3.1.8

Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power

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Diagram

There is a lot of debate over what exactly motivates Macbeth to murder King Duncan. However, it is clear that Macbeth wants power. The Great Chain of Being was an idea that God set out an order for everything in the universe. At the top was God, then his angels, then chosen by God would be the king or queen of the country. A Jacobean audience believed that this gave the king or queen the ability to speak directly to God and that disobeying the king or queen was a sin.

Diagram

For Macbeth, stealing the throne by killing King Duncan was a great risk and a terrible sin, but he was willing to commit this sin if it meant taking power. He’s not trying to be closer to God, as he would be committing a great sin against the natural order of society.

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1

Literary & Cultural Context

1.1

Context

1.1.1Tragedy1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender1.1.3Politics & Monarchy1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 22.1.2Scene 32.1.3Scenes 4-52.1.4Scenes 6-72.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1
2.2

Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 22.2.2Act 32.2.3Act 4
2.3

Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-32.3.2Scenes 4-82.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-52.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending2.3.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean
3

Characters

3.1

Macbeth

3.1.1Hero vs Villain3.1.2Ambition & Fate3.1.3Relationship3.1.4Unstable3.1.5End of Topic Test - Macbeth3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cowardice3.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness3.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power
3.2

Lady Macbeth

3.2.1Masculine & Ruthless3.2.2Manipulative & Disturbed3.2.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - NOT a Man3.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Villain
3.3

Other Characters

3.3.1Banquo3.3.2The Witches3.3.3Exam-Style Questions - The Witches3.3.4King Duncan3.3.5Macduff3.3.6End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo3.3.7End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff3.3.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banquo
3.4

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.4.1Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions
4

Themes

4.1

Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning4.1.3Violence4.1.4The Supernatural4.1.5Masculinity4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order4.1.7Appearances & Deception4.1.8Madness & Blood4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2
4.2

Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes4.2.2Extract Analysis
5

Writer's Techniques

5.1

Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Macbeth6.1.2Macbeth 26.1.3Macbeth 36.1.4Macbeth 46.1.5Lady Macbeth6.1.6Lady Macbeth 26.1.7Banquo6.1.8Banquo 26.1.9The Witches6.1.10King Duncan6.1.11Macduff
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Violence6.2.2The Supernatural6.2.3Ambition6.2.4Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order6.2.5Appearances & Deception6.2.6Lady Macbeth's Masculinity6.2.7Madness & Blood6.2.8Men, Children & Sleep

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  1. 1
    Why does Macbeth murder King Duncan?Multiple choice
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Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness

Masculine & Ruthless