1. By William Shakespeare
Grade
3-5
Year 11
REVISION GUIDE
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
English Literature
Paper 1
Name: _____________
Class: ______________

2. What will the exam look like?
AQA tell you what scene the extract is from.
Remember you will not have the play in front of you.
AQA will print a small extract out for you – like this one.
30 marks are available.
You have to spend some of the time exploring THIS specific extract – pull out approximately 3 specific phrases that you feel are WORTH analysing.
4 marks are available for SPAG
You need all coloured PQE components.
You then spend the rest of the essay referring to 1 or 2 moments that you remember from elsewhere in the play– you SHOULD HAVE memorised some quotations that should help with this.
Remember to use subject terminology.

3. Macbeth. Plot Summary
A1S1 - The three witches meet and discuss Macbeth. They agree to find him after the battle.
A1S2 – King Duncan waits for news of the battle. A wounded Captain tells him that Macbeth has triumphed and has killed Macdonald, their enemy. Macbeth and his friend Banquo fought the Norwegian troops and were victorious. They captured the Thane of Cawdor and made a peace treaty with the King of Norway. Cawdor is sentenced to death.
A1S3 –Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches. Before he arrives they are discussing how they can torment someone who has insulted them. They tell Macbeth he will be Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, Macbeth finds it hard to believe them. The witches tell Banquo that his descendents will be kings but that he himself will not, Banquo is confused by this. Ross, another Thane (Lord), brings news that Macbeth is to be Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is amazed that the witches were correct. Banquo feels uneasy about the witches predictions but Macbeth already feels hungry for the power he has been promised by the witches.
A1S4 – King Duncan welcomes Macbeth, his brave and loyal subject. Duncan announces that his son Malcolm shall be king after him. This news distresses Macbeth as he thinks about the witches predictions.
A1S5 - Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband. She too wants him to be king but fears that his character is too weak to do what is necessary – to kill the King! She greets Macbeth and vows to arrange the killing Duncan, warning Macbeth to hide any guilt. Macbeth is unsure and worried.
A1S6 – Lady Macbeth welcomes the King into her home as a guest. He speaks highly of Macbeth.
A1S7 – After suffering from guilt Macbeth decides not to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth persuades him otherwise by calling him a coward and revealing her plans. She will make the bodyguards drunk and blame the murder on them. Macbeth agrees to her plan.
A2S1 – Macbeth and Banquo talk about the witches’ predictions. Macbeth hides his plans from Banquo as he knows Banquo is loyal to the King. When he is alone Macbeth sees a blood stained dagger floating in front of him, a sign of how guilty he feels.
A2S2 – Macbeth kills Duncan and is distraught but Lady Macbeth advises him to forget about it. She takes the daggers back to the King’s room to smear blood on the guards.
A2S3 – Macduff tells everyone of the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth faints and Macbeth is filled with guilt. Duncan’s sons fear for their safety and flee to other countries.
A2S4 – Macbeth is elected King and is crowned, Macduff does not attend.
A3S1 - Banquo fears Macbeth has killed Duncan. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.
A3S2 – Macbeth envies the peace that Duncan now has as he considers the forthcoming murder of Banquo.
A3S3 – Banquo is killed but Fleance escapes
A3S4 – The banquet. Macbeth believes he sees the ghost of Banquo. Lady Macbeth tries to calm him. The Lords leave the banquet and Macbeth vows to kill anyone standing in his way.
A3S5 – Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, promises to use magic to ruin Macbeth.
A3S6 – Lennox and a Lord discuss Macduff’s attempt to gather an army to defeat Macbeth.
A4S1 – Macbeth meets the witches and demands to know his future. There are three apparitions. First they tell him ‘beware Macduff’. Secondly, that no naturally born man can kill him. Lastly, that Macbeth will be King until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Macbeth vows to kill Macduff’s family.
A4S2 – Murderers kill Macduff’s wife and children.
A4S3 – Macduff hears of the murders and vows to get revenge; he is ready to fight Macbeth.
A5S1 – Lady Macbeth sleep walks and is trying to wash imagined blood from her hands.
A5S2 – Malcolm, Macduff and the English army approach Scotland.
A5S3 – Macbeth vows to fight to the death
A5S4 – The approaching army use branches to hide themselves so it looks like the wood is moving towards the castle.
A5S5 – Lady Macbeth is dead. Macbeth hears Birnam Wood is approaching just as the witches predicted.
A5S6 – Malcolm issues orders for battle.
A5S7 – Macduff demands to see Macbeth so they can fight.
A5S8 – Macbeth boasts no naturally born man can kill him, Macduff reveals his own Caesarean birth. Macduff kills Macbeth.
A5S9 – Macbeth’s head is displayed and Malcolm is the new King of Scotland.

4. Let’s start with some basic analysis and comprehension of an extract.
Explore the phrase ‘withered and wild’ – what does it reveal about the witches?
MACBETH So foul and fair a day I have not seen. BANQUO How far is't call'd to Forres? What are these So wither'd and so wild in their attire, That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, And yet are on't? Live you? or are you aught That man may question? You seem to understand me, By each at once her chappy finger laying Upon her skinny lips: you should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so. Speak, if you can: what are you? First Witch All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! Second Witch All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! Third Witch All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter! Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair? I' the name of truth, Are ye fantastical, or that indeed Which outwardly ye show?
This is from the moment Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches...
What are their reactions to seeing the witches there in front of them? How do they react?
What does the use of repetition bring to this scene?

