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Macbeth
AQA GCSE English Literature
York Notes Rapid Revision

Macbeth
AQA GCSE English Literature

Written by Susannah White

CONTENTS

PLOT AND STRUCTURE THEMES

Act I Scenes 1–4 4 Ambition 44
Act I Scenes 5–7 6 Betrayal and revenge 46
Act II 8 The supernatural 48
Act III Scenes 1–3 10 Fate and free will 50
Act III Scenes 4–6 12 Appearance and reality 52
Act IV 14 Guilt and madness 54
Act V 16 Quick revision 56
Form and structure 18
Quick revision 20 LANGUAGE
Imagery and symbolism 58
SETTING AND CONTEXT
Dramatic techniques 60
Jacobean society 22
Succession and order 24 EXAM PRACTICE
Settings 26
Understanding the exam 62
Character questions 64
CHARACTERS
Planning your character response 66
Macbeth in Acts I and II 28 Grade 5 annotated sample answer 68
Macbeth in Acts III–V 30 Grade 7+ annotated sample
Lady Macbeth 32 answer 70
Banquo 34 Theme questions 72
Macduff and Lady Macduff 36 Planning your theme response 74
King Duncan and Malcolm 38 Grade 5 annotated sample answer 76
The witches 40 Grade 7+ annotated sample
answer 78
Quick revision 42
Practice questions 80

GLOSSARY 82

ANSWERS 83

3
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act I Scenes 1–4

T h re e key things about Act I Scenes 1–4

1. The play opens with three witches
out in a storm.
2. We meet Macbeth, a brave warrior,
who appears to be loyal to King
Duncan.
3. Key themes are introduced: the
supernatural, ambition, violent
conflict and appearance and reality.

W h at happens in Scenes 1–2?

Scene 1: Three witches appear and arrange to meet Macbeth.
They refer to a ‘battle’ and ‘hurly-burly’, suggesting that conflict is raging
all around them.
Scene 2: An army captain informs King Duncan that Macbeth and his friend,
Banquo, fought courageously in a battle against the king’s enemies.
He also reports that Macbeth fought ruthlessly because he ‘unseamed’ their
enemy, Macdonald, then fixed his severed head on the battlements.

W h at happens in Scenes 3–4?

Scene 3: Macbeth and fellow soldier, Banquo meet the witches who hail
Macbeth as ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and ‘king hereafter’ and tell Banquo that
his sons will be kings.
One of the witches’ prophecies comes true immediately when King Duncan
makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his loyalty and courage.
Banquo warns Macbeth about the witches, claiming that the ‘instruments
of darkness’ sometimes tell truths in order to cause harm.
Scene 4: We learn that the previous Thane of Cawdor, a man who betrayed
King Duncan’s ‘absolute trust’ has been executed.
King Duncan names Malcolm, his eldest son, as his heir.
Macbeth concludes he will need to ‘o’erleap’ Malcolm in order to become
king as the witches predicted.

4
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act I Scenes 1–4

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. The theme of appearance and reality: ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’
(witches) (I.1.12)
2. Macbeth’s reputation: ‘For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that
name’ (Captain) (I.2.16)
3. Macbeth’s violent conduct: ‘his Note it!
brandish’d steel,/Which smok’d Note how Act I Scene
with bloody execution’ (Captain) 1 grabs
our attention: stormy
(I.2.16–17) weather,
the witches’ chanting
and their
4. Macbeth’s evil side: ‘Stars, hide contradictory riddles cre
ate
your fires,/Let not light see my a mysterious atmosph
ere.
black and deep desires’ (I.4.50–1) Their final chant ‘Fair
is foul,
5. Macbeth’s interest in the and foul is fair’ resem
bles
supernatural: ‘Stay, you imperfect Macbeth’s first words:
‘So foul
speakers. Tell me more’ (I.3.68) and fair a day I have
not seen’,
linking him with them.

Ex am fo cu s
How
AO1
can
AO2
I write
AO3
about Macbeth? AO2
Clear topic sentence
You can focus on Scenes 1 and 2 to show how to introduce
paragraph
Shakespeare introduces Macbeth.
At the beginning of Act I, we hear about Macbeth twice Analytical comment
before we see him. Firstly, in Scene 1, three witches showing effect
plan to meet him, which gives us the impression that
Quotation used to
Macbeth is associated with witchcraft. Then, in Scene illustrate point
2, the Captain reveals how ‘brave Macbeth’ fought
courageously in battle. Both these reported references Explanation and
to Macbeth raise the audience’s curiosity and build up development of main
expectations before his appearance. point

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about Macbeth. Use one of the quotations from the
list.
Shakespeare also reveals other aspects of Macbeth’s character in the early scenes
of Act I. One of these aspects is his evil side which is evident when

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5
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act I Scenes 5–7

T h re e key things about Act I Scenes 5–7

1. The action moves to Macbeth’s castle at Inverness.
2. We meet Lady Macbeth: a strong, ambitious woman who has a close
relationship with her husband.
3. The key themes of ambition and good and evil are developed.

