TSL1064

Drama in English
Macbeth: Act I, Scenes 5, 6 & 7
Act 1: The Exposition
Setting: Scotland, at the end of a war
Characters: Macbeth and his friend Banquo
are introduced.
Conflict: Three witches have brewed an evil
plot involving Macbeth, and they tell him that
he will be king!
 Macbeth, Act I Scene 5: Lady Macbeth is determined to be queen
Shakespeare establishes the Supernatural forces are re- Shakespeare arouses our curiosity
close relationship between introduced by Lady Macbeths about what happens next
Macbeth and his wife calling on them.
Why is this
scene The scale and scope of the evil We learn that Macbeth has
important? contemplated is heightened human kindness (I.v.16) in him
further by her language. that may resist the temptation

Thou wouldst be great - / Art not without ambition, but without / The illness should attend it (I.v.18-19)
the valour of my tongue (I.v.25)
That which cries Thus thou must do if thou have it - / And that which rather thou dost fear to do, / Than wishes
should be undone (I.v.22-24) (NOTE Is the execution done on Cawdor? (I.iv.1)

The Force of Lady Macbeths Character

Lady Macbeths response to her husbands letter is direct and to the point: her husband must be what has
Key Quotes been promised - King of Scotland. She instantly taps into the spirit world: her spirits (I.v.25) will invade
and Macbeths ear, and she literally does ask spirits to possess her body.
Focus The point about Lady Macbeth unsex -ing (I.v.40) and her womans breasts (I.v.46) no longer being used
for milk but for murder, shows a parallel with the ambiguous sexuality of the witches themselves.

The Relationship Between Macbeth and His Wife

Macbeths letter to Lady Macbeth shows not only complete trust in his wife - for such a letter could itself be
interpreted as treasonous - but also affection and love for his dearest partner of greatness (I.v.11-12)
suggests a warm equality. NOTE how this affection later cools.

Imagery of Blood
Look at what Lady Macbeth metaphorically requests: Make thick my blood (I.v.42)
Theme
Here blood is seen as a natural function of the human body, one that feeds the human capacity for
Imagery
compassion and repentance - things she wishes stopped.
 Macbeth, Act I Scene 6: Duncan arrives at Macbeths castle
Shakespeare continues Shakespeare shows Lady Contrast Duncans open and free
developing of theme of Macbeth fully involved in the nature with that of the Macbeths.
Why is this
appearances (loyalty to the king) deception and the treachery.
scene
and reality (treason against king)
important?

Appearance and Reality

The air and the castle which hath a pleasant seat (I.vi.1) appear delightful, but are in reality to be the site
of foul murder. Although Duncan is arriving at Macbeths original home of Glamis, he asks after him with
his new title: Wheres the Thane of Cawdor? (I.vi.20) - ironically reminding us of what the first Thane of
Cawdor committed.
Lady Macbeth speaks of those honours deep and broad (I.vi.17) that Duncan has rewarded them with -
while planning to murder him.
Key Quotes Although she expresses appreciation for the honours, her heart is full of contempt, ingratitude and
and murder.
Focus
Duncan
Although this is the last scene Duncan appears in person, he is a major character because his influence
pervades the play and he sets the standard for what a king should be. NOTE Even Macbeth admires him
as gracious (III.i.65) after he has murdered him, and Macduff refers to him as a most sainted King (IV.iii.
109). The view of Duncan is consistent throughout the play - honest, sincere and honourable.

Imagery of Clothing
The borrowed robes of kingship do not fit Macbeth: he is not worthy of them because he has taken the
rightful kings throne. Macbeths proper place in the world is as a loyal soldier and when he leaves this
Theme & position, disaster follows.
Imagery NOTE References to cloaking as in covering and the word rapt is used as a pun, to mean absorbed or
enchanted as well as wrapped (concealed or shrouded)
Macbeth, Act I Scene 7: Macbeth debates whether to murder Duncan
Shakespeare graphically shows a
man wrestling with his own
conscience - the voice of evil was
Why is this not inevitable or even easy for
scene Macbeth.
important?
Shakespeare portrays Macbeths
vulnerability to accusations of
cowardice and lack of manliness.
One major theme of the play -
Macbeths ambition - is stated
overtly in this scene.
Lady Macbeth establishes her
full share of responsibility for
what is to unfold.
The idea that one murder will be
sufficient - Macbeths earlier hope - is
already (ironically) undermined in Lady
Macbeths immediate plan to implicate
the guards.

Macbeths Fatal Weakness

Lady Macbeth does what she said she would do in I.v.25 pour my spirits in thine ears and attacks her
husband exactly where she knows it will hurt: his courage and manhood.
Demonstration of her strength of purpose and her leadership in contrast to Macbeth at this stage who
have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition (I.vii.25-27).
Key Quotes
and Lady Macbeths Deadly Persuasiveness
Focus This is a critical scene in which all arguments against treason and murder are explicitly made with Lady
Macbeth demolishing them all by questioning her husbands manhood and Macbeth almost conceding that
his wife is more manly than he is: undaunted mettle should compose/Nothing but males (I.vii.73-4). Thus,
he falls into her way of thinking.
NOTE Macbeths final words in this scene, False face must hide what the false heart doth know (I.vii.82)

Ambition

Theme When one allows their sense of what is right to be overcome by their ambition,
they are doomed to disaster.

Tension is built up as we see how close he comes to resisting the blandishments of the witches.
Soliloquy
 Emerging Themes & Imagery

Theme: Ambition
The play highlights the dangers of allowing ambition to overrule
loyalty as good judgement by showing how two highly placed and
favoured people - Macbeth & Lady Macbeth - destroy their lives
and each other because they are not content with their natural
places in the world.

Imagery: Clothing
The imagery of clothing appears in the Act and the play to suggest
that outward appearances are often deceptive.
 Emerging Themes & Imagery

Theme: Chaos
The evil powers of chaos in Shakespeares time always awaiting any
chance to overthrow the normal, stable order of the world as
created by God.

Imagery: Light and Dark

References to light are used in the play to suggest purity and
innocence, whilst references to darkness, or smoke, or hell, are
used to suggest battle, corruption and evil.
 Emerging Themes & Imagery
Theme: Order
The sanctity of rightful kingship

The heavenly powers of order were thought in Shakespeares time

to be represented on Earth by the rightful King, who dispensed
wisdom, goodness, kindness, good government and physical
healing. This theme is therefore linked to the imagery of light and
the theme of sleep and is set in contrast to the imagery of darkness
and the theme of chaos.

Imagery: Sleep
As a natural part of lifes ordered pattern, sleep is a feature of the
worlds normal cycle of events and is shown as having curative or
restorative powers. Depriving people of sleep (as the witches
threaten) or murdering sleep (as Macbeth says he does) are there
symbolic of destroying the natural, God-given order of the world.
 Emerging Themes & Imagery

Theme: Evil
The inwardly and outwardly nature of evil is destructive

Much of the play is about what it means to be evil and how far
individual people have a free choice in deciding whether to be
good or evil. Macbeth consciously chooses the path of evil in the
full knowledge of what he is doing, which is why at the end of the
play the forces of goodness must destroy him.