english
Grade 11
Macbeth study notes
(The title of thane was awarded to men favored by the king
who were also given land, usually for proven loyalty. Military
service to the king was expected of thanes.) The play's action
begins when King Duncan's forces engage in a battle to defeat
a rebellion started by a lord named Macdonwald, who enlists
the help of the King of Norway. Macbeth, duty-bound to defend
his king, fights honorably in this battle and captures another
supporter of the rebellion, the Thane of Cawdor.
As Macbeth and his friend Banquo travel home from the battle,
they meet three witches. These women predict Macbeth will be
the next Thane of Cawdor and that he will become king of
Scotland. In addition, they prophesy that Banquo's descendants
will inherit the throne in years to come. The king then finds out
that the Thane of Cawdor is responsible for treason , he gives
the thane's title and lands to Macbeth, which leads Macbeth to
believe the witches' predictions. He sends word of these
developments to his wife, and Lady Macbeth immediately
begins plotting Duncan's demise, which is made easier when
Duncan comes to visit Macbeth's castle.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth then start scheming in earnest
against Duncan. While Duncan dines at their castle, Macbeth
confers with his wife and raises objections to the murder; his
wife dismisses them with scorn. By conversation's end,
Macbeth is ready to kill the king. Lady Macbeth takes the lead
in plotting the murder. She gets Duncan's guards drunk, and
they are unconscious when Macbeth enters Duncan's chamber
and kills him.
He returns to his own rooms with the daggers in his
bloodstaine d hands at this point Macbeth is extremely startled.
Lady Macbeth goes back to plant the weapons and frame the
guards[mastermind and manipulator]. The following morning,
Duncan's body is discovered, and the lords are thrown into an
uproar. Macbeth kills the guards before they can speak. He
claims to have done this in his rage at Duncan's death. Fearing
Grade 11
Macbeth study notes
(The title of thane was awarded to men favored by the king
who were also given land, usually for proven loyalty. Military
service to the king was expected of thanes.) The play's action
begins when King Duncan's forces engage in a battle to defeat
a rebellion started by a lord named Macdonwald, who enlists
the help of the King of Norway. Macbeth, duty-bound to defend
his king, fights honorably in this battle and captures another
supporter of the rebellion, the Thane of Cawdor.
As Macbeth and his friend Banquo travel home from the battle,
they meet three witches. These women predict Macbeth will be
the next Thane of Cawdor and that he will become king of
Scotland. In addition, they prophesy that Banquo's descendants
will inherit the throne in years to come. The king then finds out
that the Thane of Cawdor is responsible for treason , he gives
the thane's title and lands to Macbeth, which leads Macbeth to
believe the witches' predictions. He sends word of these
developments to his wife, and Lady Macbeth immediately
begins plotting Duncan's demise, which is made easier when
Duncan comes to visit Macbeth's castle.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth then start scheming in earnest
against Duncan. While Duncan dines at their castle, Macbeth
confers with his wife and raises objections to the murder; his
wife dismisses them with scorn. By conversation's end,
Macbeth is ready to kill the king. Lady Macbeth takes the lead
in plotting the murder. She gets Duncan's guards drunk, and
they are unconscious when Macbeth enters Duncan's chamber
and kills him.
He returns to his own rooms with the daggers in his
bloodstaine d hands at this point Macbeth is extremely startled.
Lady Macbeth goes back to plant the weapons and frame the
guards[mastermind and manipulator]. The following morning,
Duncan's body is discovered, and the lords are thrown into an
uproar. Macbeth kills the guards before they can speak. He
claims to have done this in his rage at Duncan's death. Fearing
