Macbeth Notes Acts I-IV

1. Macbeth Notes Acts I-IV

2. Macbeth Summary of Act I

3. Scene 1 • Setting - Scotland. • 3 witches • Indicate that the battle will be over by sunset • plan to meet with Macbeth on the barren battlefield or “heath” • There is an approaching thunderstorm. • Foreshadowing of evil: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” what is good will be bad and what is bad will be good.

4. Scene 2 • Duncan • The king of Scotland • orders the immediate execution of the Thane of Cawdor • names Macbeth as the new Thane of Cawdor. • sends Ross to announce this to Macbeth • Malcolm • Son of Duncan • Captain • informs Duncan that Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald, the Norwegian army, and the Thane of Cawdor. • states the conflict was resolved by Macbeth.

5. Scene 3 • Witches • Prophesize that Macbeth will be Scotland’s next ruler. • Macbeth • mimics witches’ famous words spoken earlier in the drama: "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" • Banquo (Macbeth’s friend) • will be "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater" and "Not so happy, yet much happier" • Ross and Angus • inform Macbeth that Duncan has appointed him Thane of Cawdor.

6. Scene 4 • Macbeth • Expresses ambitious thoughts in his asides • Aside= a remark that the character makes to the audience or another character • Duncan • praises Macbeth for his loyalty • Thanks Banquo for his courage • Announces visiting Macbeth's castle at Inverness • has chosen Malcolm (son) to be the next king of Scotland – now he will be Prince of Cumberland • Light and Dark Symbolism • "Stars, hide your fires/Let not light see my black and deep desires"

7. Act 1, Scene 5 Macbeth’s positive thoughts I thought good to deliver thee …greatness is promised thee farewell Lady Macbeth’s negative thoughts … I fear thy nature … the illness should attend it …wouldst not play false alliteration …wouldst wrongly win Images/ symbols of death Raven, thick blood, smoke of hell, keen knife, blanket of the dark

8. Act 1, Scene 7 “we have judgment, but we teach bloody instruction (terrible deeds) In the beginning, he contemplates murder, but then has second thoughts Indications of confusion Chalice, angels, cherubim Religious allusions Duncan will “plead like angels” Pity, like a naked new-born babe similes Lady Macbeth’s criticisms Refers to Macbeth as a “coward” and “poor cat”

9. Act 1, Scene 7 Get the two guards (chamberlain’s) drunk with wine Lady Macbeth’s Plan

10. Act 2, Scene 1 “husbandry in heaven” The gods are economical with their starlight The Dagger Illusion = “dagger of the mind… false creation” Reality= “ I see thee in form as palpable” Illusion/reality Interacts with the dagger and indicates that “it is the bloody business” dagger 3 indications of death “nature seems dead” “withered murder” “bloody business” Tarquin and Hecate 2 allusions

11. Act 2, Scene 2 alcohol The gods are economical with their starlight The Dagger Illusion = “dagger of the mind… false creation” Reality= “ I see thee in form as palpable” Unnatural events Interacts with the dagger and indicates that “it is the bloody business” dagger Macbeth’s confession “nature seems dead” “withered murder” “bloody business” Tarquin and Hecate Lady Macbeth’s reaction

12. Act 2, Scene 3 Equivocate/ equivocator to use ambiguous or unclear expressions The porter presents himself as the porter of hell and jokes about the sinners Comic relief has a double meaning - can mean “untruth” or “to rest” lie “Stimulates lust,” “persuades him,” “Makes the lover a failure” alcohol

13. Act 2, Scene 3 Unnatural Events “chimney’s were blown down” “strange screams of death” in the air Shaking of the earth Macbeth’s confession Admits to killing the guardsmen Lady Macbeth’s reaction faints Malcolm’s reaction Wants to leave for Ireland

14. Act 3, Scene 1 Witches’ prediction for Banquo “that myself should be the root and father of all kings” Macbeth’s attitude Indicates that he fears him three times alliteration “heavy hand hath” Macbeth manipulates the murderers Indicates that they and their families will be beggars Tells them that Banquo will treat them as animals

15. Act 3, Scene 2 Lady Macbeth’s state of mind Afraid Than by destruction dwell in doubtful Alliteration Four “black agents” scorpions, bat, beetle, crow

16. Act 3, Scene 4 Cabined, cribbed, confined alliteration Ghost of Banquo Sits in Macbeth’s place Dares him to be tough and approach him like a “rugged russian bear,” and “armed rhinoceros” (lines 100-103) Macbeth challenges the apparition Ghost of Banquo Macbeth sees the ghost three times Macbeth’s vow To see the wicthes

17. Act 3, Scene 5 “As by the strength of their illusion shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death…” Macbeth is powerless allusion The pit of Acheron (river in hell)

18. The Apparitions warns Macbeth of a bloody revenge at the hands of Duncan’s son Macduff Armed head of a warrior “Thou hast harped my fear aright” (line 74) Blood covered child Tells Macbeth that he cannot be killed by any man “of woman born.” Indicates that Macduff will not live a child wearing a crown Macbeth believes he will never be troubled by the ghosts Macbeth cannot lose in battle until Birnam Wood physically moves toward his castle at Dunsinane.

19. “…the poor wren (the most diminutive of birds) will fight, her young ones in her nest…” (lines 9-11 Even if a mother is small, poor, and weak, she will still fight for her young