In the summer of 1606, Shakespeare sat contented as King James I, rapt with awe, watched Macbeth. Shakespeare had wanted such a reaction from the King who used to fall asleep during plays. In fact, his very purpose for ... we have a better understanding of this history. Duncan I of Scotland was born in 1001. He ascended to the throne at the age of thirty-three after killing his grandfather, Malcolm II. He was a spoiled and over zealous young man whose reign was wrought with failed campaigns and death for his people. To gain the respect of his people, Duncan decided to ... ...

• Word Count: 1823
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... intention to proceed. Hearing a bell toll, he says that it is summoning Duncan to heaven or to hell. (Jump to the text of Act II, Scene i) Scene ii: The scene continues in the inner court, as Lady Macbeth appears on stage and says that she has drugged the soldiers guarding Duncan's sleeping quarters. ... on the castle door, but she says that they should ignore it and go to bed, thereby covering their crime. (Jump to the text of Act II, Scene ii) Scene iii: In the same location, a drunken porter opens the door for two of the king's lords, Macduff and Lenox. Macbeth pretends to have ... ...

• Word Count: 2387
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... (V.I.53-55). This statement is very similar to how Macbeth copes with the death of Duncan when he says "all great Neptune's ocean" (II.II.78) could not wash the [Duncan's] blood from his hand. Both at different points feel as if they are unable to evade the blood from their ... the opposite. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth "my hands are of your color, but I [Lady Macbeth] shame to wear a heart so white" (II.II.82-83) after the murder of Duncan. Macbeth is off confidently fighting a war against Malcolm and Macduff while Lady Macbeth is busy sleepwalking around the castle following ... mention...

• Word Count: 1877
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... betrayed him and fought on the kerns and gallowglasses side. Ross says "assisted by the most disloyal traitor, the thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict"(I,II,52) This causes King Duncan to denounce the thane of Cawdor and kill him and name Macbeth the new thane of Cawdor by saying "go pronounce his ... present death and with his former tittle greet Macbeth."(I,II,64) Ross is the only person in this play who doesn't tell a lie. Ross doesn't only deliver messages though; he also gave Macbeth the ... spirits that tend to mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to th...

• Word Count: 1486
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... back from killing Duncan he heard voices: "One cried "God bless us!" and "Amen" the other, /As they had seen me with these hangman's hands" (II.ii.26-27). The guests can declare him guilty because they have seen his murderous hands. Lady Macbeth is also aware of the way that bloody hands could betray them ... . She orders Macbeth to clear himself of all apparent guilt when she says, "Go get some water,/ And wash away this filthy witness from your hand" (II.ii.43-44). Without proof, one can't be given the blame for an action, so again "hands" are representing culpability in that by wiping ...

• Word Count: 1653
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... respectable man: "For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-/Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution," (I,ii,16-18) Macbeth kills one of Scotland's greatest enemies, Macdonwald, and receives admiration for his daring move and fearlessness. The Captain praises Macbeth ... 's new title, Thane of Cawdor: "No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive/...And with his former title greet Macbeth." (I, ii, 63-66) King Duncan appreciates Macbeth's loyal character and replaces the previous thane with Macbeth. The King's trust in Macbeth demonstrates how v...

• Word Count: 1455
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Macbeth kills Duncan, he meets with Lady Macbeth. He professes his guilt to her. He says how he heard a voice say, "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murdering sleep."(II, ii) She tells him not to worry about it and to wash the king's blood off his hands. She shows absolutely no guilt or remorse. She then notices that Macbeth brought ... devil. If he do bleed,/ I'll glid the faces of the grooms withal,/ For it must seem their guilt."(II, ii) She then smears blood on the servants to make it look like they killed the king. Later on in Act II Scene iii, Lady Macbeth pretends to act shocked and s...

• Word Count: 1415
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... says, "As whence the sun "gins his reflection shipwracking storms and direful thunders break, so from that spring whence seemed to come discomfort swells." (I.ii.27-31). The captain explains the battlefield just after the defeat of Macdonwald. This passage foreshadows the fall of Duncan, and MacBeth's fall driven by ... Fleance and Banquo the scene is set for Duncan's murder. "The moon is down . . . There's husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out" (II.i.2-7). This gives the impression that there is absolutely no light, not even a street lamp is lit. It is unnaturally dark and qui...

