Preview

Macbeth: Betrayal and Violence in the play [notes]

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
832 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Macbeth: Betrayal and Violence in the play [notes]
Macbeth: Betrayal and Violence NOTES

BETRAYAL
1. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth plot to kill the king Duncan - The weird sisters tell Macbeth that he will be Thane of Cawdor as well as king. He believes them and sends a letter to Lady Macbeth. She then plots a plan to kill Duncan, wanting to be Queen over Scotland "O never shall sun that morrow see." = Duncan will never awaken to see the sun again as Lady Macbeth wants him killed. However, Macbeth not so sure. REGICIDE.

2. Macbeth killing his friend but enemy, Banquo and attempting to kill his son, Fleance. Macbeth persuades Banquo to go out for a ride with his son while the banquet is taking place. Unfortunately, Banquo doesn't know his plan, as he has arranged for him and his son to be murdered. "It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight, If it find heaven, must find it tonight."

VIOLENCE
1. Execution of the Thane of Cawdor. Duncan hears of the news of the Thane of Cawdor wanting to join the Norwegians and betraying Scotland as well as his king. Duncan beheads him and gives his former title to Macbeth - "No more that Thane of Cawdor shall decieve our bosom interest. Go. Pronouce his present death."
-
Macbeth: Betrayal and Violence NOTES

BETRAYAL
1. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth plot to kill the king Duncan - The weird sisters tell Macbeth that he will be Thane of Cawdor as well as king. He believes them and sends a letter to Lady Macbeth. She then plots a plan to kill Duncan, wanting to be Queen over Scotland "O never shall sun that morrow see." = Duncan will never awaken to see the sun again as Lady Macbeth wants him killed. However, Macbeth not so sure. REGICIDE.

2. Macbeth killing his friend but enemy, Banquo and attempting to kill his son, Fleance. Macbeth persuades Banquo to go out for a ride with his son while the banquet is taking place. Unfortunately, Banquo doesn't know his plan, as he has arranged for him and his son to be murdered. "It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight, If it find
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Cause: "Macbeth's Desire to Be King" Minimum 2 Effects Per Act
    • 355 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Cause: "Macbeth's Desire to Be King" Minimum 2 Effects Per Act

    | Lady Macbeth manipulated Macbeth into her plans and he agrees to murder King Duncan.…

    • 355 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Jordans Macbeth Essay Act 3
    • 974 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Jordans Macbeth Essay Act 3

    Shakespeare creates a scene in Macbeth in which his conscious comes into play to mess with his head and to show the audience the insanity that is ever present in the man. After killing the king and becoming the king Macbeth realizes that the witches prophecy came true, the prophecy that was stated in Act 1 Scene 3, where Macbeth and Banquo are told that they will become leaders. Macbeth is told he shall be king and yet Banquo is told that his children shall be the kings after Macbeth. After claiming his kingdom Macbeth fears the witch’s prophecy and fears that his dear friend Banquo will either kill him as he did to the previous king or will kill his kids. In order to stop this Macbeth has Banquo murdered. This scene takes place after Banquo’s murder.…

    • 974 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth Is To Blame For King Duncan's Death
    • 497 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Macbeth Is To Blame For King Duncan's Death

    Macbeth orders the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth frames the Guards and uses their daggers to kill King Duncan. Macbeth, the Thane of Cawdor, Murders King Duncan of Scotland. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are converse about what Macbeth did.…

    • 497 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth's Ruthless Quotes
    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Macbeth's Ruthless Quotes

    Macbeth is paranoid of losing his position, he wants to keep it to himself as well as to his descendants. As the three witches described Banquo: “Lesser than Macbeth and greater, not so happy yet much happier, thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.”, implying that Banquo is the root of many kings, Banquo and his son is a threat to Macbeth’s crown(1.3.68-70). Macbeth plans an assassination of Banquo and Fleance while they are on a ride before the dinner at Macbeth’s castle(3.1.129-144). Banquo is murdered and Fleance flees(3.3.29-30). Banquo’s ghost shows up at the dinner and scares Macbeth. Even though Macbeth doesn’t regret killing Banquo, he is still conscious of his terrible actions and the guilt of bringing Banquo to the end of his life. Macbeth at this point has become ruthless enough to murder his close…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Power Corrupts- Macbeth Essay Example
    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Power Corrupts- Macbeth Essay Example

