Macbeth Revision Notes

Act 1

Act 1, Scene 1

"Thunder and lightning. Enter three witches"

This is part of the stage instructions in Macbeth and probably the first line in the whole book. The use of pathetic fallacy immediately creates a rather sinister atmosphere and reinforces the dark and violent mood.

Remember that during the Shakespearean era witches were seen as scary and anything supernatural was forbidden. People accused of having links to witchcraft or the supernatural were often killed.

ALL WITCHES: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"

This is said in a tetrameter (something which has 4 beats) in order to create the idea that it is a chant. Chants have connotations to spells and witchcraft which also reinforces the supernatural and sinister atmosphere. This quote flips morality on its head and creates the impressions that things aren't normal.

Act 1, Scene 3

FIRST WITCH: "I'll drain him dry as hay, sleep shall neither night or day"

TRANSLATION: "I'll drain the life out of him. He won't catch a wink of sleep, either at night or during the day."

This makes the witch seem like a sadist and possibly foreshadows Macbeth's state after he commits the murder. If you're not sure about this look in the play as Macbeth's guilt starts to take over.

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 2

MACBETH: "So foul and fair a day I have not seen"

This links to what the witches said at the beginning which shows how things aren't normal and possibly foreshadows Macbeth meeting the witches. It adds a supernatural element to the book showing that things definitely aren't normal.

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 7

MACBETH: "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me. Without my stir"

It shows how Macbeth wants to be king but believes that fate chose him to be king and he doesn't need to influence it. This portrays him as cowardly and possibly influences Lady Macbeth to manipulate Macbeth.

Act 1, Scene 4

DUNCAN: "O worthiest cousin, The sin of my ingratitude even now was heavy on me"

This is an example of dramatic irony because we know that Macbeth murders him later in the play. However, this shows Duncan's respect towards Macbeth and how Duncan believes he cannot repay Macbeth enough.

Act 1, Scene 5

LADY MACBETH: "Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o' th' milk of human kindness"

This shows how ambitious Lady Macbeth is and her desire to become queen. It shows how she believes he is too kind to go through with the murder and has to manipulate Macbeth into committing it.

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 3

LADY MACBETH: "Unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood. Stop up the access and passage to remorse."

Lady Macbeth acknowledges that she is compassionate and doesn't want to have the maternal instincts that influence that because she associates it as weakness.

Remember that in the Shakespearean era women were seen to cook, clean and care for the children and things were rather traditional. This was one of the main reasons for Lady Macbeth's quote in this famous soliloquy.

Act 1, Scene 7, Page 2

LADY MACBETH: "Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem's the ornament of like, and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would""

This is one of Lady Macbeth's attempts to manipulate Macbeth into committing the murder by calling him a coward and comparing himself to her. This may be one thing that influenced Macbeth to change and commit the murders in the future.

Act 1, Scene 7, Page 3

LADY MACBETH: "But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we'll not fail"

Lady Macbeth says this in iambic pentameter in order to comfort and reassure Macbeth that things will be fine and they will succeed. This is another way Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth in the play.