MR+Deborah

=Macbeth=

Deborah K.
1.3 **Characters** Witches have magical powers that able them to vanish and see the future. I think they can also alter the wind. They are also described to be very ugly, and at one point one of the witch describes the other to look more manly because of her beard. They aren't dressed nicely and have unpleasant facial features such as thin lips, and have bony fingers. The witched are stubborn and pessimistic and very rough. Macbeth is the thane of Glamis and became the thane of Cawdor. He is a modest person and uncorrupted, soon to become the King of Scotland. He doesn't get excited about the prophecy he hears from the witches, and doubts their words. Banquo is ambitious and eager person. He sounds almost like he feels he deserves a better prophecy than Macbeth - saying that he, unlike Macbeth - did not insult them. He also tries to suck up to them by saying they "seem so fair" only after he hears the prophecy, when just moments ago he called them "wither'd and wild." Also, he afterwards refers to them as "the devil." Ross is a messenger of the king and he respects the king greatly. What ever the king says, he agrees to his words. This section doesn't tell us much about Angus, but we find out that he is a messenger of the king. He disapproves of treason and believes that there should not be rebels.
 * __Witches__**
 * __Macbeth__**
 * __Banquo__**
 * __Ross__**
 * __Angus__**

Major Plot

 * The three witches are talking and one of them is plotting revenge against a sailor's wife who insulted her.
 * Macbeth and Banquo come, and both receive prophecies from the three witches about what will happen to them in the future.
 * Macbeth is to be thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland
 * Banquo's future is quite vague - he is to be lesser and greater, less happy and happier than Macbeth. Banquo is to produce children who will be king.
 * The witches disappear, leaving Macbeth and Banquo confused.
 * Ross and Angus come to inform Macbeth he is to be the thane of Cawdor because the thane of Cawdor committed treason.
 * Banquo and Macbeth are shocked that the witches words were true.

Conflicts
-There might be conflicts that will be created by Banquo who is currently jealous of Macbeth's future. -There will be conflict between who will be the king of Scotland -Thus, conflicts over power is foreshadowed.

1.5-1.6
 * What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?
 * Lady Macbeth is greedy and ambitious, even more than Macbeth himself
 * When she hears of the news that Macbeth will become thane, she wished to support him for further promotion
 * Lady Macbeth plans to murder Duncan so that Macbeth can become king, thus Lady Macbeth is very evil and brute when it comes to greed
 * (1.5.72)
 * How might Lady Macbeth answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” Explain your answer.
 * Lady Macbeth will say that life has a great meaning because she has a purpose in her life in which she pursuits wealth and high position and strength.
 * Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth’s lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.
 * "Of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood; Stop up th'access and passage to remorse, That no compunctions visiting of nature Shake m fell purpose, nor keep peace between Th'effect and it! (1.5.42)
 * "This night's great business into my dispatch, Which shall to all our nights and days to come Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom." (1.5.68)
 * These passages describe the characteristics of Lady Macbeth and her evil scheme.
 * This proves how aggressive she is towards strength and wealth.
 * Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotation and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.

1.7
 * WHY HAS MACBETH DECIDED TO KILL KING DUNCAN BY THE END OF ACT 1?**

__BEFORE THE DISCUSSION:__ By the end of the 1.7, Macbeth decides to kill Duncan because he is manipulated by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth was able to convince Macbeth into killing Duncan by saying things like how Macbeth wasn't manly enough and thinking that the plan might fail. Therefore, Macbeth was sort of offended and maybe he wanted to kill the King to prove that he is a true man. Also, Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan because of the witches. If the witched did not tell that Macbeth was going to be the next king, Macbeth probably just got over it. However, when the witches told that Macbeth was going to be the king, he decided to be the King by killing King Duncan. Most importantly, Macbeth was not able to control his own ambition toward the action. Even though in the first part of Macbeth quote in Act 1 scene 7 Macbeth said that he is only having the ambition, he had changed to have more ambition because of his wife. Moreover, Macbeth was very convinced to kill the King sooner than later by Lady Macbeth. Therefore, Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act 1 due to his ambition, Lady Macbeth pressure, and the witches.