W h at happens in Scenes 5–6?

Scene 5: Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth
about the witches’ prophecies.
She asks dark spirits to ‘unsex’ her and fill her with
‘direst cruelty’ so she can persuade Macbeth to murder
King Duncan.
When Macbeth arrives, the couple discuss the murder
plan and Lady Macbeth takes charge of the arrangements.
Scene 6: King Duncan, Banquo and other royal attendants
arrive and comment on the ‘pleasant’ setting of Macbeth’s
castle and the ‘delicate’ air surrounding it.
Lady Macbeth welcomes King Duncan, playing the role
of the perfect hostess.

W h at happens in Scene 7?
Macbeth wrestles with his conscience because he knows that as King
Duncan’s host he should protect him from danger, not ‘bear the knife’
against him.
He acknowledges that ‘Vaulting ambition’ is his only reason for murdering
the king.
After much deliberation, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he will not
proceed with the murder.
Lady Macbeth questions her husband’s courage and manliness in order to
persuade him to kill King Duncan. She convinces him to go ahead with the
murder.
The couple decide to smear the two grooms guarding King Duncan with
blood when they are asleep so that they will be blamed for the murder.
6
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act I Scenes 5–7

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. The relationship between Macbeth and his wife: ‘my dearest partner of
greatness’ (Macbeth) (I.5.10)
2. Lady Macbeth’s links to evil: ‘fill me from the crown to the toe topfull/
Of direst cruelty’ (I.5.41–2)
3. Lady Macbeth’s view of Macbeth: ‘too full Note it!
o’th’milk of human kindness’ (I.5.16) Lady Macbeth never uses
4. The theme of good and evil: ‘his virtues/ the word ‘murder’ when
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongu’d she discusses killing King
against/The deep damnation of his Duncan with Macbeth.
taking-off’ (Macbeth) (I.7.18–20) Instead she says Duncan
5. The theme of ambition: ‘Glamis thou art, must be ‘provided for’ and
and Cawdor, and shalt be/What thou art speaks of the ‘night’s great
promis’d’ (Lady Macbeth) (I.7.14–15) business’. Her words are
deliberately euphemistic

Ex am fo cu s
and could refer to making
the necessary preparations
for Duncan’s visit.
How can I write about good and evil? AO1 AO3

You can show how Shakespeare portrays

the good and evil traits of his characters.
Clear topic sentence to
In Act I Scene 7, Shakespeare uses his characters to introduce paragraph
introduce the theme of good and evil. When Macbeth
contemplates murdering the virtuous King Duncan, he Relevant embedded
fears that Duncan’s goodness will be magnified by his quotation
death since memories of his virtues will plead ‘like angels’
Analytical comment
against the crime. This simile connects Duncan with with effect
heaven and reminds us that, in Jacobean times, some
people, including King James I, believed that the king was Link to historical
appointed by God. context

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about good and evil. Use one of the quotations from
the list.
Shakespeare further explores the concept of evil in the second half of Act I when
Lady Macbeth

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7
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act II

T h re e key things about Act II

1. Act II begins inside Macbeth’s castle, in the middle of the night.
2. Macbeth’s conscience is troubled before and after King Duncan’s murder.
3. Key motifs are explored: blood, water and sleep.

W h at happens in Scene 1?
Banquo gives Macbeth a diamond for Lady Macbeth from King Duncan.
Banquo tells Macbeth that he dreamt about the witches but Macbeth
claims he does not think of them.
Macbeth seems to test Banquo’s support but Banquo says he
will keep his ‘allegiance clear’.
Macbeth thinks he sees a dagger leading him towards King
Duncan’s chamber. A bell rings as he goes to kill Duncan.

W h at happens in Scene 2?
Lady Macbeth waits nervously for Macbeth.
Macbeth appears carrying two bloody daggers. He is distressed and claims
that he heard a voice saying ‘Sleep no more’.
Lady Macbeth takes control, returns the daggers and smears the grooms
with blood. She claims ‘A little water’ will wash away the deed.
They hear knocking and hurry to bed.

W h at happens in Scenes 3–4?