• Word Count: 1290
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... upon the pathology of evil. As with all classic tragedies, theatre is used to purge anti social feeling and so reinforce the status quo In the summer of 1606, Shakespeare sat contented as King James I, rapt with awe, watched Macbeth. Shakespeare had much wanted such a reaction from the King, who was well known for falling asleep during plays. Indeed it is ... serving as a warning to those who are planning to do anything similar. In Elizabethan theatre it was the norm for anyone from everyday commoners to noblemen to be stood or sat within inches of each other and the King. The plays" me...

• Word Count: 1976
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... the beginning blood stands for honor and bravery and symbolizes good and victory. "Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chaps, and fixed his head upon our battlements"(I, ii, 22-23). Macbeth has killed the enemy not for fame or fortune but to defend his land and people. The blood on Macbeth's sword after the war shows him to ... . As Macbeth describes it, "And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, which was not so before...It is the bloody business which now informs thus to mine eyes."(II, ii, 55-58) The blood in this scene foreshadows that Macbeth is about to kill Duncan. It als...

• Word Count: 1850
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... : I would, while it was milking in my face, have pluck"d my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash"d the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this. (II.vii.60-64) In this case, the way Lady Macbeth states the gruesome things that she would to in order to keep her promise.This expresses the evil things that ... Duncan's telltale blood. Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red. (II.ii.77-80) This shows guilt is beginning to build up within him, because of the life-...

• Word Count: 1406
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... , still in shock, is horrified because of the blood on his hands. In response, Lady Macbeth says, "A little water clears us of this deed" (II.iii.67), proving that she is a strong and determined woman in charge of the situation. Lady Macbeth seems so strong and vicious that she talks of ridding ... with a poor excuse for why she is unable to commit the murder herself. "Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done't" (II.ii.13 -14). Lady Macbeth wasn't as strong as seemed to be because she backed down to kill Duncan herself. Instead she persuaded her husband do the dirty deed ...

• Word Count: 1282
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... him. It is fairly evident that Macbeth will stop at nothing to obtain the kingship, even if it involves murdering Duncan, which he eventually does. In II, i, Macbeth even admits that his desire for the throne is in fact a rather sinister one: "Stars, hide your fires;/Let not light see my ... learn, however, from this quote that Macbeth still intends to execute his plan and shows no signs of wavering. Later in the play, however, specifically in II, i, Macbeth begins to show some signs of concern for the fate of his soul after he commits the murder: " Hear not my steps, which (way ... his s...

• Word Count: 1270
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the RSC, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth entered after the guests, Judi Dench protrayed her character very seriously, she entered very stiff and she looked like she was hiding something. Macbeth sat down and handed around a goblet. I think at the begining of this scene Macbeth and Lady Macbeth overdid their welcomes, they were overly nice and maybe slightly over the top. Macbeth ... -night. Stand not against the order of your going. But go at once." The last part of this scene was portrayed very differently. In the BBC production Scaachi and Pertwee sat apart, this showed that the closeness tha...

• Word Count: 1255
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... a way to underline the uncertainty that lies in Macbeth's future as a King. The paradox, "I have thee not, and yet I see there," (II, 2, 35), stresses the conflict Macbeth is having between distinguishing appearance and reality. This gives the audience the reassurance that Macbeth is not completely incompetent and that ... up the strength and courage to perform the murder by talking himself into getting it over with. Shakespeare uses the allusion of, "Pale Hecate's offerings," (II, 2, 52), to justify what he believes he must do, murder Duncan. Just as Hecate may perform a ritual and offer...

• Word Count: 1477
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography

... Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, whose horrid image doth unfix my hair..."(I, iii, 132-134). Macbeth's eventual murder of the king in Act II, scene ii, sets off a series of heinous actions which see Macbeth as either directly, or indirectly being the cause of the murders of six other characters in the play. While the Three ... be the most heinous of acts that a man can commit. After leaving Duncan dead in his chambers, Macbeth reappears in the scene of the playing uttering "I've done the deed"" (II, ii, 14). Indeed, he has of his own free will, committed the ...

• Word Count: 1315
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... ! Worthy gentleman!" he is an eagle, a lion, and "Bellona's bridegroom". These are the outward signs as seen by the Captain, Duncan and Ross, Act I, Sc.ii. Unfortunately, Macbeth is prone to temptation. In the following scene we observe his interest in the Witches' predictions. He is tempted - "Your children shall be Kings"; but ... should accompany ambition. Although this is a contrast to the picture of the bloody and ferocious warrior of whom we have been told in Act I, Sc.ii, yet it may still be true. When she says "what thou wouldst highly that wouldst thou holily" does she mean tha...

