0
In "Macbeth," Macbeth doesn't appear to be ambitious. He seems to have been a loyal soldier to King Duncan, and maybe sold himself a bit short. This would explain Lady Macbeth's belief that he would need to be coaxed to take advantage of the opportunity to become king.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoPrior to encountering the 3 Witches, MacBeth had just led the forces, which defeated the forces of Norway and Ireland, led by the King's traitor, MacDonwald. MacBeth is the "newly" formed hero, for the defeat but this honor and praise given to Macbeth and his reputation, has not changed his demeanor to one of prowess or gallant valor. He is still the enthusiastic, diligent, Scotsman, ready to serve his king.
When Macbeth first encounters the 3 witches and their prophesies, he is stunned and taken back, at their proclamations. After the 3 witches have proclaimed their 3 prophecies, a messenger from the King arrives and informs Macbeth of his new title, Thane of Cawdor. Thus the first prophecy has been fulfilled. It is at this point, that Macbeth actually begins to conjure ambitions at the idea of becoming King.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How does Macbeth's first meeting with the witches tempt him and Lady Macbeth?
The witches' prophecies all come true. Indeed Macbeth should beware Macduff because Macduff is the one who kills him, the one who is not of woman born. The forest of Birnam Wood (or part of it anyway) does travel to Dunsinane before the final battle.
What is the significance of Malcolm's army carrying branches from Birnam wood to the castle?
The witches predicted Macbeth's army would be defeated only if Birnam wood comes to his castle - APEX
How does Hecate feel about Macbeth?
She is the one who, after finding out that 'her' witches (the witches that she taught to do things like casting spells etc) were talking and "spilling too many beans" to Macbeth about the future, she, as the head witch, shows Macbeth the Apparitions, and she is the one who is a little more evil than the witches, as they did not try to trick Macbeth as much as she did, (she said herself that "security/is mortals' chiefest enemy") only obeyed her orders or had some fun.
Why is Macbeth a supernatural play?
We are never really sure of how the witches relate to Macbeth. Do they merely foretell? Or are they controlling the lives of Macbeth and his wife? Before the play was revised and the character Hecate added (probably by the excellent playwright Thomas Middleton), the play was really ambiguous on this point.
Macbeth says that he does not think of the witches but he contradicts himself How?
MacBeth tells Banquo that he had not been thinking of the witches after Banquo says he, himself, has. Banquo is thinking about the predictions and MacBeth becoming Thane of Cawdor fulfilling one of the prophesies. This occurs after MacBeth is set on killing Duncan, the king. He is trying to hide his guilt even before he is truly guilty.
Do we know if Macbeth is a guilty man before he meets the witches?
Yes, Macbeth is portrayed as a valiant and respected warrior before he meets the witches. There is no indication of guilt or wrongdoing in his character until the witches plant the seed of ambition and power in his mind.
What is lady Macbeth's immediate reaction to the news of the witches prophecy?
Lady Macbeth is determined to make the prophecy come true and wants to convince Macbeth to take action to seize the throne. She is ambitious and urges Macbeth to murder Duncan to fulfill the prophecy.
How does Macbeth's first meeting with the witches tempt him and Lady Macbeth?
The witches' prophecies all come true. Indeed Macbeth should beware Macduff because Macduff is the one who kills him, the one who is not of woman born. The forest of Birnam Wood (or part of it anyway) does travel to Dunsinane before the final battle.
What was the name of the forest in Macbeth?
Birnam Wood is the forest the witches say will move to Dunsinane before Macbeth is defeated.
What theme is established when the witches vanished before Macbeth could get answers to his questions?
Ambiguity.
What is the significance of Malcolm's army carrying branches from Birnam wood to the castle?
The witches predicted Macbeth's army would be defeated only if Birnam wood comes to his castle - APEX
What does Macbeth reveal in the letter to Lady Macbeth?
He talks about the meeting with the witches, and how they vanished into thin air. He tells her about the predictions that he will be Thane of Cawdor and King hereafter. Finally, he tells her that the Cawdor prophecy has already come true, so there is good reason to believe in the "king hereafter" part as well.
How does Hecate feel about Macbeth?
She is the one who, after finding out that 'her' witches (the witches that she taught to do things like casting spells etc) were talking and "spilling too many beans" to Macbeth about the future, she, as the head witch, shows Macbeth the Apparitions, and she is the one who is a little more evil than the witches, as they did not try to trick Macbeth as much as she did, (she said herself that "security/is mortals' chiefest enemy") only obeyed her orders or had some fun.
Why is Macbeth a supernatural play?
We are never really sure of how the witches relate to Macbeth. Do they merely foretell? Or are they controlling the lives of Macbeth and his wife? Before the play was revised and the character Hecate added (probably by the excellent playwright Thomas Middleton), the play was really ambiguous on this point.
Macbeth says that he does not think of the witches but he contradicts himself How?
MacBeth tells Banquo that he had not been thinking of the witches after Banquo says he, himself, has. Banquo is thinking about the predictions and MacBeth becoming Thane of Cawdor fulfilling one of the prophesies. This occurs after MacBeth is set on killing Duncan, the king. He is trying to hide his guilt even before he is truly guilty.
Why is Hecate angry with the three witches with 2 reasons?
Hecate is angry with the three witches because they have been meddling in Macbeth's affairs without her approval, which has caused chaos and confusion. Additionally, their actions have disrupted the natural order of things and could potentially lead to their own downfall.
How does macbeth use dramatic irony to comment on banquo's fate?
In "Macbeth," Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to comment on Banquo's fate by having Banquo unknowingly bring up the witches' prophecy about himself and Macbeth. The audience is aware of the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings, while Banquo himself remains oblivious to this and trusts Macbeth. This creates tension and highlights the contrast between Banquo's innocence and Macbeth's ambition.
