Macbeth Revision

1. Macbeth Revision What can you remember from the play? Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

2. Ambition King James Plot summary Divine Right of Kings/Great Chain of Being The Supernatural Loyalty and guilt Context Themes Religion Reality and appearances Macbeth Revision Plot points Lady Macbeth Characteristics Characteristics Macbeth The Witches Key quotations Plot points Plot points Key quotations Other Characters (eg. Banquo, Macduff, Duncan) Characteristics Key quotations

4. Key themes ambition The supernatural • Perhaps the most obvious subject or theme in Macbeth is ambition and we see this with both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They are tempted by the idea that Macbeth will become king. • Macbeth is not sure what to do but his wife is ruthless in getting what she wants - she views her husband as a coward and appears ready to do anything. • Ambition leads to evil - it makes Macbeth stronger and more determined, but then destroys his wife - she goes mad. And ambition eventually kills him as well, because he becomes a tyrant and so loses the support of his friends. • Another major theme is the supernatural - the idea that there are mysterious forces controlling what is happening in our lives. The very first characters we meet are the three witches, and their prophecies are what drives the story forward. • In Shakespeare's time belief in witchcraft was very strong and many so-called witches were burnt at the stake. It is not surprising that his audience would have taken these ideas seriously and felt that Macbeth was somehow possessed. There are lots of references to this - he is unable to say 'Amen', he has visions, he is disturbed and even thinks no-one can kill him. • The final battle scene also contains many elements of the supernatural. Macbeth believes he is invincible because many of the witches' prophecies appear impossible to fulfil - and yet just as the witches predicted Birnam Wood does indeed move to Dunsinane, and Macbeth is killed by Macduff because he is not 'of woman born'. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

5. Reality and appearances Loyalty and guilt • The contrast between what is real and the appearance of something is also used by Shakespeare. The classic dagger scene, when Macbeth is not sure if he can trust his eyes, is only one of many references to this theme. • The contrast between reality and appearance is also shown with all the references to thoughts, dreams and actions. Banquo talks about the 'cursed thoughts' he has had and his dreams of the witches. Macbeth talks of the world of thought and dreams and sometimes is stuck there. For instance, Lady Macbeth is critical of Macbeth's 'foolish thoughts' and talks of him being 'lost' because of this. • Sleep is another theme associated with reality, because characters view it as vital to life, but like death or being in another world. Macbeth is told he has murdered sleep and will 'sleep no more' whilst Lady Macbeth thinks of sleep as death, calling it the sternest 'goodnight‘. • Loyalty and guilt are also strong themes in Macbeth. Duncan clearly values loyalty - he has the first Thane of Cawdor executed and rewards Macbeth by making him the new Thane. Shakespeare cleverly uses loyalty as a dramatic device as well - Duncan is in the middle of talking about 'absolute trust' when Macbeth walks in - we know he's already thought about killing Duncan, but for the moment he talks about 'the loyalty I owe' and his 'duties' to Duncan. • Loyalty is also very important to Banquo - he will not desert Duncan. Macbeth, however, has an odd idea of loyalty - he knows he is doing the wrong thing, but he still goes ahead. Early on in the play perhaps it is his wife who is manipulating him, but later on it is Macbeth who makes the decisions. And later on he also starts to show he hates disloyalty, threatening his messengers and servants. • Macbeth also shows his guilt - he is unsure before the murder and regrets it immediately after. Lady Macbeth is the opposite - she seems to show no guilt at the time and even talks about how 'a little water' cleans away the blood. Her increasing madness later on is a sign of her guilt and she imagines her hands to be stained with blood. Her guilty conscience eventually leads her to suicide in act 5. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

6. The Jacobean audience would automatically associate the serpent with the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man. • Lady Macbeth is encouraging her husband to disregard his chivalric code of honour by becoming duplicitous. • Like the witches, Lady Macbeth temptsMacbeth with power and uses her words (considered a woman’s weapon) to manipulate him. • Like a snake, Lady Macbeth uses a variety of tactics to emasculate Macbeth and convince him to kill Duncan, including: questioning his honour, courage, ambition, masculinity & love for her. • Macbeth wins on the battlefield, but loses in his war of words and by the end of act one states that his “false face must hide what his false heart doth know.” “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

