1

Macbeth (Study Guide+)

Three witches tell the Scottish general Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland. Encouraged by
his wife, Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more people out of paranoia.
Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth, resulting in more death.

Act I
On a bleak Scottish moorland, Macbeth and Banquo, two of King Duncan's generals, discover
three strange women (witches). The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be promoted twice: to
Thane of Cawdor (a rank of the aristocracy bestowed by grateful kings) and King of Scotland.
Banquo's descendants will be kings, but Banquo isn't promised any kingdom himself. The

h
generals want to hear more, but the "weird sisters" disappear.

ek
Soon afterwards, King Duncan names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor
as a reward for his success in the recent battles. The promotion

ay
seems to support the prophecy. The King then proposes to make a

as
brief visit that night to Macbeth's castle at Inverness. Lady
Macbeth receives news from her husband about the prophecy and

lM
his new title. She vows to help him become king by whatever
means are necessary.

u
Is this a dagger which I see before me?
kh
— Macbeth, Act 2 Scene 1
ai

Act II
Sh

Macbeth returns to his castle, followed almost immediately by King

Duncan. The Macbeths plot together to kill Duncan and wait until
everyone is asleep. At the appointed time, Lady Macbeth gives the guards drugged wine so
Y

Macbeth can enter and kill the King. He regrets this almost immediately, but his wife reassures
B

him. She leaves the bloody daggers by the dead king just before Macduff, a nobleman, arrives.
When Macduff discovers the murder, Macbeth kills the drunken guards in a show of rage and
+

retribution. Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee, fearing

de

for their own lives; but they are, nevertheless, blamed for the
murder.
ui
G

Act III
y

Macbeth becomes King of Scotland but is plagued by feelings of

ud

insecurity. He remembers the prophecy that Banquo's

descendants will inherit the throne and arranges for Banquo and
St

his son Fleance to be killed. In the darkness, Banquo is

murdered, but his son escapes the assassins. At his state
banquet that night, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and
worries the courtiers with his mad response. Lady Macbeth
dismisses the court and unsuccessfully tries to calm her
husband.

Act IV
Macbeth seeks out the witches who say that he will be safe until a local wood, Birnam Wood,
marches into battle against him. He also need not fear anyone born of woman (that sounds
secure, no loop-holes here). They also prophesy that the Scottish succession will still come from
Banquo's son. Macbeth embarks on a reign of terror, slaughtering many, including Macduff's
 2
family. Macduff had gone to seek Malcolm (one of Duncan's sons who fled) at the court of the
English king. Malcolm is young and unsure of himself, but Macduff, pained with grief, persuades
him to lead an army against Macbeth.
By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked
this way comes
— Macbeth, Act 4 Scene 1

Act V
Macbeth feels safe in his remote castle at Dunsinane
until he is told that Birnam Wood is moving towards
him. Malcolm's army is carrying branches from the
forest as camouflage for their assault on Macbeth's

h
stronghold. Meanwhile, an overwrought and

ek
conscience-ridden Lady Macbeth walks in her sleep
and tells her secrets to her doctor. She commits

ay
suicide. As the final battle commences, Macbeth hears
of Lady Macbeth's suicide and mourns.

as
Out, damned spot!
— Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 1

lM
In the midst of a losing battle, Macduff challenges
u
Macbeth. Macbeth learns Macduff is the child of a caesarean birth (loophole!), realises he is
kh
doomed, and submits to his enemy. Macduff triumphs and brings the head of the traitor Macbeth
to Malcolm. Malcolm declares peace and goes to Scone to be crowned king.
ai

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

Sh

— Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 5

Y

Macbeth A captain in Duncan's army, later the Thane (Lord) of Glamis and Cawdor. When
B

Three Witches predict that he will one day be king of Scotland, he takes his fate into his own
hands, allowing his ambition and that of his wife to overcome his better judgement. His bloody
+

reign culminates in a battle against Malcolm and the English forces.

de

Lady Macbeth The devilish wife of Macbeth, whose ambition helps to drive her husband toward
the desperate act of murder. Subsequently, her husband's cruelty and her own guilt recoil on
ui

her, sending her into a madness from which she never recovers.
Banquo A fellow-captain and companion of Macbeth, who also receives a prophecy from the
G

Witches: that his children will one day succeed to the throne of Scotland. This information is
sufficient to spell his death at the hands of the resentful Macbeth, who is later haunted by
y

Banquo's ghost.
ud

Duncan King of Scotland. His victories against rebellious kinsmen and the Norwegians have
made him a popular and honored king. His decision to pass the kingdom to his son Malcolm
St

provokes his untimely death at the hands of Macbeth.

Fleance Banquo's son, who, by escaping Macbeth's plot on his life, will go on to be father to a
line of kings.
Donalbain and Malcolm Duncan's two sons. Fearful of implication in their father's murder, they
flee Scotland, Donalbain to Ireland and Malcolm to England, where he raises a large army with
the intention of toppling the tyrant Macbeth.
Macduff A thane (nobleman) of Scotland who discovers the murdered King Duncan. Suspecting
Macbeth and eventually turning against him, Macduff later flees to England to join Malcolm.
When Macbeth arranges the murder of his wife and children, Macduff swears personal revenge.
Lennox, Ross, Menteth, Angus, Caithness Thanes of Scotland, all of whom eventually turn
against the tyrannical Macbeth.
The Porter, the Old Man, the Doctors Three commentators on events, all of whom have a
certain degree of wisdom and foresight. The Porter hints at the Hell-like nature of Macbeth's
 3
castle; the Old Man associates the murder of King Duncan with the instability of the natural
world; the Doctors recognize disease and disorder even though they cannot cure it.
The Witches Three agents of Fate who reveal the truth (or part of it) to Macbeth and Banquo
and who later appear to confirm the downfall and tragic destiny of the tyrannical Macbeth.

Macbeth Main Characters

The brave, the true, the vengeful, the despairing: learn the complexities of the characters that
make Macbeth unlike any other Shakespearian tragedy.

Macbeth
Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is a brave Scottish general in King Duncan’s army. However, upon
hearing the three witches’ prophecy that he would become King of Scotland, he becomes

h
tyrannical. With his wife’s help and encouragement he kills King Duncan, but this fills him with

ek
deep regret and guilt. Plagued by insecurities and the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s
descendants would be kings, he keeps spies on all the noblemen and arranges for Banquo and

ay
his son to be murdered, although he hides this from his wife. Banquo's ghost haunts him and he
suffers from insanity and insomnia. He seeks out the witches again, who still affirm the
prophecy, and he goes on a murderous rampage. He mourns his wife’s death and contemplates

as
killing himself too as Malcolm’s army approaches him. However, Macduff challenges him and he
decides to die fighting.

lM
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
— Macbeth; Act 5 Scene 5
u
kh
Lady Macbeth
Even more ambitious and ruthless than her husband Macbeth, Lady Macbeth plots to murder
ai

King Duncan upon hearing of the witches’ prophecy. She goads Macbeth into the evil deed
Sh

despite his hesitance, gives the guards drugged wine, and lays out the bloody daggers. She
comforts her husband in his guilt afterwards. When Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost, Lady
Macbeth nervously tries to calm him down and dismisses their guests. However, her guilt soon
Y

turns her mad as well and, tormented by nightmares, she sleepwalks as she tries to wash out
the invisible bloodstains on her hands. She dies offstage in the final act, a supposed suicide.
B

Out, damned spot!

