These were the notes that I had compiled from different resources over the GCSE English Literature course, which took me from a grade 4/5 to a grade 9 in the actual exams so I know these contain all the information for Macbeth you could need to achieve a high score in the actual exam
Macbeth: Context
Hamartia
Defined as ‘fatal flaw’ leading to ultimate downfall – Macbeth’s ambition + lust for
power is critical in its presentation as it leads to his inevitable downfall
Catharsis
Defined as the ‘cleansing of emotions’ experienced at the end of the tragedy
Example: Macbeth’s self-destructive actions climax in Act 5, when he is stripped of
his majesty, loses his wife + his own life. This results in the audience to pity Macbeth
+ so the audience experiences catharsis
Witchcraft
King James’s beliefs evidently influenced Shakespeare’s literary decisions
The witches serve as a warning against witchcraft, evil + bloodshed – contextually
there are parallels between the witches and the ‘Three Fates in Greek mythology’ who
were responsible in the destinies of mortals + who spun the weave of the lives of
humans
It has been argued that Lady Macbeth is the 4th witch due to her genuine passion +
immense power + ambition – links contextually as women were attacked + accused of
witchcraft
Setting (a contextual feature)
Macbeth was written in England 1606, however, the setting is in 11th-century
Scotland, the homeland of King James I
Shakespeare’s decision of setting and weather reflects the mood of Macbeth + pathetic
fallacy is used to create a more in-depth experience, resulting in the audience to be
completely absorbed by the play’s atmosphere
The play begins with bleak weather as the witches describe the first battle scene with
Macbeth as being “fog and filthy air” (A1S1). The “fog” portrays the uncertainty +
mystery surrounding the play’s events – the audience will have been deeply unsure
about what would unfold.
The air is referenced as “filthy” pointing to moral degradation
The role of the witches is uncertain at the beginning of the play, something
Shakespeare has arguably done to leave an ominous, foreboding tone for the decisions
that will be made and how the tragedy will ultimately unfold.
At the end of Act I Scene I, the witches state that “fair is foul and foul is fair”,
demonstrating + outlining this reversal of morality.
Macbeth Analysis
, Introduction
Macbeth is identified as the eponymous character within this Shakespearean tragedy. He is
‘the’ tragic hero, portraying this meaning about how he starts out in a position of glory and
success, but falls from grace due to an error in judgement of his own making. It is secondary
nature to the reader that in Shakespeare’s plays, every tragic hero has a fatal flaw, or
hamartia: Macbeth’s is his unchecked ambition, outlining this idea that he is unable to
restrain himself from going after what he wants, regardless of moral consequence.
Key Moments/Themes
Ambition
Macbeth is aware that the only standing argument for killing Duncan is to satisfy his
ambition. He also knows that blindly obeying ambition will inevitably lead to disaster and
chaos. The use of the phrase “o’erleaps itself/And falls on th’other” successfully suggests
that ambition has the power to make people think illogically, resulting in them overestimating
their own abilities to get ahead of themselves. Additionally, it portrays ambition as self-
destructive, explicitly evident through Shakespeare’s presentation of Macbeth.
Violence
The recount of the battle against Norway and the rebels not only portrays Macbeth as the
tragic hero that Scotland requires, but also demonstrates this imagery of explicit violence that
takes place. Firstly, Macbeth is identified as “brave” and highly skilled and confident with
his sword – both traits that are typically associated with heroism. Shakespeare ultimately
shows how violence and bloodshed is romanticised in the context of war, with impressive
imagery such as “disdaining Fortune” and “smoked with bloody execution”. The use of
the metaphor “smoked with bloody execution” implies violence as a destructive force,
rather than representing it as honourable warfare. It can be argued that Shakespeare
purposefully combines both “smoke” and “blood”, two explicit motifs that recur throughout
the play and are linked to Macbeth’s guilt.
Duality
The duality between light and dark, such as “stars” and “black and deep desires”, is
symbolic for the conflict between Macbeth’s conscience, moral compass, and his ambition. It
is at this moment in Act 1 Scene 4 where he finally admits to himself that he wants to become
king no matter what, leaving an ominous, foreboding tone for the rest of the play and the
destruction that plays out. Shakespeare’s use of the metaphor “the eye wink at the hand” is
a synecdoche, a literary technique where a part is used to represent the whole. In this specific
case, the “eye” is a representation of Macbeth’s current consciousness or awareness – his
mind – while the “hand” represents his actions and reality. He wants to turn a blind eye to
his own murderous deeds. Despite it being what “the eye fears”, he wants it to be “done”, a
paradox that causes a lot of tension and tragedy for Macbeth.
Power
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