• Word Count: 1792
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... words influenced Macbeth to kill Duncan and unrightfully seize the crown. About the prophecy Macbeth said "If chance would have me king, chance would crown me king without my stir."" (II, iii) If Macbeth had allowed fate to run its course, the crown may have come to him rightfully. Instead, he actuated the prophecy and eventually met his end through Duncan ... overheard a prayer. When he heard this prayer, he told his wife he could not answer Amen' to it because "I had most need of blessing and Amen' stuck in my throat."" (II, ii) He felt remorse over what he did but he did not change h...

• Word Count: 1449
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , Rumble thy bellyfull! Spit, fire! Spout, rain! Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters. I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness. I never gave you kingdom, called you children(III.ii.14-17). The example of Lear invoking the storm to destroy the seeds of matter along with many other absurd statements il-lustrates that he has an unsound mind and ... away from reality. For example, in his mind he can not wash the blood from his hands. Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?(Macbeth.II.ii.59-60). Another example of the theme of madness that is characte...

• Word Count: 1354
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... is a characteristic that Lady MacDuff possesses as she has five children that she loves. She lets one of her sons know that she cares when she calls himpoor monkey? (IV.ii.57) which is a term of endearment. Lady MacDuff is so loving towards her children that they in return love her a great deal. This is best shown when her son is ... aspect of the family life that Lady Macbeth values. She is enraged when her husband leaves and is unable to comprehend why. ?Wisdom? To leave his wife, / his babes?? (IV.ii.6-7). With her family together she can maintain her role as mother and wife. Women c...

• Word Count: 1394
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... , when we can entreat an hour to serve, / We would spend it in some words upon that business, / If you would grant the time."(Act II, Scene i) This is an outright lie told by Macbeth. Macbeth is infatuated with the thought of becoming king, and dwells on the notion of becoming king. ... vision, sensible / to feeling as to sight? Or art though but / A dagger of the mind, a false creation, / Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?"(Act II, Scene i) The dagger is a hallucination, seen only by Macbeth, and demonstrates the difference in appearance to reality in the play, because Macbeth is...

• Word Count: 1772
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... have just won the war for the King Duncan. "For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name, disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, which smok'd with bloody execution" (I.II, 16-18). He is a great warrior that he can handle a sword like an extension of his body. He is a relentless and courageous fighter and would not stop until he wins ... is revealed during the camp scene. King Duncan learns of a battle which Macbeth fought bravely, defeating the enemy. King Duncan is impressed by Macbeth's bravery. "O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!" (I.II, 24) He is a great leader to his army...

• Word Count: 1269
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... is a use of personification when Macbeth is pondering over his confusion on what is real when he says, "Mine eyes are made the fools of the other senses" (II.44). He personifies his other senses because this further exaggerates the fact that they have more control than him at this point. The personification puts them at an equal amount ... weakness. Later on during his soliloquy, he personifies murder when he says, "With Tarquin's ravishing strides, toward his design/ Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm set earth" (II.55-56). The reason he does this is to show the caliber of harm tha...

• Word Count: 1418
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... at the castle during King Duncan's murder is shocked by the terroristic crime. Banquo notes the sky as clear by saying " There's husbandry in heaven;/ Their candles are all out " (II.i.4-5). Banquo says this to his son, Fleance, about the night coming faster than a usual night in Scotland. There happens to not be a star in the sky, just how Macbeth wanted ... the most evil places in the world to a well-known location in the play " Here's a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell-gate/ he should have old turning key " ( II.iii.1-2).The drunk porter compares Macbeth's castle to hell...

• Word Count: 1978
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Physical Traits: Age- probably mid-thirties; very energetic, smart and quick thinker; talented actress (imitation of fainting in (II.II.); also she advises Macbeth "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it."" (I.V.)) . Perhaps Lady MacBeth and MacBeth had had a child, I have given suck', but it probably died ... to her supposed ruthless nature, her husband regards her as a pure being. He attempts to shield her from foreign agencies by saying, "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,"" (III.II.45). It is only in private that Lady Macbeth shows her weaknesses. As opposed...

• Word Count: 1375
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School