External factors that lead to his downfall -LadyMacbeth&Witches. Internal factors that lead to his downfall – ambition & self-interest. Macbeth’s soliloquies The audience‘s reaction to and levels of sympathy for Macbeth. His relationship with his wife Lady Macbeth. His behaviour as King / tyrant! You must also be able to discuss the following characters: Lady Macbeth – as a person in her own right, her relationship with her husband & our reaction to & levels of sympathy for her. Duncan – as a King & as one of the “good” characters in the play.
Banquo – as a person in his own right and as a “foil” to Macbeth. The Witches – their role in the play & influence over Macbeth. Minor characters – Macduff, Malcolm, Edward (Kings/good guys! ) You can be asked a general question in which you’d discuss several characters. For example: “The play presents a dark and pessimistic view of humanity”. 2. Themes: Kingship & power Good vs. Evil Appearance vs. Reality Supernatural 3. Style: Imagery – blood, animal & clothing imagery Relevance to a modern audience Compelling drama
Here are some specific exam questions but remember that you won’t know the exact question until you open up the exam paper. You are being asked to respond to the statement – discuss to what extent you agree and/or disagree with it. Don’t just bluntly begin by saying “I agree 100% with this statement” – this is predictable and shows an inability to offer a nuanced analysis of the play/statement. You must support all points you make by quotation from and reference to the play. CHARACTERS: “Ambition and self-interest are the qualities that destroy Macbeth”
The Essay on Lady Macbeth Character Play Murder
Macbeth's Character Transformation Macbeth, the main character in the tragedy of Macbeth, undergoes a series of character changes throughout the play. His transformation occurs in three major stages. First comes his attitude at the beginning of Macbeth where it is very positive and powerful. Subsequently he endures a change with the murder of king Duncan that reduces him from his moral and good ...
“Shakespeare’s Macbeth invites us to look into the world of a man driven on by ruthless ambition and tortured by regret” “Macbeth’s murder of Duncan has horrible consequences both for Macbeth himself and for Scotland” “Macbeth’s soliloquies are essential in order to retain audience sympathy for the central character” “The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth undergoes significant change during the course of the play” “The relationship between Macbeth and his wife is ultimately a destructive one”
“Their partnership in guilt, which at the beginning of the play is a strong bond between them, gradually drives Macbeth and his wife apart, until they go down to their seperate dooms, isolated and alone” “We feel little pity for the central characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play” “While there are some redeeming features in the character of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as a ruthless opportunist, whose ambition for her husband supercedes all moral considerations” “Lady Macbeth is responsible for the fall of her husband” “Lady Macbeth is no monster, she is a loyal though misguided wife, not
