' Enis Notes' ~ Macbeth in a nutshell!

Macbeth Act 1

Act 1- Scene 1

Three Witches meet in a desert place with thunder, lightening and rain. They vow to meet again when some mighty battle is over before the sun sets on the heath. They will meet with Macbeth. There is something murky, something terrible in.....

Act1- Scene2

1. The sergeant describes a battle in the war between: Norway and Scotland.

2. Who were the heroes in the battle? Macbeth and Banquo.

3. The Thane of Cawdor was a Traitor. King Duncan sentenced him to death and gave his title to Lord of Ross.

4. What do we learn about Macbeth’s character in this scene?

He is considered a strong and brave man and with those characteristics he is honourable.

Act 1- Scene 3

1. What do the witches predict for Macbeth?

a) He will become Thane of Cawdor.

b) He will become king.

2. What do they predict for Banquo?

They predict that his sons are going to become king.

3. Explain the dramatic irony in the witches’ first prediction.

The dramatic irony in the Witches prediction that Macbeth will be "Thane of Cawdor" lies in the fact that the audience knows from the previous scene that King Duncan has already given the title to Macbeth, making the prophecy true - though Macbeth is not yet aware of the fact.

4. When the predictions come true immediately, what does Macbeth think about the other predictions?

He is very surprised about the accuracy of the witches’ predictions and starts to believe that the witches predicts were actually going to happen.

5. What does Macbeth plan to do about the possibility of becoming king?

Macbeth whispers to Banquo that, at a later time, he would like to speak to him privately about what has transpired.

Act 1- Scene 4

King Duncan greets Macbeth and Banquo returning from battle. Duncan is in such good spirits he decides to name his successor.

1. To whom does King Duncan give the tile Prince of Cumberland?

He gives the title of Cumberland to his son, Malcolm.

2. What does Macbeth think about this?

He announces his joy but he knows that Malcolm stands in the way of the crown now.

Act 1- Scene 5

1. Lady Macbeth reads a letter. Who sent it to her?

The letter was sent to her by Macbeth.

2. Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth: “Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full O’the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.” What does she mean by this?

She thinks the time is right to murder the king but she also thinks Macbeth is too kind for this, so she fears it.

3. What message does the servant give to Lady Macbeth?

The servant gives news that Macbeth is approaching.

4. Explain Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy (lines 44-58)

She resolves to put her natural femininity aside so that she can do the bloody deeds necessary to seize the crown.

5. Macbeth arrives. What do he and Lady Macbeth have to discuss?

They discuss the king’s forthcoming visit.

6. What advice does Lady Macbeth give her husband?

She tells her husband to have patience and leave everything to her.

Act 1- Scene 6

King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s palace along with Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, his sons and attendants.

Act 1- Scene 7

In this soliloquy Macbeth is thinking over the plot to kill King Duncan. He is having second thoughts.

1. List four reasons Macbeth finds to talk himself out of committing the murder. (Lines 1-27)

a) Killing Duncan will result in vengeance.

b) There are compelling reasons against the murder.

c) Heaven itself will abhor the deed.

d) Only ambition pushes him on to do so.

2. How does Lady Macbeth convince him to go through with the murder?

Lady Macbeth accuses him of being a coward and lacks a great deal of manliness. She says she would kill her own child rather than break such promises.

Act 2- Scene 1

Macbeth and Banquo meet up at the court at Macbeth’s castle. When Banquo mentions that he had a dream about the Weird Sisters, Macbeth wants to discuss his desire to become king of Scotland. Banquo also wants the prediction made about him to be fulfilled, but he is not willing to do anything dishonourable to make it happen. He says he is loyal to the king.

1. Banquo leaves and Macbeth is left with his thoughts. Explain Macbeth’s soliloquy and his feelings as he goes to commit the murder.

He starts imagining a dagger floating in the air. He tries to grasp the dagger but he cannot. He sees the dagger blood-stained and awful images of what might happen go into his head.

2. What does the ringing of the bell mean?

The ringing of the bell means that Duncan is dead.

