Macbeth Notes

Act I, Scene i

·      Witched discussing a battle where they will meet up again. Foreshadowing for the introduction of Macbeth.

Act I, Scene ii

·      This scene presents our first description of Macbeth as a brutal, ruthless warrior. The captain describes how Macbeth mercilessly slaughtered Macdonwald.

Act I, Scene iii

·      The witches describe their ruthless plans as Macbeth is approaching. This gives you insight on the witches themselves, seeing as their purpose in the play is unclear at this time. Banquo also questions their being and their trustworthiness.

·      The witches regard Macbeth as “thane of Cawdor” a title he has not yet been given, but will be soon. They also tell him that someday he will be king. They tell Banquo his kids will be royalty as well.

·      Ross and Angus enter, telling Macbeth that King Duncan has made him thane of Cawdor (just as the witches had said) because the other one is a traitor, and will be executed.

·      Macbeth reflects on the witches’ prophecy and wonders how he will become king (more foreshadowing. He will have to do dark things in order to gain this title).

Act I, Scene iv

·      The former thane of Cawdor is executed. It is made known that Malcolm (Duncan’s son) will be the heir to the throne. Although he had just been praised for his valor in battle and professed his loyalty to Duncan, he realizes that Malcolm cannot be king if he himself is supposed to be king. (IRONY!!!)

Act I, Scene v

·      We are introduced to Lady Macbeth, made aware of her ambition and the things she is willing to do to get to where she wants to be. (She’s nuts.)

·      She presents Macbeth with the idea of killing King Duncan and explains that she is willing to do it herself. (Again, she’s crazy).

Act I, Scene vi

·      Ironically, Duncan finds Macbeth’s castle to be calm and lovely, and Lady Macbeth to be nice and polite. Duncan expresses his love and gratitude for Macbeth. (So much irony it’s ridiculous)

Act I, Scene vii

·      We see the ambitious side of Macbeth coming out, the opportunist. He is given the opportunity to kill the king so that getting his spot on the throne will be easier and he’s willing to risk everything, earthly and spiritually, to get there. However, he does recognize the consequences.

·      When Macbeth decides against killing the king, his wife verbally attacks him and explains her plan. Macbeth expresses his desire for her to only bear male children. (Shows the male dominated society and the hatred of women, a major theme in this play).

·      This scene says a lot about Macbeth as a character. It shows he does know the difference between right and wrong, but isn’t strong enough to stand by his decision when faced with his wife. (An ironic relationship in this play. Lady Macbeth is “wearing the pants” in their relationship, something that completely contradicts the male-dominance theme of the play)

Act II, Scene i

·      Banquo is deeply troubled by the prophecy of the witches. Macbeth tells him he has not thought of the witches at all (obviously a lie).

·      The vision Macbeth has of the bloody dagger (a dagger he cannot physically grab) shows his uneasiness about his plan to murder Duncan. It shows, yet again, that he knows it is wrong, but is going to do it anyway. It also adds to his unsettled feelings.

Act II, Scene ii

·      Lady Macbeth’s craziness is apparent yet again, as she speaks to herself about her husband murdering Duncan.

·      Macbeth kills Duncan and is deeply troubled. He tries to appeal to God, but cannot.

·      When Macbeth emerges from the king’s chambers, Lady Macbeth becomes furious that he has forgotten to leave the dagger and frame the chamberlains and puts it with them herself. Again, another example of the female-dominant relationship between her and her husband. (She might as well be a man. A crazy man.)

·      The idea of water bringing innocence is brought up. A universal theme in many works of literature.

Act II, Scene iii

·      Shakespeare is amazing at coordinating events with conversations. Macduff and Lennox are discussing a ruthless storm that had occurred the previous night as they discover the dead king.

·      Lady Macbeth and Macbeth cover up their guilt quite well (Macbeth killed the chamberlains who were accused of killing Duncan). Lady Macbeth fakes shock and horror.

