Analysis

  • Interrogate Macbeth

    Throughout Act 1, Macbeth is conflicted about whether or not he should kill King Duncan. In Act 1 Scene 7, for example, Macbeth talks about how Duncan is ‘both his kinsmen and his subject’ as well as his ‘host’, all reasons not to kill the king. However, he makes the choice to go ahead and commit ‘the horrid deed’ in Act 2. This choice is one of the central turning points for this character and it is vital for anyone writing about Macbeth, or playing Macbeth on stage, to look at his motivations at this point and ask:

    What motivates Macbeth to kill King Duncan?

    We’ve started to think below about some of the reasons behind his actions. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:

    • Act 1 Scene 3: Take a look at Macbeth’s initial reaction to the prophecies.
    • Act 1 Scene 7: Think about Macbeth’s own personality and Lady Macbeth’s reaction to his inner conflict.
    • Act 2 Scene 1: Take a look at what happens to Macbeth on the way to kill King Duncan.

    Point

    Macbeth is tempted by the prophecies of the witches. When the first prophecy comes true and he is made Thane of Cawdor, this fuels his own ambitions.

    Evidence

    ‘This supernatural soliciting / Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, / Why hath it given me earnest of success, / Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. / If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, / Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair / And make my seated heart knock at my ribs / Against the use of nature?’ (Macbeth, 1:3)

    Explanation

    Macbeth takes the news that the first prophecy has come true as a clear sign that he could become king. He debates about the morality of this possibility, but cannot see it clearly as good or evil. The idea of killing Duncan is already a ‘horrid image’ in his mind and, although it tempts him, it terrifies him.

    Point

    He is influenced by his wife’s ambitions, pressured by her words and criticisms. She advises him on how to commit and conceal the murder.

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    Point

    He is given a supernatural sign in the shape of a ghostly dagger that spurs him on to seize the opportunity whilst Duncan is sleeping.

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    Having thought about the reasons why Macbeth is persuaded to kill King Duncan, which do you think is the most important?

    As you explore Macbeth’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case and find more arguments for why he does what he does. We have pulled together some advice to help you explore the changes in Macbeth’s language in the Language Analysis section.

  • Interrogate Lady Macbeth

    Lady Macbeth has a lot of ambition and determination, as well as a strong relationship with her husband. In Act 1 Scene 5, Macbeth refers to her as ‘my dearest partner of greatness’ and she boasts that she can ‘pour’ her words of manipulation into his mind to get him do as she wishes. However, by Act 3 their relationship has completely broken down, she disappears for a large section of the play, and ultimately kills herself. Lady Macbeth’s relationship with her husband is a core consideration for anyone writing about Macbeth, or playing Lady Macbeth on stage. It is important to look at her influence and ask:

    Is Lady Macbeth to blame for Macbeth’s downfall?

    We’ve started to think below about some of her responsibility for what happens in the play. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:

    • Act 1 Scene 5: Take a look at Lady Macbeth’s initial response to the letter about the witches’ prophecies.
    • Act 1 Scene 7: Think about the language Lady Macbeth uses to convince her husband to kill Duncan.
    • Act 3 Scene 4: This is the couple’s last scene together. Think about how their language towards one another has changed.

    Point

    Lady Macbeth has the idea to kill Duncan as soon as she receives news of the witches’ prophecy in a letter, and intends to influence her husband’s actions.

    Evidence

    ‘Hie thee hither, / That I may pour my spirits in thine ear / And chastise with the valour of my tongue / All that impedes thee from the golden round’ (Lady Macbeth, 1:5)

    Explanation

    Lady Macbeth values their marriage as a great partnership, in which they both need each other to achieve their ambitions. She sees his weakness as a lack of ruthless courage and intends to fuel this with her words of ‘valour’. She knows that her husband needs her to ‘pour’ her encouragement into his mind in order to act upon their shared desire to become king and queen and gain the ‘golden round’ of the crown.

    Point

    When Macbeth has doubts about whether he should go through with the murder, Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband using many tactics including criticising his bravery in comparison to her own.

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    Point

    Lady Macbeth is driven mad with guilt and ultimately kills herself.

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    Having thought about Lady Macbeth’s influence over her husband, what do you think she is responsible for?

    As you explore Lady Macbeth’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case and find more arguments for why she does what she does. We have pulled together some advice to help you explore the changes in Lady Macbeth’s language in the Language Interrogate section.

