Macbeth Tragic Hero

• tragic flaw or error in judgment • Hubris – excessive pride • Macbeth violates the laws of his own nature • Only with his death, is the order in nature and society restored Act I Scene i

• The 3 witches ugly, poor, diseased, meet in a thunderstorm and make evil plans. • The witches unite ugliness, evil and power, in the service of disorder. • They seek Macbeth. Act I Scene ii

• A wounded sergeant reports to Duncan the latest information about a battle against a Scottish nobleman… • Macdonwald, who is rebelling against the king. • The sergeant, an accomplished warrior who protected Malcom during an attempt to capture him, in battle, • Relates Macbeth’s deeds on the battlefield. • Shakespeare presents Macbeth as valorous and loyal who “disdaining fortune” • (setting aside concern for his own life) • found and killed the rebel. • Macbeth is the agent who restores order to the Scottish kingdom.

• Duncan and his soldiers embody virtue seeking order, • through Macbeth’s victories, good order is restored. • The witches would like to destroy this victorious time. • Macbeth is rewarded for his services, • Duncan sends Ross to give him the news • Macbeth is made the center of the witches and Duncan’s desires.

• Duncan ends the scene by ordering the rebellious Thane of Cawdor (Sinel) to be executed

• his title is given to Macbeth.

• Dramatic irony – Macbeth does not know he has been given the title Act I Scene iii

• The 3 weird sisters cause a storm to the seafaring husband of a woman who refused to share her chestnuts with one of the witches. • The weird sisters’ level of evil seems to reach its peak with the display of “pilot’s thumb” (28. • Clearly, these weird sisters are set up as Macbeth’s foes, though we have yet to know their purpose • Macbeth and Banquo are literally travelling between the battle, • which represents disorder, and the capital and court which represents order. • Macbeth echoes the witches, “Foul and fair” lines from the first scenes. • This indicates that nature is out of order. • The sisters predict Macbeth will be king and Banquo’s sons will be king. Titles are given in the play through the death of the holder

Act I Scene iv • Back at the royal court, Duncan names Malcom as the heir to the Scottish throne. • Macbeth sees this recognition of Malcom as an obstacle that he must overcome in order to become the King of Scotland. • The scene ends with Duncan indicating that he will stay at Macbeth’s castle that night. • While Macbeth still realizes the difference between right and wrong, • he finds himself unable to control his ambition. • It is ironic that the scene begins with Duncan’s comment that it is impossible to know someone’s inner thoughts and plans • it ends with Macbeth asking that his inner thoughts and desires be disguised.

Act I Scene v • This scene marks the introduction of Lady Macbeth • she is reading a letter from Macbeth that informs her of the predictions of the weird sisters • In her soliloquy, Lady Macbeth details her plans to • “pour” her spirits into her husband’s ears so he can overcome his nature and take the crown.

• When she learns that Duncan is staying at their castle that night, • she becomes the first character to actually voice the murderous act that is required • when Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to “unsex” her, she wants the spirits to remove from her any feminine attributes that will interfere with her plan to murder Duncan. • The request implies that men are more capable of cruelty than women.

• Her words are ironic because Macbeth though brave in battle is conflicted about killing Duncan – • she is more suited to committing murder Act I, scene 7

• In his first true soliloquy, Macbeth contemplates the consequences of killing Duncan from a variety of perspectives • reveals his inner struggle. • Lady Macbeth executes` her plans to convince her husband to commit murder through a combination of

– insulting her husband’s masculinity – demonstrating her own fierce support of this course of action. • This scene ends the first act with Macbeth resolved to kill Duncan and obtain the Scottish throne.

Act 1 Scene vii • Lady Macbeth describes to her husband how they will commit the crime and subsequently frame Duncan’s servants for the murder. • After she assures him that they will not be blamed for the crime, • a shift occurs in Macbeth. • Although he still realizes that it is wrong, • he commits to that course of action. • Macbeth’s final line of the scene- – ”False face must hide what the false heart doth know” – -illustrates the disparity between his face, which is false because – it is not an accurate representation, – his heart, which is false because he is being traitorous.

Act I, Scene vii

• the choice that ends this first act begins Macbeth’s tragic fall. • Under the notion of divine right kingship, murder of a monarch is the highest crime. • Macbeth knows that there is no good reason for him to commit such an act, • Duncan is a virtuous and good king. • Ultimately, his personal ambition is the only reason to commit regicide.

Act II Act II Scene i • Conversation between Banquo and his son, Fleance, in the courtyard of Macbeth’s castle late a night. • Fleance represents the second part of the weird sister’s prophecy , which foretold that although Banquo will never become king himself, he will have a line of kings • . Banquo refers to the stars as candles and notes that they are all “out.” • The darkness of this night resonates with the requests we heard from Macbeth and his wife in earlier scene for darkness to hide their evil thoughts and plans. • Banquo admits that he has been having dreams of pursuing the prophesy, but… • he maintains his resolve to passively await the predictions when Macbeth broaches the possibility of taking action. • Act II Scene ii

• Macbeth hallucinates a dagger that leads him toward Duncan’s chamber where Lady Macbeth has drugged his servants • Bell sounds to signal that the guards are in a drugged sleep. • Macbeth kills Duncan • Macbeth joins Lady Macbeth after killing Duncan.

• Macbeth is extremely distraught over his actions and claims to have heard voices saying that he had murdered sleep. • Lady Macbeth is much more calm and composed • She returns the daggers to Duncan’s bed chambers and smears blood on Duncan’s servants.

