Macbeth-William Shakespeare Study Guide

Act I
Scene I:
1. Upon the opening of the scene immediately William Shakespeare suggests confusion and
impending evil. Stage directions and setting of “ a desolate place” along with “ thunder and
lightning” all allude to a barren place with danger and calamities about to happen. This idea is
carried through where they will meet again in “ thunder, lighting or in rain”, with the violent
weather imagery suggesting danger will continue throughout the text. Further demonstrated is
where the place is located as the “ heath”, a place of uncultivated land. Confusion is also
conveyed where “ fair is foul, and foul is fair”, with the paradoxical nature suggesting a lack of
certainty within the play.
Scene II:
1. Macbeth is describes as a brave yet violent soldier for killing the rebel group. This is further
emphasised through the metaphorical comparison of his bravery as “ sparrows, eagles or the
hare the lion”. It is undistinguishable weather they were to “ memorise another Golgotha, “
with the biblical allusion to the slaughter of Christs crucifixion alluding the vicious nature of
Macbeth as well.
2. Ross tells the King the Norwegians are challenging them, “ where the Norwegian banners flout
the sky. He alerts the King to the Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal and assistance “ by that most
disloyal traitor, the Thane of Cawdor”. Ross also informs the king that Macbeth has confronted
the Thane of Cawdor and captured him.
3. “ Go pronounce his present death and with his former title go greet Macbeth”, alluding to the
elevation of Macbeths noble status. This is also evident of the king thinking highly of respect
calling him “ noble Macbeth”. Yet what the Thanks of Cawdor has lost, “ noble Macbeth hath
won”, continuing on the paradoxical nature of the witches prophesy of contrasting ideas.
Scene III:
1. Further emphasise of the witches evil occur within the scene, where they take revenge
husband of the wife who refused to give them a chestnut, insulting them telling them “ Aroint
thee, witch”. Being the master of the ship Tiger, the repetition of “ ill do, ill do and ill do”,
suggests the beginning of a spell and their passionate desire for revenge. The use of deathly
imagery within “ ill drain him dry as hay”, illustrates their vicious nature with no restraint. For
that he will never sleep, living a man cursed “ tempest-tossed”, with the consonance of the “t”
emphasising the anger of the witches and their eagerness to torment the man.
2. Lines `19-20 where “ Sleep shall neither night nor day, Hang upon his penthouse lid”,
foreshadows the fate of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth for they like the wife of the sailor take
lightly the witches and their arrogance in self (wife refusing to give chestnut, Macbeth
believing he is untouchable from the 3 prophecies). Thus both will become damned to a lack of
sleep where Macbeth is unable to sleep after murdering Duncan, full of paranoi and Lady
Macbeth sleepwalks.
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4. “ So foul and fair a day I have not seen” is significant as this is the audiences first time hearing
Macbeth speak, echoing the witches line in Act 1 Scene 1. Shakespeare use of this line ties
Macbeth to the witches and also the paradoxical nature of their prophecies and equivocation
that will occur, along with the confusion that occurs.
5. Banquo and Macbeth both react and take differently to the witches prophecy. Macbeth upon
hearing his future titles is shocked, where Banquo describes him as one who “ seem to fear
things that do sound so fair”. Macbeths reaction may allude to his inner thoughts of regicide
thus the witches speaking his mind shock him. Macbeth continues demanding the witches to
continue their prophecy to “ Tell him more”, yet as the first part comes true his title of Thane
of Cawdor his fear is demonstrated. Shakespeare describes it metaphorically as dressing
Macbeth “ in borrowed robes” suggesting his denial to the whole prophecy thus also his refusal
to murder the king. Yet within his aside thoughts of regicide come back where it makes his “
seated heart nock at my ribs against the use of nature”, conveying his fear of the prophecy but
 also his knowledge at what he may potentially do. Banquo however reacts neutrally but
instead with curiosity of his own future yet “ neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate”,
suggesting his unwavering loyalty to the king and to his future, not easily manipulated. Instead
taking a level headed approach he warns Macbeth to be careful where instruments of darkness
“ win us with honest trifles, to betrays in deepest consequence”, foreshadowing the future of
the play and the equivocation of the witches prophecy.
6. “ To me you speak not”, demonstrates Banquo questioning why the witches haven’t mentioned
him hence showing interest in the mention of the previously mentioned prophecy. Yet he is
also conveyed to accept fate as he “ neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate”.