  • Interrogate Banquo

    We first meet Banquo and Macbeth together and they are presented as good friends, who have just valiantly fought alongside each other in battle. In Act 1 Scene 3, they have ‘free hearts’ with one another. However, very swiftly, they turn against each other, as their fears in each other ‘stick deep’. The events that make Banquo become suspicious of Macbeth are central turning points for this character and it is vital for anyone writing about Banquo, or playing Banquo on stage, to look at these moments and ask:

    How does encountering the witches change Banquo’s friendship with Macbeth?

    We’ve started to think below about some of the turning points for their friendship. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:

    • Act 1 Scene 3: Take a look at how Banquo responds to the witches’ prophecies.
    • Act 3 Scene 1: Think about how Banquo’s fears about Macbeth’s actions begin to build.
    • Act 3 Scene 4: Take a look at how Macbeth is haunted by the ghost and guilt of murdering his friend.

    Point

    Banquo has a strong sense of what is wrong and right. Upon hearing the prophecies, Banquo is very happy for his friend but remains more suspicious of the witches’ motives.

    Evidence

    ‘But ’tis strange, / And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths; Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s / In deepest consequence.’ (Banquo, 1:3)

    Explanation

    Banquo sees the witches as linked with the devil and ‘darkness’ and therefore suspects their evil intent. He advises his friend to remain wary. The title he has just received is a ‘trifle’, a small decoration in the greater sense of good and evil. He fears that as this leads Macbeth into temptation that there will be darker, painful consequences.

    Point

    Banquo is intrigued by the prophecies from the witches and wants to discuss them honestly and openly with his friend Macbeth.

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    Point

    Banquo continues to think on the words of the witches and the future promises that they made to him. Once Macbeth is made king, their friendship is ruined by suspicion and fear.

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    Having thought about the moments when Banquo becomes suspicious, which do you think is the most important turning point?

    As you explore Banquo’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case.

  • Interrogate Macduff

    Macduff is a loyal and valued subject to Duncan and remains passionately protective of his homeland Scotland, yet he is one of the first to stand up against the new ruler Macbeth. After Duncan’s murder, he returns to his home in Fife and refuses to do as Macbeth wishes. In Act 4, he travels to England to seek help from Malcolm in raising an army to overthrow Macbeth. This choice to stand up for his beliefs is one of the central turning points for this character and it is vital for anyone writing about Macduff, or playing Macduff on stage, to look at his motivations at this point and ask:

    Why does Macduff rebel against Macbeth?

    We’ve started to think below about some of his reasons for rebelling against Macbeth. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:

    • Act 2 Scene 3: Take a look at how Macduff responds to Duncan’s murder.
    • Act 2 Scene 4: Think about Macduff’s actions after the murder and what he discusses with Ross.
    • Act 4 Scene 3: Consider how Macduff responds to the news about his murdered family.

    Point

    Macduff is not present with the initial group of thanes after the battle to hear of Macbeth’s bravery and success. He arrives at the Macbeths’ castle to discover the king has been murdered and is immediately suspicious.

    Evidence

    ‘Adieu, / Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.’ (Macduff, 2:4)

    Explanation

    Macduff immediately questions Macbeth’s actions in killing the guards; if the men are dead, there can be no witnesses or proof of what actually happened. Immediately after this, Macduff does not stay to see Macbeth crowned king. He tells Ross that he is leaving for Fife and hopes that things do not get worse under the new ‘robes’ of Macbeth’s rule.

    Point

    Macduff is passionate about his country and his people. He loved King Duncan as a leader. He sees how badly Macbeth is ruling and wants to overthrow him, restoring Malcolm to his rightful place on the throne.

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    Point

    Macduff is heartbroken by the murder of his family, vowing a personal revenge upon Macbeth.

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    Having thought about the reasons why Macduff rebels against Macbeth, which do you think is the most important?

    As you explore Macduff’s language, you’ll find even more evidence to back up your case and find more arguments for why he does what he does.

Teacher Notes

For each of the characters on this page we’ve asked some central questions. These are great questions to explore with students in mind maps, or as class debates.

The following activities will also help you explore the characters of Macbeth, Macduff and Lady Macbeth even further with students.

What is it to be a man? (2011)

This activity can be found on page 15 and takes approximately 20 minutes.

Macduff and his family (2011)

This activity can be found on page 12 and takes approximately 30 minutes. Please note that the video link in the activity will no longer work, but you can still watch the trailer for the 2011 production online.

Lady Macbeth (2018)

This activity can be found on page 5 and takes approximately 30 minutes. It is labelled ‘Activity 3: Developing’ and is part of a lesson sequence introducing the play to students.