MACBETH
Act 1: KEY NOTES
● The witches are introduced with thunder and lightning (pathetic fallacy) and they speak
in rhyming couplets which make them stand apart from the others. Their predictions are
unclear but seem evil
● It is reported that Macbeth is “brave” and “valiant” and has a bloodthirsty nature as he
killed a traitor “from the nave to the chops”
● The witches tell Macbeth and Banquo that they will be made Thane of Cawdor and then
King. Macbeth is deceived, but Banquo remains cautious
● Macbeth is made Thane of cawdor as a reward for his loyalty
● Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy reveals that Duncan must die and Lady Macbeth will suffice
her feminine nature in order to be Queen. Macbeth comes in and they nervously talk
● Duncan arrives and ironically feels that Macbeth’s home “sweetly recommends itself”.
The scene shows how false Lady Macbeth is
● Macbeth is debating whether or not to kill Duncan. He feels loyal to the throne but his
masculinity is questioned by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into
agreeing to kill Duncan. Act One ends with suspense of what will happen next
Act 2: KEY NOTES
● Banquo and his son, Fleance, go for a walk, reminding the audience of the witches’
prophecies about Banquo’s son becoming the next king. It is dark which shows the evil
of Macbeth. Macbeth wants Banquo’s support but Banquo insists on remaining loyal to
Duncan
● In Macbeth’s soliloquy, he speaks of witchcraft, Hecate and a ghost. He sees visions of
a dagger; it is unclear whether this is a warning or sign to lead him to kill Duncan
● We learn that Lady Macbeth is not as merciless as she appears as she tells us Duncan
reminds her of her own father, but she waits anxiously for Macbeth to return.
● The murder takes place offstage which increases the suspense. When Macbeth returns,
there is a lot of foreshadowing. Macbeth doubts that neptune’s sea can wash away the
blood, which indicates his guilt and foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s handwashing frenzy
later on
● Macbeth tells us he has murdered sleep, thereby murdered peace and clarity with his
guilt and this foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleep walking
● They both reference insanity too, which is ironic considering how Lady Macbeth turns
mad
● The stage directions include knocking which mimicks Macbeth’s heartbeat and gives a
sense of urgency, guilt and fear.
● The porter’s comic monologue relieves tensions but builds suspense. The porter
describes Macbeth’s castle as hell-gate and ironically references Macbeth. Lennox
comments of the “unruly” night which reflects the events of the night ironically
● Macbeth speaks in short sentences that highlight his anticipation and tension
, ● Macduff discovers the body and is horrified. Macbeth confesses to killing the servants
and Lady Macbeth faints in order to play up to her stereotype and distract from her
husband’s blunder
● Malcolm and Donalbain run away which makes them look guilty and allows Macbeth to
take the throne
● Strange events have happened since Duncan’s death which show that natural order has
been disrupted and suggests a bad omen for Macbeth’s reign. We are told, the days are
dark, a falcon has been killed by an owl (symbolism) and horses are eating together.
● Macduff tells Ross that Macbeth will be made King; Macduff is not attending Macbeth’s
coronation which sets him up as an enemy of Macbeth
Act 3: KEY NOTES
● Banquo reveals during his soliloquy that he is suspicious of Macbeth and he is ambitious
about the future of his sons, but is willing to let fate take it’s course.
● Macbeth’s soliloquy shows that his attitude towards murder has changed. He is decisive
about killing Banquo but cannot do it himself and has to hire murderer. He can no longer
face his enemy, he is cowardly. He questions the murderers’ masculinity like his wife did
in order to convince them that Banquo is the enemy
● Macbeth believes that he can change fate by using his free will to kill Fleance and
Banquo so that the prophecy cannot come true
● Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are feeling insecure about the kingship, as indicated by the
use of oxymorons which show their mixed emotions. Macbeth no longer confides in Lady
Macbeth which shows a pivotal moment in their relationship. His own ambition is enough
to drive him without his wife. His use of animal imagery set an uneasy atmosphere.
● A third murderer joins the other two, emphasising Macbeth’s paranoia. Banquo is
murdered, but Fleance escapes, demonstrating the witches’ prophecies. This shows that
it is impossible to cheat fate.
● Macbeth holds a feast and is in a good mood as he feels secure in his kingship. When
told that Fleance has escaped, Macbeth is “cabined, cribbed, confined” and the
alliteration shows that he feels trapped. His position as a king is not yet certain.
● Banquo’s ghost appears as a symptom of Macbeth’s guilt. It is not clear whether the
ghost is real or a figment of imagination. Lady Macbeth is forced to pretend that Macbeth
is unwell because of his strange behaviour and finds his fear unmanly.
● Hecate meets with the witches and is annoyed that the witches meddled with Macbeth
without her involvement. Hecate talks of Macbeth’s stupidity that he thinks he can
change destiny and stop Banquo’s descendants from being King.
● The witches use apparitions to trick Macbeth into becoming overly confident and giving
him a false sense of security.
● The minor characters, the thanes, discuss the events that are happening. We are told
that Macduff has raised an army against Macbeth. Lennox suspects Macbeth as being
guilty but holds his tongue in fear of living in disgrace for not being loyal to his king.
However, his tone is sarcastic, full of rhetorical questions and exclamations.