7. The tone in the exchange “ Your children shall be kings”, from Macbeth to Banquo is
puzzlement and jealousy. Macbeth is already prophesised to be King yet, it will be taken away
from him with his bloodline no longer continuing the royal house.
8. Macbeth gains the title of “ thane of Cawdor” as he saves Duncan’s son Malcolm and defeated
the rebel. He also gains the title because Duncan finds out about the previousThane and his
betrayal. Macbeth at first is hesitant as shown in “ why do you dress me in borrowed robes?
with the metaphorical comparison conveying the his lack of connection to the title.
9. Macbeth gains the title of “ thane of Cawdor” as he defeated the enemy, thus gaining great pride
and glory for the country. It is also due to the reason Duncan finds out about the previous
Thane, the “ most disloyal traitor”. Yet Macbeth is hesitant as shown in “ Why do you dress me
in borrowed robes”.
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Scene IV:
1. Malcolm reports that the Thane of Cawdor died a dignified death because he spoke with the
one who saw him die. Duncan discusses about his personality, reflecting that it is impossible to
judge someone by his or her appearance. Shakespeare uses Malcolm to describe his death so
that a different perspective is seen.
2. The irony with Duncan’s reply “ There’s no art to find the minds construction in the face”, is
that now he trusts Macbeth wholeheartedly giving him the title of the Thane of Cawdor one
whom he once built “ an absolute trust “ on. Macbeth now however hides as Lady Macbeth
describes to “ look like th’innocent flower But be the serpent under’t”, with the metaphor and
allusion to serpent conveying the evilness that lurks behind Macbeth and his deceptive.
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4. Duncan names Malcolm as his heir and Macbeth feels as if the title has been taken away
from him, even though he earned it. However this is discovered as later, as he says this to
the audience. Macbeth is very surprised and states that he must find another way to
become King, this is shown in, “thats a step On which I must fall down or else o’erleap.”
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Scene V:
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2. “ Thus thou must do if thous have it, And that which rather thou dust fear to do than wishest
should be undone”. This line is important conveying Lady Macbeth’s analysis of her husbands
nature and the situate, pushing him to commit the act despite what he wishes.
3. Lady Macbeth reveals Macbeths character as weak , one “ too full o’th’ milk of human kindness”
with the metaphorical comparison conveying Macbeths gentle nature. She perceives him as
week, without ambition for if he did he would be great. It is Lady Macbeth that pushes Macbeth
later to strive for the “ golden round”, removing and hardening Macbeth.
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5. “The raven himself is hoarse”. The raven is significant as it implies that there will be a
death, as the raven symbolised ill omens and death. The audience understands that
Duncan may not die due to old age or illness, and Macbeth may kill Duncan in order to get
the Kingship.
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8. The chief motivator of the action of this scene is Lady Macbeth. In this scene she manipulates
Macbeth, calling on the evil spirits to giver her power and strength to use his manhood against
him, and provide them with the strength to commit such acts.
Scene VI:
1. This scene contrasts the old scene in the behaviour of Lady Macbeth and the atmosphere of the
scene .Lady Macbeth in scene 5 is revealed to be one filled with greed, able to manipulate
others pouring her spirits symbolic of the evil into Macbeth’s ear, and “ chastise with the
valour” of her tongue. The personification of her tongue/speech to be honourable emphasise
her evil nature and how blinded she is by it. There are also strong dark imagery, with the
biblical allusion of heaven unable to “ peep through the blanket of the dark”, suggesting the
magnitude of sinful thoughts and plans. Deception ties of the last scene to look “ like
th’innocnet flower, But be the serpent under’t” , which carries onto scene 6 where Lady
Macbeth flatters
Scene VII
1. Macbeth is not yet prepared to face the consequences of killing Duncan. This is shown in “If
th’ assassination Could trammel up the consequence”. It is showing how Macbeth is
reconsidering his choice to kill Duncan, thus showing in his lack of motivation. However, the
vaulting ambition reference refers to his motivation to kill Duncan, which he finally finds.
“but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself”, the quote shows that Macbeth’s ambition
was the motivation he was originally lacking to murder Duncan.
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7. Macbeth is now hesitant to commit the crime, as he is worried about the consequence. This
is shown in the quote, “ If we should fail?” It shows him questioning his plan to kill Duncan.
The use of the “if” shows how he is unsure about whether their plan will succeed.