoid of natural
affection.
Macd. "He has no children. All my pretty ones?
Did you say all? hell-kite! All?
What, all my pretty chickens and their dam
At one fell swoop?
Malc. Dispute it like a man.
Macd. I shall do so;
But I must also feel it as a man:
I cannot but remember such things were,
That were most precious to me." IV. iii 217-22.3.

Quotes

Act, Scene, Line

(Click to see in context)

Speech text

II,3,782

Wasitsolate,friend,ereyouwenttobed,
Thatyoudoliesolate?

II,3,787

Whatthreethingsdoesdrinkespeciallyprovoke?

II,3,798

Ibelievedrinkgavetheethelielastnight.

II,3,804

Isthymasterstirring?
[EnterMACBETH]...