IOC Notes Macbeth

Oral presentation organisation sheet Macbeth Act Two scene 1
Intro.
This passage is from the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare. The play follows the story of Macbeth, a Scottish soldier, who desires to become King,
and whose vaulting ambition eventually leads to his downfall. This passage in particular is from act two scene one. Is this passage, a lot is revealed about
personality of the protagonist, Macbeth. This is depicted through his intense soliloquy, where he agonises before committing the murder. He hallucinates
and sees a bloody a dagger, representing his conscience and the mental disturbance he goes through. This hallucination is what drives him and pushes
him to go ahead and kill King Duncan. In the scene prior, we see Lady Macbeth really pushing Macbeth to go ahead with the murder. She emotionally
blackmails him, targeting his ego, using it as a way to put him down. This really strengthens his urge to become king. His lust and desire for power is
what pushes him to commit the murder despite the fact that he previously wanted to remain loyal. Following this scene, Macbeth commits the murder,
killing King Duncan. However, soon after the murder his guilt overpowers him. He acknowledges the fact that he has committed a sin and that he will
have sleepless nights. Lady Macbeth on the other hand ensures that Duncans guards are framed for the murder. In the commentary I will be analysing
the language and dramatic techniques and how they highlight key themes of power and ambition, appearance verses reality, guilt and the supernatural.
Furthermore, I will be commenting on the development of the character of Macbeth in this passage.
Organisation markers
Points
Specific Examples
Body
To begin with
The first part of the passage is a soliloquy-one of the key dramatic

techniques used by Shakespeare. A soliloquy is one that reveals the
thoughts and feelings of a character, which other characters are
unaware of. The audience is only aware of these thoughts of the
character.
The soliloquy begins with Macbeth hallucinating a bloody dagger
and he questions this vision of his. A metaphor is used to describe
his confusion.
This metaphor shows that this is a result of what is in his sub
conscience. The dagger represents the manifestation of Macbeths
lust and desire to become king, thus highlighting the theme of
power. It further symbolises his dark intentions and his insanity
In line 9 macbeth says A dagger of mind, a

false creation
that his vaulting ambition has led him to. The mention of false
creation I believe is symbolic of the theme of duplicity or
appearance versus reality. It shows that while Macbeths character
appears to be brave, honest and loyal, he is actually weak and just
greedy for power.
Imagery has been used to portray the darkness and immorality of

this act of murder.
In addition
The imagery is strongly symbolic of death and murder. The

reference to the drops blood on the dagger conveys the message
that Macbeth is being taken over by the feeling of guilt and
remorse. The blood on dagger signifies a crime and the death of
someone else, in this case the King. He further then acknowledges
that this dagger is appearing in front of him because of the act of
the murder that he is about to commit. Euphemism, another
language technique that is used frequently to almost mask the
harshness of the acts. Such as in this case bloody business implies
the murder. This in a sense alludes to the theme of duplicity.
Through the use of personification.

This image is further
developed
Here Macbeth by saying nature seems dead implies the darkness

of his deeds. It also indicates the calmness at night, when everyone
is asleep. His reference to the death of nature means that this act
he is about to commit is also unnatural. When he says wicked
dreams abuse the curtained sleep, he alludes to the blackness of his
heart and the crime, strongly highlighting the theme of guilt. It
shows that he is he is unable to sleep. Despite having such strong
feelings of guilt Macbeths strong desire for power drives him to
commit the murder. This almost creates sympathy in the readers
In line 17, Macbeth says and on thy blade and

dudgeon gouts of blood
And in line 18 he says it is the bloody business
which informs thus to mine eyes
In line 21 Macbeth says nature seems dead, and

wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep
mind for Macbeth, because the guilt shows that he is morally

grounded and is hesitant to kill the king. But the lust gets in the
way, which is what makes him a tragic hero; his greed and
ambition lead to his down fall. This highlights the development of
Macbeths character.
Furthermore
The theme of supernatural is also present in this passage. The

language feature of allusion is used. The reference to Pale Hecate,
who is the queen of the witches, is symbolic of the theme of
supernatural. It is also implying that the darkest part of the night is
when the rituals of witchcraft take place. The witches spread evil,
hinting to the fact that it was the witches and their prophecies that
motivated Macbeth towards this crime. This association is of
witchcraft to the night and the murder.
A simile has been used.