Scene 3: The porter opens the door to two noblemen: Macduff and Lennox.
Macduff discovers Duncan’s body.
Macbeth claims the grooms killed Duncan and that he then killed them in
anger.
The king’s sons, Malcolm and Donaldbain, flee for their lives.
Scene 4: Ross, another nobleman, and an old man discuss disturbances in
nature.
Macbeth prepares for his coronation but Macduff decides not to attend.

8
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act II

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. Macbeth’s vision: ‘art thou but/A dagger of the mind, a false creation,/
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?’ (II.1.37–9)
2. The motif of sleep: ‘Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more:/
Macbeth does murder sleep”’ (Macbeth) (II.2.38–9)
3. The motifs of blood and water: ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash
this blood/Clean from my hand?’ (Macbeth) (II.2.63–4)

Note it!
4. Lady Macbeth taking control:
‘Infirm of purpose!/Give me the
daggers’ (II.2.55–6) The Porter, who is unwe
ll after
5. The motif of disturbance in the drinking too much the
previous
natural world: ‘On Tuesday night, provides a comi
c interlude
last,/A falcon tow’ring in between King Duncan
’s murder
her pride of place/Was by a and the discovery of his
body.
mousing owl hawk’d at and The humour is offset wh
en he
kill’d’ (Old Man) (II.4.11–13) describes the castle’s
entrance
as a ‘hell-gate’, which
reminds
Ex am fo cu s
us of the horrors withi
n and links
Macbeth to the Devil.
How can I write about motifs? AO2

You can write about how Shakespeare

Clear introduction to
uses key motifs in Act II. the paragraph
Shakespeare includes several key motifs in Act II. One
Relevant quotation
of these is sleep. In Act II Scene 2 Macbeth thinks he
selected
hears a voice saying ‘Macbeth does murder sleep’. This
suggests that his guilty conscience might not allow Analytical comment
him to rest. His use of the verb ‘murder’ reminds us with effect
of his recent crime and implies that he killed his own
capacity to sleep when he murdered King Duncan. Zooms in on key word

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about another motif from Act II. Use one of the
quotations from the list.
Another important motif in Act II is blood. In Act II Scene 2 Macbeth says

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9
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act III Scenes 1–3

T h re e key things about Act III Scenes 1–3

1. Act III opens in Macbeth’s castle as Banquo is getting ready to go riding.
2. We learn more about Banquo: he takes no action against Macbeth or to
make the witches’ predictions for his descendants come true.
3. The motifs of darkness and the night are explored.

W h at happens in Scene 1?
Banquo is suspicious because Macbeth has
everything that the witches promised.
He thinks about the witches’ momentous
predictions for his family but then quickly
dismisses these thoughts.
Macbeth invites Banquo to attend his banquet
and discovers that Banquo is going riding with
his son, Fleance.
Threatened by the witches’ prediction that
Banquo’s offspring will be kings, Macbeth
longs to make his own position more secure.
Two murderers enter and Macbeth persuades
them to kill Banquo and Fleance.

W h at happens in Scenes 2–3?

Scene 2: Lady Macbeth is concerned because Macbeth has been spending
too much time alone thinking.
Macbeth tells his wife that he is worried about Banquo and Fleance but he
does not tell her that he has arranged their murders.
He implies that he is planning a crime and asks her to remain ignorant of his
plans, but to admire his actions afterwards.
Scene 3: Outside the castle, the two original murderers are joined by a third.
When Banquo and Fleance appear on horseback, the men spring out and
try to murder them.
Banquo is killed but his son, Fleance, escapes.

10
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act III Scenes 1–3

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. Banquo’s suspicions about Macbeth: ‘I fear/Thou played’st most foully
for’t’ (III.1.2–3)
2. Macbeth’s concerns about Banquo: ‘For Banquo’s issue have I fil’d my
mind;/For them, the gracious Duncan have I murder’d’ (III.1.66–7)
3. Macbeth’s troubled mind: ‘O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!’

Note it!
(III.2.37)
4. The Macbeths’ relationship:
‘Be innocent of the knowledge, Macbeth’s appeal to ‘se
eling
dearest chuck’ (Macbeth to Lady night’ in Act III Scene
2,
Macbeth) (III.2.45) associates him with da
rkness
5. The motif of darkness: ‘Come, as he plans Banquo’s
murder.
seeling night,/Scarf up the tender Darkness is connected
to evil
eye of pitiful day’ (Macbeth) throughout the play. Hi
s words
(III.2.46–7) also link him to the ev
il of the
witches who are ‘midn
ight hags’.
Ex am fo cu s
How can I write about Macbeth’s relationships? AO1 AO2

