«Macbeth» by
William
Shakespeare
Jane Walker
Introduction
The tragedy of Macbeth was written
around 1606 in England;
First released in first edition Folio in
1623;
The play is set in various locations of
Scotland and England in the eleventh
century;
The tone of the tragedy is very dark
and ominous
World of Macbeth is filled with
unnatural and foul beings;
Macbeth features 5 acts, 21 scenes
and 17,121 words in total. Compared to
other Shakespeare's plays Macbeth is
quite short.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English
playwright, actor and poet.
He is known as «The Bard of Avon» .
The bard means travelling poet;
Shakespeare is considered to be the
best writer in the English language and
the greatest dramatist in the world;
He is thought to have written more
than 150 poems, sonnets and around
39 plays but the exact number of his
work is unknown;
Not much is known about The Bard’s
upbringing;
Even his date of birth is unknown;
He was baptized on April 26, 1564;
William Shakespeare married Anna
Hathaway daughter of a farmer;
They had 3 children: Susanna, twins
Judith and Hamnet;
Hamnet died at the age of 11;
Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616.
Many believe he died on his birthday
but that is not certified.
Characters
Macbeth
In the beginning Macbeth was a Scottish general, the thane of Glamis. A brave and
powerful man. He is easily guided by his ambitions after the three witches predicted a
bright future for Macbeth.
Encouraged by his wife Lady Macbeth he kills king Duncan and is crowned King of
Scotland. Macbeth orders kills more people just to stay on the throne. He is not a great
king. Macbeth is a tyrant. After a while Macbeth starts to feel guilty for his atrocities.
He sees ghosts and spirals down the path of madness.
Persuaded by the witches Macbeth starts to believe his own immortality.
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife. She is an ambitious women with a lust for power.
Lady Macbeth is the one who urges Macbeth to kill Duncan and seize the throne.
After the horrible deed Lady Macbeth is over taken by regret even worse than her
husband. She commits suicide.
King Duncan
The good King of Scotland.
The three witches
Hecate’s servants. Using charms, spells and prophecies they toyed with and destroyed
Macbeth’s life.
Macduff
A Scottish nobleman who kills Macbeth in the play.
Malcom
Son of King Duncan. The real heir to the throne.
The plot
Act 1
We are introduced to the characters. First scene opens with the three witches going
over their plans on a stormy night. Than we are told about Macbeth’s amazing
achievements on the battlefield. Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches and Macbeth is
intrigued in the future the three witches have predicted for him. When King Duncan
gives Macbeth the title thane of Cawdor Macbeth knows that witches were telling the
truth. Duncan has chosen his son Malcom to be the next king. At that moment
Macbeth’s lust for the crown has grown. Encouraged by Lady Macbeth he invites the
King to stay at his castle.
Act 2
Macbeth is second guessing his and his wife's plan. King Duncan was a beloved King and
it did not come easy for Macbeth to kill him. On the dark and troubling night after the
murder Macbeth and Lady Macbeth realize that they have forever stained their souls.
Other Scottish nobleman arrive. Malcom finds the King. King’s son flee from Scotland in
fear for their own lives. They are suspected to be behind their father’s murder. It is
decided that Macbeth will takes his place on the throne as the King of Scotland.
Act 3
Banquo is the only other living soul who knows about the prediction. Banquo starts to
suspect that Macbeth killed Duncan to take throne. Macbeth suspects Banquo’s betrayal
and decides to send two murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Meanwhile guilt
is slowly eating up Lady Macbeth. That evening everyone is celebrating Macbeth’s
coronation at dinner in the castle. Murderers take care of Banquo but Fleance gets
away. Macbeth is not happy about that, however, he focuses on the good news about
Banquo’s death. Suddenly a ghost of Banquo appears. Only Macbeth can see him. After
that Macbeth could not go on with his celebration. The three witches are summoned by
Heccate. She is mad at the witches for the chaos they have caused. Heccate and the
witches plan out the downfall of Macbeth.
Act 4
Macbeth meets the witches and is furious when he finds out that his seat on the throne
still is not safe.
At the same moment he is informed that Scottish nobleman Macduff has sided with the
Prince Malcom and is preparing to attack Macbeth with an army of English troops. For
Macduff’s betrayal Macbeth decides to kill him and his family. Murderers chase down
and kill Lady Macduff and her son. In England Macduff has gained Malcom’s trust. When
Macduff receives the news about his families death and he swears to kill Macbeth.
Act 5
While Macbeth is preparing for a fight with Malcom Lady Macbeth is left alone. She has
time to dwell on all the monstrosities Macbeth has done to her command. Malcom with
his army is getting closer to Macbeth’s castle. Because of the games of the three witches
Macbeth is over confident about his victory. Lady Macbeth can not bear the guilt
anymore. She kills herself. Macbeth is petrified after receiving the news of his wife’s
death. He loses his confidence and will to live. At the last minute he gains some hope
but upon meeting Macduff he surrenders. Macduff kills Macbeth and Malcom becomes
the King of Scotland.