    A similar, sad fate is given to Banquo, Macbeth’s best friend and right hand man. Despite fighting together, side by side, Macbeth still becomes wary. His brain has already become corrupted from a thirst for power which causes Macbeth to trust no one. Without anyone knowing, Macbeth turns against his best friend. He hires a band of savage killers to take out his best friend and his son:…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Metaphors In Macbeth
    • 168 Words
    • 1 Page

    Metaphors In Macbeth

    3. Prophecies The three witches predicts that Macbeth will be the thane of Cawdor, thane of Glamis and then the King. They also predicted that Banquo’s son will be the king. Their prophecies caused Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to dream about their future and planted the idea of killing Duncan inside their heads.…

    • 168 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Leah
    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Leah

    Macbeth had done a lot to become king. He murdered his cousin, King Duncan and anyone else who he thought would reveal the truth that he was true murderer. He also went against his ethics. Two of the people Macbeth ordered to be murdered were his honorable friend Banqou, and Banquo’s son Fleance. Macbeth murdered Banquo for two reasons. The first reason was his fear of Banquo’s nobleness. In Macbeth’s soliloquy he states, “There’s something noble about him (Banquo) that makes me fear him. He’s willing to take risks, and his mind never stops working. He has the wisdom to act bravely but also safely. I’m not afraid of anyone but him…” Macbeth is worried that Banquo will reveal that Macbeth killed King Duncan since Banquo suspected Macbeth. Another reason was because Banqou was told by three evil witches that, “Thou shalt get kings, thought thou be none” so Macbeth figured that he should have Banqou murdered to stop Banquo…

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Is Honor Shown In Macbeth
    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Is Honor Shown In Macbeth

    After being crowned king a friend of his Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth and suspects that he is the one who killed Duncan in order to become king. Once Macbeth begins to learn about it, he becomes scared that Banquo might tell someone. So he orders 3 murders to go kill Banquo and his son Fleeance who in the prophecy is to become king after…

    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Macbeth's Desire To Have Power
    • 988 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Does Macbeth's Desire To Have Power

    Banquo is killed strictly for the reason that he has a suspicion that Macbeth killed Duncan. He could get Macbeth into trouble and ruin his future. The witches’ prophecies describe how Banquo will be a father to a future line of kings. Macbeth hearing this, believes it is a threat at him and uses his urge for power to set out for the killing of Fleance. Macbeth says, “To leave no rubs nor botches in the work—Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father’s” (Shakespeare). This quote is describing how Fleance’s life is just as equal as Banquo’s. He believes in killing Fleance because he is a threat to him. Macbeth wants no chances for another person to come into power. Therefore, Macbeth wants to be safe and chooses to kill more people. The ambition Macbeth has becomes clear during this chain of events because he is paranoid at losing the power he urgently wants. Cassandra Nelson says, “Once he hears the weird sisters' prophecy Macbeth becomes so consumed by his desire for power that he becomes a tyrannical and violent monster who ultimately destroys himself” (Nelson). She is referencing Macbeth listening to the prophecies given to him. As soon as he hears what the witches have to say, he acts immediately in any way possible to keep his power. Nelson is also hints to the fact that ambition is Macbeth’s tragic flaw and leads to his demise. Macbeth is so power hungry that he is willing to do anything possible to stay on the throne. Ambition is shown when he kills Banquo and attempts to kill Fleance because they threaten his…

    • 988 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ambition In Macbeth's Insane
    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ambition In Macbeth's Insane

