macbeth

In 1606 William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, wrote a play which would go down in history as the cursed Scottish play after numerous mishaps during production. It was written for his new patron, James I (James VI of Scotland), following the death of Queen Elizabeth. James was interested in witchcraft and Scotland, and hence the themes in the play. Banquo is James's ancestor. The play itself tells the story of a man, urged by his wife and foretold by prophecy, who commits regicide in order to gain power. Unfortunately, due to numerous quirks of language and obscure allusions, the play is difficult to understand without assistance. Using this annotated version along with external links and analysis, to more information, you can now get a better grasp of one the best tragedies ever written, the tale of Macbeth. Macbeth Characters DUNCAN, King of Scotland Duncan is a good king who his people like. By no fault of his own he is unable to discern those who threaten his reign. MACBETH, Thane of Glamis and Cawdor, a general in the King's army and LADY MACBETH, his wife Macbeth is a basically good man who is troubled by his conscience and loyalty though at the same time ambitious and murderous. He is led to evil initially by the witches' predictions and then by his wife's goading, which he succumbs to because he loves her so. His obsession over the kingship shows a certain kind of egotism.Lady Macbeth is a good wife who loves her husband. She is also ambitious but lacks the morals of her husband. To achieve her ambition, she rids of herself of any kindness that might stand in the way. However, she runs out of energy to supress her conscience and kills herself. BANQUO, Thane of Lochaber, a general in the King's army Banquo serves as a foil to Macbeth, showing an alternate react to prophecy. Banquo retains his morals and allegiances, but ends up dying. He is brave and ambitious, but this is tempered by intelligence. MACDUFF, Thane of Fife, a nobleman of Scotland Macduff shows early on a distrust of Macbeth. He also represents fate as when knocking on the door. He thinks he can avoid having his family looking guilty and getting killed by fleeing, but he overestimates Macbeth. Macduff then plays the avenger. MALCOLM, elder son of Duncan Malcolm, as a good king, is everything that Macbeth is not. He uses deception only to insure his personal safety. DONALBAIN, younger son of Duncan Donalbain is Duncan's youngest son and fless to Ireland when his father is murdered. LENNOX, nobleman of Scotland Lennox is one of Duncan's nobles and he is largely an observer in the play. He grows suspicious of what he sees in Macbeth, and grows increasingly sarcastic and is fearful for the fate of Scotland. ROSS, nobleman of Scotland Ross is Macduff's cousin. He acts as a messenger in the play, bringing good news of Macbeth's military victory and bad news about Macduff's family. SIWARD, Earl of Northumberland, general of the English forces Old Siward is the Earl of Northumberland and an ally of Malcom and Macduff. YOUNG SIWARD, his son Young Siward is Siward's son. He is slain by Macbeth in hand-to-hand combat. SEYTON, attendant to Macbeth Seyton is Macbeth's lieutenant. HECATE, Queen of the Witches Hecate is sometimes referred to as the queen of the witches. It is she who directs supernatural happenings and appearances of the mystical apparitions. The Three Witches The three witches add an element of supernatural and prophecy to the play. They each have a familiar, such as Graymalkin and Paddock, and are commanded by Hecate, a Greek goddess of the moon and later witchcraft. The witches are based on a variety of ideas about witches at the time. They can use sieves as boats, and they can assume the shape of an animal, but with a defect, as with the tailless rat. The witches were also thought to be able to control the winds. They are described as having beards but looking human. The Porter The Porter is the keeper of Macbeth's castle who imagines that he is the keeper of Hell's Gate. LADY MACDUFF Lady Macduff represents all the good people slaughtered by Macbeth. She loves her family, and is distressed at her husband's departure. She doesn't really believe her husband is a traitor and is conerned only that he is safe when the murderers arrive. FLEANCE, Banquo's son Fleance plays no large role, and the only question is how his line ends up becoming king after Malcolm. MENTEITH, ANGUS, and CAITHNESS noblemen of Scotland Other Characters An English Doctor, A Scottish Doctor, A Sergeant, An Old Man, The Ghost of Banquo and other Apparitions, Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murtherers, Attendants, and Messengers Theme The theme of the play, according to G.R. Elliot is that a "wicked intention must in the end produce wicked action unless it is not merely revoked by the protagonist's better feelings, but entirely eradicated by his inmost will, aided by Divine grace." This is seen most clearly in Act V, Scene 1, where the Doctor says, "More needs she the divine than the physician." It also seen throughout the play in Macbeth's murderous plots. Also rampant through the play is the idea of "Fair is foul, foul is fair." Basically, this means that appearances can be deceiving. What appears to be good can be bad, and this is seen in such things as the deceptive facade of Lady Macbeth and in the predictions of the witches. Entire (scences) Act 1, Scene 1: A desert place. Act 1, Scene 2: A camp near Forres. Act 1, Scene 3: A heath near Forres. Act 1, Scene 4: Forres. The palace. Act 1, Scene 5: Inverness. Macbeth's castle. Act 1, Scene 6: Before Macbeth's castle. Act 1, Scene 7: Macbeth's castle. Act 2, Scene 1: Court of Macbeth's castle. Act 2, Scene 2: The same. Act 2, Scene 3: The same. Act 2, Scene 4: Outside Macbeth's