7. The great chain of being • Jacobeans believed that God set out an order for everything in the universe. This was known as the Great Chain of Being. On earth, God created a social order for everybody and chose where you belonged: • God • angels • stars • moon • kings • princes • nobles • commoners • animals • trees • plants • precious stones • precious metals • other minerals • hell Murdering the King, known as regicide, was considered the highest sin because it disrupts God’s will. The audience would have believed in the Divine Right of Kings. This explains the images of disorder and chaos in nature when Macbeth takes the throne. Killing Duncan, therefore, was a domestic, political & spiritual crime. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

8. Character: Macbeth Key Words for AnalysingMacbeth Conflicted Guilty Tyrannical Naïve Violent ‘Macbeth’ is a tragedy as it follows the downfall of its chivalrous protagonist who is tempted by the witches & his wife. Macbeth is a tragic hero because his character contains hamartia (a fatal flaw). Macbeth is corrupted by his own ambitious nature. Initially, he is viewed by the audience as an honourable and virtuous war-hero, but he transforms throughout the play into an evil, duplicitous politician and tyrant – a shadow of his former self. By the end of the play, his death brings the audience catharsis (relief) as his cruel destruction of Scotland can be healed by Malcolm, the true heir to Duncan – Macbeth’s rule is like a disease. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

9. Act 1, Scene 2: Macbeth’s Reputation • Macbeth is incredibly brave and impresses the other soldiers with his bravery and ability. • Macbeth lives in a medieval society that encouraged traditionally masculine traits. • King Duncan considers him a chivalrous and great hero and rewards him for his duty. With Duncan describing him as a member of the family, we see how trusted Macbeth is. • Throughout the scene, Macbeth is idealised for his loyalty and honour. • The use of “carved” is graphic and links to butchery (foreshadowing his death). Macbeth not only defeats his opponents but ironically punishes traitors. • However, this scene reveals there are two sides to Macbeth – the hero and the violent warrior: he is both angelic and demonic. Key quotations: • “brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name.” • “carved out his passage till he faced the slave […] and fixed his head upon our battlements.” • “redoubled strokes upon the foe.” • “O Valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!” • “noble Macbeth have won.” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

10. “Foul” and “fair” reflect the language of the Witches from Act 1 Scene 1. This could suggest that he is under their spell. • In a soliloquy, Macbeth reveals his jealously after being passed over for promotion. • Macbeth uses Malcolm’s title, rather than his name to show his lust for power and dehumanises him by referring to him as a “step”. The imagery is linked to ambition as Macbeth must risk a fall to become the King. • Banquo offers wise advice to his friend to distrust the witches. He implies they are working for the devil and their intention is to corrupt & confuse. Shakespeare juxtaposes Macbeth & Banquo: Macbeth is lured by the witches’ promise of power, whereas noble Banquo resists and keeps his “bosom franchised and allegiance clear”. • Macbeth turns away from the light and moves towards the darkness: either the witches’ spell or his own ambition has corrupted him. The Jacobean audience would link the “stars” to God – the Globe Theatre’s roof was called ‘the heavens’ and was covered in stars. Macbeth use a euphemism to describe murder because it is still under consideration – until he meets his wife he is not committed to turning his desires into actions. Act 1, Scene 3 and 4 Key quotations: • “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” • “the instruments of darkness…” • “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap.” • “Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires.” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

11. Act 2: The murder and aftermath • The dagger can be understood as a symbol of Macbeth’s conscience – he is clearly conflicted & hesitant: “mine eyes make fools”; or as a supernatural hallucination – “instruments” remind the audience of the witches: the “instruments of darkness.” • After the murder, Macbeth is clearly traumatised by the act. Macbeth’s agony has moved from the visual (the dagger) to the auditory (a disembodied voice). • “Sleep” links to rest and rejuvenation, but, like the dagger, his conscience is preventing Macbeth from finding peace. • After the murder, Macbeth publically deceives the court by using exaggerated and highly-stylised language to disguise his guilt – this contrasts with Banquo, Macduff and everyone else present, who react authentically with short, shocked language. Key quotations: • “Is this a dagger I see before me? Come, let me clutch thee […] Thou marshall’st me the way I was going, and such an instrument I was to use, Mine eyes make fools of my o’ the other senses…” • “Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth doth murder sleep!’” • “Who could refrain that had a heart to love, and in that heart courage, to make love known?” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

12. Act 3: “O, full of scorpions is my mind.” • “O” suggests his feelings are intenseand that he is exclaiming in pain. • “scorpions” are foreign to Scotland and could relate to the witches. • Lady Macbeth used “poison” words to manipulate Macbeth – like a scorpion’s sting. • Macbeth is tormented by the supernatural and his guilt – remember he “murdered sleep” when killing the King and could not say “Amen” afterwards. • Macbeth says this to his wife but refuses to reveal why his mind is plagued with thoughts – the fact that he does not reveal Banquo’s murder shows the growing distance in their relationship: “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck.” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

13. Act 4: Macbeth is lured back • Macbeth is identified with blood: “pricking” links to the bloodshed caused throughout the play. “Something” implies he is less human – more like them (dehumanised). “Wicked” shows that his chivalric nature has been corrupted by ambition and cruelty. • Macbeth continues to distance himself from his wife by turning towards the witches in his time of need, rather than seeking support from his wife. Macbeth’s desperation is evident in the imperative that is followed by admittance that the witches have power Macbeth does not. • After the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth seals his positon as a tyrant by attacking Macduff’s family. He commands that the entire family is slaughtered, both to satisfy the witches’ warning and as a political threat to those that would oppose him – ironically, this act has the opposite effect and turns Macduff towards revenge. Key quotations: • “By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes.” • “Tell me, thou unknown power…” • “To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done.” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

14. Macbeth desperately calls for his armour because he wants to retain a piece of his previous self: the loyal, honourable chivalrous war-hero. • Macbeth’s armour is symbolic of his former identity – and what he has lost by the end of the play. Macbeth’s kingly robes represent his duplicitous, Machiavellian side – the devious tyrant. • Shakespeare uses clothing as a motif throughout the play to draw attention to Macbeth’s changing character. Key quotations: • “The Thane of Cawdor lives, why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” (A1, S3 • “Old robes sit easier than our new!” (A2, S4) • “His title hangs loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief” (A5, S2) Act 5: “give me my armour” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

15. Macbeth links his wife’s death to a candle: like her fear of the dark (A5, S1). The soliloquy is not his mourning for her, but instead his feeling that life is futile. • Macduff displays Macbeth’s head as a warning against treason – this echoes Macbeth’s actions at the start of the play and links both Thanes of Cawdor together. • After calling for his armour, as if to cling to his past chivalrous identity, The end of the tragedy is almost cyclical: it opens with Macbeth’s heroic reputation & ends with Macbeth’s tyrannical reputation. • Malcolm assumes power by controlling the audience’s final interpretation of Macbeth. It is implied that peace & harmony will be restored to Scotland as Malcolm had cured Scotland of the disease that was Macbeth’s rule. Act 5: Macbeth’s downfall Key quotations • “Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more.” • “Why should I play the Roman fool, and die on mine own sword?” • “Behold, where stands the usurper’s cursed head: the time is free.” • “This dead butcher, and his fiend-like queen.” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

16. If Macbeth’s biggest weapon is his sword and his greatest victory is his defeat of the Norwegian army, Lady Macbeth’s biggest weapon is her words and her greatest victory is manipulating Macbeth into the murder of King Duncan. Key Words for Analysing Lady Macbeth transgressive emasculating duplicitous malicious treacherous Character: Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth believes that she has a male soul that is trapped inside a female body: she wants to transcend the limits of her gender and grab power for herself. She is a temptress who is closely linked to the witches. She is closely linked to the theme of appearance versus reality and the corrupting power of ambition. She refuses to be bound by the patriarchal society in which she is trapped, but is undone by her conscience and the growing distance between her husband. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

17. Act 1 scene 5: first appearance Key quotations • “My dearest partner of greatness.” • “Too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.” • “Pour my spirits in thine ear.” • “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty.” • “Great Glamis! Worthy Cawdor! Greater than both, by the all-hail, hereafter!” • Macbeth passionately loves his wife and treats her as an equal – the superlative expresses his depth of feeling. • Through the soliloquy, Lady Macbeth, expresses her scheming nature. “Spirits” link her to poison as she wishes to corrupt Macbeth’s honour for her own advantage. • When greeting Macbeth, she avoids his name and uses his titles (in ascending order), to encourage his ambition. Her words echo the witches from Act 1, Scene 3. • Lady Macbeth uses “milk”, associated with purity & innocence to describe her husband. She uses a euphemism: “nearest way” to describe regicide. • Lady Macbeth speaks in imperatives and calls to the witches to make her uncompromising & ruthless. She sees her femininity as a weakness that needs removing. She defies her gender by rejecting meekness, obedience and silence (traditional female roles). The soliloquy seems like a spell of transformation, linking her to the witches. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