+

— Lady Macbeth; Act 5 Scene 1

de
ui

Macduff
Macduff, Thane of Fife, is loyal to King Duncan. He is the first to discover Duncan’s dead body
G

and never believes it was the servants who killed him. Macduff flees to England, trying to find
King Duncan’s son Malcolm and restore him as rightful king but meanwhile, Macbeth has
y

Macduff’s wife and children murdered. Full of grief and revenge, he persuades Malcolm to lead
ud

an army against Macbeth, challenges Macbeth one-to-one and slays him. A child of a
caesarean birth, he thus fulfils the witches’ prophecy that no man of woman born would harm
St

Macbeth.
O horror, horror, horror! / Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee
— Macduff; Act 2 Scene 3

Three Witches
The Three Witches, or Three Weird Sisters, are the morally ambiguous characters whose
prophecies drive Macbeth to his tyrannical desire for power. When the witches first meet
Macbeth and Banquo, they prophesy that Macbeth will become King of Scotland and that
Banquo’s descendants will be kings. When Macbeth seeks them out again, they produce
apparitions of his downfall while delivering three more prophecies to him: beware Macduff, none
of woman born will harm him, and he will be safe until a local wood, Birnam Wood, marches into
battle against him. They leave the audience questioning whether they are agents of fate or
independent agents manipulating humans’ lives.
 4
Double, double, toil and trouble; / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble
— Three Witches; Act 4 Scene 1

Malcolm
Malcolm is one of King Duncan’s sons and proclaimed heir to his throne. Suspected of his own
father’s murder, he flees to England. When Macduff comes to find him in England, Malcolm
initially tests his loyalty. Ultimately, Malcolm is convinced that they need to enact vengeance and
fight Macbeth. He mobilises an army in England and leads them to Scotland with Macduff’s
help. He and his forces march on Dunsinane Castle, where Macbeth has retreated,
camouflaging themselves with branches from Birnam Wood and thereby fulfilling the witches’
prophecy. He takes over as king and restores order.
What I believe, I’ll wail; / What know, believe; and what I can redress, / As I shall find the

h
time to friend, I will
— Malcolm; Act 4 Scene 3

ek
ay
Banquo
Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, is a Scottish general known for his bravery like his friend Macbeth.

as
They meet the witches together upon returning from battle, and Banquo is also eager to know
what their prophecy is for him. They tell him that he will not be king, but that his descendants will

lM
inherit the throne. Banquo is sceptical of the prophecy and resists the temptation of power that
Macbeth gives into. When Macbeth takes the throne, Banquo pledges loyalty to him despite his
suspicions, but Macbeth has him murdered, seeking to secure his position as king. Banquo's
u
ghost appears and haunts Macbeth at the banquet that night, as well as later in a vision from
kh
the witches.
Merciful powers / Restrain in me the cursed thoughts
ai

— Banquo; Act 2 Scene 1

Sh

William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in
Stratford-upon-Avon. His birthday is most commonly celebrated on 23 April (see When was
Y

Shakespeare born), which is also believed to be the date he died in 1616.

B

Shakespeare was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages of British theatre
(sometimes called the English Renaissance or the Early Modern Period). Shakespeare’s plays
+

are perhaps his most enduring legacy, but they are not all he wrote. Shakespeare’s poems also
de

remain popular to this day.

ui

All the world's a stage /And all the men and women merely players. / They have their
exits and their entrances, / And one man in his time plays many parts.
G

— As You Like It, Act 2 Scene 7

y
ud

The quotes from Macbeth by William Shakespeare:

●​ "Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air."
St

●​ "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!"
●​ "Look like the innocent flower,​
But be the serpent under't."
●​ "All the perfumes of Arabia will not​
Sweeten this little hand."
●​ "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,”
●​ “It is a tale​
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,​
Signifying nothing."
 5
●​ What prophecies do the witches make about Macbeth and Banquo? [NU. 2015,
2018]

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”

The 'weird sisters,' who represent the Fates of classical mythology, play the role of agents of
destiny in "Macbeth." They meet on the heath to wait for Macbeth. When Macbeth arrives with
Banquo, he echoes the witches' paradoxical phrase by stating, "So foul and fair a day I have not
seen." The witches hail him as "Thane of Glamis," which is his current title. They then address
him as "Thane of Cawdor," a title he will soon receive officially, and "king hereafter." Their
greeting startles and frightens Macbeth.

When Banquo questions the witches, they greet him with cryptic phrases: "Lesser than Macbeth
and greater," "Not so happy, yet much happier," and a man who "shall get kings, though [he] be

h
none." When Macbeth tries to question them further, the witches vanish into thin air. Almost
immediately after their disappearance, Ross and Angus arrive with the news that the king has

ek
granted Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor.

ay
●​ Bring out the differences between Macbeth and Banquo in their reaction to the
prophecies of the witches.

as
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air."

lM
Macbeth and Banquo react to the prophecies differently. The prophecy that Banquo is "lesser
than Macbeth and greater," and that although he shall be no king, he will beget a line of kings,
u
leaves him unmoved. He discusses the appearance of the witches in a matter-of-fact way, and
kh
when they vanish, he dismisses them contemptuously as "bubbles of the earth."
ai

Macbeth, on the other hand, is greatly moved by the prophecies of the witches. When Ross and
Angus bring the news that the king has proposed to confer upon Macbeth the title of Thane of
Sh

Cawdor, Macbeth takes it as the happy prologue to the fulfillment of the third prophecy. He
thinks that "the greatest is behind." Even the thought of murdering Duncan peeps through his
mind.
Y
B

On the other hand, the partial fulfillment of the prophecies about Macbeth leaves Banquo in the
same skeptical state of mind as before. He warns Macbeth that the witches are the "instruments
+

of darkness," agents of evil. He tells Macbeth that the witches will excite them into wrong
de

actions, which will ultimately harm them. He further states that the witches gain their confidence
with little things that come true in order to betray them in serious consequences.
ui

Thus, the difference between the attitudes of the two is the difference between superstitious
G

faith and rational skepticism. Macbeth feels that these supernatural beings "cannot be ill, cannot
be good," but Banquo thinks that they are the "instruments of darkness."
y
ud

●​ What is going on in Macbeth's mind when he hears the nomination of Malcolm as

the heir to the throne?
St

“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.”

After the nomination of Malcolm as heir to the throne, Duncan announces his intention to honor
Macbeth by visiting his castle at Inverness. Macbeth leaves to prepare his home for the royal
visit, pondering the stumbling block of Malcolm that now hinders his ascension to the throne. He
sees the nomination as an obstacle to his kingship:

"That is a step which in my way it lies."

Therefore, to fulfill his ambition, Macbeth resolves to assassinate Duncan by any means—fair or
foul. His inflamed imagination travels to the night of the proposed murder; he asks the stars in
the sky not to shine at the time of his deed:
 6
"Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires."

Here, the juxtaposition of images of starlight and the cancellation of starlight emphasizes the
great opposition between the king and Macbeth, and between good and evil.

●​ How does Lady Macbeth greet King Duncan upon his arrival at Inverness? [DU.
(affiliated) 2016]

"Look like the innocent flower,​

But be the serpent under't."

Duncan arrives at Inverness with Banquo and exchanges pleasantries with Lady Macbeth. The
king is charmed by the gentle, bracing wind of the castle. Banquo remarks that the martlets
have built their nests in the convenient projections and corners of the castle, indicating the
delicacy of the air.

h
ek
When Lady Macbeth greets her royal guest, Duncan, he is overwhelmed by the show of honor
and apologizes for any trouble he may cause as a guest. Lady Macbeth politely responds that

ay
all the service she and her husband, along with their family and retinue, can offer to their
beloved king is too poor a return for all the acts of kindness and favor done to them by their

as
king. She humbly states that their service is very slight in comparison with the many titles and
dignities conferred upon them by the king.

lM
Duncan then inquires about Macbeth's whereabouts and expresses his gratitude for their
hospitality, while Lady Macbeth continues to show her politeness and dedication to the king.
u
kh
●​ Analyze Macbeth's soliloquy “If it were done, when 'tis done” etc. What light does
it throw on his character? Or, Why does Macbeth hesitate to murder Duncan?
ai

“If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly: if the assassination
Sh

Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success.”

