The witches (Act 1, Scene 3) - Why do the witches' prophecies have so much power over Macbeth?
Macbeth and Banquo hear the same words - but they react in very different ways. Why is Macbeth so moved?
The witches speak dangerous thoughts that Macbeth is thinking himself.
'Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings:
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical
Shakes so my single state of man...' (I, iii)
This is probably the most important point. His reaction is as if someone has read his mind.
Macbeth immediately takes one step towards the kingship
'Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor
the greatest is behind.' (I, iii)
Macbeth is excited by the witches' words, but when he receives news that he is now Thane of Cawdor, he has proof that they know the future and he begins to believe them.
Macbeth is essentially a vulnerable person:
'...why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair,
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature?' (I, iii)
The witches choose the right time and place to approach him. He is full of the ...
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Macbeth immediately takes one step towards the kingship
'Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor
the greatest is behind.' (I, iii)
Macbeth is excited by the witches' words, but when he receives news that he is now Thane of Cawdor, he has proof that they know the future and he begins to believe them.
Macbeth is essentially a vulnerable person:
'...why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair,
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature?' (I, iii)
The witches choose the right time and place to approach him. He is full of the glory of the recent battle and fresh from fighting and killing.
Before the murder (Act 1, Scene 7) - Did Macbeth really want to kill Duncan?
Look at these pieces of evidence to show that Macbeth was acting of his own free will.
His excuses show that he does still really want the crown.
'He hath honoured me of late: and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss...' (I, vii)
He says he is enjoying the feeling of being famous and powerful.
Lady Macbeth's persuasion quickly works on him.
'I am settled and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.' (I, vii)
It does not take him long to submit to Lady Macbeth's taunts, even though they are so harsh.
By the end, he has taken over the planning himself:
'Will it not be receiv'd,
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and us'd their very daggers,
That they have done't?' (I, vii)
He temporarily loses his doubt and fear.
The morning after the murder (Act 2, Scene 3)-What state of mind is Macbeth in after the murder?
Which emotions might Macbeth be feeling, four hours after the murder? In this scene he actually shows a strange mixture, and it is hard to tell sometimes because his speech is so ambiguous (it could have more than one meaning).
Fear and shock:
'Twas a rough night.' (II, iii)
At the start of the scene, Macbeth is tense and edgy. He is trapped between the door and Lennox's speech, and seems unable to say more than brief, formal statements.
Guilt and regret for the murder:
'Had I but died an hour before this chance
I had lived a blessed time.' (II, iii)
Some of his words suggest he is feeling these emotions.
How does the character of Macbeth develop throughout the play? Use the timeline to remind yourself about the key events of the play and Macbeth's changing thoughts and feelings, before working through some important questions about Macbeth's character. We have chosen quotations to support the points made, but try to find other examples yourself to use in your essays.
Look at how quickly Macbeth goes from being a loyal, faithful subject and husband to a vicious, desperate tyrant.
The banquet (Act 3, Scene 4)- Why is Macbeth so tense and anxious as he enters the banquet?
It's important to think about this point because it will help you to understand how his mind could conjure up the terrible image of the ghost.
Macbeth is sick with worry and guilt about Banquo's murder:
'Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect;
Whole as marble, founded as on the rock...
But now, I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears.' (III, iv)
This is important. Banquo was his best friend, and Macbeth has ordered him to be killed. He needed both Banquo and Fleance dead, but Fleance has escaped. This throws Macbeth into a panic.
Macbeth is acting secretly. He is not communicating with Lady Macbeth:
'Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed.' (III, ii)
This is a very important point. Macbeth has started to exclude his wife from his decisions. Acting alone puts extra pressure on him - and on their relationship.
The banquet is supposed to confirm Macbeth as a fitting king:
'Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends;
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
To those that know me.' (III, iv)
This is the first public function since Macbeth's coronation, and he needs the important guests, who are potentially his enemies, to feel at ease because he is in control. When it starts to go wrong, he is desperate to calm them.
What is the effect of the ghost on Macbeth?
Macbeth's reaction shows three distinct phases - it's important that you follow them through.
He is terrified and cowers from it.
'...the time has been,
That when the brains were out, the man would die,
And there an end; but now, they rise again,
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,
And push us from our stools...' (III, iv)
At first Macbeth is terrified because he simply cannot understand the reappearance of Banquo. Why do the dead not stay dead?
He challenges it:
'Hence, horrible shadow!
Unreal mock'ry, hence!
Why so; being gone,
I am a man again.' (III, iv)
The second time the ghost appears, Macbeth takes it on - he confronts the ghost to overcome his feelings of terror and guilt. He seems to win - the ghost disappears.
Macbeth puts his faith in the supernatural: his marriage is no longer the source of his strength.
.'..I will tomorrow
(And betimes I will) to the weird sisters:
More shall they speak; for I am bent to know,
By the worst means, the worst.' (III, iv)
This is a real turning point. It's as if he gives up trying to control things, and makes up his mind to go back to the witches. It's an admission he is beaten. We seem to know that the play will end tragically from this point.
Lady Macbeth's death (Act 5, Scene 5) - How is Macbeth affected when he learns of his wife's death?
Macbeth seems suddenly weary when Lady Macbeth dies.
'She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day...' (V, v)
His reaction is strange - very quiet, subdued and thoughtful.
His power and motivation seem to vanish:
'...[life] is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.' (V, v)
It's as if Macbeth no longer sees any point trying to hold on to the kingship. He cannot understand why he ever wanted it.
He realises this is the end and that his own death is near:
'And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.'
It seems that no matter what happens now, he can never return to that happier time before he was poisoned by ambition. He dares each man on the battlefield to kill him in the face of his seemingly infallible prophecy, until Macduff proves to be the exception and beheads him.