Also
Another language
technique used
In lines 22 and 23 Macbeth says Witchcraft

celebrates Pale Hecates offrings
In line 27, Macbeth says moves like a ghost
This is used to describe his ghost-like steps and how stealthily and
sneakily he moves to go to kill King Duncan. It shows a sense of
fear that some is watching, even though that time no one is
actually was. But because Macbeth does have a sense of morality,
he is fearful of retributive justice. He fears that his sins will haunt
him and leave him with a strong feeling of remorse and guilt.
Is antithesis. Shakespeare uses this technique to present

contrasting ideas.
This suggests the delusion in Macbeths mind. Once again here he
is hallucinating; even though he doesnt have the dagger, he still
sees it, which makes him rather confused. Again this hallucination
is symbolic of his guilt and sin he is about to commit.
In line 6 Macbeth says I have thee not and yet I

see thee still
In line 32 words to the heat of deed too cold
Here the heat of the deed is being contrasted with a cold of breath.
This implies that his words and his thoughts are only taking away
his courage to act, which he doesnt want. So once in for he
decides to go ahead with the murder and kills the King.
breath gives
Highlight the final call for Macbeth.

Personification is used
Another key technique
Here this signifies the alarm that Macbeth must proceed with the
murder. Lady Macbeth has rung this bell to tell him that this is the
time. Its the call for Duncans death, even though he doesnt hear
it.
In line 33, Macbeth states the bell invites me
That underlines Macbeths character in this soliloquy is the

repetitive use of personal pronouns.
For example when Macbeth says I see before

me I draw I was going I was to use
The use of I is symbolic of Macbeths thoughts and feelings,

which are significant for the development of his character. Here he
battles with his own conscience and mind. He tries to disassociate
himself from all the feelings that are preventing him from
committing the murder. This shows that he is being driven to do
something, which he actually doesnt want to.
Concl
So to conclude, This soliloquy in this passage is essential for the development of Macbeths character. The language and dramatic techniques used, help
to reflect the key themes that drive the powerful message forward and enhance the characterisation. This passage heightens the development of
Macbeths character. While we know Macbeth is an ambitious, brave and loyal solider, after hearing the prophecies of the witches it is revealed that he is
hungry and greed for power and easily manipulated and controlled by others. He may have been intended to be the hero of the play, but due to his tragic
flaws, such as his greed and vaulting ambition, lead to his downfall and death eventually, making him the tragic hero of the play.

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Oral presentation organisation sheet Macbeth Act Two scene 1

The first part of the passage is a soliloquy-one of the key dramatic

In line 9 macbeth says A dagger of mind, a

Imagery has been used to portray the darkness and immorality of

The imagery is strongly symbolic of death and murder. The

Through the use of personification.

Here Macbeth by saying nature seems dead implies the darkness

In line 17, Macbeth says and on thy blade and

In line 21 Macbeth says nature seems dead, and

mind for Macbeth, because the guilt shows that he is morally

The theme of supernatural is also present in this passage. The

A simile has been used.

In lines 22 and 23 Macbeth says Witchcraft

In line 27, Macbeth says moves like a ghost

Is antithesis. Shakespeare uses this technique to present

In line 6 Macbeth says I have thee not and yet I

In line 32 words to the heat of deed too cold

Highlight the final call for Macbeth.

Another key technique

In line 33, Macbeth states the bell invites me

That underlines Macbeths character in this soliloquy is the

For example when Macbeth says I see before

The use of I is symbolic of Macbeths thoughts and feelings,

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