Macbeth has made up his mind to assassinate Duncan, but at the last moment, he hesitates to
Y

commit the deed. In a soliloquy, he deeply ponders the pros and cons of the murder and its
B

consequences. "He does not dwell on the guilt of murder but on the penalties which follow it."
He fears the material consequences of the murder.
+
de

He recognizes the act of murdering the king as a terrible sin. He struggles in particular with the
idea of murdering a man—a relative—who trusts and loves him. Duncan is in his house. He is
ui

Macbeth's relative and guest. His sense of kinship, loyalty, and hospitality reveal to him the
dishonor attendant on the murder. Besides, Duncan is a good and virtuous king. If he is killed,
G

his subjects will be seized with pity for him and will be up against the murderer.
y

Macbeth concludes his famous soliloquy by saying that he has no other motive for murdering
ud

Duncan than his inordinate ambition to become the king of Scotland. Thus, the soliloquy reveals
a "medley of emotions in Macbeth's heart."
St

●​ How does Lady Macbeth persuade her husband to murder Duncan?

"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!"

When Lady Macbeth enters, Macbeth tells her that he "will proceed no further in this business."
But Lady Macbeth insists that Duncan must be killed at all costs. She refers to his previous
promise and his fickleness of mind, implying that he is not worthy of being a brave soldier. When
Macbeth admits that his golden reputation might lose its "gloss," she sets out to strengthen his
resolve by mocking his perceived weakness.
 7
She adds a distinction between masculinity and femininity: in contrast to her own
self-proclaimed manliness, she pours scorn upon her husband's lack of courage. She tells him
he is "green," "a coward," and that he resembles the proverbial "poor cat who wanted the fish
but would not get its paws wet." Finally, and most damningly, she tells him that she herself
would go so far as to take her own nursing baby and dash its brains out if necessary.

She counsels him to "screw [his] courage to the sticking place" and details the way they will
murder the king. They will wait until he falls asleep, she says, and thereafter intoxicate his
bodyguards with drink. This will allow them to murder Duncan and lay the blame on the two
drunken bodyguards. Macbeth is astonished by her cruelty but resigns himself to follow through
with her plans. Thus, in order to persuade her husband to murder Duncan, Lady Macbeth uses
her persuasive eloquence to the best of her power.

●​ Comment on the significance of the dagger-scene.

h
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me

ek
clutch thee.”

ay
The dagger-scene is important because it advances the action of the play. The dagger is the
projection of Macbeth's murderous purpose. He himself realizes that the dagger is not real. Its

as
handle is towards him, indicating that it is encouraging him to hold it. The drops of blood on its
blade and handle suggest the heinous crime which Macbeth is about to commit. Thus, the

lM
dagger is a symbolic instigator of the crime—the murder of Duncan.

The whole scene reveals the inner workings of Macbeth's mind. Commenting on the
u
significance of the vision of the dagger, Prof. Percival says, "In the vision of the dagger, the
kh
supernatural is again at work; it may be that the Witches directly send this vision; it may be that
it is called up by the witchcraft of his own heated imagination, which thus becomes an infernal
ai

wizard within his breast, spurring him on the deed, to which the other witchcraft, that outside
him, has all along been luring him; or it may be due to both witchcrafts."
Sh

●​ Describe Macbeth's state of mind after committing the murder of Duncan. [NU.
2014] Or, Analyse Macbeth's state of mind after he murders Duncan. [DU. (affiliated)
Y

2018] Or, What effect does the murder of King Duncan have on Macbeth? [NU. 2012]
B

“Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep,’ the
+

innocent sleep.”
de

After stabbing the sleeping Duncan to death, Macbeth returns wild and panic-stricken and tells
ui

his wife that he has done the deed. He tells her that as he descended the stairs, one of
Duncan's two sons, who were sleeping in the adjoining room, laughed in his sleep and the other
G

cried 'murder' in his sleep. In this way, the two sons woke each other up. But the next moment,
they offered their prayers to God and prepared themselves to sleep again. He again said that
y

one of them cried 'God bless us!' and the other said 'Amen'. Hearing their cry of fear, Macbeth
ud

tried to say 'Amen' but he could not utter the word because it stuck in his throat. This had
terribly unnerved him.
St

When Lady Macbeth tried to quiet him, he said that he also heard a voice warning the sleeper to
sleep no more for Macbeth had murdered the sleeping king. The mysterious voice further
predicted that Macbeth should sleep no more for he had murdered sleep. In such a confused
state of mind, he had brought the daggers back. His wife bade him go and replace the daggers,
which he refused to do. Thus, after committing the murder, Macbeth is almost in a state of
trance with the horror of what he has done.

●​ How does Lady Macbeth appear as a courageous woman after the murder of
Duncan by her husband?

"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!"
 8
After stabbing the sleeping Duncan to death, Macbeth, in his confusion, brought back the
daggers with him instead of keeping them by the side of the sleeping guards. Lady Macbeth
asks him to go back and place the daggers in the right place and besmear the guards with blood
so that the guilt may fall on the guards. But Macbeth feels too frightened to go back and look at
what he has done. She then accuses him of lacking courage and undertakes the task herself.

Lady Macbeth snatches the daggers from his hand and sharply points out that dead and
sleeping persons are no more to be feared than painted pictures. She asserts that there is no
reason to be frightened of the dead Duncan or the sleeping guards. It would be childish for
Macbeth to be afraid of going back to Duncan's room. To shame her husband further, she boldly
asserts that she will place the daggers in the right place herself, and if Duncan is still bleeding,
she will smear the faces of the guards with his blood to make it appear that the guards
committed the crime.

h
Thus, Lady Macbeth appears as a courageous woman who takes matters into her own hands,
snatching away the daggers from her husband's hand and smearing the guards with blood.

ek
●​ Describe Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene. [DU. (affiliated) 2017]

ay
"unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles." "More needs she the divine than the

as
physician."

lM
When Macbeth is busy assembling his men to fight Malcolm, Lady Macbeth is left alone in the
castle at Dunsinane. She is left to brood over the murders Macbeth has committed at her
command. Her guilt and fear follow her even in dreams, and she begins to walk in her sleep.
u
Her gentlewoman calls for a doctor who watches for two nights but does not see Lady Macbeth
kh
come out of her chamber. However, on the third night, he observes Lady Macbeth walking down
the hall with a lantern, rubbing her hands violently as if trying to wash away a stain of some sort.
ai

She sighs, weeps, and mutters about the murder of Duncan, the murder of Banquo, and the
Sh

murder of Lady Macduff. She also refers to the knocking that was heard at the gate after
Duncan's murder. The doctor and the gentlewoman are shocked as Lady Macbeth has
inadvertently revealed the source of her distress. The doctor's comment on the behavior of Lady
Y

Macbeth is that "unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles." He leaves the castle, knowing
B

that no doctor can cure what ails Lady Macbeth: "More needs she the divine than the
physician."
+
de

●​ What changes do you notice in the character of Lady Macbeth in her

sleep-walking scene? Or, Comment on Lady Macbeth's sleep-walking scene. [NU. 2017,
ui

2019]
G

“Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand.”
y
ud

The sleep-walking scene shows the profound effect of guilt on Lady Macbeth. It also reveals her
feminine qualities. In the earlier part of the play, she was a strong-willed and hard-hearted
St

woman. She is the one who urged her husband to assassinate Duncan to become the king of
Scotland. But now her iron will has completely collapsed. A bitter struggle between her will and
the memory of her guilt is raging within her. The crimes have begun to weigh heavily upon her
mind and allow no rest even in her sleep. Her conscience has become a source of torment to
her.