New vocabulary
Valiant (adj.) – brave, fearless; Hither (adverb) – close, here;
Ere (prep.) – before a specific time; Liege (noun) – lord;
Feeble (adj.) – weak, faint; Harbinger (noun) – signal, sign;
Slain (verb) – slayed, murdered; Swelter (verb) – hot, suffocating;
Valour (noun) – bravery, courage; Fillet (noun) – boneless piece of
Parricide (noun) – the killing of a meat;
family member, parent or other near Largess (noun) – gifts;
relative; Chalice (noun) – a large goblet, cup;
Beldam (noun) – old, evil women – Repentance (noun) – sorrow,
witch; remorse;
Rue (verb) – regret; Hath (verb) – have;
Placid (adj.) – calm, peaceful; Thee (pron.) – you;
Hurly-burly (noun) – busy activity, Thy (determ.) – your;
hustle, commotion; Scorn (verb) – mock;
Leisure (noun) – time off, holiday, Chafe (verb) – grate, scrape;
vacation; Pitfall (noun) – hazard, risk, danger;
Quoth (verb) – said;
Exeunt (verb) – que for actors to leave Folly (noun) – foolishness;
the stage; Fortitude (noun) – courage, bravery;
Hark (verb) – listen; Concord (noun) – agreement,
Alack (exclamation) – used to express harmony;
regret, dismay and sadness; Malady (noun) – sickness, illness;
Palpable (adj.) – clear, visible, obvious; Benediction (noun) – blessing,
Unsanctified (adj.) – cursed; prayer;
Desolate (adj.) – miserable, sad; Continually (adverb) – frequently;
Perchance (adverb) – maybe, perhaps; Bosom (noun) – chest, breasts;
Grafted (verb) – inserted, Skirr (verb) – move rapidly;
transplanted; Constrained (adj.) – unnatural,
Esteem (noun) – respect, admiration; awkward;
Nigh (adverb) – almost, nearly; Treatise (noun) – essay, pamphlet;
Avaricious (adj.) – greedy, materialistic; Equivocation (noun) – uncertainty;
Pernicious (adj.) – harmful, Rabble (noun) – a disorderly crowd,
destructive; gang, gathering.
symbolisms
Symbolisms play a big role in Shakespear’s plays and Macbeth is no exception. In
this particular story symbolisms are used to display evil and to amplify the feelings
of guilt and regret.
Blood is mentioned throughout the play.
Blood symbolizes the guilt that has
stained Macbeth’s and his wife’s
conscience after the murder of Duncan.
Water symbolizes the opposite. After the
treacherous deed Macbeth washes the
blood off with water. Water purifies ones
soul, takes away the guilt.
The weather also has its symbolism.
Duncan’s death was accompanied by an
unnatural massive storm reflecting the
grotesque murder.
The witches are followed by lighting and
thunder as to illustrate their magic
abilities and wicked plans.
Sleep embodies innocents and purity. As
the saying goes: «Whoever sleeps long,
does not sin.» Macbeth kills Duncan in his
sleep implying that Macbeth killed an
innocent defenseless man.
quotes
First Witch: When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch: When the hurly-burly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won.
Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch: Where the place?
Second Witch: Upon the heath.
Third Witch: There to meet with Macbeth.
This is the opening of the play. This quote sets the dark mood for the whole play. The
three witches have chosen their next victim – Macbeth. They will meet him after the war.
«Fair is foul, and foul is fair.» - The three witches
With this line Shakespeare reminds us to pay attentin to the details. Not everything is
what it seems at the first glance. We all see the world differently.
«Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my
hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine» - Macbeth
Right after the murder of Duncan Macbeth tries to wash the blood off and he realizes
that he will not be able to wash guilt away so easily.
«It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move,
and trees to speak. Augurs and understood relations have By maggot pies and
choughs and rooks brought forth The secret’st man of blood.» - Macbeth
After seeing Banquo’s ghost at the celebratory dinner Macbeth has realized his actions
consequences. He tries to warn his wife that eventually justice will be served.
«Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold thou hast no speculation in those eyes»
- Macbeth
Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost and he is trying to convince himself that Banquo is dead
and can not harm him.
«Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way
to dusty death. 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. It is a tale Told by
an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.» - Macbeth
Macbeth is known for his soliloquys. This is one of the most popular ones. He has just
received the news of his wife passing. Macbeth talks about how short the life is and that
Lady Macbeth’s death is the beginning of his destruction. He once again realizes his
wrongdoings and guilt takes over.
Interesting facts
Macbeth is also simply known as The Scottish Play because saying the word Macbeth
inside a theater is considered bad luck. Origins of this belief are unknown but even actors
that work in theater productions today take this rule seriously. If the name of the play has
been said it is required to do a ritual to prevent a disaster.
There are two most common versions of this ritual:
The person who mentioned The Scottish Play my name has to run around the theater
and ask for permission to come back in;
The person at fault has to walk in a circle three times anti-clockwise and than spit or
use a curse word.
But no one knows which method works, thus it is advised not to call the play by its name.
reviews
conclusion
Macbeth is an amazingly written Shakespearean tragedy. Behind the complicated old-
english language lies a breath taking story about the Scottish King and his fast rise and fall
from the throne due to his ambition.
Yes, Macbeth was hard to read because of the old language, however, to fully understand
the story read it twice, watched the play online and read many other articles about this
play. Although I like theater this would not be the type of literature I would usually read.
At first I was not sure if I will like it but I did. After the first scene I was sucked into the
dark manner of this play and its characters.
Throughout the play Macbeth’s actions were so sudden un quite unpredictable. For a
moment you think he has seen the error of his ways except than he goes and digs himself
deeper in the ground by committing or ordering another murder.
I really enjoyed scenes with the witches. Their energy in the play was amazing and when
you start to think about it they dragged Macbeth on this «path of doom».
Overall I really enjoyed this tragedy!
Refrences
Pictures:
https://www.thoughtco.com/the-witches-in-macbeth-2985023
https://12min.com/the-life-of-william-shakespeare-summary#
https://historycollection.com/11-surprising-things-you-never-knew-about-william-shakes
peare/5/
Information:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8852.Macbeth
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/top10facts/422119/10-facts-about-Macbeth
https://interestingliterature.com/2019/08/an-interesting-character-study-macbeth/
Thank you for your
attention!
