Term 3 Week 3 - Changes in the Representation of Macbeth

Trace the changes that we see in Macbeth from the opening scenes when he is presented to us as "brave Macbeth", the hero, to the "tyrant" Macbeth we see described by Lennox in Act 3, Scene 6 and by Malcolm in Act 4, Scene 3, lines 67-68. Consider both how he is described by others and how the play positions readers to view him through his actions and his own words.

It is ultimately Macbeth’s actions as opposed to his real intentions and motivations that promote the way he is viewed by other characters in the play. It is clearly evident when the play commences that Macbeth is very highly regarded. As a result of his triumph over the Norwegian army, other characters and even the King have very high and unshakable respect for the duty Macbeth has paid to his country and the courage he has displayed for the safety of his King. He is constantly regarded as ‘valiant’, ‘noble’ and ‘brave’, all in which are admirable qualities for any man or ‘worthy gentlemen’ to be synonymous with. Although, as the play progresses, it is Macbeths fatal flaw of unchecked ambition that tends to rule his decisions and leads him to be the architect of his own misfortune. By the time in which Macbeth has killed Duncan, thrown Scotland into a state of disorder and killed Duncan, Macbeth descends by harrowing stages to the point of no return. Amidst all of Macbeth’s wrongdoings, the internal workings of his mind begin to show which therefore encourages characters to question Macbeths position and the extent to which he is responsible for the disorder. Despite Macbeth having malicious thoughts even whilst he was being commended for his admirable qualities at the beginning of the play, his actions were not a reflection of his thoughts and thus keeping him safe. If Macbeth had maintained this he would have a greater chance of escaping the suspicion various characters tie to him. Malcolm expresses his thoughts of Macbeth in light of his unusual and suspicious behaviour. He says, ‘I grant him ‘bloody’, ‘luxurious’, ‘avaricious’, ‘deceitful’...’smacking of every sin that has a name.’ This description of Macbeth heavily contrasts that in which he is represented at the beginning of the play indicating to the audience that various characters are progressively becoming less ignorant of the tyrant Macbeth has become driven by his own pride and ambition.

Term 3 Week 2 - Macbeth 'Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair'

Present a discussion of they way ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’ motif runs through Act 1. Explore it relevance to what happens in this act and how it reinforced through the characters words. Support argument with quotations as evidence.

The motif, ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’ is both consistent and relevant to many characters and situations through out Shakespeare’s play, ‘Macbeth’. This predominant motif is introduced in the opening scene of the play and therefore indicative to the reader that it will hold great relevance to the plays plot. In Act 1 Scene 3, Banquo speaks the line, ‘so foul and fair a day’ referring to both the atrocious weather and the war in which they had defeated the Norwegian army respectively. Soon after, the three weird sisters ambush Macbeth and prophesise three things (two of which are fairly surprising). Macbeths confusion as to why the weird sisters had told him that he would be Thane of Cawdor and one day King, leads Banquo to say, ‘why do you seem to fear things that do sound so fair?’ It is ironic that as Banquo speaks this while Macbeth’s thoughts revolve around the ‘foul’ crimes he would have to commit in order to gain the ‘fair’ status and power of King. As the play progresses, deception is a concept often associated with the motif, ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’. In Act 1 Scene 5, Lady Macbeth says, ‘ look like th’innocent flower but be the serpent under it,’ and ‘hat my keen knife see not the wound it makes’ which epitomises the motif discussed. The warning to Macbeth alludes to the caution and particular interest Macbeth should take in deceiving the other characters so it may be possible that he be King. This motif also draws subtle connections to characters appearance in opposition to their selfish motivations and false ‘fronts’. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both fully aware of the foul nature of their actions (killing Duncan and Banquo) and the necessity of misleading other characters to detract suspicion away from themselves. Nevertheless, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are prepared to risk it all as a result of their ambition and the ‘fair’ thought that Macbeth might one day be King.