The woman who said on the night of murdering Duncan that "a little water clears us of this
deed," now says that all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten her little hand. Lady Macbeth's
words “What’s done cannot be undone” not only reverse her earlier argument to her husband,
but also show that Nemesis has overtaken her. She is now just the opposite of what she was
earlier in the play—a person who is deeply affected by guilt and unable to find peace.
 9
●​ Discuss the Three apparitions.

"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes."

On a dark and stormy night, the three witches gather in a cave, chanting spells around a boiling
cauldron. Hecate enters, announcing the arrival of Macbeth, who promptly follows. Macbeth
demands answers about his future, and the witches summon apparitions to address him.

(i) The first apparition is an armed head, which warns Macbeth that Macduff is returning to
Scotland to ruin him.

(ii) The second apparition is a bloody child, telling Macbeth that no man born of a woman can
harm him. This gives Macbeth great confidence, as he assumes that Macduff, like everyone
else, was born naturally.

h
(iii) The third apparition is a child wearing a crown and holding a tree. It prophesies that

ek
"Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until/Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill/Shall come
against him." Macbeth interprets this prophecy to mean that he will never be defeated, as he

ay
believes it is impossible for a forest to move.

as
These apparitions embolden Macbeth, making him overconfident and leading to his eventual
downfall.

lM
●​ Describe the scene in which Macbeth was killed. [NU. 2019]

“Turn, hell-hound, turn!” u

kh
Macbeth is in his war room awaiting Malcolm and his troops. He is overconfident of his victory,
ai

believing he cannot be defeated until "Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane" and a man "not of
woman born" kills him.
Sh

However, when a messenger reports that the woods are moving towards the castle (as each of
Malcolm's men is carrying a branch of a tree in front of him), Macbeth is quickly unnerved by the
Y

news. Macbeth decides to go out and face the army, leaving his fortress. He meets Young
B

Siward, who calls him a liar and challenges him to fight. Macbeth easily kills the young man, but
the noise of the fight attracts Macduff.
+
de

Macduff confronts Macbeth, who tells him that he does not fear anyone born of a woman.
Macduff, however, reveals that he was removed from his mother's womb by a caesarean
ui

operation and was not technically born of a woman. Upon hearing this, Macbeth curses the
witches for misleading him with their ambiguous prophecies. Macduff kills Macbeth and returns
G

to Malcolm with Macbeth's head mounted on a pole. All the men hail Malcolm as the rightful heir
to the throne.
y
ud

●​ Write in brief the significance of Macbeth's soliloquies. [NU. 2013]

St

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To
the last syllable of recorded time.”

Macbeth's soliloquies are significant because they reveal the inner workings of his mind and the
evolution of his character throughout the play. One of the most important soliloquies occurs
when King Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle to stay as a guest. This soliloquy shows
Macbeth's reflections on the consequences of the murder he is contemplating.

Another crucial soliloquy happens when Macbeth is about to murder the sleeping Duncan. Here,
he sees a bloody dagger, which is actually a hallucination, an expression of his guilty mind. After
committing the murder of Duncan, Macbeth delivers a soliloquy where he is completely
overwhelmed by a sense of guilt.
 10
There are two brief soliloquies that Macbeth makes on the battlefield before he is killed. In one,
he compares himself to a trapped animal—a bear tied to a stake and baited by dogs. In the
other soliloquy, he expresses his determination to go ahead and fight rather than kill himself.
However, in the ensuing duel with Macduff, he is killed.

Shakespeare uses soliloquies to reveal the inner state of Macbeth's character, making them a
powerful tool for understanding his psychological turmoil and moral descent.

●​ How is "Macbeth" different from a classical tragedy? [NU. 2013]

"an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude;

A classical tragedy is the story of a hero (or heroine) who experiences a reversal of fortune set

h
in motion by the gods as a result of hubris. A Shakespearean tragedy tells the story of a

ek
seemingly heroic figure whose major character flaw causes the story to end with his tragic
downfall.

ay
In a classical tragedy, emphasis is given to Fate or Destiny. Fate plays a crucial role in bringing

as
about the downfall of the hero. However, in a Shakespearean tragedy, the entire emphasis is on
the responsibility of the hero. In a classical tragedy, the tragic flaw is conditioned by Destiny. But

lM
in "Macbeth," Destiny plays no role. Macbeth himself is responsible for his tragic flaw.

In terms of structure, classical tragedies strictly observe the unities of time, place, and action. In
u
"Macbeth," though Shakespeare observes the unity of action, he does not maintain the unities
kh
of time and place.
ai

Classical tragedies employ the chorus as a dramatic device. In "Macbeth," there is a complete
absence of the chorus. Whereas in classical drama the chorus offers time gaps between two
Sh

sets of tragic actions, in a play by Shakespeare this is achieved by comic relief. An ideal
example is the Porter Scene in "Macbeth."
Y

Finally, the introduction of ghosts, witches, strange visions, and fearful phenomena (the deus ex
B

machina), which is so rampant in "Macbeth," is never made use of in Greek tragedies.

+

●​ What supernatural elements do you find in "Macbeth"? Or, How naturally does
de

Shakespeare handle the supernatural elements in "Macbeth"? [NU. 2016]

ui

Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”
G

In "Macbeth," the supernatural is an integral part of the plot's structure. It provides a catalyst for
action, insight into character, and augments the impact of many key scenes. Several
y

supernatural elements are present in the play:

ud

1.​ The Witches: The play opens with a meeting of the witches who make prophecies to
Macbeth and Banquo, providing the necessary momentum for the action of the play.
St

2.​ The Ghost of Banquo: Banquo's ghost appears at the banquet scene and occupies the
seat intended for Macbeth. The ghost helps in the disclosure of Macbeth's crime and the
development of the plot.
3.​ Portents: Several unnatural occurrences, such as the shaking of the earth, a mouse
killing a falcon, and Duncan's horses eating each other, emphasize the unnaturalness of
Macbeth's deed in murdering Duncan.
4.​ King Edward the Confessor: The English King is reported to have the power of curing
an incurable disease and the gift of prophecy. Mentioning these supernatural powers
establishes a contrast between the wickedness of Macbeth and the goodness of King Edward.

Shakespeare handles the supernatural elements naturally because each instance causes action
or is the result of an action. Without these supernatural elements, "Macbeth" would have been a
dull and tiresome play.
 11
●​ Consider Macbeth as a tragic hero. [NU. 2015] Or, Discuss Macbeth as a tragic
hero. [NU. 2012] Or, Evaluate Macbeth as a tragic hero. [NU. 2016] (Easy Version)

“All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter!”

A tragic hero is a character who is basically good but has a flaw that leads to their downfall.
Aristotle defined a tragic hero as someone who is noble and has a high status, but makes a
mistake that leads to their suffering and death.

Macbeth is a perfect example of a tragic hero in Shakespeare's play. He is a nobleman of high

rank and is highly respected. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a brave and loyal soldier
who has won many battles for King Duncan. Because of his bravery, Duncan rewards him with
the title of Thane of Cawdor.

However, Macbeth has a major flaw: his ambition. When the witches tell him that he will become

h
king, he starts to dream of power. These dark thoughts make him want to become king at any

ek
cost. With the encouragement of his wife, Lady Macbeth, he decides to kill King Duncan to take
the throne. This is the first step towards his downfall.

ay
After killing Duncan and becoming king, Macbeth commits more murders to secure his position.

as
He orders the murder of his friend Banquo and the family of Macduff. Macbeth becomes a
tyrant, and his ambition leads to his moral decline.

lM
Despite his actions, Macbeth is not entirely evil. In the beginning, he hesitates to kill Duncan
and is worried about the consequences. He feels guilt and fear after committing the murders,
showing that he still has a conscience. u
kh
Macbeth's ambition and actions lead to his tragic downfall. He loses the sympathy of the
ai

audience because of his ruthless ambition. By the end of the play, he is a soulless person who
is finally killed by Macduff. His death feels like justice has been served for all his crimes.
Sh

In conclusion, Macbeth is a tragic hero because he starts as a noble and respected person but
is brought down by his own ambition. His story arouses pity and fear, as we see a good man
Y

turn into a tyrant and ultimately meet a tragic end.

