IOC Notes Macbeth

Oral presentation organisation sheet – Macbeth Act Two scene 1 Intro. This passage is from the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare. The play follows the story of Macbeth, a Scottish soldier, who desires to become King, and whose vaulting ambition eventually leads to his downfall. This passage in particular is from act two scene one. Is this passage, a lot is revealed about personality of the protagonist, Macbeth. This is depicted through his intense soliloquy, where he agonises before committing the murder. He hallucinates and sees a bloody a dagger, representing his conscience and the mental disturbance he goes through. This hallucination is what drives him and pushes him to go ahead and kill King Duncan. In the scene prior, we see Lady Macbeth really pushing Macbeth to go ahead with the murder. She emotionally blackmails him, targeting his ego, using it as a way to put him down. This really strengthens his urge to become king. His lust and desire for power is what pushes him to commit the murder despite the fact that he previously wanted to remain loyal. Following this scene, Macbeth commits the murder, killing King Duncan. However, soon after the murder his guilt overpowers him. He acknowledges the fact that he has committed a sin and that he will have sleepless nights. Lady Macbeth on the other hand ensures that Duncan’s guards are framed for the murder. In the commentary I will be analysing the language and dramatic techniques and how they highlight key themes of power and ambition, appearance verses reality, guilt and the supernatural. Furthermore, I will be commenting on the development of the character of Macbeth in this passage. Organisation markers

Points

Specific Examples

Body To begin with

The first part of the passage is a soliloquy-one of the key dramatic techniques used by Shakespeare. A soliloquy is one that reveals the thoughts and feelings of a character, which other characters are unaware of. The audience is only aware of these thoughts of the character. The soliloquy begins with Macbeth hallucinating a bloody dagger and he questions this vision of his. A metaphor is used to describe his confusion. This metaphor shows that this is a result of what is in his sub conscience. The dagger represents the manifestation of Macbeth’s lust and desire to become king, thus highlighting the theme of power. It further symbolises his dark intentions and his insanity

In line 9 macbeth says “ A dagger of mind, a false creation”

that his vaulting ambition has led him to. The mention of false creation I believe is symbolic of the theme of duplicity or appearance versus reality. It shows that while Macbeth’s character appears to be brave, honest and loyal, he is actually weak and just greedy for power.

Imagery has been used to portray the darkness and immorality of this act of murder. In addition

The imagery is strongly symbolic of death and murder. The reference to the drops blood on the dagger conveys the message that Macbeth is being taken over by the feeling of guilt and remorse. The blood on dagger signifies a crime and the death of someone else, in this case the King. He further then acknowledges that this dagger is appearing in front of him because of the act of the murder that he is about to commit. Euphemism, another language technique that is used frequently to almost mask the harshness of the acts. Such as in this case bloody business implies the murder. This in a sense alludes to the theme of duplicity.

Through the use of personification. This image is further developed

Here Macbeth by saying nature seems dead implies the darkness of his deeds. It also indicates the calmness at night, when everyone is asleep. His reference to the death of nature means that this act he is about to commit is also unnatural. When he says wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep, he alludes to the blackness of his heart and the crime, strongly highlighting the theme of guilt. It shows that he is he is unable to sleep. Despite having such strong feelings of guilt Macbeth’s strong desire for power drives him to commit the murder. This almost creates sympathy in the readers

In line 17, Macbeth says “and on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood” And in line 18 he says “it is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes”

In line 21 Macbeth says “nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep”

mind for Macbeth, because the guilt shows that he is morally grounded and is hesitant to kill the king. But the lust gets in the way, which is what makes him a tragic hero; his greed and ambition lead to his down fall. This highlights the development of Macbeth’s character.

Furthermore

The theme of supernatural is also present in this passage. The language feature of allusion is used. The reference to Pale Hecate, who is the queen of the witches, is symbolic of the theme of supernatural. It is also implying that the darkest part of the night is when the rituals of witchcraft take place. The witches spread evil, hinting to the fact that it was the witches and their prophecies that motivated Macbeth towards this crime. This association is of witchcraft to the night and the murder.

A simile has been used. Also

Another language technique used

In lines 22 and 23 Macbeth says “Witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate’s off’rings”

In line 27, Macbeth says “moves like a ghost”

This is used to describe his ghost-like steps and how stealthily and sneakily he moves to go to kill King Duncan. It shows a sense of fear that some is watching, even though that time no one is actually was. But because Macbeth does have a sense of morality, he is fearful of retributive justice. He fears that his sins will haunt him and leave him with a strong feeling of remorse and guilt.

Is antithesis. Shakespeare uses this technique to present contrasting ideas. This suggests the delusion in Macbeth’s mind. Once again here he is hallucinating; even though he doesn’t have the dagger, he still sees it, which makes him rather confused. Again this hallucination is symbolic of his guilt and sin he is about to commit.

In line 6 Macbeth says “I have thee not and yet I see thee still

In line 32 “words to the heat of deed too cold

Here the heat of the deed is being contrasted with a cold of breath. This implies that his words and his thoughts are only taking away his courage to act, which he doesn’t want. So once in for he decides to go ahead with the murder and kills the King.

breath gives”

Highlight the final call for Macbeth. Personification is used

Another key technique

Here this signifies the alarm that Macbeth must proceed with the murder. Lady Macbeth has rung this bell to tell him that this is the time. It’s the call for Duncan’s death, even though he doesn’t hear it.

In line 33, Macbeth states “the bell invites me”

That underlines Macbeth’s character in this soliloquy is the repetitive use of personal pronouns.

For example when Macbeth says “I see before me” “I draw” “I was going” “I was to use”

The use of I is symbolic of Macbeth’s thoughts and feelings, which are significant for the development of his character. Here he battles with his own conscience and mind. He tries to disassociate himself from all the feelings that are preventing him from committing the murder. This shows that he is being driven to do something, which he actually doesn’t want to.

Concl So to conclude, This soliloquy in this passage is essential for the development of Macbeth’s character. The language and dramatic techniques used, help to reflect the key themes that drive the powerful message forward and enhance the characterisation. This passage heightens the development of Macbeth’s character. While we know Macbeth is an ambitious, brave and loyal solider, after hearing the prophecies of the witches it is revealed that he is hungry and greed for power and easily manipulated and controlled by others. He may have been intended to be the hero of the play, but due to his tragic flaws, such as his greed and vaulting ambition, lead to his downfall and death eventually, making him the tragic hero of the play.