Macbeth ReviewMacbeth ReviewActs I and IIActs I and II

FeracoFeraco

SFHPSFHP

14 January 200814 January 2008

Quiz TomorrowQuiz Tomorrow

10 questions10 questions ThemesThemes CharactersCharacters PlotPlot

No plot summary todayNo plot summary today

CharactersCharacters

MacbethMacbeth Nobleman (Thane of Glamis)Nobleman (Thane of Glamis) Brave and loyal, but ambitious and Brave and loyal, but ambitious and

power-hungry; a conflicted figurepower-hungry; a conflicted figure Can be swayed by the words of othersCan be swayed by the words of others

Lady MacbethLady Macbeth Hungers for powerHungers for power Loves influenceLoves influence Convinces Macbeth to follow Convinces Macbeth to follow

throughthrough

CharactersCharacters

DuncanDuncan King of Scotland, murdered by MacbethKing of Scotland, murdered by Macbeth Places his trust in people he shouldn’t Places his trust in people he shouldn’t

be trustingbe trusting Malcolm & DonalbainMalcolm & Donalbain

Duncan’s sonsDuncan’s sons Malcolm is Prince of Cumberland (heir Malcolm is Prince of Cumberland (heir

to the throne)to the throne) Both flee the country after Duncan’s Both flee the country after Duncan’s

murdermurder This casts suspicion on themThis casts suspicion on them

CharactersCharacters

MacduffMacduff Another noblemanAnother nobleman Honorable and principledHonorable and principled Will play a bigger role by play’s endWill play a bigger role by play’s end

BanquoBanquo Macbeth’s brother-in-armsMacbeth’s brother-in-arms Is told he will sire a line of kingsIs told he will sire a line of kings

Thus representing a threat to Thus representing a threat to Macbeth’s powerMacbeth’s power

Fears the witches’ prophecies, which Fears the witches’ prophecies, which seduce him in his dreamsseduce him in his dreams

CharactersCharacters

RossRoss Yet another Scottish noble; like Yet another Scottish noble; like

Macduff, someone who plays a larger Macduff, someone who plays a larger role once Macbeth seizes the thronerole once Macbeth seizes the throne

Informs Macbeth of his promotionInforms Macbeth of his promotion The Weïrd SistersThe Weïrd Sisters

The witches who greet Macbeth and The witches who greet Macbeth and Banquo on the heathBanquo on the heath

““Weïrd” actually is a form of Weïrd” actually is a form of wyrdwyrd, , which means “fate” or “destiny” in Old which means “fate” or “destiny” in Old EnglishEnglish

ThemesThemes

Betrayal vs. LoyaltyBetrayal vs. Loyalty MacbethMacbeth

Betrayal of kingBetrayal of king Betrayal of selfBetrayal of self Loyalty to selfLoyalty to self Loyalty to wife (copyright Dean)Loyalty to wife (copyright Dean)

AmbitionAmbition Source of strengthSource of strength Source of weaknessSource of weakness

ThemesThemes

Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil Is Macbeth good or evil?Is Macbeth good or evil? What defines good in this world?>What defines good in this world?>

Fate and ControlFate and Control Does Macbeth have control of his Does Macbeth have control of his

actions?actions? Are the witches controlling him?Are the witches controlling him? What separates influence from What separates influence from

control?control?

ThemesThemes

FearFear MacbethMacbeth

Afraid to go forward (murder)Afraid to go forward (murder) Afraid to ignore destinyAfraid to ignore destiny Fearful of Banquo and his offspringFearful of Banquo and his offspring Paranoia consumes himParanoia consumes him

AbuseAbuse Abuse of power/position (T of C)Abuse of power/position (T of C) Abuse of trustAbuse of trust

ThemesThemes

TruthTruth ““To thine own self be true” – a To thine own self be true” – a

good Shakespeare quote (albeit good Shakespeare quote (albeit from a different play)from a different play)

Is Macbeth “true” to himself?Is Macbeth “true” to himself? Disguises and betrayal tie into Disguises and betrayal tie into

truthtruth IdentityIdentity

See Shakespeare quote aboveSee Shakespeare quote above Position defining person (name Position defining person (name

replaced with rank)replaced with rank)

That’s All!That’s All!

No study session onlineNo study session online PPT from today posted on blogPPT from today posted on blog Good luck! Good luck!