5. How can you tell Macbeth is confused and frustrated?
More close analysis...
How can you tell Macbeth is confused and frustrated?
Make rough notes here and highlight the specific quotations that suggest this.
MACBETH
Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives, A prosperous gentleman; and to be king Stands not within the prospect of belief, No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence? or why Upon this blasted heath you stop our way With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.
Witches vanish
List 3 of the best power words for analysis in this extract.
How can we tell from this extract that Macbeth is used to having authority and being in power?

6. Banquo warns Macbeth that the witches may mean him harm...
CLOSE ANALYSIS
Banquo warns Macbeth that the witches may mean him harm...
“MACBETH
To BANQUO
Do you not hope your children shall be kings, When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me Promised no less to them?
BANQUO
That trusted home Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange: And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's In deepest consequence.
The word ‘hope’ implies…

7. MACBETH – before the murders
DUNCAN (to Macbeth)
I have begun to plant thee, and will labour To make thee full of growing. Noble Banquo, That hast no less deserved, nor must be known No less to have done so, let me enfold thee And hold thee to my heart.
MACBETH – before the murders
[Aside] The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires:
Analyse these 2 quotations fully.

8. Analyse these specific quotations spoken by Lady Macbeth thinking about her husband’s new future...
Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
“make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse
Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
Only look up clear; To alter favour ever is to fear: Leave all the rest to me.

9. Question: Stating with this extract, how is the idea of secrets and conspiracies portrayed in Macbeth?
30 marks
Enter LADY MACBETH LADY MACBETH That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold; What hath quench'd them hath given me fire. Hark! Peace! It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman, Which gives the stern'st good-night. He is about it: The doors are open; and the surfeited grooms Do mock their charge with snores: I have drugg'd their possets, That death and nature do contend about them, Whether they live or die. MACBETH [Within] Who's there? what, ho! Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, And 'tis not done. The attempt and not the deed Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready; He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done't. Enter MACBETH My husband! I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise? I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?

10. Continued…

11. This pupil is heading for 5+
Question: Starting with this extract, how does Shakespeare portray the theme of regret and/or lack of regret? 30 marks (4SPAG)
Shakespeare shows through Macbeth’s actions and words that he is feeling regretful almost immediately after the murder of Duncan. This can be seen by ‘This is a sorry sight/ looking on his hands’. It is evident that Macbeth feels overwhelmed by what he has done and should have listened to the doubts he had. His bloody hands would disgust an audience appalled by regicide and the fact that the sight of them is ‘sorry’ implies his guilt could overwhelm him as much as the deed...
MACBETH
This is a sorry sight.
Looking on his hands
LADY MACBETH
A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.
There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried 'Murder!' That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them: But they did say their prayers, and address'd them Again to sleep.
There are two lodged together.
One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other; As they had seen me with these hangman's hands. Listening their fear, I could not say 'Amen,' When they did say 'God bless us!'
Consider it not so deeply.
But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'? I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen' Stuck in my throat.
These deeds must not be thought After these ways; so, it will make us mad.
Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care, The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, Chief nourisher in life's feast,--
What do you mean?
This pupil is heading for 5+

12. Continued…

13. Just before Duncan’s body is discovered...
LENNOX
Goes the king hence to-day?
MACBETH
He does: he did appoint so.
The night has been unruly: where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down; and, as they say, Lamentings heard i' the air; strange screams of death, And prophesying with accents terrible Of dire combustion and confused events New hatch'd to the woeful time: the obscure bird Clamour'd the livelong night: some say, the earth Was feverous and did shake.
'Twas a rough night.
My young remembrance cannot parallel A fellow to it.
Re-enter MACDUFF
MACDUFF
O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart Cannot conceive nor name thee!
MACBETH LENNOX
What's the matter.
Quotation
Deeper meanings/ effects of line/ quotation
The night has been unruly: where we lay
Of dire combustion and confused events
Lamentings heard i' the air; strange screams of death,
O horror, horror, horror!

14. SCENE I. Forres. The palace. Enter BANQUO BANQUO
Question: How is Banquo presented in this scene and the rest of the play?
ACT III
SCENE I. Forres. The palace.
Enter BANQUO
BANQUO
Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promised, and, I fear, Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said It should not stand in thy posterity, But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them-- As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine-- Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But hush! no more.
This is shortly after Macbeth has murdered Duncan and Banquo suggests Macbeth was involved but has no proof. He is suspicious of his old comrade and does not know what to do about it.

15. Continued…

16. Question: Starting with this extract, how is good vs evil presented in the play?
Messenger
Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect. I doubt some danger does approach you nearly: If you will take a homely man's advice, Be not found here; hence, with your little ones. To fright you thus, methinks, I am too savage; To do worse to you were fell cruelty, Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you! I dare abide no longer.
Exit
LADY MACDUFF
Whither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world; where to do harm Is often laudable, to do good sometime Accounted dangerous folly: why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defence, To say I have done no harm?
Both the messenger and Lady Macduff are presented as ‘good’ characters here.

17. Continued…

18. Memory test...without looking at the play, how many quotations can you note in these boxes?
Macbeth
Banquo
Duncan
Lady Macbeth
The Witches
Minor characters - any
Based on how easy or difficult you found this task, how much revision of quotations do you need to do? Go through the booklet now and highlight useful small phrases or words that you can use in these boxes. Then pin this sheet to a wall close to where you study at home.

19. Macbeth and A Christmas Carol Macbeth and A Christmas Carol
PAPER 1 SECTION A AND B
Macbeth and A Christmas Carol
PAPER 1 SECTION A AND B
Macbeth and A Christmas Carol
30m C C
A/A* D D
E/F+ B