Macbeth: Macbeth

Valiant Loyal Ambitious Hesitant Ruthless

Erratic Fearful Violent Ruthless Tyrannical

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth “Bellona’s Alliteration / metaphor: “Confronted”: connotations of Jacobean audience to

(valiant, courageous, bridegroom . . . compares Macbeth to behaving in a violent and understand the extent of
heroic, fearless) confronted him” the husband of Bellona, hostile manner which Macbeth’s downfall as he
the Roman goddess of suggests Macbeth was not initially fought against
(Rosse)
A1S2: When Rosse, the war, which emphasises afraid of challenging those treachery, but ultimately
Captain and others his courageous nature who rebel against the King committed it himself. He may
discuss Macbeth’s have also wanted to appeal to
bravery with Duncan James I who had also been the
victim of treason during the
AMBITION AND POWER gunpowder plot.
APPEARANCE V REALITY

Macbeth “So foul and fair a Paradoxical language: “Foul”: connotations of To question whether Macbeth
(under the influence of day I have not suggests that good and something that is repulsive was already controlled by the
the witches) seen” evil have become and offensive to the senses witches at this point in the play.
confused as the witches which adds to the threatening
A1S3: Macbeth mirrors are manipulating the imagery surrounding both
the witches language in natural order by coaxing Macbeth and the witches.
his opening line Macbeth to perform
regicide.
AMBITION AND POWER
APPEARANCE V REALITY
SUPERNATURAL
Macbeth: Macbeth

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth “All hail, Macbeth . Repetition: emphasises ‘all hail’: connotations of Jacobean audience to consider
(ambitious) . . king hereafter” how the witches may be respect for royalty which the consequences of being
(Witches) planting the idea of further implies that Macbeth is disloyal, especially since there
A1S3: When the witches murder in Macbeth’s motivated to make the had already been an attempt to
greet Macbeth mind prophecies come true as kill James I during the
quickly as possible. gunpowder plot.
AMBITION AND POWER
SUPERNATURAL
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION

Macbeth “And make my Personification: “Knock”: connotations of a To understand that even

(ambitious) seated heart knock emphasises how his request to be let out, which considering breaking the Great
at my ribs” heart is almost jumping could suggest that he is more Chain of Being would cause a
A1S3: after receiving the out of his body; perhaps inclined to follow his heart huge amount of personal and
witches prophecies with anxiety and nerves, than his head on this matter. physical torment.
or perhaps with
AMBITION AND POWER excitement?
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION

Macbeth "I have no spur … Metaphor: compares his “vaulting”: implies To consider how excessive and
(ambitious) only vaulting ambition to something overreaching or leaping unchecked ambition can lead
ambition, which that is driving him to beyond one's limits. to downfall, just as it did for
A1S7: Macbeth and Lady commit treason and those who attempted to kill
o'erleaps itself”
Macbeth plan the murder foreshadows his James I during the gunpowder
of Duncan subsequent destructive plot.
actions
AMBITION AND POWER
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION
Macbeth: Macbeth

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth “false face must alliteration of the harsh ‘False’: connotations of being To be appalled by this as in the
(ambitious) hide what the false ‘f’ sound: highlightS how disloyal and deceptive which Jacobean era regicide was not
heart doth know” Macbeth is willing to suggests he will do anything only an act of treason, but also
A1S7: Macbeth and Lady commit treason in order to achieve his goals. a direct betrayal of God.
Macbeth plan the murder to achieve his goals, but
of Duncan that he must continue to
pretend to be loyal to
AMBITION AND POWER the King
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION

Macbeth "Is this a dagger Series of rhetorical “Dagger”: connotations of To understand Macbeth’s
(confused, disorientated, which I see before questions: highlights his violence, treachery, and deteriorating mental state and
distressed) me, / The handle inner turmoil and state danger. It's a symbol of death the moral decay he
of intense psychological and the impending murder experiences due to his
toward my hand?"
A2S1: Macbeth sees the distress that Macbeth is ambition for power and his
dagger contemplating. willingness to break the Great
"handle": suggests that Chain of Being.
AMBITION AND POWER Macbeth is considering taking
GUILT hold of the dagger, which
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION intensifies the audience's
SUPERNATURAL
understanding of his inner
turmoil and creates a
heightened sense of
foreboding
Macbeth: Macbeth

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth “Hear it not, Rhyming couplet and "Knell": connotations of death, To consider how Macbeth,
(confused, disorientated, Duncan, for it is a iambic pentameter: funerals, mortality and finality. driven by ambition and the
distressed) knell that mirrors the rhythm of the Evokes a sense of impending pursuit of power, is about to
witches and further death and emphasises the commit regicide and go against
summons thee to
A2S1: Macbeth does not emphasises how gravity of the situation and the God. This would appeal to the
want Duncan to be heaven or to hell" Macbeth has aligned dire consequences that may Jacobean belief that every
alerted by the chiming of himself with the follow. action has consequences, and
the bell supernatural in order to the murder of a king would
achieve his desire to be have dire repercussions.
AMBITION AND POWER king.
GUILT
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION
SUPERNATURAL

