1. Macbeth: Act I Paradox Asides, Monologues, and Soliloquies
The Fates and the Witches
The Great Chain of Being
Important Quotes
Characters
History
Lady Macbeth
Themes & Symbols

2. Paradox
Catch-22 What is a Catch-22? Why is a Catch-22 a paradox? Where are there paradoxes in Macbeth? Back

3. Asides, Monologues, and Soliloquies
What is an Aside (who’s speaking and to whom)? Where can you find one in the text?
What is a Monologue (who’s speaking and to whom)? Where can you find one in the text?
What is a Soliloquy (who’s speaking and to whom)? Where can you find one in the text?
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4. The Fates and the Witches
Who were the fates?
What do they symbolize in Macbeth?
How are the witches of Macbeth similar to the Fates of Greek mythology?
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5. The Great Chain of Being
Who was at the top of the Great Chain of Being and why?
Who was the closest human to God?
What happened if a “good” King was murdered?
Where would women be on this chain?
What does this say about Lady Macbeth?
Could Shakespeare be a feminist?
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6. Important Quotes
Act I, Scene I
Act I, Scene v
Act I, Scene vii
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7. Characters
Duncan
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Banquo
The Witches
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8. History Where does the story take place?
Scotland
Ireland
England
Wales
What is the real history of Macbeth?
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9. Lady Macbeth
“Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” (I.v.17-19).
“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” (I.v.41-44).
“What beast was ‘t then that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man…” (I.vi.48-49).
“I have given suck , and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this” (I.vi.54-58)
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10. Themes & Symbols Supernatural Weather Sleep Deception
Demasculinization
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12. Duncan
A “Good” King who values Macbeth for his bravery in battle and has anointed him “Thane of Cawdor.”
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are planning on slaying Duncan.
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13. Macbeth Loyal to the King until…
Shows bravery on the battlefield, but shows weakness when it comes to his wife.
Still has a conscience: “The supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success, commencing in a truth?” (I.iii )
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15. Banquo First Witch: “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater”
Friend of Macbeth
Prophesy from the witches said that he would have children who would be king one day…what does this say about Macbeth’s position as King?
First Witch: “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater”
Second Witch: “Not so happy, yet much happier.”
Third Witch: “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (I.iii )
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16. Supernatural
The Witches
Prophesies
Weather
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17. Weather Scene i with witches – thunder and lightening.
Scene iii with witches – thunder
Predictor of things to come (gives a sense of foreshadowing and ominous things to come)
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18. Sleep
First Witch: “I’ll drain him dry as hay: sleep shall neither night nor day hang upon his penthouse lid” (I.iii.19-21)
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19. Deception Macdonwald towards King Duncan Macbeth towards King Duncan
Lady Macbeth towards King Duncan
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20. Demasculinization
Lady Macbeth towards her husband
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