MACBETH

1. Jacobean Beliefs on Witches

 Jacobean Era (the time when Macbeth was written, during King James I’s reign) had
strong beliefs in witches and the supernatural.
 People in this era were superstitious and believed that witches could cast spells,
cause illness, and even control people’s actions.
 King James I, who was obsessed with the idea of witches, even wrote a book called
"Demonology", where he explained his thoughts about witches and how they were a
threat to society.
 In Macbeth, witches represent evil and deception. The witches' prophecy (telling
Macbeth he will be king) sets off a series of destructive events.
 The witches’ words seem to predict the future, but they also manipulate Macbeth by
telling him what he wants to hear. They use double meanings to confuse him.

2. Where is the Play Set?

 Macbeth is set in Scotland, in the 11th century.
 The play begins in a military camp where King Duncan and his soldiers are
preparing for battle.
 Key locations include:
o Macbeth’s Castle at Inverness: This is where Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
plan the murder of King Duncan.
o Macduff’s Castle: A symbol of resistance to Macbeth's reign.
o Birnam Wood: A forest that becomes significant when Malcolm’s army
disguises itself by cutting branches from the trees, fulfilling one of the
witches’ prophecies.

3. Key Vocabulary Taught in Lessons

Some key vocabulary words you need to know for Macbeth:
 Tragedy: A type of play where the protagonist suffers a downfall, often due to their
own flaws or decisions. Macbeth is a tragedy because Macbeth’s ambition leads to his
death.
 Ambition: A strong desire to achieve something, often power or success. Macbeth’s
ambition drives him to murder and destruction.
  Prophecy: A prediction about the future. The witches give Macbeth a prophecy that
he will become king, which motivates his actions throughout the play.
 Supernatural: Things that go beyond natural laws, like witches, ghosts, and visions.
In Macbeth, the supernatural influences characters’ actions, especially Macbeth.
 Guilt: A feeling of responsibility for doing something wrong. Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth both struggle with guilt after committing murder.
 Fate: The idea that events are destined to happen. Macbeth believes in fate and thinks
the witches’ prophecy will come true no matter what.
 Hubris: Excessive pride or self-confidence. Macbeth shows hubris when he believes
he is invincible, even after hearing the witches' final prophecy.
 Soliloquy: A speech given by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner
thoughts. Macbeth has several soliloquies, such as his "Is this a dagger?" speech,
where he debates his actions.

4. Language Devices Taught in Lessons

Shakespeare uses many language devices in Macbeth to create meaning and emphasise
themes. Some key ones are as follows:
 Metaphor: A comparison between two things without using "like" or "as". Example:
Macbeth refers to his thoughts as "a sea of troubles," comparing his overwhelming
guilt and fear to a vast ocean.
 Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as". Example: Lady Macbeth describes her
hands as “full of blood” after the murder of Duncan, comparing her guilt to the blood
she cannot wash away.
 Imagery: Using descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.
The play is filled with dark and bloody imagery, representing evil and guilt.
 Alliteration: Repeating consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Example: "Fair
is foul, and foul is fair" is an example of alliteration used by the witches, emphasizing
the theme of moral confusion.
 Foreshadowing: A technique where future events are hinted at. The witches’
prophecy foreshadows Macbeth’s rise to power and his eventual downfall.
 Irony: When something is the opposite of what is expected. For example, Macbeth is
crowned king after killing Duncan, but his rule is filled with fear and instability.
 Rhetorical Questions: Questions that are asked for effect, rather than to get an
answer. Macbeth often uses rhetorical questions to reflect on his actions and guilt, like
"To be, or not to be?"
 Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things. For example, Macbeth
describes the night as "strangling" the day, giving the night human-like qualities.
5. PEDAL Paragraph Structure and Use
The PEDAL structure helps you organize your paragraphs in a clear and effective way.
Here’s how to use it:
 P: Point – Make your main point clearly.
 E: Evidence – Provide evidence from the text to support your point (e.g., a quote).
 D: Development – Explain how the evidence connects to your point and what it
shows.
 A: Analysis – Analyze the deeper meaning behind the evidence and how it relates to
the play’s themes or characters.
 L: Link – Tie everything back to the main question or theme of your essay.

