MR+Lisa

= // Macbeth Reflection //  =

Assignment 1

Character Analysis

1. Witches: In this section, we learn that the witches are rather vicious also, they are unpleasant to look at because they have beards. The three witches seem really tightly united. They often help each other. This can be seen when the witches agree to cooperate in the taking revenge on the lady who refused to give chestnuts to the first witch. The witches are also quite violent. For instance, when the first witch asked what the other witch was doing, the second witch said "killing swine." The witches do not tell everything. I think the witches kind of know the future because they give predictions on Macbeth and also Banquo. The witches are giving a seed of evil because the witches told them that Macbeth is going to be the king and the children of Banquo are also going to be the kings. This is a riddle.

2. Macbeth: In this section, we learn that he is the thane of Glamis. He was really happy to be greeted in such way by the three witches. Macbeth really wants to know that the witches are actually talking about because the witches do not tell anything. Macbeth is not quite of an honest person. He is portrayed as an ambitious person because he is happy to hear that he is going to be the king even though the king still lives. He can't forget the prophecy.

3. Banquo: He asked the witches to tell him his fate as well since the witches told Macbeth his fate. Banquo is not happy about this news because the witches suddenly just disappeared. He and Macbeth do not believe the witches at first. He warns Macbeth not to be over ambitious. He does not believe in the goodness of these witches.

4. Ross: Ross comes and gives news to Macbeth. He says that Macbeth was a great soldier and the king wants to praise you for your braery. He is basically the messenger. Ross tells Macbeth that the king told him to make Macbeth the thane of Cawdor.

5. Angus: He explains that the thane of Cawdor turned against the king and betrayed the country. Therefore, he was sentenced a death penalty. Thus, Macbeth gets the chance to replace him.

Major Plots in 1.3

The three witches mysteriously appeared while discussing their evil deeds. Macbeth and Banquo also came into the scene. The witches greet Macbeth with three dignities which are Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and the king. When Banquo asks for his fortune, the witches tell him riddles and that his children will be kings. The witches disappear when Banquo and Macbeth ask for further explanations. Soon after, two messengers, Ross and Angus, arrive and tell Macbeth that the king just made him the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth gets excited whereas Banquo warns Macbeth about the potential danger about trusting the witches, "the instruments of darkness", too much. Macbeth does not seem to get what the witches said off of his mind and quietly tells Banquo to meet privately and talk about it later.

Conflicts in 1.3

The major conflict in this section is that the witches gave conflicting prophecy to Macbeth and Banquo. They hailed Macbeth as the future king, yet, at the same time, told Banquo that his kids will be kings. Macbeth wants to believe that the witches said, while Banquo does not have too much faith in the three witch's prophecy. Since the second prediction already came true in this act, Macbeth becomes more inclined to believe the prophecy.

Assignment 2

Macbeth Discussion Questions

1. Why has Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act 1?

- It was not entirely Macbeth's own decision to kill the king. Actually, Lady Macbeth talked Macbeth into killing King Duncan. Lady Macbeth knew that Macbeth was not evil enough to actually kill the king so she effectively persuades him. Lady Macbeth wanted Macbeth to kill the king so that he can be the king and she can be the queen.

2. What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?

- Lady Macbeth is very ambitious. As shown in Act 1, scene 5, line 54, ("Great Glamis! Worthy Cawdor! Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter!") she already greats Macbeth as the king because she is so certain that he will become the king. She is also evil. "Leave everything to me." (line 73, act 1, scene 5) She is very manipulative because she effectively talked Macbeth into killing King Duncan.

3. How might Lady Macbeth answer the question "What is the meaning of life?" Explain your answer.

- She would argue that one should grab every opportunity possible. Kindness is a hinderance in her life. She thinks to be "too full o'th' milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way (act 1.5 line 17~18)" is absurd. She also enjoys taking shortcuts in life. She is not honest either. That is, because at first, she treats Duncan very well, but this was just to trick him later on. She believes that one does not have to be truthful to another person if deemed necessary to achieve the goal. She can be said to be a swindler.

4. Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth's lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.

- 1) "We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking place And we'll not fail." This statement clearly demonstrates Lady Macbeth's determination and her strong will. It shows how determined she is to make her evil plan of murdering King Duncan to work. It was striking to see how determined she was in fulfilling her dreams and needs.

2) "What not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilty Of our great quell?" She wanted to incriminate the guards (two chamberlains) after making them quite drunk.

5. Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotations and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.

- Gall 1. Denotation: bold, imprudent behavior / bitter, harmful, toxic 2. Connotation: Lady Macbeth's evil mind (evil thoughts), evilness "That I may pour my spirits in thine ear" (act 1.5, line 26)

Assignment 3

Prepare for a graded discussion on the following question: "What has Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act one?:"

- wanting the prophecy to become true - greed - ambition - Act 1 scene 3 - Lady Macbeth's persuading - Doesn't want Duncan or Fleance to become the king - Want to advance: thane of glamis, thane of cawdor, and king.

Assignment 4

6. How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?

- Macbeth is reluctant: he does not want to kill Duncan. Unlike Lady Macbeth, he thinks that their plan could fail. He is reluctant because the king honored him and treated him very well.

7. How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?

- Lady Macbeth extremely wanted to kill Duncan. She did not feel guilty at all and she violently persuaded Macbeth to kill Duncan. "When you durst do it, then you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more than man. Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both." (scene 1.7 line 50~53) Her ambitions restrained her from feeling guilty about killing King Duncan.

Assignment 5
 * What does Macbeth want in this scene?
 * -Macbeth wants to murder Fleance so that his throne is not in danger any more. He wants more prophecies from the Wierd sisters, the three witches as wel.
 * What stands in his way?
 * Fleance does, because the prophecy says that Fleance will become the king as well.
 * How does Macbeth attempt overcome the obstacles in his way?
 * Macbeth attempts to plan a murder and get rid of Fleance during the way.
 * What do the Witches want in this scene?
 * The Witches want Macbeth to perform more evil deeds to their satisfaction.

Assignment 6

- How has Lady Macbeth transformed by the end of the play? -> By the end of the play, Lady Macbeth has been transformed a great deal. For instance, although she already started out as a greedy and insatiable woman, she became more and more sanguine as the book proceeded. She murdered countless people along her way to becoming a queen and ultimately staying as the queen. For example, she killed Banquo, the guards, Duncan, etc. Even though Macbeth was the person that actually did the killing, she was the mental motive for Macbeth's such treacherous deeds. She became significantly more timid and vulnerable, so she cannot sleep or be sane.

- Find two pieces of textual evidence from Act 5 to support your ideas.

1) (Act 5, scene 3) "Not so sick, my lord, As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies That keep her from her rest."

2) (Act 5, scene 1) "Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, Oh, Oh!:

- Write a paragraph to explain each piece of textual evidence.

1) The doctor tells Macbeth that Lady Macbeth is not physically ill but she has trouble falling asleep due to her insatiable greed. This demonstrates the greedy nature of Lady Macbeth and that her wishes are impossible to fulfill. Even though she has became the ultimate queen, she still is not satisfied. This portrays how she came greedier and greedier as the story went along and this is a significant transformation of her. At the beginning, her and Macbeth were very hesitant in killing King Duncan, but now, those deeds seem like nothing to them.

2) Although Lady Macbeth is still greedy and wanting more and more power, endlessly perhaps, she also feels the guilt, now that so many sacrifices have been made during their way to victory. She says that the blood, guilt, cannot be washed away with all the perfumes of Arabia. This portrays how much guilt she actually had in performing these deeds, which actually seem quite contradictory to her personality shown near the beginning of the play.

Assignment 7

1) What is the main idea of the story?

- The main idea of Macbeth is definitely change. People change, positions change, ideas change, and situations change. Not one thing in Macbeth stayed the same from the beginning till the end. Duncan is not the king anymore, because Macbeth is the king. Personalities change, and the characters also change. There are many people killed or sacrificed. There is another theme that leads to change, but more specifically to Macbeth, power corrupts those who have them.

2) What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.

- The main idea of the story is, in my opinion, how people change. That is, because, at the beginning, the characters were far different from what they are now. For instance, to provide textual evidence, Macbeth started out as a timid character, who hesitated ever so much when killing Duncan. However, as the story proceeded, Macbeth became more and more violent and eager to perform bad deeds, if it meant achieving his dreams. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth started out as a bold and cruel character, but towards the end, became more and more timid and guilty.

3) Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.

- After carefully reading the whole book and completing the word journal, I do see many recurring images, words, etc. For instance, the words blood and hand are quite often used together in a sentence. There are recurring images, such as murder and guilt portrayed throughout the entire play. Along with change, I also think that guilt is a major theme in the play because it keeps on reappearing throughout.