You can use the first three scenes of Act III to focus
on how these relationships change.
Topic sentence makes
In Act III Scene 2, Shakespeare reveals a change in
overall point
the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
when Macbeth does not tell her about his plan to Relevant quotation
murder Banquo and Fleance. Although he hints that selected
he is planning a crime, he tells her to be ‘innocent
of the knowledge’. He also calls her ‘chuck’, which is Zooms in on key word
an affectionate term but lacks the sense of power
and equality of his earlier endearment ‘partner of Links to previous
greatness’. scene

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about changes in Macbeth’s relationship with Banquo
at the beginning of Act III. Use one of the quotations from the list.
Macbeth’s concerns about Banquo also change early in Act III. This is evident when

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11
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act III Scenes 4–6

T h re e key things about Act III Scenes 4–6

1. Scene 4 begins in the banqueting hall of Macbeth’s castle as his guests
arrive for a feast.
2. We learn more about Macduff, the Thane of Fife: he refused to attend
the banquet and he is planning to go to England and gather support for an
army to depose Macbeth.
3. The themes of the supernatural and revenge are developed.

W h at happens in Scene 4?
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth host a banquet as
king and queen.
One of the murderers appears and tells Macbeth
that Banquo is dead but that Fleance has escaped.
Banquo’s ghost appears to Macbeth at the feast
and sits in Macbeth’s chair. None of the other
guests can see the ghost. Lady Macbeth makes
excuses for her husband, telling them that he often
has these fits.
The ghost disappears and Macbeth regains his
composure but then it appears again. Macbeth
becomes even more agitated and Lady Macbeth
has to ask their guests to leave.
Macbeth believes that the ghost was seeking vengeance. He also feels
threatened by Macduff’s absence and decides to consult the witches again.

W h at happens in Scenes 5–6?

Scene 5: Hecate, queen of the witches, is angry with the other three witches
for not informing her about their dealings with Macbeth.
She helps the witches to prepare a strong spell to deceive Macbeth.
Scene 6: Lennox discusses recent events with a Lord. Lennox speaks with
irony, suggesting that he no longer trusts Macbeth.
The Lord reveals that King Duncan’s son, Malcolm, has been welcomed in
England by Edward, the English king, and that Macduff plans to join them.

12
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act III Scenes 4–6

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. The theme of the supernatural: ‘Thou canst not say I did it; never
shake/Thy gory locks at me!’ (Macbeth to Banquo’s ghost) (III.4.50–1)
2. The theme of revenge: ‘blood will have blood’ (Macbeth) (III.4.122)
3. Lady Macbeth’s view of the ghost: ‘This is the very painting of your
fear’ (III.4.61)
4. The motif of blood: ‘I am in blood/ Note it!
Stepp’d in so far that should I The banquet scene ma
wade no more,/Returning were rks a
turning point for the Ma
as tedious as go’er’ (Macbeth) cbeths.
At the start of the banq
(III.4.136–8) uet they
are at the height of the
ir power
5. Lennox’s use of irony: ‘Did he not but this is the last time
that we see
straight/In pious rage the two Lady Macbeth’s self-con
trol, and
delinquents tear …?’ (III.6.11–12) Macbeth is unable to
keep calm
at this important state
occasion.
Ex am fo cu s
How can I write about the theme of the supernatural? AO1 AO2

You can use Act III Scene 4 to write about how

Shakespeare presents Banquo’s ghost. Clear topic sentence to
introduce paragraph
Here, Shakespeare raises questions about whether
Banquo’s ghost is supernatural or not. Lady Macbeth Development of
previous point
and the other guests can’t see the ghost and Lady
Macbeth refers to it as a ‘painting’ of Macbeth’s fear.
Relevant embedded
This implies that, in her opinion, the ghost is a work of quotation
his fevered imagination just like the dagger he saw prior
to King Duncan’s murder. Link to a previous
scene

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about Macbeth’s reaction to Banquo’s ghost. Use one
of the quotations from the list.
However, Macbeth believes that the ghost is real and he is terrified of it. This is
evident when he tells it

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13
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act IV

T h re e key things about Act IV

1. Act IV begins with the three witches standing around their cauldron.
2. We are introduced to Macduff’s wife, Lady Macduff, a caring mother who
thinks her husband should not have abandoned his family.
3. Imagery is used to represent the state of Scotland: suffering, sickness and
enslavement.

W h at happens in Scene 1?
The three witches brew up a revolting potion.
Macbeth arrives and commands them to answer him. They summon up
apparitions who speak in riddles.
An apparition of an armoured head warns Macbeth to ‘beware Macduff’ and
a bloody child tells him that ‘none of woman born/Shall harm Macbeth’.
A child wearing a crown and carrying a branch says that Macbeth is safe
until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Then a line of eight kings appears,
followed by Banquo’s ghost; this distresses Macbeth.
The witches vanish and Lennox tells Macbeth that Macduff is in England.
Macbeth decides to have Macduff’s wife and children murdered.