castle. Act 3, Scene 1: Forres. The palace. Act 3, Scene 2: The palace. Act 3, Scene 3: A park near the palace. Act 3, Scene 4: The same. Hall in the palace. Act 3, Scene 5: A Heath. Act 3, Scene 6: Forres. The palace. Act 4, Scene 1: A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Act 4, Scene 2: Fife. Macduff's castle. Act 4, Scene 3: England. Before the King's palace. Act 5, Scene 1: Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle. Act 5, Scene 2: The country near Dunsinane. Act 5, Scene 3: Dunsinane. A room in the castle. Act 5, Scene 4: Country near Birnam wood. Act 5, Scene 5: Dunsinane. Within the castle. Act 5, Scene 6: Dunsinane. Before the castle. Act 5, Scene 7: Another part of the field. Act 5, Scene 8: Another part of the field. more macbeth "Macbeth, Macbeth, you bore me to death." My wife is fond of saying that every time I begin the study of the "Scottish Play." I don't know why. The play has everything a modern audience could wish for: witches, treachery, murder, and enough blood to satisfy the most ghoulish of audiences. The themes are certainly current--faithlessness, deception, ambition--and they still play well in current film and books. So it must be the language that turns people off. To try and help the lost and confused I hope this approach makes the play more accessible. ACT I, scene i Three witches plan to meet with Macbeth upon a heath (maybe Macbeth should be pronounced Macbeeth to rhyme with heath?). They announce the major theme of the play: appearances are deceiving. That's the foul is fair stuff. You know, what's good will be bad, what's bad will be good. This will be repeated until you are sick of it. scene ii All right, now for some of the background stuff. The audience does have to learn what's going on. Duncan decides a bloody man (sometimes bloody sergeant or bloody soldier or bloody Captain but whatever at least we know he's covered in blood) should know something about the battle going on. Bloody good guess on Duncan's part. Well the guy does know something. It looked like Macdonwald, a no good rebel trying to overthrow Duncan and cut a deal with the King of Norway, was going to win for Fortune was smiling on him. But Macbeth hacked his way to meet Macdonwald and meeting him face to face he split him in two ("unseemed him from the nave to th' chops" --meaning the sword went in at the navel and was pulled up, Macbeth was strong). Oh, and he cut the head off and fixed it on a battlement: a tall pole waved over the troops to dishearten them because as many were mercenaries (soldiers for hire) and unless they were really stupid once they say the head of their employer truly looking down on them they would figure out no leader, no money. Sounds good. Battle's over right. No. It seems that Sweno, King of Norway, figured he could mount a second attack with fresh men; but Macbeth and Banquo fought like men possessed ("cannons overcharged with double cracks") Now the bloody whatever is too pooped to continue, so Duncan ever concerned with his men says it's OK to get him a doctor, now. Sure, after he's pumped out what little life was left in the guy. And did you pick up on the good is bad thing--the battle seemed won but additional troops arrived. Watch for that stuff if you want to make points with your teacher. Now Ross and Lennox show up from Fife. Pay attention now. They announce that Norway himself (Sweno) helped by the disloyal Thane of Cawdor (Scottish nobleman) fought against Bellona's Bridegroom (Mars, God of War--boy the stuff you have to know) who defeated them. Now Norway wants peace. Duncan is happy. The war is over and time to pass out rewards. The first to get one is Macbeth, who will be named the new Thane of Cawdor. Most books will tell you Bellona's Bridegroom means Macbeth but let's think it through. Ross and Lennox are coming from Fife. Who is the Thane of Fife? Macduff. Wouldn't it seem reasonable he would be fighting in Fife? And it helps work through another theme--loyalty. Macbeth gets a reward but it’s not enough. Macduff gets nothing, zip, zero, da nada but no matter; he remains loyal. Think about it. Besides this is a good is bad thing for Macduff. Good he wins for Duncan but bad in that there is no reward for doing so. scene iii The ugly women again. Real quick. Some woman, "sailor's wife," was eating chestnuts, witch asked for some and was told no. Witch wants revenge. Decides to punish the woman by making her husband's life miserable. Nice logic here. Anyway, the sailor, Captain of the ship the Tiger, has sailed off. While the witches cannot sink the boat (this shows they are not all powerful), they can use the winds to keep him at sea for some time (nights, nine times nine). You really think the woman is going to make this connection and start sharing chestnuts with ugly witches? Notice the first words out of Macbeth's mouth: "So foul and fair a day I have not seen." What was it the witches said back there in scene i? Get the connection? Subtle, right? Banquo sees the witches and says they are ugly. Facial hair problem so bad Banquo suggests they might pass for men. Ignoring the put down they greet Macbeth with Yo, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis ; Yo, Thane of Cawdor; Yo Ho Ho, king hereafter. This stuns Macbeth who can't think of what to say so Banquo jumps in and asks what about him. If these ugly old woman can read tomorrow then give out some news to him. He is told that while he is "lesser than Macbeth and greater. / Not so happy, yet much happier" and while he won't be a king he will be the father of kings. Suddenly Macbeth gets back his voice and want's to know how he can be Thane of Cawdor ("The Thane of Cawdor lives / A prosperous gentleman") and king, what are they talking about. Well the witches vanish and Macbeth and