 * He is faced with enormous pressure from this wife. His wife keeps mocking him as a coward for not being able to kill the king. In this process, his pride was hurt and Macbeth decides to be a man and kill the king**.( 1.7.42-45** **)** "Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem"
 * Macbeth wanted to get all this over with **(1.7.1~1.7.5)**
 * Currently, in Act 1 the King trusts whatever Macbeth does; therefore it is good timing for Macbeth to kill the King (**1.7.13~1.7.16)**
 * Macbeth could not control his ambitions in Act 1, so he wanted to kill the King quickly **(1.7.25~1.7.28)**
 * The pressure that Lady Macbeth was putting on Macbeth was too harsh and Macbeth was not able to control it **(1.7.38~1.7.43)**
 * There is also another pressure that Lady Macbeth is putting on Macbeth. The pressure that Lady Macbeth is giving to Macbeth seems very strong; therefore, Macbeth had to kill King Duncan sooner than later. (**1.7.49~1.7.60)**
 * Macbeth was at last manipulated by Lady Macbeth and he had created an idea to kill with the servants (**1.7.73~1.7.76)**
 * Macbeth is completely doing what Lady Macbeth wants him to do and he had lost his normal moral standards. It seems like he is going to murder the King because of his wife. **(1.7.80~1.7.82)**
 * Macbeth was interested in what Lady Macbeth told him **(1.6.70)**
 * Macbeth was very disappointed in what happened to his faith. He felt that he should deserve to be the next king; however Duncan planned to put his son as King. This made Macbeth very motivated and angry **(1.4.48~1.4.53)**
 * The witches were giving the motivation that Macbeth will be the next King, so it made Macbeth to gain more ambition that would affect him to be the King quickly **(1.3.71~1.3.79)**

Act 2 3.5 and 3.6
 * How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?
 * Macbeth feels very guilty of his acts and is scared about people finding out and is nervous. He fears what will happen after, and forgot to leave the bloody daggers with the chamberlains and came out with bloody hands asking how he is ever going to wash it off. He realizes what an awful thing he has done and how serious the problem could get. When people find out about the killing of Duncan he acts as if he had nothing to do with it; he doesn't show dramatic reactions because he is cautious about people finding out or become suspicious especially with Banquo present who heard the witches prophecy.
 * How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?
 * Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, is very satisfied of the results. She persuades Macbeth that what he had done is worth it however, she believes Macbeth is a coward for regretting his actions from (2.2 54-57) Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt.”. Lady Macbeth was so frustrated with Macbeth’s ponderous thoughts and actions that she put the dagger back herself to successfully hide the evidence. Lady Macbeth shows remorseless quality of her personality in (2.2 64-65) “My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white.”
 * Write a one sentence summary of each scene.
 * 3.5
 * In this scene, a new character is introduced; it is Hecate who is known to be the most powerful witch. The three witches meet her to discuss the event of Macbeth. At first Hecate is disturbed that the witches had planed such scheme but agrees to join in and take care of the situation. The witches know that Macbeth will visit them because of his eager and aggressiveness he has developed for his power. The witches want to set up a false sense of security when they know he will end up dieing, which is evil of them. Hecate leaves the scene and the three witches prepare for their spell.
 * 3.6
 * Lennox meets a Lord in Scotland and talks about the throne and the palace. Everyone thinks that Fleance is the one responsible for Banquo's murder because he ran away. Both Lennox and the lord are suspicious of Macbeth and his behaviors and calls him a 'tyrant' thinking that he is probably the one behind all the murders. The Lord and Lennox further discuss the issue about war and how Macduff is in England to meet Malcolm to join forces and ask for an aid from the King. Macbeth hears about this scheme and prepares for war. The Lord and Lennox wishes that Macduff and Malcolm succeed on their mission and break down the growing power of Macbeth.
 * In 3.6, what suspicions does the Lord have about Macbeth?
 * The Lord has a suspicion of Macbeth about hiding the death of King Duncan and Banquo. Lord and Lennox call him a tyrant believes that Macbeth and is mistrustful with Macbeth for several reasons: Macbeth had stolen the birthright and throne of Malcom. Moreover, Macbeth suddenly starts to prepare for a war after finding out about Macduff trying to make alliance with the people of Northumberland and their lord, Siward with help from God to ultimately bring peace. The Lord thinks that Macbeth is crazy, because Macbeth acts insane. At the dinner feast, Macbeth suddenly feels sorrow for dead Duncan. Also, He starts to think that Macbeth is out of control to attack other nations, which Macduff is trying to closer to.

