Macbeth Character Map

What About My Masterpiece

I have decided to do a lot of simplification(ing) to my project. I wanted it to be elaborate and crazy but I see it is almost May and May will fly by too so this is what I have decided. I want to donate my hair to someone with cancer. I have done this before (three times), but I thought I was done. However, over this past year, friends have been effected by cancer more than I could ever imagine. I think this is a lesson to me about selflessness and understanding you have to put others first to sometimes appreciate my own value too. So I think if I can make one girl's day happy with a wig that will boost her confidence and make her feel beautiful, that is so amazing and more than I can ever ask for. Cancer is crazy because it takes away your confidence inside your body and outside when you look in the mirror and see no hair. I know I love my hair but I also know someone else will be able to love it more. I also am thinking I will ask around and see if anyone else is interested in participating.

Love Is Blind

What does Macbeth see in Lady Macbeth? How did they even get together? I am speculating it was an arranged marriage because he can't be a great warrior yet have no clue that he is married to a maniac. Macbeth must trust her and believe her, because he was sane until she got a hold of him and told him to do crazy things such as kill a king who had done nothing to provoke him. The audience can see Lady Macbeth is evil and cuts herself off from her own conscience, and maybe that is why Macbeth listens to her, but at some point, he must realize she is off her rocker. She is bloodthirsty.

Act 1 Study Questions

I-1

1) Beginning the play with a dialogue between the witches sets the mood to be dark, evil, and mysterious. This foreshadows the plot, theme, and mood for the future of the story in the same manner. In comparison of Shakespeare's other plays, Macbeth requires more ambiguity and the syntax and diction used needs to be more bleak. For example, Hamlet highlighted the themes of betrayal and complexity of relationships and power. Even though, the theme falls in the same ballpark with Macbeth, the gloominess of the plot of Macbeth overpowers that of Hamlet. In the beginning of the play, the witches were going to meet Macbeth at the "ere of sunset." Line 10 was "Paddock calls" and line 11 was "Anon." The phrase paddock class means a toad, which symbolizes transformation. The word anon means soon or shortly. The "toad" and it's transformation could metaphorically be compared to Macbeth and his evolving and transforming to be a completely different person or even having a transformation in his status and power. The witch's response as anon signifies how Macbeth will shortly have a transformation - to be declared a thane. 

I-2

1. The bloody seargent indirectly characterizes Macbeth by glorifying his actions towards Macdonwald. Macdonwald is a rebel who was executed. He tried to attack them. Macbeth executed macdonwald with his sword. This did not end the fight with the rebels, the Norwegians are still attacking.
2. The traitor was the Thane of Cawdor, as we learn from Ross. Duncan says that its a relief the thane of cawdor was executed and that Macbeth now owns his previous title.

I-3

1. The witches speech gives a first look at Macbeth and his wife without saying who they are. Indirect characterization of the two. Similar to Hamlet where he gives a mini synopsis early in the story. "Weird" in Shakespeare's day meant future seers not weird as we know it, prophecy and destiny. Shakespeare means that Macbeth's wife has him by the balls. They  cast a spell to control his destiny. 
2. Macbeth says something very similar to what the witches said at the beginning of the play. This could be him falling into the destiny the witches set up. Dried, chapped fingers, gender ambiguity, hairy, old, they have literal beards. The witches tell Macbeth that he will thane of Candor and eventually King, right then he finds out he is thane of Cawdor. Banquo asked the witch why they had nothing for him, they told him he is lesser but greater than Macbeth. We knew he was thane before he was thane.
3. Banquo says the witches were a figment of their imagination that they lie or that they are hallucinating. Macbeth learns that he is thane of Cawdor from Ross and Angus. During lines 114-156 he was going over his plan in his head and how everything had just happened to him. He acts very happy and shows no incredulity at being thane. Macbeth's aside shows him rationalizing what happened to him and he begins to think that he is going to be King soon. Macbeth tells Banquo that he is happy and excited and nothing more he explains his behavior by saying he is confused.

I-4

1.Cawdor was executed after openly confessing his treason and pleading for mercy. Malcolm tried to stick up for the thane, but the king responds by basically saying that you can't trust a man according to his face. He doesn't believe the thane was truly repentant.

2.The king greets them by saying that he can never repay them enough for their good deeds, but announces he will leave all his estate and names his son, Malcolm, prince of Cumberland. He then proposes that they go to Macbeth's castle at Inverness. Macbeth tells himself that the only way to be king is to get rid of Malcolm, and even though he'll be appalled at his action, he must do it.