Act 4: KEY NOTES
Act 1: KEY NOTES
● The witches are introduced with thunder and lightning (pathetic fallacy) and they speak
in rhyming couplets which make them stand apart from the others. Their predictions are
unclear but seem evil
● It is reported that Macbeth is “brave” and “valiant” and has a bloodthirsty nature as he
killed a traitor “from the nave to the chops”
● The witches tell Macbeth and Banquo that they will be made Thane of Cawdor and then
King. Macbeth is deceived, but Banquo remains cautious
● Macbeth is made Thane of cawdor as a reward for his loyalty
● Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy reveals that Duncan must die and Lady Macbeth will suffice
her feminine nature in order to be Queen. Macbeth comes in and they nervously talk
● Duncan arrives and ironically feels that Macbeth’s home “sweetly recommends itself”.
The scene shows how false Lady Macbeth is
● Macbeth is debating whether or not to kill Duncan. He feels loyal to the throne but his
masculinity is questioned by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into
agreeing to kill Duncan. Act One ends with suspense of what will happen next
Act 2: KEY NOTES
● Banquo and his son, Fleance, go for a walk, reminding the audience of the witches’
prophecies about Banquo’s son becoming the next king. It is dark which shows the evil
of Macbeth. Macbeth wants Banquo’s support but Banquo insists on remaining loyal to
Duncan
● In Macbeth’s soliloquy, he speaks of witchcraft, Hecate and a ghost. He sees visions of
a dagger; it is unclear whether this is a warning or sign to lead him to kill Duncan
● We learn that Lady Macbeth is not as merciless as she appears as she tells us Duncan
reminds her of her own father, but she waits anxiously for Macbeth to return.
● The murder takes place offstage which increases the suspense. When Macbeth returns,
there is a lot of foreshadowing. Macbeth doubts that neptune’s sea can wash away the
blood, which indicates his guilt and foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s handwashing frenzy
later on
● Macbeth tells us he has murdered sleep, thereby murdered peace and clarity with his
guilt and this foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleep walking
● They both reference insanity too, which is ironic considering how Lady Macbeth turns
mad
● The stage directions include knocking which mimicks Macbeth’s heartbeat and gives a
sense of urgency, guilt and fear.
● The porter’s comic monologue relieves tensions but builds suspense. The porter
describes Macbeth’s castle as hell-gate and ironically references Macbeth. Lennox
comments of the “unruly” night which reflects the events of the night ironically
● Macbeth speaks in short sentences that highlight his anticipation and tension
, ● Macduff discovers the body and is horrified. Macbeth confesses to killing the servants
and Lady Macbeth faints in order to play up to her stereotype and distract from her
husband’s blunder
● Malcolm and Donalbain run away which makes them look guilty and allows Macbeth to
take the throne
● Strange events have happened since Duncan’s death which show that natural order has
been disrupted and suggests a bad omen for Macbeth’s reign. We are told, the days are
dark, a falcon has been killed by an owl (symbolism) and horses are eating together.
● Macduff tells Ross that Macbeth will be made King; Macduff is not attending Macbeth’s
coronation which sets him up as an enemy of Macbeth
Act 3: KEY NOTES
● Banquo reveals during his soliloquy that he is suspicious of Macbeth and he is ambitious
about the future of his sons, but is willing to let fate take it’s course.
● Macbeth’s soliloquy shows that his attitude towards murder has changed. He is decisive
about killing Banquo but cannot do it himself and has to hire murderer. He can no longer
face his enemy, he is cowardly. He questions the murderers’ masculinity like his wife did
in order to convince them that Banquo is the enemy
● Macbeth believes that he can change fate by using his free will to kill Fleance and
Banquo so that the prophecy cannot come true
● Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are feeling insecure about the kingship, as indicated by the
use of oxymorons which show their mixed emotions. Macbeth no longer confides in Lady
Macbeth which shows a pivotal moment in their relationship. His own ambition is enough
to drive him without his wife. His use of animal imagery set an uneasy atmosphere.
● A third murderer joins the other two, emphasising Macbeth’s paranoia. Banquo is
murdered, but Fleance escapes, demonstrating the witches’ prophecies. This shows that
it is impossible to cheat fate.
● Macbeth holds a feast and is in a good mood as he feels secure in his kingship. When
told that Fleance has escaped, Macbeth is “cabined, cribbed, confined” and the
alliteration shows that he feels trapped. His position as a king is not yet certain.
● Banquo’s ghost appears as a symptom of Macbeth’s guilt. It is not clear whether the
ghost is real or a figment of imagination. Lady Macbeth is forced to pretend that Macbeth
is unwell because of his strange behaviour and finds his fear unmanly.
● Hecate meets with the witches and is annoyed that the witches meddled with Macbeth
without her involvement. Hecate talks of Macbeth’s stupidity that he thinks he can
change destiny and stop Banquo’s descendants from being King.
● The witches use apparitions to trick Macbeth into becoming overly confident and giving
him a false sense of security.
● The minor characters, the thanes, discuss the events that are happening. We are told
that Macduff has raised an army against Macbeth. Lennox suspects Macbeth as being
guilty but holds his tongue in fear of living in disgrace for not being loyal to his king.
However, his tone is sarcastic, full of rhetorical questions and exclamations.
Act 4: KEY NOTES