B

●​ Consider Macbeth as a tragic hero. [NU. 2015] Or, Discuss Macbeth as a tragic
+

hero. [NU. 2012] Or, Evaluate Macbeth as a tragic hero. [NU. 2016] (Standard Version)
de

“All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter!”

ui

A tragic hero must be fundamentally good, although he is not perfect, and he must possess
G

some error in judgment which, as a result, propels him from happiness to misery, ultimately
leading to his demise. Aristotle, in Poetics, notes, “This is a man who is not conspicuous for
y

virtue and justice, and whose fall into misery is not due to vice and depravity, but rather to some
ud

error.”

Macbeth is an exemplary Shakespearean tragic hero. He is a person of great eminence, a man

St

of noble birth who holds a lofty position in society. He possesses exceptional qualities which
command respect and set him above the common run of ordinary mankind. Introduced in the
play as a brave general, Macbeth is a bold, resolute man of action.

The tragic hero is neither wholly good nor wholly bad. In the character of Macbeth, we observe
both the good and bad sides. When the witches prophesy that Macbeth will be king, he begins
to entertain dark thoughts of becoming king: “My thought, whose murder yet is but
fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man…” Ultimately, he assassinates King Duncan
and becomes the king, committing numerous heinous acts, including ordering the murders of
Banquo and Macduff's family, as well as the slaughter of every single member in order to retain
the throne.
 12
Despite these acts, Macbeth is not inherently evil. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is
lauded as a great and loyal soldier. He defeats Macdonwald and the Norwegian king in battle,
earning the description of ‘valour's minion’ and ‘Bellona's bridegroom.’ Pleased with Macbeth,
King Duncan grants him the title of Thane of Cawdor and decides to honor him by visiting his
palace in Inverness. Macbeth’s hesitancy in committing regicide, “We will proceed no further
in this business…” is also evidence that he is not innately evil.

However, Macbeth possesses a fatal flaw: his ambition. The witches prophesy that Macbeth
will be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and ‘king hereafter.’ These prophecies awaken
his ambition. After the fulfillment of the first prophecy, he becomes restless for the final
prediction. This ambition gives rise to the evil in his mind and, spurred by Lady Macbeth, he
murders Duncan to gain the throne, marking the first step towards his tragedy.

The suffering of the tragic hero arouses pity and fear. However, the fall of Macbeth arouses less

h
sympathy compared to other tragic heroes like Hamlet, King Lear, and Othello because of his
ruthless ambition. Macbeth differs from other tragic heroes as he forfeits our sympathy after the

ek
middle of the play. He begins as a hero but ends as a villain. From a brave soldier and noble
person, Macbeth becomes a soulless individual and is finally slaughtered like a beast.

ay
Nonetheless, when he meets his doom, we feel that poetic justice has been served.

as
●​ Is "Macbeth" a tragedy of ambition? Justify your answer. [NU. 2004] Or, Do you
think "Macbeth" is a tragedy of ambition? Give reasons for your answer. [NU. 2006] Or,

lM
Evaluate "Macbeth" as a tragedy of ambition. [NU. 2014, 2017] Or, Trace the gradual
degeneration in the character of Macbeth. [DU. (affi) 2017] (Easy Version)

u
“Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other.”
kh
"Macbeth" is a tragedy of ambition because it shows how Macbeth's ambition leads to his
ai

downfall. Ambition is the main force that drives the play and causes many deaths.
Sh

At the start, Macbeth is a brave and loyal soldier. However, when the witches tell him he will
become king, his ambition is awakened. The witches say he will be Thane of Glamis, Thane of
Cawdor, and king of Scotland. These prophecies make Macbeth hopeful and ambitious.
Y
B

When King Duncan names his son Malcolm as his heir, Macbeth sees this as an obstacle to his
own ambition. He starts thinking about murdering Duncan. Although the witches' prophecies
+

awaken Macbeth's ambition, they are not fully responsible for Duncan's murder. Lady Macbeth
de

fuels his ambition and convinces him to kill Duncan.

ui

When Duncan arrives at Inverness, Macbeth hesitates to kill him. But Lady Macbeth persuades
him by questioning his courage and assuring him that the murder will go undiscovered. Her
G

arguments strengthen his resolve, and he decides to go ahead with the plan. Macbeth says, “I
am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.”
y
ud

After killing Duncan, Macbeth cannot stop. He is willing to do anything to stay in power. He
becomes paranoid and sees Banquo as a threat because of the prophecy that Banquo's
St

descendants will become kings. Macbeth arranges Banquo's murder.

His next crime is even more brutal. The witches warn him about Macduff, so Macbeth decides to
kill Macduff's family. He says, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to the
edge the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line.” This act
shows how far Macbeth has degenerated into a ruthless killer.

In the end, Macbeth faces Macduff in battle. Macduff reveals that he was born by caesarean
section and not naturally born of a woman, which fulfills the witches' prophecy. Macbeth realizes
his ambition has led to his doom and is killed by Macduff.

Thus, ambition is the root cause of Macbeth's downfall. His ambition leads to his moral decay
and the destruction of anyone who stands in his way.
 13
●​ Is "Macbeth" a tragedy of ambition? Justify your answer. [NU. 2004] Or, Do you
think "Macbeth" is a tragedy of ambition? Give reasons for your answer. [NU. 2006] Or,
Evaluate "Macbeth" as a tragedy of ambition. [NU. 2014, 2017] Or, Trace the gradual
degeneration in the character of Macbeth. [DU. (affiliated) 2017] (Standard Version)

“Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other.”

In "Macbeth," ambition is presented as a dangerous quality that serves as the driving force of
the play. It is Macbeth's unchecked ambition that causes his downfall and triggers a series of
deaths. Macbeth's ambition is inspired by the prophecies of the witches and further driven by
Lady Macbeth.

When the witches meet Macbeth and Banquo, they greet Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis and
the Thane of Cawdor, and predict that he will be the king of Scotland. Of Banquo, the witches

h
predict that he will be the progenitor of a line of kings. When Ross and Angus inform Macbeth
about King Duncan conferring upon him the title of Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth begins to look

ek
forward to the fulfillment of the final prediction: becoming king. Thus, the prophecy of the
witches makes a deep impression on Macbeth's mind. When Duncan nominates Malcolm as

ay
heir to the throne, Macbeth perceives it as an obstacle to his becoming king, and the thought of
murdering Duncan takes firm root in his mind. It is evident that the witches have stimulated an

as
ambition in Macbeth which would have remained dormant without their prophecy.

lM
However, the witches are not fully responsible for Duncan's murder. Lady Macbeth fuels
Macbeth's ambition to kill Duncan. When Duncan arrives at Inverness, Macbeth controls his
ambition for the time being and does not kill Duncan. But his wife, Lady Macbeth, brings him
u
back to his original decision. She convinces him that the murder would go undiscovered, which
kh
gives Macbeth the courage and determination to proceed with his plans. Her forceful arguments
revive his ambition, leading him to say, “I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to
ai

this terrible feat.”

Sh

Thus, Macbeth kills Duncan under the influence of his wife. Having taken the path of
self-damnation, he is now unable to stop. Macbeth becomes increasingly willing to remove any
obstacle to maintaining his power. Realizing the danger from Banquo and thinking about the
Y

prophecy that the throne will eventually pass to Banquo's descendants, Macbeth hatches a
B

conspiracy to murder Banquo. This is Macbeth's second crime.

