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Macbeth
The tragedy of Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare, probably between 1603 and 1606. The play has been adapted into operas, movies, television programs, and other books.
3,692 Questions
What opinion of Macbeth do the scottish lords now hold?
The Scottish Lords now consider Macbeth to be a tyrant, who is only concerned about his own self interest. As a result, they turn against him and await the return of Malcom, Macduff and the English troops they bring to exact revenge on him.
What is Macbeths character flaw?
Your teacher will probably say "ambition" but he or she is only parroting generations of teachers. Indeed the idea that people have "character flaws" which determine their characters is a very superficial treatment of how people operate. People are motivated by many factors, some of which come to the fore in reaction to certain stimuli, and some of which contradict each other. In Macbeth's case, he is bullied and cajoled into murdering Duncan by his wife. You might say that his flaw is that he is controlled by his wife, except that, from the moment he commits the murder, she no longer controls him. At that point he becomes paranoid and fearful and, once having crossed the line and having committed murder, there is nothing to prevent him from committing ever more horrific crimes as the play goes on.
What is the significance of the dagger in scene 1?
the significance of macbeth seeing the dagger is that he is looking into his conscience and he is already feeling guilty of killing duncan
What does MacDuff compare Duncan to?
Macduff compares Duncan's body to a temple. Lord Macduff is the person who kills Macbeth at the end of the play.
Does Macbeth have a legitimate right to the throne?
This is a somewhat disputed issue. According to the traditional Scottish method of selecting successors to a king, called tanistry, the new king was elected from the late king's close relatives. We see a reflection of this practise in this conversation in Act 2 Scene 4: "Then 'tis most like the sovereignty will fall on Macbeth" "He is already named, and gone to Scone to be invested." In such a system, Macbeth would have had a reasonable expectation of being king, because he was Duncan's first cousin, very closely related. Indeed he seems to be somewhat surprised when Duncan names Malcolm Prince of Cumberland (thus nominating him as the tanist or successor).
Some historians think that tanistry had already been overtaken by primogeniture in Scotland by the time of Macbeth. If that is the case, then there would have been no surprise to Malcolm being named as Prince of Cumberland. It would explain why Macbeth says to the witches "to be king stands not in the prospect of belief." if he was only third in line to the throne, after Malcolm and Donalbain.
It might be surmised that the only reason Macbeth even considers the idea of kingship is because the witches tell him it will happen. It also might be thought that at first Macbeth believes the king will announce that his sons aren't ready, and that Macbeth should take the throne instead. But under the system of primogeniture he would have no right to do so, and under the system of tanistry the heir is elected, not chosen by the king, so Duncan would have no power to do so under this system either.
It has been noted that the play seems to celebrate a triumph of English customs over Scottish ones--Malcolm, backed by English troops, abolishes the Scottish title "Thane" and replaces it with the English one "Earl". It might be seen also that Malcolm represents the English system of primogeniture whereby the son of the last king, no matter how unworthy (and nobody can dispute that Malcolm is useless as a warrior) automatically becomes king, whereas Macbeth represents that indigenous Scottish system, based in part on merit, which primogeniture replaced.
In what ways is Macbeth haunted by the murder of Duncan and Banquo?
even before killing duncan he is not sure if he should do it or not Lady Macbeth forces him to by calling him names and after he has killed duncan he literally goes mad he hears voices saying "Macbeth hath murdered sleep!" after he has done the deed, he could not even think straight to finish his job he was ordered to leave the dagger but he has come back with them he could not believe he has done such a deed and is so ashamed that he says "all of the waters of neptune will not wash this blood from my hands" that is not literal, but psychological he never regains sanity and becomes a serial killer
Why did King James ban golf in 1947?
The game of golf was banned by King James II in 1457 not 1947. The game was banned because it was becoming more popular than the national sport of archery.
Why doesn't Banquo tell everyone that he strongly suspects Macbeth of killing Duncan?
Banquo probably doen't know for sure about how Macbeth is planning on killing Duncan so he can become king. Even if Banquo did know, he is a very loyal friend to Macbeth and will keep all of his suspicions to himself.
Which is ironic, because Mabeth ends up hiring murderers to kill Banquo, which goes to show you that Macbeth really isn't that loyal.
In Macbeth what happens during the witches meeting?
Macbeth get told by the witches say "hail thee, thane of glamis" which he already was then "hail to thee thane of cawdor" which he was but he hadn't been told because he had been in battle then "thou shalt be king hereafter"
It's a supernatural theme
In Macbeth who jokes about being at the hell gate?
the porter, which is the guy who answers the castle doors at night so that no one else will have to get up
What does Macbeth mean in his aside about two truths being prologue to imperial theme?
He is talking about how he was told two truths, one of the past that he was the thane of Glamis, one of the present that he is now the thane of Cawdor, and that in the future, he will become the King. The first two are leading to the grand finale of him becoming King.
In the play Macbeth what special powers does King Edward Have?
he has the ability to heal through prayers and prophecies
At the banquet what happens when Macbeth mentions Banquos absence?
By the end of the play, Banquo has been dead for some time.
How do characters change throughout the play Macbeth?
they all get nervous throughot the play because there is a murder and no one nows who it is
-->Lady Macbeth started out as persuasive, manipulating, practical, organized, intelligent, but ambitious. The murder seriously affects her and eventually she becomes mad, she suffered from so much mental anguish that it incapacitated her.
Macbeth started out as a hardworking, career military officer. He tried to do a good job, and liked the recognition of work well done.
But raging, uncontrollable ambition led him more and more to the dark side. Ultimately, he became as focused, maniacal, and tunnel visioned as his wife previously had been. The more crimes he committed, the more mental he became.
What is the general story line for Macbeth by Orson Welles?
The general story line for Macbeth in Welles' adaptation is unchanged from Shakespeare's original story line. He did, however, enhance a few characters' import and worked to visually underscore certain story elements.
You can read more about his adaptation, below.
