Macbeth 4

Macbeth the Tyrant

When Macbeth visits the witches in Act 4, Scene 1, they refer to him as 'something wicked'. This highlights his shift to being an evil character.

Illustrative background for <b>‘black'</b> and <b>'devilish'</b> (4,3)

Illustrative background for <b>‘black'</b> and <b>'devilish'</b> (4,3) ?? "content

‘black' and 'devilish' (4,3)

The audience learns from the conversations between different thanes (including Macduff's meeting with Malcolm in England) that Macbeth is a tyrannical (oppressive and controlling) king and Scotland is suffering under his rule.
They call Macbeth ‘black' and 'devilish'. This shows that they think of him as evil.

Key Quotes - Macbeth

‘So fair and foul a day'

‘So fair and foul a day I have not seen’
Macbeth enters the stage for the first time in this scene. This is his first line of the play.
- This is important because it shows he knows about the trouble in nature. Things are mixed up and strange.
- This foreshadows (indicates something in the future) the conflict that will soon happen.
- This could also show how Macbeth’s personality and feelings are mixed, and that the play will show his true nature.

'The greatest is behind’

‘Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: / The greatest is behind’.
Macbeth speaks to himself (and the audience).
- His use of ‘greatest’ shows that the thing he places the most value on (the possibility of being king) is still yet to come – his path to it is behind closed doors and not yet revealed, but he feels that it could actually become a reality.

‘Doth unfix my hair...'

‘Doth unfix my hair / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs / Against the use of nature’.
Macbeth says this in an aside.
- Macbeth feels afraid because something would have to happen to King Duncan for him to become king. He might even have to harm King Duncan.
- At this point, he does not want to harm King Duncan, as he recognises the Divine Right of Kings, knowing that King Duncan was chosen by God to rule Scotland.
- He also feels a sense of loyalty to his friend.

Key Quotes - Macbeth, Act 5, Scenes 3

In his castle, Macbeth isn't interested in the reports he's hearing about the army. He still believes in what the spirits said.

'Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane'

'Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane, / I cannot taint with fear'
This is what Macbeth tells his advisors.
This moment contrasts to Macbeth’s first meeting with the witches, where he did not believe them because he felt that witchcraft was evil. Here, Macbeth is living his life based on the prophecies from the witches and ignores warnings.

'My flesh be hacked'

'I'll fight, till from my bones my flesh be hacked'
This is what Macbeth says after being told that the army is coming. He finally decides to put on his armour.
The doctor tells Macbeth that Lady Macbeth is troubled. He says she can't sleep properly. Macbeth asks him to cure her: 'Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, / Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow'.
Macbeth knows that the thanes are abandoning him. He wishes that the doctor could cure Scotland too.

'Signifying nothing'

‘A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing’. (5,5)
Macbeth is shocked after finding out that Lady Macbeth is dead. He realises he has lost everything.
This shows how the loss of his wife, and his increased power, have completely changed Macbeth. He feels there is no point to life anymore.

1Literary & Cultural Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy

1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender

1.1.3Politics & Monarchy

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

2.1Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 2

2.1.2Scene 3

2.1.3Scenes 4-5

2.1.4Scenes 6-7

2.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1

2.2Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 2

2.2.2Act 3

2.2.3Act 4

2.3Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-3

2.3.2Scenes 4-9

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-5

2.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending

2.3.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean

3Characters

4Themes

4.1Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition

4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning

4.1.3Violence

4.1.4The Supernatural

4.1.5Masculinity

4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order

4.1.7Appearances & Deception

4.1.8Madness & Blood

4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep

4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes

4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2

4.2Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.2Extract Analysis

5Writer's Techniques

5.1Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony

5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques

6Recap: Main Quotes

6.1Characters Quotes

6.1.1Macbeth

6.1.2Macbeth 2

6.1.3Macbeth 3

6.1.4Macbeth 4

6.1.5Lady Macbeth

6.1.6Lady Macbeth 2

6.1.7Banquo

6.1.8Banquo 2

6.1.9The Witches

6.1.10King Duncan

6.1.11Macduff

6.2Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Violence

6.2.2The Supernatural

6.2.3Ambition

6.2.4Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order

6.2.5Appearances & Deception

6.2.6Lady Macbeth's Masculinity

6.2.7Madness & Blood

6.2.8Men, Children & Sleep

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