Banquo chuckle about what was said. While they are amusing themselves (seems it didn't take much to entertain Scottish Thanes), Ross and Angus show up and give Macbeth the news that he is the new Thane of Cawdor. Now things aren't so funny (as if they ever were--this is a tragedy remember). How is this possible, Cawdor lives? Yes but not for long, he's a traitor, blah, blah, blah. Now Macbeth is no longer laughing and asks Banquo if this is good news or what: I'm Thane of Cawdor and you might father kings. Banquo a bit more cautious than Macbeth warns him (the good is bad thing, remember) "oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness (the witches) tell us truths, / Win us with honest trifle, to betray's / In deepest consequence." Or, don't trust witches. Do you think Macbeth is paying attention? Does he already have other things on his mind: "If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me / Without my stir." Sounds ominous to me. scene iv The revolution is over. Macdonwald is dead, Norway has sued for peace, and Cawdor has been executed. Duncan is happy but disappointed for "There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face. / He (now deceased Cawdor) was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust." Is there some irony that just after saying this Duncan greets Macbeth in absolute trust? Doesn’t this guy learn from experience? Anyway, Duncan is glad to see Macbeth and Banquo and promises Macbeth great things: "I have begun to plant thee and will labor / To make thee full of growing." But when it come time to pass out the big reward it’s Duncan’s son Malcom who is named Prince of Cumberland, meaning he is now next in line to become king. What does Macbeth have to say about this? "The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step / On which I must fall down or else o’erleap, / For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires." Does this sound like a happy Thane to you? Duncan believes so. Too bad no one but the audience can hear those asides but anyway pay attention because you just went through another good is bad thing. The scene ends with Macbeth riding off to ready his castle (and wife) to greet the king who has decided to spend the night in Macbeth’s charming home. This is sarcasm. Behind every great man they used to say before PC is the lady who put him there, but what can you do about Lady Macbeth. She’s not nice, she’s pushy, and ambitious. Receiving a letter from Macbeth (when did this guy find time to write?), she has been informed about what the witches had to say, especially about becoming king. However, she doubts her husband has the guts (after the battle he should be covered in guts, everyone else’s) to "catch the nearest way." After all, she claims Macbeth’s nature "is too full of the Milk of human kindness." Talk to Macdonwald about that one, babe. Well, she figures Macbeth won’t do anything rash (he does have the itch to be king, not the will to scratch it) unless she can convince him otherwise. Therefore she asks the evil spirits that listen for deals to unsex her and "fill . . . from the crown (head) to the toe (toe, you did get that one) top-full / Of direst cruelty. . . . Come to my woman’s breasts (Rated R for remorseless no doubt) / And take my milk for gall (bitterness." This is not a nice lady. When Macbeth arrives she starts in with Duncan won’t be leaving her house, at least not on his own two feet (more like under six feet). And she can tell Macbeth has something in mind regarding Duncan. How she does this seems inconsistent considering she was just telling us how kind he was. No matter because good is bad is back as Lady M tells Macbeth to "Look like th’ innocent flower, / But be the serpent under ‘t." Notice the irony in the comment "He (Duncan) that's coming / Must be provided for." He's coming for a rest, too bad it's going to be his final rest. scene iv Short scene. Duncan comments on how nice and peaceful Macbeth’s castle is. More irony as we know what’s going on. And then butter melts in Lady M’s mouth (sort of like m and m's) as she "welcomes" Duncan to her home. Burr! scene vii Long first act isn’t it? Now Macbeth is having some second thoughts. Maybe it’s not good to kill a king who has honored him, who is a cousin, who is a guest in his house, and who has been a good king. Besides, if he kills Duncan doesn’t that sort of set a pattern for others to follow: "we but teach / Bloody instructions, which being taught, return / To plague th’ inventor." Some strong stuff here, enough to convince Macbeth that he shouldn’t go along with his wife. Lady M, however, isn’t pleased with this turn around. What sort of a coward has she married, one who is brave only when drunk perhaps. She knows how to make a vow. She says she knows how pleasant it is to nurse a child but "while it was smiling in my face, / Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums / And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you / Have done to this." No mother of the year candidate here. (Sounds like a Mommy, Dearest book in the making) And she has a plan. Get the guards drunk, kill the king, and smear the guards with blood (and guilt). Macbeth is impressed. Probably more afraid of his wife than anything. Tells her she’s so tough that she should have sons only. (Can you imagine how scary her daughters might be if she had them?) He agrees that the king will die and "False face must hide what the false heart doth know." See how cleverly Shakespeare gets Macbeth’s last line to echo not only the first words he spoke in the play but reinforce the theme of appearances being deceptive. Don’t you wish you could write like that? Aren't you glad ACT I is over? Only four more to go. this web page was made for mr.byford by gavin williams. your comments