    Watch as Macbeth drives himself insane trying to claim the throne. He hears that the Thane of Cawdor died and he could become king. The Thane of Glamis develops an ambition to be king and kills Duncan, who is already the king. Killing Duncan drives Macbeth insane, and eventually, he loses all feelings towards life or death and goes numb. Since Macbeth’s ambition is to become king he is willing to do anything, but because of this, he begins to go psychotic by the end of the play.…

    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Who Is To Blame In Macbeth Essay
    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Who Is To Blame In Macbeth Essay

    In Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Macbeth three witches prophesied that Macbeth would be king. Doing what anyone else would do, he told his wife and she brewed up this plan to murder the king. The king would be staying at the Macbeth’s castle, Inverness for a party. At first Macbeth was against the plan but Lady Macbeth was not backing down and talked him into it. “Macbeth talks himself into a kind of thoughtful stupor as he tries to work out the situation for himself. In the following scene, Lady Macbeth will emerge and drive the hesitant Macbeth to act; she is the will propelling his achievements. Once Lady Macbeth hears of the witches’ prophecy, Duncan’s life is doomed.”( Shakespeare A 1, 1–4) Her plan was well thought out and she could not wait. He patience overpowered her excitement though as she waited for him to fall fast asleep. Soon after he was asleep she had drugged the guards and Shoved Macbeth in towards the kings resting area. Macbeth was…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ambitions & Desires - Macbeth
    • 615 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ambitions & Desires - Macbeth

    Macbeth, after hearing the prophecies the three witches gave him, becomes conflicted within himself, ‘If chance shall have me King, why, chance may crown me, without my stir’. Ultimately, Macbeth chooses ambition over morality, but not without pressure from his wife ‘Are you a man?’ and severe inner turmoil ‘My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical’. To contrast the devious character of Macbeth, Shakespeare included Banquo, a fellow noblemen and Macbeth’s closest friend, to act as Macbeths foil. He immediately chooses morality over ambition without question and forewarns Macbeth of the Weird Sisters and their ability to twist the truth: ‘instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence’. Banquo’s undying allegiance to King Duncan demonstrations the difference between Macbeth and Banquo, and how the upkeep of morals keep us in check. After choosing power, Macbeth’s suspicion of Banquo and his role in the prophecy leads to Banquo’s murder. After killing his friend, Macbeth is plagued with guilt, and hallucinations become recurrent for both Macbeth; ‘our graves must send those we bury back’ and his wife; ‘will these hands ne’er be clean?’ This shows that ambition can lead to immoral acts when overcome by desire.…

    • 615 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth's Character Analysis
    • 835 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Macbeth's Character Analysis

    When questioning what caused Macbeth’s downfall, Banquo’s murder sticks out. By betraying his best friend, Banquo, Macbeth initiated his demise. Macbeth killed out of jealousy and couldn’t face Banquo as he ordered…

    • 835 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth Journal
    • 2711 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Macbeth Journal

    I was very confused at the beginning of the play. I thought it was weird with the witches, and I was still getting used to the old English language. I thought it started to get interesting when the witches had told Macbeth that he would become the Thane of Cawdor and then he actually did! I think this is what starts Macbeth’s ambition towards the series of events that will happen in the play. I think that the first three scenes in Act 1 set the dark mood for the entire play with the storm and witches ext. Once Lady Macbeth heard of what the witches had predicted I think was when Duncan’s life was officially over. Lady Macbeth kind of took over the play at this point. She is very persuasive, like convincing Macbeth that they were going to kill Duncan. She makes him feel as if he’s stupid and mocks him when he has fears about Duncan. I was surprised by Macbeth’s thoughts about killing Duncan I didn’t think he would do something so great, and I think that something is going to come back around to get him if he goes through with it. I think that he should just wait for his turn to be king. Lady Macbeth offers Macbeth a plan to kill Duncan, and he accepts. ____________________________________________________________…

    • 2711 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Macbeth: Corruption
    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Macbeth: Corruption

    the new king, orders him to be killed only because Banquo has a son named…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics