This includes all the key quotes you need to answer any exam question on Act 1 of Macbeth. It includes an example essay, 3 essay plans, and a few structured PEEL paragraphs you can use in your exam.
"When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain"
Storms usually accompany important events or appearance of a character
Pathetic fallacy: creates a mood of disorder and violence which is emphasised linking the
violent weather to the witches, it would terrify the audience as they believe witches are the
root of evil or creates a sinister and ominous mood which foreshadows something bad
happening
“When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle is lost and won”
Uses rhyming couplet to create the impression of music or a traditional nursery
rhyme/sound which contrasts with the disturbing images of witches
Foreshadows the turmoil (mayhem) that will take place with the word “hurly-burly”
Uses equivocation to create ambiguity. It makes the audience question the “battles” that will
take place
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air”
Assonance (alliteration) and Paradox (oxymoron)
Say it in unison, may seem like they all have the same mind/ideas
All is not what it seems, what seems good and trustworthy is actually not and which seems
repugnant is actually good
The oxymoron suggests the meaning of language itself will be distorted
Foreshadows the unnatural deeds to come
Let’s fly through the fog and filthy air suggests there’s something unclean or may imply
there’s something ‘unnatural’ about the witches’ presence on stage
Chiasmus: points out the paradox and similarity between the 2 terms
Trochaic tetrameter: lends a mysterious tone and sounds as if a spell is being cast. The
witches speak in incomplete trochaic tetrameter (7 syllables instead of 8), Shakespeare does
this to show they’re different/strange as it’s unusual. The idea that they’re abnormal is
further accentuated through the fact they speak trochaic tetrameter instead of iambic
pentameter like most other characters do
“That will be ere the set of sun”
This suggests they also know what will happen as a result of their meeting with Macbeth
It suggests the witches can predict the future with reinforces Jacobean stereotypes as does
the familiars and spirit friends “Graymalkin”, “Anon” and “Paddock”
“Upon the heath”
The heath is a vast isolated landscape
Creates an ominous mood and connotes mayhem
Adds to the spooky atmosphere, terrifying the audience more
“There to meet Macbeth”
The witches plan to meet Macbeth
Why him?
It removes some of the blame we place on him later
Increases the role of the witches in the events that unfold
Shakespeare creates a sense of danger through the stage directions, by using Pathetic fallacy
through the stage directions [Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches]. The nouns “Thunder”
, and “Lightning” have associations with chaos and violence which is emphasised by linking the violent
weather to the witches when it says “Enter three Witches” this would frighten the Jacobean
audience and immediately suggest a sense of danger, as they believe the witches are evil and
servants of the devil. This creates an ominous mood which foreshadows something bad going to
happen. The witches’ dialogue adds to this sense of danger further, because they speak differently
from the rest of the characters. They talk as if they are chanting, implying they are manipulating
something and are going to cause mayhem, destroying the sense of order. The use of the paradox
“foul is fair, and foul is fair” presents the distorted manner the witches think in, which further
imposes the idea they’re strange and in the Jacobean era, anything other than normalcy is
questioned.
Meeting Macbeth: Act 1 Scenes 2
Key Words:
Regicide – killing a king
Divine punishment – punishment from God
Aside – when a character onstage along with others speak directly to the audience. The other
characters can’t hear them
Conflicted – in two minds about something
Context: King James and the Divine Right of Kings:
King James believed in Divine Right of Kings – the idea that the King had been chosen by
God himself
Treason not just against king, but against God’s will.
In those days, the heads of the traitors would be displayed on spikes on London Bridge.
Hero:
Someone who is selfless, courageous and is admired for their achievement.
A role model, is respected
“For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name”
“Bellona’s bridegroom”
Macbeth’s brave, savage and ambitious nature is praised which is ironic
Compared to the roman god of war’s husband
Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor, will prove even more treacherous than the previous by
killing the king
“For brave Macbeth, with the brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution”
“brave Macbeth – the fact that Shakespeare chooses a bloody captain to praise Macbeth
presents Macbeth as dominant and powerful, heroic. The adjective “brave” suggests he
is noble and a tragic hero who is established, high in status and in terms of power.
“bloody” foreshadows the deaths to take place, capable of murder
“steel” – strong
This line is very ironic for people that know the plot of Macbeth because it illustrates
one of Macbeth's qualities: that he fights well and kills mercilessly.
“brandished” – flaunting, admired, wanted
“Un seam’d him from the nave to chaps”
The violent imagery from the sergeant highlights the violence of the society and what
Macbeth is capable is inflicting on others
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