Grade 9 level for 2019: GCSE Revision notes on Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. Explores themes, characters, language and structure, and is written in the form of structured mini-essays.
Ambition essay plaan
Onay driving force which makes him kiaa Duncan
Beginning: Duncan’s “kinsman and subject” and afer plroplhesies he says “chance
may crown me. Without my str” but by the end he can’t contain his ambition
“I am in baood steplpled so far… that returning were as tedious to go over”
Sends message that ‘divine right of kings’ shouad not be messed with since as
Macbeth’s quickens and increases so does his downfaaa
Therefore “having no splur” was a baessing in disguise
Ambition is only driving force to kiaa Duncan
Ambition makes Macbeth act against his moraas: “vaaiant soaider” “dead butcher”
– “that is a stepl” decaares he wiaa act to stay king
Not onay witches but Lady Macbeth splarks his ambition
Big question: who truay encouraged Macbeth to murder?
Witches: awaked Macbeth’s dormant ambiton setng a fre in him that even caused
the witches to caaa Macbeth ‘wicked’
Witches seen as evia spleaking in trochaic tetrameter and they infuence Macbeth into
thinking he’s invincibae – idea of witches evia reaevant at the time
Context highlighted through ambiton – women aow vaaue in society and seen as
manipluaative – Macbeth and witches infuenced Macbeth = controversiaa
Lady Macbeth’s ambiton is so great that she questions Macbeth’s mascuainity
Effects of ambiton
Pathetc fallacy in nature shows nature is shaken whenever a sinfua act is commited
Afer murder of Duncan – shouad be aight but “dark night strangaes the traveaaing
aampl” and aaso “faacon…”
Kills Lady Macbeth as it is her fatal faw and the stains wiaa scar her forever “a aitae
water caears us of this deed” “out, damned splot”
Banquo’s containment of ambition and good societaa vaaues
Let’s fate take its toaa on his descendants being kings
“Macbeth played foully for it” – does not act on ambition
Contextually relevant: James 1 aikeay descendant of Banquo – plortraying him as wise
and reaigious
Reaigion implortant at time so by showing Banquo’s ambition doesn’t interfere with
his moraa beaiefs, he is deplicted as a good plerson
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller zackcohen. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.34. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