+

Warned by the first apparition to beware of Macduff, Macbeth decides to massacre Macduff's
de

family, saying, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to the edge the
sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line.” Here,
ui

Macbeth degenerates into a butcher. His tragedy lies in this degeneration.

G

In the end, Macbeth faces Macduff in battle. When Macduff reveals that he was removed from
his mother's womb by a caesarean operation and therefore not "born of a woman" in the usual
y

sense, Macbeth realizes his doom. He gives up hope and is slain by Macduff.
ud

Thus, ambition is the root cause of Macbeth's downfall. It gradually degenerates him, planting
St

the seeds of murder that grow into an uncontrollable monster, ultimately destroying anyone who
stands in its way.

●​ To what extent is Lady Macbeth responsible for bringing about the tragic calamity
in "Macbeth"? [NU. 2013] Or, How far is Lady Macbeth responsible for the tragedy of
"Macbeth"? [NU. 2015] (Easy Version)

“Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it.”

Lady Macbeth is one of the most memorable characters in Shakespeare's drama. Like her
husband, she is driven by ambition and has a significant influence on Macbeth's decisions and
actions. In fact, Macbeth is largely motivated by Lady Macbeth's will.
 14
When Lady Macbeth learns about the witches' prophecies, she immediately decides that the
quickest way for her husband to become king is by assassinating the current king, Duncan.
However, she knows that while Macbeth is ambitious, he lacks the ruthlessness needed to seize
the throne. Therefore, she decides to "pour" her spirits into his ear and "chastise" him with the
valor of her tongue.

When a messenger informs her that Duncan will be staying at their castle, she sees it as the
perfect opportunity to kill him. She calls upon supernatural spirits to replace her milk with
poison, symbolizing her desire to become cruel and unfeeling. As soon as Macbeth arrives, she
hints at the planned murder and advises him to act innocent while hiding his true intentions.

Initially, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he does not want to proceed with the murder.
However, she accuses him of breaking his promise and being cowardly. She mocks his fears
and challenges his masculinity, urging him to "screw [his] courage to the sticking place" and

h
follow through with their plan. They decide to wait until Duncan falls asleep, get his guards
drunk, and then kill Duncan, framing the guards for the murder.

ek
When Macbeth expresses his fear of failure, Lady Macbeth reassures him and lays out the plan

ay
in detail. This convinces Macbeth to commit the murder, and he says, “I am settled, and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.” After killing Duncan, Macbeth returns with the daggers,

as
but Lady Macbeth scolds him for his lack of courage and takes the daggers herself to frame the
guards, showing her determination and bravery.

lM
Thus, Lady Macbeth plays a crucial role in driving the main action of the play. Just as the
witches inspire Macbeth's ambition to become king, Lady Macbeth manipulates him into
u
committing the murder. Her influence on Macbeth's decisions and actions is so significant that
kh
she can be seen as the fourth witch.
ai

In conclusion, Lady Macbeth's ambition and manipulation are key factors in Macbeth's tragic
downfall. She pushes him to commit the initial murder and sets off a chain of events that lead to
Sh

their ultimate ruin.

Y
B

●​ To what extent is Lady Macbeth responsible for bringing about the tragic calamity
in "Macbeth"? (Standard Version)
+
de

“Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it.”
ui

The character of Lady Macbeth is one of the most unforgettable in the entire range of
Shakespearean drama. Like her husband, she is fired by the passion of ambition and exercises
G

great influence upon her husband's decisions and actions. In fact, Macbeth is largely motivated
in the play by the will of Lady Macbeth.
y
ud

When informed about the prophecies of the witches, Lady Macbeth immediately concludes that
the shortest way for her husband to attain the crown is by assassinating the current king,
St

Duncan. She knows that although Macbeth is ambitious, he does not possess the necessary
wickedness required in the present situation. Therefore, she decides to "pour" her spirits into his
ear and "chastise" him with the valor of her tongue.

When a messenger informs her that Duncan is arriving at her castle to stay as a guest, she
sees it as the perfect opportunity to dispose of Duncan. At that time, she calls upon the
supernatural spirits to replace the milk in her breasts with poison. As soon as Macbeth arrives,
she directly hints at the proposed murder of Duncan and advises him, “Look like the innocent
flower, But be the serpent under it.”

Macbeth initially tells Lady Macbeth that he "will proceed no further in this business," indicating
his hesitancy to kill Duncan. However, she refers to his previous promise and mocks his
perceived weakness, suggesting that his mind is not worthy of a brave soldier. She strengthens
his resolve by challenging his masculinity and ultimately counsels him to “screw [his] courage
 15
to the sticking place.” She details the plan: they will wait until Duncan falls asleep, intoxicate
his bodyguards with drink, and then murder Duncan, laying the blame on the drunken
bodyguards. Macbeth is astonished by her cruelty but ultimately resigns to follow through with
her plans.

When Macbeth expresses his fear of failing to assassinate Duncan, Lady Macbeth reassures
him by saying that once Duncan is asleep, she will make his two guards drunk with wine, so that
when Duncan is murdered, the suspicion will fall upon the two guards found in a drunken stupor.
Macbeth, now convinced, says, “I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this
terrible feat.”

After stabbing the sleeping Duncan to death, Macbeth, in his confusion, brings back the daggers
instead of leaving them by the side of the sleeping guards. Lady Macbeth accuses him of
lacking courage and undertakes the job herself. She snatches the daggers from his hand and

h
boldly asserts that she will place the daggers in the right place and smear the faces of the
guards with Duncan's blood, making it appear that the guards committed the crime.

ek
Thus, Lady Macbeth's influence on her husband plays a crucial role in developing the main

ay
action of the play. Just as the witches inspire in Macbeth the desire to become king of Scotland,
Lady Macbeth motivates him to kill Duncan to achieve that goal. Like the witches, she exercises

as
great influence over Macbeth's decisions and actions, earning her the label of the "fourth
witch."

lM
In conclusion, Lady Macbeth's ambition and manipulation are key factors in Macbeth's tragic
downfall, as she pushes him to commit the initial murder and sets off a chain of events that lead
to their ultimate ruin. u
kh
●​ To what extent do the Witches influence Macbeth's decisions and actions? [NU.
ai

2005, 2007, 2012, 2018] Or, Discuss the role of the Witches in "Macbeth." [NU. 2010] (Easy
Version)
Sh

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

Y

The witches, also known as the "weird sisters," play a crucial role in "Macbeth." They are like
B

the Fates from classical mythology and represent the forces of destiny. They have the power to
see the future and know people's thoughts and desires, which gives them power over humans.
+
de

At the beginning of the play, the witches create a sense of mystery and fear by saying, "Fair is
foul, and foul is fair." This sets the tone for the play.
ui

The witches' main role is to cause trouble. When they meet Macbeth and Banquo, they greet
G

Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor, and predict that he will become the king
of Scotland. For Banquo, they predict that he will father a line of kings. When Ross and Angus
y

tell Macbeth that he has been given the title of Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, Macbeth
ud

starts to believe in the witches' predictions. This makes him think about becoming king and
leads him to consider murdering Duncan.
St

The witches' prophecies plant the seed of ambition in Macbeth's mind. Without their predictions,
Macbeth might never have thought about killing Duncan. Encouraged by his wife, Lady
Macbeth, he murders Duncan to gain the throne.

After becoming king, Macbeth remembers the witches' prophecy about Banquo's descendants
becoming kings. This makes him fear Banquo and his son, Fleance, so he plans to kill them. He
only succeeds in killing Banquo.