Act II, Scene iv

·      Ominous signs: dark during the day, owl killing a falcon, horses viciously killing and eating each other. Obviously showing the dark forces at work (Lady Macbeth).

·      The lords make Macbeth king. They think Duncan’s sons paid the chamberlains to kill him.

Act III, Scene i

·      Banquo is now legitimately considering what the witches foretold, thinking that maybe his children will one day be royalty.

·      Macbeth realizes that, because he will not have any heirs of his own, he has made it very easy for Banquo’s children to overthrow him and claim the crown. He is now afraid of Banquo, one of his best friends. He makes plans to have him murdered.

Act III, Scene ii

·      Power does not necessarily bring happiness. There is always someone who is a threat, someone you have to “take care of”.

Act III, Scene iii

·      Banquo is murdered by Macbeth’s hitmen. Banquo’s son, Fleance, escapes.

Act III, Scene iv

·      Macbeth’s guilt is beginning to consume him. Banquo’s ghost is in his royal seat at the head of the table and he talks to it in front of everyone else, who cannot see it. (Going crazy???)

·      Macbeth is now willing to do anything and everything to keep his throne. He seems to be getting crazier and darker.

Act III, Scene v

·      Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft.

·      She is now looking over what happens with Macbeth because she is disappointed with the witches. She will make him go even crazier.

Act III, Scene vi

·      Fleance is blamed with his father (Banquo’s) murder. Lennox still suspects Macbeth in all the murders.

·      Malcolm(Duncan’s son) seeks help from England. There will be war.

Act IV, Scene i

·      “Something wicked this way comes”

·      Macbeth seeks truth from the witches. They scare the heck out of him with various apparitions (floating heads, ghosts, visions, etc.) that just confuse him more.

·      Macbeth puts a hit out of Macduff’s family as punishment for his fleeing to England.

Act IV, Scene ii

·      The murders kill Macduff’s son, and chase his wife. This scene shows the importance of the role of the male in a family. Macduff’s wife is angry with her husband for fleeing and leaving them helpless.

Act IV, Scene iii

·      Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty to Scottland (not to Macbeth) and he passes.

·      King Edward of England apparently has the power to cure disease? How is this relevant to the rest of the story?

·      Ross tells Macduff his family is well (they indeed are not). Then tells him that his wife and son are dead, murdered. (the truth). Macduff wants revenge.

Act V, Scene i

·      Lady Macbeth’s craziness and guilt finally come out when she is caught sleepwalking and talking.

Act V, Scene ii

·      Macbeth, aka “the tyrant”, prepares to be attacked by the English and Scottish armies.

Act V, Scene iii and iv

·      Macbeth feels a false sense of security, claiming that no human can harm him. (The separation between mortal and supernatural).

·      The plan for the English is to cut boughs from the forest of Birnam Wood and carry them in from of them. This is the part of the prophecy that tells of Macbeth’s death.

Act V, Scene v and vi

·      Lady Macbeth dies.

·      “full of sound and fury”. Is this where Hemmingway got his title for The Sound and the Fury?? Just a curios question.

·      Macbeth accepts his fatal fate and decides to die while fighting.

·      The battle begins.

Act V, Scene vii, viii, and ix

·      Macbeth fights ferociously, sure that none of those men could kill him.

·      Macduff is determined to kill Macbeth himself.

Act V, Scene x and xi

·      It is revealed that Macduff was ripped from his mother’s womb, therefore not of woman born and still can kill Macbeth and fulfill the prophecy. (Back in that day, they cut out the baby in the same way Macbeth had killed Mcdonwald, a cut upward, in the torso. Right?)

·      Malcom and Siward capture Macbeth’s castle.

·      Macduff kills Macbeth (chopped off his head). Malcolm is deemed King.

·      The play ends with a celebratory tone, Malcolm giving all the thanes promotions to earls and asking all of his friends(everyone there basically) to watch him officially become king.