4.1 Act 5
 * What does Macbeth want in this scene?
 * He wishes to hear more about his future by visiting the witches. He wants to know if his throne and power is safe and who to look out for (who might be a threat to his throne).
 * What stands in his way?
 * Macduff is a threat to Macbeth since the witches mention the he should look out. Also, Lennox says he has fled to England to gain aid from England's king which would eventually mean war.
 * How does Macbeth attempt overcome the obstacles in his way?
 * Macbeth, enraged and feared, says he will act immediately and start following his own thought with actions from then on. Macbeth attempts to overcome the obstacles by attacking Macduff’s castle, seize the town of Fife and kill his family and anyone else who are next in line for his inheritance.
 * What do the Witches want in this scene?
 * The witches wants Macbeth to commit wicked deeds therefore they kept on evoking him with their prophecies. They want to set a false sense of safety. Hecate also assigned them to punish Macbeth for his crime and corruption in order to aspire and retain the place of the king.
 * How has Lady Macbeth transformed by the end of the play?**
 * find two pieces of textual evidence from Act 5 to support your ideas
 * write a paragraph to explain each piece of textual evidence

Lady Macbeth changes and transforms dramatically in act 5.She used to be brave and aspiring, stepping out to do anything in order for Macbeth to achieve the position of the King. However, Lady Macbeth’s greed had taken her too far and changed her as the guiltiest women in the world. From Act 5, Lady Macbeth started to have strange habit such as sleepwalking and talking to herself. From the text, “//Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him,//" (5.1 25-28), she seems to see blood on her hands and tries to wash off but she describes the persistent spot has her haunting sin, which nothing can ever wash off. Apparently, the word “blood” is the connotation of guilt. Although the guilt had not fallen upon Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, she is consistently fearful. Lady Macbeth shows a great sense of regret by saying that the old man’s death brings paramount remorse. It is an irony of her saying this because she previously mentioned claim to Macbeth that “//little water clears us of this deed//” (2.2.65) “//Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Look not so pale.—I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on ’s grave//” (5.1 42-43) shows Lady Macbeth lamenting the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo. Lady Macbeth tries to appease herself by saying that Banquo will not be able to come out of his own grave but she can not get out of her ceaseless tornado of distress. Lady Macbeth is shattered by her hostile nerves that pushes her down with cumbersome weight of guilt and paranoia. The doctor and gentlewomen marveled at her declining into madness. The doctor described her symptom as “//thick-coming fancies//” and informs Macbeth that the only cure is to cure herself. Unfortunately, Lady Macbeth could not carry on and committed suicide. Demise was what Lady Macbeth received for exaggerating too much ambitions.

=
The main idea of the story is that power and ambition can destroy people, and Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both clear examples of this idea. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both craved to become more than what they were; after the prophecy from the three witches, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth began to let their ambitions and dreams take control of them. Because they wanted power and kingship so much, Macbeth killed Duncan and numerous other people and Lady Macbeth was constantly there to encourage him. However, at the end, we see how because of his ambitions, Macbeth has gone mad. He doesn’t know where to stop, and his pride is eventually the end of him. As for Lady Macbeth, she also dies because she feels so guilty after all the things she did. Recurring deeds would be murder. Macbeth keeps killing people, or at least he hires murderers to do it for him. Recurring consequences for Macbeth is that he kept having weird visions. Before killing Duncan, he had that weird hallucination with the dagger and after ordering Banquo’s death, he saw Banquo’s ghost at the dinner table.======

CONCLUSION


 * What is the main idea of the story?
 * What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.
 * Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.