The witches' prophecies also influence Macbeth to kill Macduff's family. The first apparition,
summoned by the witches, warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff. This makes Macbeth decide
to kill Macduff's family. When he learns that Macduff has fled to England, he is filled with rage
and massacres Macduff's family.
 16
The second apparition tells Macbeth that no one born of a woman will harm him, giving him a
false sense of security. The third apparition tells him that he will not be defeated until Birnam
Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill, which he cannot understand.

In the end, English soldiers carry branches from Birnam Wood towards Dunsinane, making it
look like the forest is moving. During the battle, Macduff reveals that he was born by caesarean
section and not naturally born of a woman. This shocks Macbeth, and he loses all hope, leading
to his death at Macduff's hands.

In conclusion, the witches have a great influence on Macbeth's decisions and actions. Their
prophecies drive the plot and lead to Macbeth's tragic downfall.

●​ To what extent do the witches influence Macbeth's decisions and actions? [NU.
2005, 2007, 2012, 2018] Or, Discuss the role of the witches in "Macbeth." [NU. 2010]

h
Standard Version)

ek
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

ay
The witches, or 'weird sisters,' are the fatal sisters who are the agents of destiny, akin to the
Fates of classical mythology—one of whom spun the thread of a person's life, one measured it,

as
and one cut it. In "Macbeth," they are neither the mortal witches of popular superstition nor the
"goddesses of destiny" determining human actions. They possess knowledge of the future and

lM
can foretell events, understanding the thoughts, tendencies, and purposes of human hearts,
which is the secret of their power over mortals.

u
The witches introduce an element of supernatural mystery and fear into "Macbeth." They
kh
symbolize the force of evil in the world. From the very beginning of the play, they create a sense
of mystery by saying, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” which constitutes the main action of the
ai

play.
Sh

Mischief-making is the favorite pastime of the witches. When the witches meet Macbeth and
Banquo, they greet Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis and the Thane of Cawdor, and predict that
he will be the king of Scotland. Of Banquo, the witches predict that he will father a line of kings.
Y

When Ross and Angus inform Macbeth about King Duncan conferring upon him the title of
B

Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth begins to look forward to the fulfillment of the final prediction, that is,
of his becoming king. Thus, the prophecy of the witches makes a deep impression on Macbeth's
+

mind.
de

When Duncan nominates Malcolm as heir to the throne, Macbeth perceives it as an obstacle to
ui

his becoming king. The thought of murdering Duncan then takes firm root in his mind. It is
evident that the witches have stimulated in Macbeth an ambition which would have remained
G

dormant had they made no prophecy. Inspired by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders Duncan
to gain the throne.
y
ud

After becoming king, Macbeth recalls the witches' prophecy that Banquo will father a line of
kings. Hence, Macbeth plans to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, so that this prophecy cannot
St

be fulfilled. However, he only succeeds in killing Banquo.

The witches' prophecies play a significant role in the massacre of Macduff's family. The first
apparition summoned by the witches warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Consequently,
Macbeth decides to order the slaughter of Macduff's family. The subsequent news that Macduff
has fled to England fills him with boundless rage, leading him to massacre Macduff's family.

The second apparition tells Macbeth that no one born of a woman will harm him, giving him a
false sense of security. This feeling is further strengthened by the third apparition, which tells
Macbeth that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. However,
there is a bigger shock awaiting Macbeth, who cannot decipher the meaning of the last two
apparitions. When English soldiers carry branches of trees in front of them, moving towards
Dunsinane, it appears that Birnam Wood is moving towards Dunsinane. During the battle,
Macduff reveals that he was removed from his mother's womb prematurely by means of a
 17
surgical operation, and thus, he is not "born of a woman" in the usual sense. Upon hearing this,
Macbeth gives up all hope and is slain by Macduff.

Thus, the witches exercise a great influence on Macbeth's decisions and actions. Without their
prophecies, there would be no tragedy. They dominate the whole play in a veiled manner.

●​ Comment on Shakespeare's use of imagery in "Macbeth." [NU. 95, 97] Or, How do
images evoke an atmosphere of gloom and doom in "Macbeth"? [NU. 2007, DU.
(affiliated) 2016] (Easy Version)

Imagery in "Macbeth" is rich, varied, and highly imaginative. Shakespeare uses images to
convey complex ideas and evoke emotions. The imagery in the play comes from everyday life
and helps to create an atmosphere of gloom and doom.

1. Garment Imagery: Shakespeare uses garment imagery to express Macbeth's confusion and

h
to discredit him. When Ross calls Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth uses this image to show

ek
his confusion. At the end of the play, Caithness describes Macbeth as a man trying to fasten a
large garment with a small belt.

ay
2. Masking or Cloaking Imagery: The play also has many masking or cloaking images that

as
reveal Macbeth's disgraceful nature. Before killing Duncan, Macbeth tells his wife, "False face
must hide what the false heart doth know." Before killing Banquo, he calls upon the night to hide

lM
the day. Lady Macbeth uses a powerful image when she asks the night to "wrap itself in the
dunnest smoke of hell," so her knife does not see the wound it makes.

u
3. Blood Imagery: Blood is a recurring image in "Macbeth." It creates a sense of horror and
kh
guilt. After killing Duncan, Macbeth says, "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean
from my hand?" In the banquet scene, he refers to Banquo's "gory locks," showing his horror
ai

and guilt at seeing Banquo's ghost. The fear of vengeance is expressed in terms of blood, "It will
have blood; they say, blood will have blood."
Sh

4. Darkness and Light Imagery: The play is filled with images of darkness and light. Light
stands for life, virtue, and goodness, while darkness represents evil and death. The movement
Y

of the play can be summed up in these lines: "Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
B

While night's black agents to their preys do rouse."

+

5. Disorder and Sickness Imagery: Images of disorder and sickness are striking in the play.
de

These images contrast with those of order. When Macbeth's banquet is in progress, disorder is
introduced by the murderer with blood on his face, followed by complete disorder with Banquo's
ui

ghost's arrival.
G

6. Violent Imagery: The play contains many violent images contributing to its general
atmosphere. Some notable violent images are: the babe torn smiling from the mother's breast
y

and dashed to death, pouring the sweet milk of concord into hell, sorrows striking heaven on the
ud

face, the mind lying in restless ecstasy on a rack, and the mind full of scorpions.
St

Despite the dark imagery, the play also has moments of peace, harmony, and beauty. Duncan's
court is portrayed as a place where everyone is loyal and content. When Duncan and Banquo
arrive at Inverness, they describe the place positively. Duncan says, "This castle hath a pleasant
seat." This picture has an unconscious irony as Duncan is going to be killed at this "pleasant
seat."

Thus, the images in "Macbeth" reinforce various themes and add richness to the play's texture.

●​ Comment on Shakespeare's use of imagery in "Macbeth." [NU. 95, 97] Or, How do
images evoke an atmosphere of gloom and doom in "Macbeth"? [NU. 2007, DU.
(affiliated) 2016] (Standard Version)
 18
Imagery in the play "Macbeth" is very rich, varied, and highly imaginative. The imagery in this
play conveys certain ideas which are subtle and complex. The imagery used in this play has
been taken from the simplest things, drawn from our daily life.

Garment Imagery: Shakespeare's use of garment imagery in this play is praiseworthy. When
Ross, on orders of the king, calls Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth uses this garment image
to express his confusion. The garment imagery in the play is also used to discredit Macbeth. At
the end of the play, when Macbeth is defeated, Caithness sees him as a man vainly trying to
fasten a large garment on himself with too small a belt.