W h at happens in Scenes 2–3?

Scene 2: Lady Macduff and her son are at Macduff’s castle.
Ross tells Lady Macduff that her husband is in England.
A messenger warns Lady Macduff she is in danger.
Macbeth’s hired murderers arrive and Lady Macduff and
her children are killed.
Scene 3: In England, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty by
suggesting he, Malcolm, would be a worse king than
Macbeth. He realises that Macduff is sincere when he
laments the state of Scotland.
A doctor speaks about King Edward of England’s gifts of healing and prophecy.
Ross informs Macduff that his family have been murdered. The distressed
Macduff wants revenge.
Malcolm, Macduff and the English army prepare to attack Macbeth’s castle.
14
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act IV

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. Macbeth’s evil: ‘By the pricking of my thumbs,/Something wicked this
way comes’ (Second Witch) (IV.1.44–5)
2. Ross’s view of the state of Scotland: ‘know not what we fear,/But float
upon a wild and violent sea’ (IV.2.20–1)

Note it!
3. Malcolm’s view of Scotland’s
suffering: ‘I think our country
sinks beneath the yoke;/It Malcolm tests Macduff
weeps, it bleeds’ (IV.3.39–40) ’s loyalty
because he wonders wh
y Macbeth
4. Macduff’s distress: ‘All my has not taken any actio
n against
pretty ones?/Did you say all?’ Macduff. This is an ex
ample of
(IV.3.218–19) dramatic irony becaus
e, unlike
5. Malcolm preparing to attack: Malcolm, the audienc
e knows that
‘Macbeth/Is ripe for shaking’ Macduff’s family has alr
eady been
(IV.3.240–1) killed. Their brutal mu
rders also
show us how low Macb
eth has sunk.

Ex am fo cu s
How can I write about the state of Scotland? AO1 AO2

You can use Act IV to write about the imagery

Clear topic sentence to
Shakespeare uses to describe Scotland:
introduce paragraph
In Act IV Scene 3 Shakespeare uses negative imagery
to represent the state of Scotland under Macbeth. Quotation used to
illustrate point
For example, Malcolm claims that Scotland ‘sinks
beneath the yoke’. The verb ‘sinks’ indicates that
Uses appropriate
Scotland is being oppressed and the noun ‘yoke’ terminology
suggests enslavement because a yoke is the wooden
bar which was used to attach oxen to a plough. Zooms in on key word

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about how Shakespeare uses negative imagery for the
state of Scotland. Use one of the quotations from the list.
Shakespeare also uses the image of a stormy sea to depict the state of Scotland
under Macbeth’s leadership. This is evident when

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15
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act V

T h re e key things about Act V

1. Act V sees the downfall and death of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.
2. Malcolm, as rightful king, is restored to the throne.
3. The themes of guilt, madness and revenge are developed and concluded.

W h at happens in Scenes 1–2?

Scene 1: A doctor and gentlewoman discuss Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking.
While walking in her sleep, Lady Macbeth talks of murder and tries to wash
imaginary blood from her hands.
The doctor concludes that she needs divine help rather than medical attention.
Scene 2: The rebel Scottish army prepares to attack Macbeth’s castle.

W h at happens in Scenes 3–5?

Scene 3: Macbeth hears that ten thousand
soldiers are approaching but he remains
confident due to the witches’ predictions.
The doctor tells Macbeth about his wife’s illness.
Scene 4: Malcolm’s army cut down branches
from Birnam Wood to use as camouflage.
Scene 5: Macbeth hears his wife is dead and
reflects on the meaninglessness of life.
A messenger tells him that Birnam Wood is
moving and Macbeth orders an attack.

W h at happens in Scenes 6–9?

Scene 6: Malcolm’s army throw down their branches and prepare to attack.
Scene 7: Macbeth fights and kills young Siward.
Scene 8: Macduff confronts Macbeth and reveals that he was born by
caesarean section.
Macduff fights and kills Macbeth and then cuts off his head.
Scene 9: Malcolm is hailed as the new king of Scotland.
16
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Act V

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. Lady Macbeth’s guilt: ‘who would have thought the old man to have
had so much blood in him?’ (V.1.34–6)
2. Macbeth’s despair: ‘My way of life/Is fall’n into the sere, the yellow
leaf’ (V.3.22–3)
3. Macbeth’s response to his wife’s death: ‘Out, out, brief candle,/Life’s
but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour
upon the stage’ (V.5.22–4)
4. Macbeth’s determination to fight: Note it!
‘Why should I play the Roman fool Note how this act is str
and die/On mine own sword?’ uctured
to build tension. The foc
(V.8.1–2) us shifts
quickly from Lady Macb
5. The theme of revenge: ‘I have no eth to the
English army to Macb
eth. Most
words;/My voice is in my sword’ of the scenes are short
(Macduff) (V.8.6–7) and there
are plenty of exits, en
trances and
hand-to-hand combat.

