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Summary Macbeth analysis
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Includes plot analysis and summaries, theme and motifs analysis, character analysis and in depth questions and answers on scenes
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1MACBETH
CHARACTERS
Macbeth: The principal character (protagonist) is a mixture of good and evil. Initially he is
shown to be virtuous, courageous, and honourable. In fact he is acknowledged as
such by Duncan (king of Scotland). He is called “valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!”
(1,ii) These qualities are not admired by his wife (Lady Macbeth). She says (1, v)
“too full of the milk of human kindness.” Macbeth is also ambitious. This ambition
begins to “leap” and “vault” driving Macbeth to evil. This ambition is spurred by the
prophecy of the witches. Even when Lady Macbeth convinces him the murder
Duncan, Macbeth thinks “he’s here in double trust” (1,vii). Eventually he succumbs
to evil, “I am settled, and bend up/ each corporal agent to this terrible feat, (1,vii),
and this heralds a point of no return of Macbeth. From here one murder leads to
another, (even without the knowledge of Lady Macbeth), when he plans the murder
of Banquo (3,ii) he says “be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,/till thou
applaud the deed”. At the end, his bravery returns (and our admiration), when he
chooses to die in battle. Macbeth’s character is aptly summed by F.C.H. Rumboll: “a
horribly fascinating character who cannot think clearly about moral issues and he
continues killing, making him a very satisfying pawn in the hands of the witches”.
Lady Macbeth: She is perhaps more ambitious than Macbeth. After she receives the letter
informing her of the witches’ prophesies, her focus is on becoming queen “golden
round” (1, v). she is more evil than Macbeth and calls on the forces of evil to “unsex
me here/and fill me from crown to the toe top full/of direst cruelty! (1, v). some
may say that this reveals her loyalty to her husband d, in furthering the prophesy.
She actually convinces Macbeth ‘to catch the nearest way’ (1,v) – murder Duncan
and become king. She convinces Macbeth to commit the deed, but is unaware of
the evil she is unleashing in Macbeth. When Macbeth, refuses to return to Duncan’s
chamber to leave the daggers there, she does so and returns with bloodied hands.
Both are guilty of murder. Lady Macbeth, though mistakenly, believes that “a little
water clears us of this deed” (2, ii). Eventually through lack of sleep (sleep has been
murdered) and guilt she becomes mad and dies. Her pain, loneliness and guilt is
most evident in the sleepwalking scene. Lady Macbeth was evil from beginning to
end. Perhaps her loyalty to her husband, and her unwillingness to commit the DEED
– murder of Duncan “had he not resembled/my father as he slept, I had done’t” (2,
ii), reminds us that she is human.
Macduff: is the most constant character in the play. He is suspicious of Macbeth (having
murdered Duncan. He openly declares to Ross that he will not attend Macbeth’s
coronation: “No cousin, I’ll to Fife” (2,iv). When he refuses to attend Macbeth’s
banquet (before which Banquo is murdered) Macbeth recalls the prophesy of the
witches “beware Macduff” (4,i), Macbeth becomes wary of him. He is very loyal to
Scotland, he joins forces with Duncan’s sons (Malcolm and Donaldbain) and asks
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England for reinforcements to restore order in his country. He is a loving and caring
father and husband “but I must also feel it as a man” (4,iii), but also a man of great
courage. After Ross brings news of the annihilation of his family, he is distraught,
but rallies to confront Macbeth for the good of his country. His loyalty to Scotland,
allows him to destroy Macbeth, and restore order in Scotland.
Banquo: He is similar to Macbeth. The sergeant recalling the feats of the battle describe them
as “cannons overcharged with double cracks (1,ii). He too is influenced by the
prophesies of the witches. However his responses are insightful in that he realises
they will reveal truths, but deceive later. Remember, the witches hailed him as
father to a line of kings: “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (1,iii). After
the murder of Duncan, Banquo, does not reveal the prophesies. Is it possible that his
silence allows Macbeth to prosper in his tyrannous ways? Macbeth is threatened by
Banquo’s nobility – Duncan greets him as “Noble Banquo” (1.iv) and also because
the witches predicted that he’d be father to a line of kings. Macbeth, in an attempt
to secure the throne, has Banquo murdered.
Duncan: Cousin to Macbeth. He comes across as a humble and innocent king. He is old but
well loved. Even Macbeth acknowledges his goodly qualities; “this Duncan/hath
borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ so clear in his great office” (1,vii). Perhaps
Duncan’s weakness is that he was too trusting. He ironically bestows the title of
Cawdor after praising him for his loyalty.