Act 2- Scene 2

1. After Macbeth murders King Duncan he agonizes over something. What is it?

a) He is obsessed with his inability to say “amen.”

b) He will never sleep again.

c) By a voice crying that he has murdered sleep.

2. What mistakes does Lady Macbeth scold Macbeth for? (She later fixes it.)

She tells him to smear the blood on the guards to make it look like they did it and then bring back the dagger but he didn’t.

Act 2- Scene 3

1. Explain how comic relief is provided by the porter’s speech.

Porter images himself as a hell Gate keeper and talks about admitting a greedy farmer, a liar, and a cheap tailor. He says this is the effect of too much drinking to Macduff.

2. What has Macbeth done when he says: “O, yet I do repent me of my fury?”

3. What are Malcolm and Donalbain?

Malcolm and Donalbain are Duncan’s sons.

4. What do they decide to do after King Duncan is murdered? Why?

They decide to resolve by fleeing so Malcolm goes to England while Donalbain goes to Ireland.

5. Explain the dramatic irony when Macduff says: “O gentle lady!” ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak...

Macduff considers Lady Macbeth gentle and thinks that this is too horrifying for a woman to hear.

6. What does Banquo decide to do, and why do you think he did not accuse Macbeth of the murder?

Banquo decides to investigate the murder but he does not think Macbeth did it because he knows that Macbeth would not have the guts to do such a thing, even though he did.

Act 2- Scene 4

Ross and an old man are riding along discussing the terrible murder. Along comes Macduff. He suspects Macbeth because he has killed the only ones who could lead them to the murder.

1.  Where is the coronation to be held?

Scone

Act 3- Scene 1

1. What does Banquo reveal to us in his opening speech?

In their conversation Macbeth learns that Banquo is going on a mission and Fleance (Banquo’s son) will be going with him. Macbeth wishes Banquo a safe trip and tells him be sure to return in time for the coronation feast that evening. Macbeth is again left with thoughts. –Line 47-71 comprises the third of Macbeth’s four soliloquies in the play. This one shows his uneasy state of mind and his determination to thwart or block the witches’ prophecy that Banquo will be the father of kings.

Banquo shoes his fear that Macbeth has become king by using evil means.

2. Complete the following paraphrase of Macbeth’s soliloquy by filling in the blanks.

To be the king means nothing unless I am secure in the position. I have deep fears about Banquo and his loyal nature. Banquo is not only daring and courageous, but he has wisdom to guide him to act in safety. Banquo is the only one I fear and my own genius is rebuked by him just as Mark Antony was by Caesar. He challenged the sisters when they put the name of king upon me, and told them to speak to him; then they like a prophet hailed him as the father to line of kings. The witches said that I would become king but have no successor in my blood. If this is true, then I have defiled my mind, murdered the gracious Duncan disturbed all of my peace and my eternal jewel. I have given to the common enemy of man. I did all of this to make way for the seeds of Banquo to be kings. Rather than let that happen I will fight against fate to the death!

Macbeth proceeds to hire some murderers to attack and kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, on the road.

Act 3- Scene 2

Lady Macbeth emerges as a lonely, pathetic figure. She no longer takes a lead in making plans; her husband now assumes the role. Her close relationship with Macbeth no longer exists. (She knows nothing of Macbeth’s plan to murder Banquo and Fleance.) Macbeth has become a prisoner of evil who suffers from the fear of discovery by day and the torments of nightmares by night. The ill-gotten crown has brought only mental anguish to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

1. What do you think Macbeth means when he says, “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.”?

He hints that bad things are going to happen.

Act 3- Scene 3

1. What went wrong with Macbeth’s plot to have Banquo and Fleance murdered?

They managed to successfully murder Banquo but Fleance managed to escape.

2. How does this relate to the witches’ prophecy?

The witches said that Banquo’s son would be king and he managed to escape which means that the prophecy could be real.

Act 3- Scene 4

1. What two things does Macbeth now plan to do? Why?

a) To visit the witches because he was curious about the prophecy.

b) To kill anyone in his way to keep the title as king.