Ex am fo cu s
How can I use Act V to write about Macbeth? AO1 AO2

You can use Act V to discuss how Shakespeare

Clear topic sentence to
portrays Macbeth’s feelings about life.
introduce paragraph
In Act V Scene 3, Shakespeare uses the image of a
‘yellow leaf’ to reveal Macbeth’s feelings of despondency. Analytical comment
showing effect
Macbeth seems to believe that his best days are
over. His use of the word ‘sere’ suggests that his life
Development of
is withering rather than flourishing. Shakespeare’s analysis
autumnal image might also imply that, like a yellow leaf
on an autumn tree, Macbeth is likely to fall from his lofty Ends with personal
position and then die. interpretation

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph to show how Macbeth’s responds to his wife’s death.
Use one of the quotations from the list.
After Lady Macbeth dies, Macbeth believes that life is

My prog res s Needs more work Getting there Sorted!

17
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Form and structure

T h re e key things about form and structure

1. The play is a tragedy which deals with the downfall of the protagonist,
Macbeth.
2. We see his rise in the first half of the play and his fall in the second.
3. The play is in five separate acts, but we do not know if Shakespeare wrote
it in this way.

W h at makes this play a tragedy?

Tragedy is a form of classical drama associated with the Ancient Greeks and
Romans.
In classical tragedies the protagonist’s fatal flaw results in his downfall;
Macbeth’s flaw is his ambition.
Most of the action takes place at Macbeth’s castle, which gives unity of place,
and there is no subplot, which keeps our attention on the tragic hero, Macbeth.

H o w does the play’s structure portray Macbeth’s rise and fall?

Act I is about Macbeth plotting to overthrow King
Duncan and Act II sees him acting against King
Duncan by killing him.
Act III is a turning point where Macbeth is king but
Fleance’s escape from the murderers and Banquo’s
ghost distress him.
From Act IV onwards other characters start to
plot to overthrow Macbeth and Act V sees them
fighting against him. Finally Macduff kills him.

H o w does Shakespeare use foreshadowing in the play?

The first Thane of Cawdor was a traitor; this hints that Macbeth could
become a traitor too.
The witches’ prediction that Macbeth will be king but Banquo’s sons will be
kings suggests that Banquo and Macbeth could come into conflict.
The witches’ predictions in Act IV foreshadow Macbeth’s downfall in Act V.

18
 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Form and structure

Fi ve key qu ot at io ns
1. Ross’s view of the first Thane of Cawdor: ‘that most disloyal traitor’ (I.2.52)
2. The witches’ prediction for Banquo: ‘Thou shalt get kings, though thou
be none’ (Third Witch) (I.3.65)

Note it!
3. The First Apparition’s warning:
‘beware Macduff,/Beware the
Thane of Fife’ (IV.1.70–1) Note that Macbeth an
d his
4. Macbeth’s downfall foreshadowed: wife pivot around the
two-part
‘I bear a charmed life which must structure of the play. Ea
rly on,
not yield/To one of woman born’ Macbeth is troubled by
his
(V.8.12–13) conscience while Lady
Macbeth
5. Macduff reveals how he was born: takes control of plann
ing King
‘Despair thy charm, … Macduff Duncan’s murder. By Ac
tV
was from his mother’s womb/ these positions have rev
ersed
Untimely ripp’d’ (V.8.13–16) as her conscience is tro
ubled
while Macbeth has alm
ost

Ex am fo cu s
forgotten how to fear.

How can I write about structure? AO2

You can write about how Shakespeare uses foreshadowing in the play.
Shakespeare uses foreshadowing early in the play Clear topic sentence
to give the audience a hint of what might happen introduces paragraph
later on. One example of this is seen in Act I Scene
Develops previous
3, where the witches tell Macbeth he will become the
point
Thane of Cawdor. Their prediction clearly foreshadows
the moment soon afterwards when Duncan makes Analytical comment
Macbeth Thane of Cawdor but it also hints that
Macbeth might become a ‘most disloyal traitor’ just Embedded quotation
like the first owner of this title. with interpretation

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about foreshadowing. Use one of the quotations from
the list.
When Macbeth hears the apparitions’ predictions in Act IV, he feels confident of
success but they foreshadow his downfall. This is evident when