I-5

1. Macbeth was honest with his wife when he informs her of his new title as "Thane of Cawdor." He refers to the witches as "weird sisters" probably because he doesn't want her know that he is associated with the "evil servants."

Lady Macbeth responds by saying that she thinks Macbeth is playng things off as if everything is fine. By saying "but be the serpent under't", she describes him as someone that lies to make everything appear under control. This doesn't really match the characterization of Macbeth so far in the story which implies that there is something the audience doesn't know about him. 

2. The wife was confident about the guests visit. She also seemed prepared and a little cocky about the way her and her husband would handle it.

3. Lady Macbeth. Yes she wants to kill Duncan. No, he isn't sure whether he wants to follow through with Lady Macbeths orders or not. She tells him not to let Duncan see tomorrow. 

4. The question appears to answer itself. 

I-6

1. The opening speeches (1.6.1-10) describe how the surroundings of the castle are "pleasant" and the air is sweet-maybe even too sweet. From the outside, the castle appears to be paradise.
Lady Macbeth's welcome is formal. Her language is totally different from her language in the previous scene which shows how fake and dishonest her welcome was.

I-7

1. "If it were done when 'tis done then 'twere well." If it were done when it was done it was done well. (Meaning if he completed the death quickly and efficiently and with no complications then he did the job well.) Macbeth is determined to kill the king and be done with him but in lines 1-12 he is fearful of how the "inventor" will judge his actions. He's violating the hospitality of his kinship and responsibilities as a host towards his guest by trying to kill his guest instead of protecting them. The motivation that Macbeth attributes to himself in lines 25-28 is the attribute of an Arabic heaven-like God. He will be seen as a "God" and that is his source of motivation to get the job done. 

2. In lines 28-30 she is complaining about him leaving the chamber because it was  almost time for dinner. Macbeth responds to her complaining by saying did he ask for me? And lady Macbeth says don't you know he did? The positions are lady Macbeth is ready for the King to be killed while Macbeth is still hesitant and on the fence about it. Macbeth convinced Lady Macbeth by explaining that he is an respected person and doesn't want to lose his honor while Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth by convincing him to gain the power and kill the king. The stronger person in the scene is Lady Macbeth because  she's more verbally confident in her argument while convincing Macbeth to kill the King. 

Meet Macbeth

Series 1-3

Questions

Indirect and direct characterization

The way he battles and fights is something that describes Macbeth. He is a strong courageous warrior. He chooses to talk to the witches. He is kind of afraid of them but when they mention becoming Thane of Cawdor he is interested. His asides give characterization and insight into Macbeth's mind. Ross and Angus talk about Macbeth and describe him.

Foreshadowing

He is probably going to get killed. The witches provide the most foreshadowing. In the beginning of the poem, it hints towards meeting him and possibly killing then. They also predict before news have spread, that Macbeth will be crowded thane of Cawdor. Also foreshadowing about getting the throne, and what that entails. Macbeth feels he will have to complete an evil deed to be crowded king.

Exposition
Shakespeare likes to use other characters to build the knowledge of another one. Macbeth finally comes into Scene three, but we have already found out information through witches and Duncan .

Shakespeare Tone of Characterization
 I am not sure about yet about Shakespeare's tone in describing character's, so far mainly Macbeth. I need to read more to fully understand it because at this point, it could be any tone.

Themes Appear Evident
I think themes tinted with evil or wrongdoing will be a theme. However, Macbeth started out with a heroic battle and is crowded king. His conduct so far is chivalrous and makes me think he stands up against what he sees wrong in society. Macbeth seems noble, he is given power, but has not flaunted it around. He is so far, humble about the position he has been given and seems happy about it. It is really hard for me to see exactly what themes will continue through the book because I haven't read enough yet. One theme I can think of the the use of witches in foreshadowing to let the reader know what to expect next.

Thane of cawdor

Won noble position

Lady Macbeth true evil in play

She drives people to do evil things 

Symbolism

Thane of cawdor (irony)

Prophecy of Macbeth

Prophecy of banquo

Why does Macbeth get prophecy

Indirect characterization 

Foreshadowing

Macbeth promised greater legacy scene3

Come what come may

Time and the hour runs through the roughest day

My Macbeth Resourcese

1. http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/

2. http://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/blog/macbeth-infographic-foul-facts/

3. http://www.bardweb.net/language.html

4. https://quizlet.com/3993121/macbeth-flash-cards/

5. Book from library on Macbeth

Macbeth Intro Notes

The great chain of being

God

King

Citizens

Animals

Different classes

Grand displays of every idea

Horses ate each other

Witches

Fair is foul and foul is fair

Witches carried out evil

Realistic representations at the time

Win only one persons approval. The king's