Act 4- Scene 1

Macbeth seeks counsel from the weird sisters who show him a series of apparitions:

1. Explain the message given to Macbeth by each of the following apparitions.

a) An Armed Head - forecasts Macbeth’s eventual fate in the hands of MacDuff.

b) A Bloody Child - the death of Macduff’s child.

c) A Child Crowned, with a tree in his hand – Malcolm’s victory.

2. How does this make Macbeth feel?

He feels very angry.

Finally the witches show Eight Kings, the last with a glass in his hand; GHOST OF BANQUO following.

3. Explain the irony in the following statement by Macbeth;

“Infected by the air whereon they ride

And damn’d all those that trust them!...”

He is talking about himself. He says he trusts the witches and all those who do are damned.

4. What does Macbeth decide to do next?

He decides to kill every member of Macduff’s family.

Act 4- Scene 2: Macduff’s Castle

Lady Macduff converses with her son. She is upset because her husband has gone off to England leaving his family unprotected.

1. What happens to them?

Lady Macduff and her son are talking about what would happen if MacDuff died. Then a messenger comes and warns them of danger. A murderer then comes and kills Lady Macbeth’s son.

Act 4- Scene 3

Malcolm, King Duncan’s son, and Macduff are discussing plans to return to Scotland with an army to overthrow Macbeth...

Ross enters with news of Duncan’s family.

1. How does Macduff respond to this news?

At first, he didn’t believe it but when it sunk in he wanted revenge.

2. What does he vow to do?

Macduff, now with the help of Malcolm and the King of England he will overthrow Macbeth.

Act 4- Scene 1: Essay

Three witches are all gathered around making a magic brew. It is a dark room with only one candle to light it. There are shelves with disgusting things everywhere. The witches are standing over the cauldron saying the magic words and placing the right ingredients inside. They put in slow-worm sting, young owl wings, mummified corpse’s stomach and throat, roots of poisonous plant, piece of poisonous tree, eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat, tongue of dog, lizard’s leg, scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, shark, liver of Jews, gall of goat, nose of Turks, Tartars lips, finger of a new born baby ditch-delivered by a prostitute. They boil the things together mixing it with a huge wooden spoon and laughing that evil laugh. The steam would come out an unusual colour and the witches would drink it, the stew as red as blood.

 

Act 5- Scene 1

1. What visions plague Lady Macbeth?

The visions of blood-stained hands that wouldn’t come off plagued Lady Macbeth.

2. How does Lady Macbeth’s condition differ from Macbeth’s at the time?

She was having regrets about the killing of King Duncan while Macbeth wasn’t and continued to kill people in his way.

Act 5- Scene 2

1. Explain the conversation of these Scottish lords: Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Lennox.

Outside the castle, a group of Scottish lords discusses the military situation: the English army approaches, led by Malcolm, and the Scottish army will meet them near Birnam Wood, apparently to join forces with them. The “tyrant,” as Lennox and the other lords call Macbeth, has fortified Dunsinane Castle and is making his military preparations in a mad rage.

Act 5- Scene 3

1. What does Macbeth’s opening speech tell us?

That Macbeth is frightened now that they are after him but he is trying to convince himself that he should not fear.

2. What does Macbeth’s speech to Seyton tell us?

That Macbeth is prepared for war and is not thinking of backing out.

3. What is Macbeth resolve to do?

He plans to go to war and that the doctor should cure Lady Macbeth.

Act 5- Scene 4

1. What news does Seyton bring to Macbeth?

Seyton brings the news of the queen’s death (Lady Macbeth).

2. How does he express futility of life?

He expresses it by saying that life is “a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.” He is saying that life is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Act 5- Scene 6

1. What happens here?

Outside the castle, the battle commences. Malcolm orders the English soldiers to throw down their boughs and draw their swords.

Act 5- Scene 7

1. Explain the final scene.

On the battlefield, Macbeth strikes those around him vigorously, insolent because no man born of woman can harm him. He slays Lord Siward’s son and disappears in the fray. Macbeth is captured. He is taken and his head cut off. The King is Dead ~ Long Live the King!