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19
PLOT AND STRUCTURE Quick revision

1. Look at this ideas map for Act IV. Is there anything else you could add?

‘Double, double toil ‘Something wicked

The witches show and trouble’ this way comes’
Macbeth apparitions
Supernatural theme Theme of evil
• Armoured head tells
Macbeth to ‘beware Macduff ’
How the messages of the
• Bloody child tells Macbeth
‘none of woman born/Shall
apparitions foreshadow
harm Macbeth’ events in Act V
• Crowned child with branch • Macduff fights Macbeth and defeats him.
tells Macbeth he is safe • Macduff was born by caesarean.
until Birnam Wood comes to • Malcolm’s army cuts down branches as
Dunsinane camouflage.

Malcolm ACT IV Macduff

• Tests Macduff ’s • In England with
loyalty Malcolm
Macbeth
• Prepares to fight • Told his family are
Macbeth • Witches warn him about dead
• ‘Macbeth/Is ripe Macduff • ‘All my pretty ones?’
for shaking’ • Decides to kill Macduff ’s family

2. Create your own ideas map for one of the other acts.

Qu ic k qu iz
Answer these quick questions about plot and structure.
1. What is the weather like in the opening scene when the witches first
appear?
2. Who tells Duncan that Macbeth decapitated the rebel Macdonald?
3. How does the first Thane of Cawdor die?
4. What do the witches predict for Banquo’s descendants?
5. Who does King Duncan name as his successor?
6. What vision does Macbeth see just before he kills King Duncan?
7. Who discovers King Duncan’s body?

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 PLOT AND STRUCTURE Quick revision

8. Which men does Macbeth kill because he claims that they murdered
Duncan?
9. Why do Malcolm and Donaldbain leave Macbeth’s castle?
10. What is the name of Banquo’s son who escapes from the murderers?
11. Where does Banquo’s ghost sit at the banquet?
12. Who is the queen of the witches?
13. Why does a messenger visit Lady Macduff and her son shortly before
they are murdered?
14. Who tells Macduff that his family have been murdered?
15. Which two characters watch Lady Macbeth sleepwalking?
16. Why does it look like Birnam Wood is moving in Act V?
17. Who does Macbeth fight and kill before he fights Macduff?
18. Who is hailed as king at the end of the play?
19. What is Macbeth’s fatal flaw?
20. Which scene in Act III marks the turning point between Macbeth’s rise
and fall?

Po wer pa ra gr ap hs
Write a paragraph in response to each of these questions. For each, try to
use one quotation you have learned.
1. In what ways does Shakespeare contrast Macbeth and Banquo in Act I?
2. Why does Shakespeare include the discussion between Ross and the Old
Man in Act II Scene 4?

Ex am pr acti ce
Re-read Act V Scene 8, from line 1 ‘Why should I play the Roman fool’ to line 17
‘Accursed be that tongue that tells me so’ where Macduff confronts Macbeth.
Why is this moment significant in the play as a whole? Write two paragraphs
explaining your ideas.
You could comment on:
the way that Macduff addresses Macbeth and what this reveals
how confident Macbeth appears to be during this scene.

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21
SETTING AND CONTEXT Jacobean society

F ive key things about Jacobean life and society

1. Jacobean society refers to King James I’s rule (1603–25).
2. Many people in Jacobean society went to church and schools reinforced
Christian teaching.
3. Women’s role in society was limited at this time.
4. Poor people struggled to survive, while the rich lived lavishly.
5. There were frequent political conflicts, uprisings and plots against the king.

H o w did the roles of men and women differ in Jacobean society?

Education was mainly for boys, while girls stayed at home to learn domestic
skills; very few girls were taught to read and write.
Most married women looked after the children while their husbands went
out to work.
Masculinity was usually associated with strength and courage and femininity
with nurturing and caring for children.

H o w could Christian teachings have influenced Macbeth?

There are a number of Christian references in the play: Macbeth is
associated with Hell and the Devil while King Duncan is ‘sainted’.
In a Bible story about the Garden of Eden, Eve encourages Adam to eat
forbidden fruit. Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to murder King Duncan
in a similar way.
Macbeth betrays Duncan for personal gain, just as Judas betrayed Jesus.

H o w could beliefs about witches have influenced Macbeth?

King James was interested in witchcraft and
wrote a book about it called Daemonologie,
so Shakespeare could have included the
witches to please him.
Witches were commonly believed to have
powers to conjure up apparitions and to
vanish, as they do in the play.

