Macbeth Structure and Themes

Elements of Structure

Exposition A starting point A starting point Describes mood and setting Describes mood and setting Identifies main characters Identifies main characters

Exciting Force An initial complication or incident An initial complication or incident What “gets thing going” What “gets thing going” Begins the conflict Begins the conflict

Rising Action Series of events which lead up to the climax of the play Series of events which lead up to the climax of the play Involves more than 1 act of the play Involves more than 1 act of the play

Climax A turning point A turning point The tragic hero moves toward his inevitable end. The tragic hero moves toward his inevitable end.

Falling Action Events from the climax to the hero’s ultimate death. Events from the climax to the hero’s ultimate death. Involves more than 1 act of the play Involves more than 1 act of the play

The Catastrophe An ending An ending Necessary consequences of the hero’s previous tragic actions Necessary consequences of the hero’s previous tragic actions Simple and brief Simple and brief

Themes

Nature “Thunder and lightning” (1.1.1) – represents disturbance in nature “Thunder and lightning” (1.1.1) – represents disturbance in nature How does this relate to the witches? How does this relate to the witches? What does it forebode about their meeting with Macbeth? What does it forebode about their meeting with Macbeth?

The Paradox “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (1.1.10) – witches chorus “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (1.1.10) – witches chorus A paradox and a prophecy A paradox and a prophecy Watch for echoes of this theme throughout the play! For example Macbeth’s line in Act 1, Scene 3, line 38 – “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” Watch for echoes of this theme throughout the play! For example Macbeth’s line in Act 1, Scene 3, line 38 – “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” What might these paradoxes mean at this point in the play? What might these paradoxes mean at this point in the play?

Manhood “Come you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.” (Lady Macbeth ) “Come you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.” (Lady Macbeth ) Why does she wish she were a man? Why does she wish she were a man? Read the line following these. What doe Lady Macbeth see is a “man?” Read the line following these. What doe Lady Macbeth see is a “man?” What is her point when she says to Macbeth – “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?” What is her point when she says to Macbeth – “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?”

Masks “Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,/Your hand, your tongue: be like th’ innocent flower,/But be the serpent under ‘t.” ( – 67). “Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,/Your hand, your tongue: be like th’ innocent flower,/But be the serpent under ‘t.” ( – 67). What is she suggesting that Macbeth do? What is she suggesting that Macbeth do? How does Lady Macbeth mask her feelings in scene vi? How does Lady Macbeth mask her feelings in scene vi?

Light versus Dark Note how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both call on the darkness. Note how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both call on the darkness. Why? Why? Which characters seem associated with light? Which with dark? Which characters seem associated with light? Which with dark?

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