Act II Scene iii • The comedic porter opens the gate and allows Macduff and Lennox to enter. • Shortly after a humorous exchange between the porter and Macduff, the thane discovers Duncan’s murder. • Chaos ensues. • we learn that Macbeth, in a “fury,” killed the two servants thereby removing the possibility of defending themselves • Malcom and Donalbain, Duncan’s sons, flee to England and Ireland for their own safety. • This scene reminds the audience that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are not the only two people in the world of the play.

Act II Scene iv

• Ross and an old man discuss the turmoil. • Macduff reports that the king’s sons are accused of killing their father and announces that Macbeth has been named king. • Ross departs to prepare for the crowning at Scone; Macduff stays at his home at Fife. Act III Act III Scene i • Banquo suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan in order to become king. • Macbeth invites Banquo to a feast that night. • Banquo promises to return in time. • Macbeth seizes upon the opportunity provided by Banquo’s scheduled return after dark to arrange for his murder. • To carry out the crime, Macbeth employs two men whom he has persuaded to regard Banquo as an enemy.

Act III scene ii

• Lady Macbeth says (to herself) that “We gain nothing and sacrifice everything when we get what we want without achieving happiness.” • Lady M notices that her husband is upset and preoccupied. • She presumes that he is still distracted by Duncan’s murder. • He tells her that he has something “awful and infamous” planned – but will not reveal any other details of his plan to murder Banquo.

Act III Scene iii

• Banquo’s murder. • Fleance escapes! • Who is the third murderer? • If it’s Macbeth, why don’t the other two assassins recognize him? • Could it be that he’s in disguise? • Remember: “Borrowed robes.” • Could Macbeth be disguised (i.e. wearing “borrowed robes”) so that the other two guys don’t spot him?

Act III Scene iv

• The banquet begins; Macbeth sits with the thanes rather than in his royal position. • Banquo’s ghost enters and sits in Macbeth’s chair. • Macbeth’s disturbances and direct addresses to a ghost that only he can see cause the banquet to end in disorder. • After the thanes depart, Macbeth notes Macduff’s absence and decides to consult the witches.

Act IV Act IV Scene i • Macbeth revisits the witches, and they show him four apparitions that predict the future. • The Witches’ Apparitions

I. an armed head, tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. II. a bloody child, informs the king that no man born of a woman will be able to kill Macbeth. III. a crowned child holding a tree, indicates that until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill, he will not be conquered. IV. depiction of the initial prophesy of Banquo’s royal descendants.

• Macbeth learns of Macduff’s departure and orders the execution of Macduff’s family.

Act IV Scene ii • Ross and Lady Macduff discuss Macduff’s departure for England • which has left his family unprotected • a messenger enters and warns them to flee for their safety. • Lady Macduff refuses, and soon murderers enter who kill their son onstage and pursue Lady Macduff off the stage. Act IV scene iii

• Macduff finds Malcom at the English court and urges him to attack Macbeth at once. • Malcom suspects that Macduff is Macbeth’s agent sent to lure Malcom to his destruction in Scotland. • Malcom reveals that Edward, king of England, has provided a commander (Siward) and ten thousand troops for the invasion of Scotland. • Ross then arrives with the news of the slaughter of Macduff’s entire household. • Macduff is grief stricken • But recovers himself and follows Malcom’s advice… • converts his grief into a desire to avenge himself on Macbeth.

Act V Act V Scene i

• A doctor and a gentlewoman witness Lady Macbeth sleepwalking. • The gentlewoman indicates that Lady Macbeth sometimes composes a letter in her sleep. • On this night, however, she rubs her hands together in an effort to “wash” a spot of blood off. • Although the doctor and the gentlewoman realize that her conscience is burdened, they don’t understand that it stems from her complicity in Duncan’s murder • . After Lady Macbeth returns to bed, the doctor commands that precautions be taken to prevent Lady Macbeth from committing suicide.

Act V Scene ii

• A group of Scottish thanes enter on their way to Birnam Wood to unite with Malcom and the English forces. • They also indicate that although Macbeth’s army still obeys him, it no longer feels loyalty toward the King. • The reference to Birnam Wood in line 5 should raise a signal. • Recall that this is the forest that has to move to Dunsinane hill • (on top of which stands Dunsinane castle where Macbeth is fortified) in order for Mabeth to be vanquished

Act V Scene iii

• Waiting for the battle to begin, Macbeth oscillates between being »overly aggressive/ confident »and »sad “sick at heart.” • Macbeth is seen as pitiable.

Act V Scenes iv and v • The Scottish thanes unite with Malcom and the English forces at Birnam Wood. • Malcom reveals his plan to use tree branches to disguise the approach of the army to Dunsinane Castle. • With a large army, this strategy will create the illusion that the woods are moving. • Preparing for war, Macbeth learns of his wife’s death • He exhibits little grief. • A messenger informs Macbeth of the approach of Birnam Wood. • Questioning his invulnerability, Macbeth decides that if he is to die, he wants to die in battle.

Act V Scenes vii and viii

• Macbeth learns that Birnan Wood is marching against Dunsinane. • His bravado wilts at this confirmation of the witches’ prophesy. • He outfights young Siward, who dies in the struggle and moves on to a face-off against Macduff. • Macbeth voices his false hope that no man born of woman can harm him. • Macduff, supercharged with hate, shatters his confidence by describing how he was delivered surgically .

• and was, therefore, never born in the ordinary sense of human birth. • Their final clash ends Macbeth’s life. • Macduff beheads his enemy and exposes the gory trophy on the battlefield, • Where he proclaims Malcolm the next ruler of Scotland.