22
 SETTING AND CONTEXT Jacobean society

Th re e key qu ot at io ns
1. Lady Macbeth reverses gender roles: ‘put/This night’s great business
into my dispatch’ (Lady Macbeth, planning Duncan’s murder) (I.5.66–7)
2. The witches’ ability to vanish: ‘what
seem’d corporal,/Melted, as breath Note it!
into the wind’ (Macbeth, on the In Act I the Captain viv
idly
witches) (I.3.79–80) describes the battle sce
ne
3. The witches’ power to summon as ‘another Golgotha’.
As
spirits: ‘raise such artificial sprites’ Golgotha was the place
where
(Hecate, about apparitions) (III.5.27) Christians believe Jesu
s died
on the cross, the audie
nce
would have associated
these
words with pain and de

Ex am fo cu s
ath.

How do I link context to the play? AO3

You can write about how far Shakespeare’s presentation of women matches
Jacobean expectations.
While Lady Macduff seems to represent the traditional Clear topic sentence
Jacobean wife, Shakespeare’s presentation of Lady establishes point
Macbeth challenges traditional views about women.
This is evident in Act I Scene 6 when she tells Macbeth Supports point with
evidence from the
to put the plans for King Duncan’s murder into her
text
‘dispatch’. This behaviour might have seemed unusual to
the Jacobean audience who could have expected her to Link to historical
follow her husband’s lead. context

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about how far Shakespeare’s presentation of
the witches reflects Jacobean beliefs. Use one of the quotations from
the list.
In Jacobean times many people believed that witches could vanish into thin air.
This power is seen in the play when

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SETTING AND CONTEXT Succession and order

F ive key things about succession and order

1. In Shakespeare’s time there was uncertainty about the royal succession.
2. Elizabeth I died without children and was reluctant to name a successor.
3. The play opens with a battle, suggesting a society in conflict.
4. James I believed in the divine right of kings – that the king’s power came
from God.
5. Shakespeare uses images from the natural world to show how the rightful
succession and the Great Chain of Being has been disrupted.

W hy was the succession an important issue at the time?

Since Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1530s
there had been many rebellions and conflicting claims on the throne.
Elizabeth I didn’t name James I as her successor until she was dying.
James faced two plots to seize his throne in 1603 and an attempt to blow
up Parliament in 1605 (the Gunpowder Plot).

H o w does Shakespeare use ideas about succession in the play?

When King Duncan names Malcolm as his successor, Macbeth
views Malcolm as an obstacle in his path.
After the King’s death, Macduff calls his murder ‘sacrilegious’
and refers to Duncan’s body as ‘The Lord’s anointed temple’
to reinforce the idea of the divine right of kings.
King Edward of England is portrayed as being close to God
as it is claimed he has the gifts of healing and prophecy.
When Macbeth dies, Malcolm becomes king, restoring the
rightful monarchy.

H o w does Shakespeare portray ideas about order in the play?

When King Duncan dies, the Great Chain of Being, which Jacobeans
believed was God’s ordering of the universe, breaks down and Scotland
suffers as a result.
At Macbeth’s banquet, his guests sit according to their ranks.
24
 SETTING AND CONTEXT Succession and order

Th re e key qu ot at io ns
1. The true line of succession: ‘The son of Duncan,/From whom this tyrant
holds the due of birth’ (Lord, on Malcom) (III.6.24–5)
2. The idea that God supports the king:
‘Macbeth/Is ripe for shaking, and
the powers above/Put on their
Note it!
Macbeth and Malcolm
instruments’ (Malcolm, about attacking
have their coronations
Macbeth) (IV.3.240–2) at
Scone. Kings of Scotlan
3. The rightful heir: ‘To dew the d
were traditionally crown
sovereign flower and drown the ed
at Scone Palace on a thr
weeds’ (Lennox, about supporting one
made of a block of sto
Malcolm) (V.2.30) ne.
The real King Macbeth
was crowned there in
the

Ex am fo cu s
eleventh century.

How can I write about order and succession? AO1 AO3

Clear topic sentence
You can write about how Shakespeare implies that to introduce
Malcolm is the rightful king. paragraph

Shakespeare uses natural imagery to represent Supports point with

Malcolm and Macbeth in Act V Scene 2, when Lennox relevant quotation
speaks about the need to ‘dew the sovereign flower and
drown the weeds’. He compares Malcolm, the rightful Explanation of
heir, to a garden flower which they should take care of quotation
and Macbeth, who has taken his place, to an unwanted
Analysis and
weed, suggesting that Macbeth has planted himself interpretation of
unlawfully on the throne. quotation

No w yo u tr y!
Finish this paragraph about the idea that God supports the rightful king.
Use one of the quotations from the list.
Malcolm and his followers want to remove Macbeth from power and restore the
rightful monarchy. This is evident when Malcolm claims that

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