18. Act 1 scene 7: Lady Macbeth’s manipulation Key quotations • “Was the hope drunk when you dressed yourself?” • “To look so green and pale…” • “Art thou afeard to be in thine own act and valour, as thou art in desire?” • “What beast was ‘t then that made you break this enterprise to me?” • “When you durst do it, then you were a man.” • “[I would have] dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this.” • Lady Macbeth reveals her tenacity, by aggressively assaulting Macbeth with manipulative techniques. She begins by implying he is a coward – a painful insult to a Thane & recent war-hero. • Lady Macbeth uses her love & close connection to her husband by arguing she knows his heart & mind. The reference to “valour” is ironic, given the context. Like the witches, she is turning Macbeth’s “fair” chivalry into “foul” evil. • Lady Macbeth emasculates her husband by suggesting his honour is weakness. • She extends the argument by implying that he is sick and weak if he refuses her – perhaps referencing a hangover. • She is pugnacious and uses her words as weapons by stripping Macbeth of his humanity. She questions his commitment to her and offers him little time to reply – check the structure of the scene: Macbeth isn’t given the opportunity to argue back. He is silenced – like a woman. • Finally, she uses shocking imagery to express her intent. She is transgressive as she destroys a woman’s traditional role as a maternal figure. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

19. Act 2: aftermath of the murder Key quotations • “I heard the owl scream, and the crickets cry.” • “Go, get some water, and wash this filthy witness from your hand.” • “My hands are of your colour; but I shame to wear a heart so white.” • “[Fainting] help me hence, ho!” • Lady Macbeth’s strength from Act 1 seems to have faded as she seems easily frightened and nervous. This foreshadows her hysteria in Act 5. The animals are humanised: “scream” & “cry” showing how her conscience is already obsessing over the murder. • Lady Macbeth fulfills her evil plot, by framing the guards, after Macbeth refuses to see the body again. She references “white”, linking back to Macbeth being “full of the milk of human kindness”. By suggesting she “wears” a heart, she implies her heart is duplicitous: it can be changed. This moment foreshadows “out, out damned spot!” in Act 5 • She takes control when Macbeth is in shock. She uses imperatives and suggests that they can be cleansed easily by hiding their betrayal. This moment is an inversion of a baptism – the Macbeths are not removing sin, but killing God’s representative on Earth (Divine Right of Kings). • Both Macbeth’s use unrealistic, elegant rhetoric after the murder to express their ‘despair’ that Duncan is dead. When Macbeth begins to arouse suspicion, Lady Macbeth ‘faints’ to divert attention. She uses her femininity to imply weakness and therefore innocence. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

20. Key quotations • “Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.” • “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed.” • “Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus, and have been from his youth: pray you, keep seat; the fit is momentary.” • “Are you a man?” Act 3: Distance grows • Lady Macbeth knows that she & Macbeth must consolidate their power with a banquet that will charm the Thanes and ensure they are accepted as King & Queen. She offers Macbeth advice that links to the theme of appearance versus reality. • Like Act 2, when Lady Macbeth misdirects the court by fainting, here she distracts the Thanes from Macbeth’s guilt-ridden outburst by claiming it is normal and temporary. She is commanding and authoritative, whilst remaining polite and warm. • Macbeth begins to distance himself from his wife by refusing to explain his plot to kill Banquo. His words are flattery, but the lack of information foreshadows the isolation that both characters will feel before the end of the play. • Lady Macbeth, like in Act 1, questions her husband’s masculinity. She is aware of the high stakes: for their political status to be accepted, they need the support of the Thanes. Here Shakespeare makes the banquet scene both a political and domestic drama and Macbeth’s conscience provides their downfall. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

21. Act 4: “Something wicked this way comes.” • Lady Macbeth is absent from Act 4. This signals to the audience that the distance between Macbeth and his wife is growing. • Instead of turning to his wife for support and assistant, Macbeth relies on the witches and their prophecies to bring him comfort. • Lady Macbeth’s absence is significant as it removes her voice – her weapon and strength – and relegates her to a traditional female role: the silent woman. • She no longer has agency or power. She no longer controls the plot; events happen to her, rather than because of her. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

