Scene 2

• Collate the words and phrases used by characters in relation to loyalty/disloyalty in this
scene. How is each perceived?

Loyalty and disloyalty is a prominent theme in Macbeth, noticeable as early as Act 1, Scene 1. An
example of this is the quote “So well thy words become thee as thy wounds; They smack of honour
both.” Though many comments about loyalty are made in this scene, King Duncan’s remark as he
dismisses the Captain provides insight into what was deemed ‘honourable’ at the time. By saying
that both his words and his wounds prove him honourable, he shows how it was ideal to die
defending your country and king, and even being injured could prove your loyalty to the throne.

Scene 3

• Look at the use of 'three's' throughout the scene and copy out some examples. What might
be the significance of this?

Shakespeare makes use of the rule of three in Act 1, Scene 2, to depict the witches as supernatural
and strange beings. The most obvious example of this is when they deliver Macbeth’s prophecy,
addressing him with “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth, hail to thee,
Thane of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.” By using anaphora in conjunction
with the rule of three, Shakespeare creates an abnormal speech pattern which characterises the
witches as unnatural and freakish.

• The metaphor of clothing and appearance runs throughout this scene, in the opening with
the witches, when Macbeth talks of 'borrowed robes' and Banquo's comment about 'new
honours...' What comment do you think Shakespeare might be trying to make about
appearances and reality?

Appearance and clothing plays a key role in developing the roles and social status of characters in
Macbeth. This is demonstrated by the fact that Shakespeare chose to use a clothing metaphor when
Macbeth questions his new title in the lines “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” Being
dressed in “borrowed robes” suggests that the title does not rightfully belong to him. This idea is
furthered by Banquo’s comment that “New honours come upon him; Like our strange garments,
cleave not to their mould, but with the aid of use.” This continued metaphor of clothing creates the
feeling that Macbeth is unfit and not meant to take on this new status, foreshadowing his downfall
once he becomes King.

Scene 4

• Explain the contrast between Macbeth’s lines ‘Stars, hide your fires, / Let not light see my
black and deep desires’ (I.iv.50-51) and Duncan’s lines ‘True, worthy Banquo, he is full so
valiant, / And in his commendations I am fed’ (I.iv.54-55)

Early on in the play, we can see how Macbeth, originally described as noble and brave, begins to turn
evil and ambitious. An important part of this change in character is the contrast between his inner
thoughts and Duncan’s praise of him. In the lines “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black
and deep desires” Macbeth openly admits to having evil desires, showing how quickly the witches’
prophecy began to influence his decisions. This is in stark contrast to “True, worthy Banquo. He is full
so valiant; And in his commendations I am fed.” Duncan’s remark to Banquo shows how they still
believe Macbeth is heroic and honourable, and that they are unaware of how he is changing right
before their eyes.

Scene 5

• How is Lady Macbeth characterised in this scene?

From the moment she is introduced, Lady Macbeth is characterised as ambitious and more than
willing to do anything to achieve her goals. An example of this characterisation is when she says “Yet
do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” After first
hearing that Macbeth is prophesied to become king, Lady Macbeth is critical of his goodness and
worries that he does not have the willpower to do what it takes to make it so. Quickly, she turns to
the most murderous route, vocalising her thoughts with the lines “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.” Just
one part of a monologue of dark and corrupt thoughts, this line shows how Lady Macbeth welcomes
cruelty and evil and is unmovable in her goals.

• Explain the line ‘look like th’ innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t’ (I.v.63-64)

Upon reuniting with her husband, Lady Macbeth advises him of her murderous plans, stressing that
he must not let anyone be suspicious of him. In the line “Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the
serpent under ’t,” the flower represents gentleness and goodness, while the serpent symbolises
deceit and evil. With this symbolism, she explains to Macbeth that on the outside he must be warm
and hospitable to King Duncan, regardless of his dark intentions.

Scene 6

• Observe the courtly behaviours of this scene, especially those of Lady Macbeth. Why would
her words be considered an example of dramatic irony?

With the arrival of the King in Act 1, Scene 6, Lady Macbeth switches seemingly effortlessly from a
murderess fiend to a welcoming hostess. Using phrases such as “Your servants ever; Have theirs,
themselves, and what is theirs in compt” and “those honors deep and broad wherewith your majesty
loads our house”, Lady Macbeth’s courtly behaviour contrasts with that of the previous scene. Of
course, the audience knows of her treasonous intentions, but the other characters are oblivious to
this, creating dramatic irony.

Scene 7

• Why is it significant that Lady Macbeth appeals to her husband’s masculinity in this scene?

In Act 1, Scene 7, Lady Macbeth appeals to her husband’s masculinity in order to persuade him to
continue with her plan. She manipulates him by questioning his right to manhood, as seen in the
quote “When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would
be so much more the man.” She tells Macbeth that if he were to go on with the murder, he would be
much more of a man, enabling her to gain control of the relationship. Lady Macbeth’s manipulation
allows her to gain more power over her husband as the play progresses, usurping his position as
head of house and contradicting the social hierarchy of the time.

• Which concluding lines reinforce the theme of deception in the play?

Deception is a prominent theme in Macbeth, shown often through Macbeth and his wife’s actions
and words. An example of this is the closing lines of Act 1, Scene 7 where Lady Macbeth is told
“Away, and mock the time with fairest show; False face must hide what false heart doth know.” This
is a parallel to one of her earlier lines “Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under ’t,” in
the fact that both are advising the other to hide their treasonous intentions with a show of
friendliness. These lines strongly reinforce deception as a key theme throughout the play.