MACBETH analysis
Shakespearean Tragedy
Tragic hero
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has a high-ranking position at some point
has a tragic flaw (error in judgment or character defect that leads to his/her downfall)
suffers complete ruin or death
faces his downfall with courage and dignity
exhibits extraordinary abilities such as bravery in battle
Dramatic Irony which builds suspense
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Duncan does not know that ______________________________________ but audience does
We know that men are camouflaged with tree boughs while ___________________does not
and thinks that they are_______________________________________
Soliloquy used to help audience understand a character’s motivation
Aside used to let audience know a character’s thoughts
THEMES
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Things are not always as they appear. Examples of this in the play:
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Bold action and courageous action are not necessarily the same. Examples of this in the play:
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Making a bad decision and staying committed to it can lead to other bad choices and create a
chain of destructive events. Examples of this in the play:
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Language
Blank verse/iambic pentameter---pattern of rhythm that has 5 stressed and 5 unstressed syllables
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So foul and fair a day I have not seen
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
I’ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked.
Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland
In such an honor named. What’s more to do,
Which would be planted newly with the time,
As calling home our exiled friends abroad
That fled the snares of watchful tyranny,
To kiss the ground before young Malcom’s feet
And to be baited with the rabble’s curse.
Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane
Act 3, scene 2, line 35
Act 5, scene 3, line 32
Act 5, scene 8, lines 63-67
Act 5, scene 8, lines 28-30
Figurative language for comparison
As two spent swimmers that do cling together and choke their art. Act I, scene 2, lines 8-9
What is compared?______________________________________________________
Rhetorical Devices
Repetition
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Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine
And thrice again, to make up nine.
Act I, scene 3, lines 35-36
Parallelism
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When the hurly-burly’s done
When the battle’s lost and won.
Act I, scene 1, lines 3-4
Rhetorical Questions
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Do you not hope your children shall be kings
When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me
Promised no less to them?
Act 1, scene 3, lines 118-120