22. Lady Macbeth has become fearful of the dark: this symbolically represents both her death and the evil she has spread throughout the play – remember the witches are the “instruments of darkness” and Macbeth has “black and deep desires”. • Lady Macbeth foreshadows her own death by considering the afterlife. • Her death off stage might be seen as anti-climatic, but it shows her lack of agency, power and strength by the end of the play. At the time, Christians believed that people who commit suicide go hell as a result. • Lady Macbeth speaks in prose rather than verse – this shows her damaged state of mind & her fall from a noble position to a lowly, desperate place. Like Macbeth in Act 3, Lady Macbeth is haunted by the blood of her victims and tortured by her conscience. • Although she & her husband never share the stage again, she shows a glimmer of their previously strong connection by having a similar thought to: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” • Macbeth is unable to mourn his wife; instead he laments the meaninglessness of life. Act 5: Lady Macbeth’s guilt Key quotations • “She has a light by her continually; ‘t is her command.” • “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” • “The Thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?” • “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” • “[A cry within, of a woman]” • “She should have died hereafter.” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

23. Some of their powers: Control the weather See into the future Contact with the devil Vanish into thin air Character: The Witches Key Words for Analysingthe Witches Treacherous Foul Sinister Corrupt Hideous Shakespeare’s inspiration for the Witches Shakespeare was influenced by the Greek Myth of The Fates. - The Fates are three powerful goddesses who weave a tapestry that reveals the destiny of mankind. The witches are known as ‘The Weird Sisters’ in the play. This links to their ability to prophesise and see the future: ‘Wyrd’ means fate. As a Scottish King, and having an interest in witchcraft, Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’ to win King James’ favour. King James passed laws to make witchcraft illegal and wrote a book on witchcraft called ‘Demonologie’. The function of the witches is to test the morality of the characters: unlike Macbeth, Banquo remains virtuous and moral to the end of his life and resists the lure of the witches, whilst Macbeth is corrupted by their promise of power. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

24. Act 1 scene 1: The witches appear Key quotations • “[Thunder and Lightening.]” • “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightening or in rain?” • “When the hurly-burly’s done, when the battle’s lost and won.” • “Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through fog and filthy air.” • The play begins with foreboding weather that sets the atmosphere. The use of pathetic fallacy implies the play will be dark and violent. The storm creates contrast between light and darkness and this reflects the morality of the play: good versus evil. • The “hurly-burly” relates to both the battle that Macbeth has just commanded and the chaos the witches will create throughout the play – their language reinforces their link to The Fates. • The witches speak in rhyming couplets. This gives their speech a magical quality, suggesting they are casting a spell. It also links the witches to other characters when they use rhyming couplets too. • The audience would immediately associate the weather with the witches’ supernatural power. The storm could foreshadow Macbeth’s fractured mind as he is sent mad by the witches’ awakening of his ambitious nature. • The witches speak using oxymorons which deliberately confuse their listeners. This line seems to echo through the play and links to Macbeth’s first words. The reference to “fog and filth” suggest the witches breed corruption, disease and sin that is blinding. Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context

25. The witches prove their ability to prophesise with the oxymorons. • The “instruments of darkness” is advice that Banquo is offering Macbeth about their malevolent nature – he can see the truth, but Macbeth is blinded. • Macbeth commands the witches through imperatives. He demands answers, but in response they vanish – showing the audience Macbeth holds no power over them. Act 1 scene 3: The witches’ spell and the threat of the witches • When Banquo first sees the witches he is sceptical and questions their supernatural ability – Shakespeare uses the witches to establish Banquo as a loyal, honest, honourable person, who’s morals cannot be compromised by the witches. • The play begins with foreboding weather that sets the atmosphere. The use of pathetic fallacy implies the play will be dark and violent. • In contrast, Macbeth is “rapt withal”, meaning he is literally spellbound by the witches. He contrasts with Banquo and seems to immediately fall under their spell. Macbeth, a fearsome general, is reduced to silence. Banquo requests a prophesy for himself, but does not “beg or fear” the witches. • “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater, Not so happy, yet much happier.” • “Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more […] Say from whence you owe this strange intelligence..” • “To win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence.” • “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” • “Are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show?” • He seems rapt withal. To me you speak not […] look into the seeds of time […] neither beg nor fear your favours…” Bronze – identify the key eventsSilver – explain events and guess how they could relate to the rest of the play Gold – analyse the events, demonstrating a thoughtful consideration of the contextPlatinum– a critical view of the historical context