Macbeth "I have done the Rhetorical question: "deed": implies a dark and To consider the moral and
(fearful, insecure, deed. Didst thou heightens the tension sinister act, adding to the psychological turmoil that
paranoid) not hear a noise?" and creates suspense. atmosphere of guilt and moral would immediately be
Emphasises how his conflict. experienced after committing
A2S2: After murdering guilt is fuelling his fear. regicide as it was considered
Duncan to be the greatest crime
against God.
GUILT
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION
AMBITION AND POWER
Macbeth: Macbeth

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth "Methought I heard Exclamative and "voice": suggests a haunting To understand Macbeth's
(fearful, insecure, a voice cry 'Sleep imperative: vividly presence or inner torment, growing paranoia and guilt as a
paranoid) no more!'" describes his disturbed links to Macbeth’s alignment result of going against the
state of mind, ordering with the supernatural, as if he Divine Right of Kings by killing
A2S2: After murdering himself to suffer for his is being taunted for his Duncan.
Duncan actions and emphasises treacherous act.
his inability to find rest.
GUILT
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION
AMBITION AND POWER
SUPERNATURAL

Macbeth “Hours dreadful Hyperbaton: "Dreadful": conveys a sense To understand the extent of the
(consequences of and things strange; emphasised the of fear and horror chaos and disorder in Scotland
regicide) but this sore night / uniqueness and gravity created by breaking the Great
of the situation "Strange" implies an Chain of Being, reflecting the
Hath trifled former
A2S3: An Old Man and unsettling and unnatural consequences of Macbeth's
Rosse discuss the knowings." quality. unchecked ambition and
strange events in nature (Old Man) tyranny.
since Duncan was
murdered

BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION

AMBITION AND POWER
SUPERNATURAL
APPEARANCE V REALITY
Macbeth: Macbeth

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth "To be thus is Repetition: highlights “Safely”: suggests that To consider how Macbeth's
(fearful, insecure, nothing, But to be the idea that being king Macbeth is now obsessed words reveal his growing
paranoid) safely thus. Our is insignificant unless he with maintaining power and paranoia and ambition. He is
can maintain his avoiding threats willing to do whatever it takes
fears in Banquo
A3S1: Before meeting position securely. This to secure his throne; this time,
the murderers to arrange stick deep” underscores his without requiring the
Banquo’s murder relentless ambition. manipulation of his wife.

BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION

AMBITION AND POWER
FATE V FREE WILL

Macbeth “More shall they Foreshadowing: to "bent to know": conveys his To reflect on how Macbeth's
(ambitious, paranoid, speak, for now I highlight how Macbeth's determination to seek more unrelenting ambition and
fearful) am bent to know." decision to visit the information from the witches determination to maintain his
witches and his as remains insecure about his power is so overwhelming that
A3S4: On deciding he eagerness to hear more position as king. he now seeks out supernatural
must visit the witches prophecies foreshadows guidance. This would have
again after seeing his further descent into been viewed as another sin
Banquo’s ghost ambition and madness. against God by the Jacobean
audience.
AMBITION AND POWER
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION
SUPERNATURAL
Macbeth: Macbeth

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth "I am in blood Metaphor: compares the “In blood”: implies his guilt and To acknowledge Macbeth's
(guilt-ridden) stepped in so far extent to which he is acknowledgement of his own realisation that he has reached
that … returning now caught up in moral corruption the point of no return in his
A3S4: Banquo’s ghost violence and treachery descent into darkness and
were as tedious as
appears with physically wading murder and understand the
go o'er." through rivers of blood - inner turmoil created by such
AMBITION AND POWER suggests it would be as actions.
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION difficult to stop as it
GUILT would be to continue

Macbeth “She should have Sibilance: emphasises “Should”: connotes certainty To understand Macbeth's
(tyrannical) died hereafter” how he blames her for and command - he is angry sense of futility at this point
choosing an with her bad timing. and reinforce the destructive
A5S5: When he hears of inconvenient time to die consequences of ambition and
Lady Macbeth’s death as he has other more power.
pressing matters to deal
AMBITION AND POWER with
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION
GENDER

Macbeth "Tomorrow, and Repetition and "Petty": implies insignificance To consider that ultimately,
(despondent) tomorrow, and alliteration (harsh ‘p’): and pointlessness, further aggressive ambition can be
tomorrow, creeps emphasises how he suggesting that he is in low futile as good will always
A5S5: When he hears of now sees life and the spirits and feels pessimistic prevail over evil.
in this petty pace”
Lady Macbeth’s death passage of time as a about the future
meaningless and
AMBITION AND POWER insignificant journey as
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION he begins to feel
FATE V FREE WILL defeated
Macbeth: Macbeth

WHAT HOW WHY

Character / Adjective / Quotation Language Method Connotations Why did Shakespeare want
Theme us to know this?

Macbeth "I will not yield, to Metaphor: to express "Kiss the ground": To understand how Macbeth's
(determined, unrelenting) kiss the ground his determination not to connotations of submission resolve to fight to the end and
before young surrender. He likens and lack of masculinity which his defiance in the face of
A5S8: as he learns that surrendering to "kissing suggests Macbeth would defeat is a result of the
Malcolm's feet”
Macduff was not ‘born of the ground" before rather die fighting than be destructive nature of his
woman’ Malcolm and enduring viewed as weak. unchecked ambition.
the insults of the
AMBITION AND POWER common people.
BETRAYAL AND DECEPTION
FATE V FREE WILL
SUPERNATURAL
APPEARANCE V REALITY