Character+Development+-+Macbeth

** 1. **In Act 1,sc2 a bleeding captain reports to King Duncan about the successful battle Macbeth and Banquo have waged against the traitor Mcdonwald and his Norwegian allies. He lauds Macbeth “For brave Macbeth –well he deserves that name” for being a true soldier: “Like valours minion carved out a passage” in the battleground. Macbeth reportedly kills MacDonwald and “fixed his head upon our battlements”. ** What impressions do we get of Macbeth? ** **  Why did Shakespeare start the play this way? **  ** 2. **Macbeth encounters the witches who foretell his rising fortune. “Stay you imperfect speakers –tell me more.” ** What response do the witches evoke in Macbeth? **  ** 3. **As Banquo later observes, ‘he is rapt’ and questions the supernatural predicitions. “If ill, why has it given me earnest of success.” Act 1 sc3 p17 ** What emotions does he have? Why do you think this is? **  ** 4. **Later, at Inverness, after Lady Macbeth’s suggestion of murdering Duncan (‘leave all the rest to me’), Macbeth imagines the action. “If it were done when t’is done, then twere well it were done quickly”. Yet, in the very same speech he gives moral reasons why he shouldn’t do it. “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject…then his host. Besides Duncan has borne his faculties so meek.” Act 1 sc7 p31 ** Macbeth’s soliloquy exposes his inner thoughts. What effect are his thoughts having on him? **  At the end of the speech he admits a weakness in his character. ** Find the quote P31 ** ** 5. **Macbeth doesn’t want to engage in conversation with Lady Macbeth about his murderous thoughts and he reminds her of Duncan’s good will towards him. So she taunts him about living with a bad impression of himself and being ‘so much more the man’ if he does murder Duncan. Act 1 sc 7 p31 ** What effect do you think this has on Macbeth? How would you describe his relationship with Lady Macbeth. **  ** 6. **“False face must hide what the false heart doth know” ** This quote shows Macbeth’s intentions. What are they? **  ** 7. **Throughout the murder Macbeth is anxious and stressed. His senses seem alert and responsive. He sees the dagger before him guiding him to Duncan’s chamber and he is disturbed by images of evil – nature seems dead and witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecates offerings. He is fearful “the stones prate of his whereabouts”. Act 2 sc1 p41 ** In your view is he compelled by his ambition or possessed by demon witches –or both? ** **  8. After the murder what actions of his show you he is less the ‘general’ than the ‘man’?Act 2 sc 2 p45. **  ** 9. **When Macduff discovers King Duncan dead, Macbeth says to Macduff ‘renown and grace is dead’ displaying his admiration of the King in front of others. Act 2 sc3 p55 ** Do you think this tact worked? Why or why not? **  ** 10. ** After Duncan’s death, Macbeth fears Banquo, ‘Our fears in Banquo stick deep’ ** What is there to fear? How does he deal with this? Is your opinion of Macbeth altered by these actions? How? **  ** 11. **The Banquet is a turning point for Macbeth. His conscience makes him seem ‘crazy’ in front of others. He is aware that his inner turmoil has betrayed him and he decides that ‘he has stepped in too far’ and cannot go back to being a moral person. Act 3 sc4 p89 ** What does he do and why? How does this change him? ** **  12. Now he wages war on all those he perceives as enemies. Who are they? What does he do? How has your opinion of him developed? **  13. In the final scenes we see Macbeth as an uncaring, self-serving, despot who has is cornered and fighting to retain control of his position as King. He is despised by young eager soldiers like Siward –‘the devil itself could not pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear.” And, his nemesis, the valiant Macduff clearly labels him a ‘hell hound’ ‘tyrant’ and ‘coward’ as he fights him to the death. Act 5 sc 7 pp151,153 ** Do you pity or despise Macbeth in the end? –Justify your answer. **
 * __ Character Development __ **