Witches: They are very deceptive. Always speaks in riddles and very easily influences
Macbeth. They greet him as “Thane of Cawdor” and then as “that shalt be king
hereafter! (1,iii). This perhaps awakens the ambition and evil in Macbeth. Their
riddles confuse Macbeth, or is it Macbeth that chooses to believe their prophecies
as it furthers his ambitions? At the end Macbeth clings on to the prophesy: “none of
woman born/ shall harm Macbeth” (4,i). This ultimately leads to initially Lady
Macbeth’s then Macbeth’s demise. The witches successfully turn Macbeth, then
Lady Macbeth into agents of evil, which results in bloodshed in Scotland.
THEMES IN MACBETH
GOOD VS EVIL
The characters in the play embody elements of good and evil. Macbeth initially is seen as one who
upholds the values which are admirable – defeats the traitor and restores order in Scotland. He later
turns evils – perhaps under the influence of the witches and Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth too has
elements of good and evil – wants power (title of Queen), but feels pity for Duncan who appears to
be like her father, and refuses to kill him (refer to notes under Lady Macbeth). Other characters also
have both elements; Macduff may be seen as evil because he abandons his family to save himself;
but he also is loyal to and restores order in Scotland.
APPEARANCES VS REALITY
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The witches appear to speak “truths” to Macbeth, but do so to deceive him. Often they say things to
Macbeth, and Macbeth takes the literally, bringing about deception. Both Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth appear to be loyal and great hosts to Duncan but in reality they are plotting his murder.
When Macbeth resolves to commit the murder he says “false face must hide, what false heart doth
know” (1,vii). Lady Macbeth advises her husband to appear innocent but be evil: “like the innocent
flower/but be the serpent under’t” (1,v). When Macbeth is convinced to commit the murder he
decides; “false face must hide, what false heart doth know. (1, vii). Later Macbeth appears to be
upset with the murder of Duncan, and murders the guards, in reality he is shifting suspicion from
himself.
REVERSAL OF NATURAL ORDER/VALUES
The values embodied in the human world are opposed to that of the witches. The witch’s chant “fair
is foul and foul is fair” encapsulates what happens in Scotland. Macbeth uses foul means to obtain
the crown, until he is fairly defeated and order is restored. Consider also Duncan (guest of Macbeth)
should be protected by the host (Macbeth) but he murders Duncan: “who against his murderer shut
the door/not bear the knife myself.” (1,vi), but later bears the knife. Lady Macbeth also prays to
become evil and cruel (one should pray for good not evil).
AMBITION
In Elizabethan times, ambition had evil connotations – people wanting to achieve greatness at all
costs. Macbeth’s ambitions are awoken by the witches and spurred on by Lady Macbeth. Ambition
allows Macbeth’s loyalty and honour to be side-lined and leads to the murder of Duncan. Lady
Macbeth’s are awoken by Macbeth’s letter “thy letters have transported me beyond/this ignorant
present” (1,v); detailing his meeting with the weird sisters. She may also be regarded as ambitious,
the question is: does she want to be Queen, or does she simply desire status for Macbeth.
TRUST AND BETRAYAL
Macbeth is highly trusted by Duncan. He even rewards Macbeth for restoring order in Scotland. He
decides to honour him further by paying him a visit at Inverness (Macbeth’s castle). Macbeth
acknowledges that Duncan is “here in double trust:/ first, as I am his kinsman and his subject,/
strong both against the deed; then, as his host” (1,vi). Macbeth betrays Duncan on both accounts.
Duncan also honours “our honoured hostess” (1,v) Lady Macbeth, but she is the one that
orchestrates his (Duncan’s murder). Macbeth also trusts the prophecies of the witches, but whilst
they speak the “truth” in riddles, they set Macbeth for his brutal and bloody downfall.
IMAGES IN THE PLAY
CLOTHING IMAGERY
Clothes are used as a covering for nudity, but it is also used to put on an appearance. When Macbeth
thinks of the witches “why do you dress me/in borrowed robes?” (1,iii) referring to him as Thane of
Cawdor. Later Macbeth becomes King – uses borrowed robes – the crown is not rightfully his. At
times clothing does not fit properly or does not suit the user. Angus (5.ii) now does he feel his
title/hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe”, when referring to Macbeth.
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