Masking or Cloaking Imagery: The garment imagery is supplemented by a series of masking

or cloaking images. Some of these images make us conscious of the disgraceful self of
Macbeth. For example, before the murder of Duncan, Macbeth tells his wife, “False face must
hide what the false heart doth know.” Again, just before the murder of Banquo, Macbeth calls

h
upon the night to scarf up the eye of pitiful day. Lady Macbeth offers a powerful image when she
calls upon the night to “wrap itself in the dunnest smoke of hell,” so that her sharp knife does not

ek
see the wound it makes.

ay
Blood Imagery: There are recurring images of blood in "Macbeth." The images of blood have
been used in this play to create an atmosphere of horror. After murdering Duncan, blood

as
imagery is used to create a sense of horror and guilt when Macbeth says, “Will all great
Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” In the banquet scene, Macbeth refers to

lM
the “gory locks” of Banquo, expressing his feelings of horror and guilt at seeing Banquo's ghost.
In the same scene, the fear of vengeance is expressed in terms of blood: “It will have blood;
they say, blood will have blood.”
u
kh
Darkness and Light Imagery: We have plenty of darkness and light imagery in the play,
contributing to the overall atmosphere. In the play, light stands for life, virtue, and goodness,
ai

while darkness stands for evil and death. We can sum up the movement of the whole play in
these lines: “Good things of day begin to droop and drowse, While night's black agents to their
Sh

preys do rouse.”

Disorder and Sickness Imagery: The images of disorder are more striking when they are
Y

placed in contrast to those of order. Thus, when the banquet at Macbeth's castle is on, an
B

intimation of disorder comes in the form of the murderer with blood on his face, hardly a suitable
guest, and then complete disorder follows with the arrival of Banquo's ghost.
+
de

Violent Imagery: We have violent images in the play which contribute to the general
atmosphere. Some noteworthy violent images in the play are: the babe torn smiling from the
ui

mother's breast and dashed to death; pouring the sweet milk of concord into hell; sorrows
striking heaven on the face, so that it resounds and yells out “like syllables of dolour”; the mind
G

lying in restless ecstasy on a rack; the mind full of scorpions; the tale told by an idiot, full of
sound and fury.
y
ud

However, images of peace, harmony, and beauty are not completely absent from the play. There
is, first of all, the picture of Duncan's court where everyone is loyal to him and contented. Then
St

there is the picture of Inverness and its surroundings in the speeches of Duncan and Banquo
when they arrive as guests. Duncan says, “This castle hath a pleasant seat.” It is noteworthy
that this picture possesses an unconscious irony because Duncan is going to be killed at this
“pleasant seat.”

Thus, the images in the play reinforce various themes and add richness to the texture of the
play.

●​ Write a short composition on Shakespeare's use of supernatural elements in

"Macbeth"? [N.U. 2014] (Easy Version)

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

 19
In "Macbeth," the supernatural is an essential part of the plot and characters. It acts as a
catalyst for action, provides insight into character, and enhances the impact of key scenes. The
supernatural appears in various forms such as witches, a ghost, a floating dagger, and prophetic
apparitions.

1. The Witches: The play begins with the witches, who are symbols of evil and agents of
destiny. They predict Macbeth's fate by saying, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." They prophesy that
Macbeth will be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and eventually the king. They also predict
that Banquo will be the father of a line of kings. These prophecies make Macbeth ambitious and
greatly influence his decisions and actions. Without the witches' prophecies, there would be no
tragedy.

2. The Air-Drawn Dagger: Another form of the supernatural is the air-drawn dagger that leads
Macbeth to his victim. This scene occurs just before Macbeth commits the murder of Duncan.

h
While waiting for the signal from his wife, Macbeth imagines a dagger with its handle pointing
towards him. He tries to grab it but fails. He then sees drops of blood on the dagger, realizing it

ek
is just an imaginary creation of his disturbed mind. This dagger symbolizes Macbeth's
murderous intent and advances the action of the play.

ay
3. Banquo's Ghost: The appearance of Banquo's ghost provides insight into Macbeth's

as
character. The ghost appears at the banquet, occupying Macbeth's seat. Macbeth is terrified at
the sight of the ghost shaking its gory locks at him. The guests are confused because they

lM
cannot see the ghost. Lady Macbeth tries to calm the situation by saying that Macbeth is unwell.
This ghost symbolizes Macbeth's guilt and fear.

u
4. The Apparitions: The apparitions are also supernatural elements. The first apparition warns
kh
Macbeth to beware of Macduff. The second apparition tells Macbeth that no one born of a
woman will harm him, giving him a false sense of security. The third apparition tells Macbeth
ai

that he will never be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. These apparitions
make Macbeth overconfident and lead to his downfall.
Sh

In conclusion, the supernatural elements in "Macbeth" play a crucial role in driving the plot and
influencing the characters' actions. Without these supernatural elements, "Macbeth" would have
Y

been a dull and tiresome play.

B

●​ Write a short composition on Shakespeare's use of supernatural elements in

+

"Macbeth"? [N.U. 2014] (Standard Version)

de

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

ui

In "Macbeth," the supernatural is an integral part of the plot and character development. It acts
G

as a catalyst for action, provides insight into the characters, and enhances the impact of many
key scenes. The supernatural appears to the audience in various forms such as witches, a
y

ghost, a floating dagger, and prophetic apparitions.

ud

The Witches: The use of the supernatural begins with the three witches, who symbolize evil.
St

They predict Macbeth's fate by saying, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” creating a sense of mystery
that constitutes the main action of the play. They prophesy that Macbeth will be the Thane of
Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and eventually the king. They also predict that Banquo will father a
line of kings. These prophecies make Macbeth ambitious and significantly influence his
decisions and actions. Without their prophecies, there would be no tragedy. The witches
dominate the play in a veiled manner, guiding Macbeth's actions.

The Air-Drawn Dagger: Another form of the supernatural is the air-drawn dagger that leads
Macbeth to his victim. This scene occurs just before Macbeth commits the murder of Duncan.
While waiting for the signal from his wife, Macbeth's imagination begins to work, and he sees a
visionary dagger with a handle towards his hand. He tries to seize the dagger but fails. He sees
the dagger moving in the air and pointing to Duncan's room. Next, he sees drops of blood on the
blade and handle of the dagger. Macbeth then realizes that the dagger is not real; it exists only
in his mind, produced by an over-heated brain. The dagger-scene is important because it
 20
advances the play's action. The dagger symbolizes Macbeth's murderous purpose. Its handle
towards him indicates that it is encouraging him to hold it. The drops of blood suggest the
heinous crime Macbeth is about to commit. This scene reveals the inner workings of Macbeth's
mind.

Banquo's Ghost: The appearance of Banquo's ghost provides insight into Macbeth's character.
The ghost appears in the banquet scene. When Macbeth goes to sit in a vacant seat, he finds
that his seat is occupied by Banquo's ghost. Macbeth is unnerved at the sight of the ghost
shaking its gory locks at him, and he says that he did not kill Banquo. The guests are surprised
to see Macbeth addressing an empty chair because the ghost is invisible to them. Lady
Macbeth covers up the situation by telling the guests that Macbeth is suffering from stress.
Thus, the ghost is a personification of Macbeth's sense of guilt.

The Apparitions: The apparitions are also supernatural elements. The first apparition warns

h
Macbeth to beware of Macduff. The second apparition tells Macbeth that he cannot be harmed
by anyone born of a woman, giving him a false sense of security. The third apparition says that

ek
Macbeth will never be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. These apparitions
make Macbeth overconfident, leading to his downfall.

ay
Each instance of the supernatural in "Macbeth" causes action or results from an action. Without

as
these supernatural elements, "Macbeth" would have been a dull and tiresome play.

lM
Revised, Edited and Compiled BY
Shaikhul Masayekh
u BA (Honours)
kh
MA (English)
National University
For contact:
ai

+88 017 06 39 91 80
Sh

rshmishu9@[Link]
Y
B
+
de
ui
G
y
ud
St