Example PEDAL paragraph:

Point: Macbeth's ambition is the driving force behind his actions in the play.
Evidence: In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth says, “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly.”
Development: This quote shows that Macbeth is contemplating the murder of King Duncan.
He is aware of the consequences but is still determined to act on his ambition to become king.
Analysis: Macbeth’s decision to murder Duncan shows how his ambition clouds his
judgment. He is willing to do anything to achieve power, even if it means committing a
terrible crime.
Link: Macbeth’s unchecked ambition leads to his downfall, as his guilt and paranoia
ultimately drive him to madness and death.
PEDAL (Examples)
Example 1: Macbeth's Ambition
Point: Macbeth's unchecked ambition leads him to make morally wrong decisions that
ultimately result in his downfall.
Evidence: “I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which
o’er-leaps itself And falls on the other side.” (Act 1, Scene 7)
Development: Macbeth acknowledges that his only motivation for killing King Duncan is his
ambition. He even admits that his ambition is like a “vaulting” horse that could leap too high
and cause him to fall.
Analysis: This metaphor shows that Macbeth’s ambition is out of control. He recognizes that
it is the driving force behind his desire to murder Duncan, but he fears it will lead to his own
destruction. This moment of self-awareness highlights how Macbeth's internal struggle makes
him morally conflicted.
Link: Macbeth’s inability to control his ambition leads him to ignore his conscience,
resulting in murder and chaos, which ultimately brings about his tragic end.

Example 2: Lady Macbeth’s Guilt

Point: Lady Macbeth’s guilt is a central theme in the play and it gradually consumes her.
Evidence: “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)
Development: This is a famous example of Lady Macbeth’s guilt manifesting in a
hallucination. She believes she cannot get rid of the bloodstains, which symbolize her
involvement in King Duncan’s murder.
Analysis: The “damned spot” represents her deep remorse and the weight of her guilt.
Despite her earlier resolve to be ruthless and manipulate Macbeth into committing murder,
Lady Macbeth is now overwhelmed by the psychological consequences of their actions.
Link: Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness demonstrates that guilt cannot be easily washed
away, and it ultimately leads to her death, symbolizing the destructive power of conscience.

Example 3: The Supernatural Influence

Point: The supernatural elements in Macbeth, especially the witches, have a strong influence
on Macbeth’s actions and beliefs.
Evidence: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to
thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Act 1, Scene 3)
Development: The witches predict Macbeth’s rise to power by addressing him with titles he
has yet to receive, sparking his ambition and desire to fulfill their prophecy.
Analysis: The witches use their cryptic language to manipulate Macbeth. By revealing part of
his future, they create a sense of destiny, pushing him to act on his ambition and seize power.
However, the witches never directly tell Macbeth to commit murder, so their prophecy can be
seen as a way of influencing him through suggestion.
Link: The witches’ prophecy is the starting point for Macbeth’s tragic journey, showing how
belief in the supernatural can drive people to make irreversible choices.

Example 4: Macbeth’s Paranoia

Point: Macbeth’s growing paranoia leads him to take violent actions to secure his throne.
Evidence: “To be thus is nothing; But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and
in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be feared.” (Act 3, Scene 1)
Development: Macbeth’s fear of Banquo grows because of the witches' prophecy that
Banquo’s descendants will be kings. Despite being crowned king, Macbeth feels insecure
because Banquo and his son, Fleance, pose a threat to his rule.
Analysis: Macbeth’s paranoia reveals his growing instability. Even though he has gained
power, he does not feel safe and is driven to commit further murder to secure his throne. His
fear of Banquo reflects how Macbeth’s ambition has transformed into an obsession with
maintaining control.
Link: Macbeth’s paranoia causes him to act ruthlessly, which leads to more bloodshed and
ultimately his downfall, highlighting the destructive effects of insecurity and fear.

Example 5: The Theme of Fate and Free Will

Point: The theme of fate versus free will is explored throughout Macbeth, particularly
through Macbeth’s belief that he is controlled by destiny.
Evidence: “If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which
will not, Speak then to me.” (Act 1, Scene 3)
Development: Macbeth is intrigued by the witches' ability to see the future and wants them
to reveal more. He believes that knowing his future will help him understand his destiny and
control his actions.
Analysis: Macbeth’s request to the witches suggests that he is searching for certainty and
control over his fate. However, by acting on the witches' prophecy, he begins to shape his
own future through his actions, indicating that free will, not fate, drives his choices.
Link: The play suggests that while fate might influence events, it is Macbeth’s own actions
and decisions that lead to his tragic end, showing how the line between fate and free will is
blurred.
Example 6: The Impact of Power on Macbeth
Point: As Macbeth gains power, he becomes more tyrannical and loses his humanity.
Evidence: “For mine own good, All causes shall give way: I am in blood Stepped in so far
that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3, Scene 4)
Development: Macbeth acknowledges that he has already committed so many terrible acts
(including the murder of Banquo) that there is no turning back. He has crossed a moral line
and now believes that continuing to kill is the only way to secure his power.
Analysis: This quote highlights how Macbeth's sense of morality is lost once he is in power.
The phrase “I am in blood” suggests that he is trapped in his own violent actions, and that
trying to stop now would be just as difficult as continuing.
Link: Macbeth’s ruthless pursuit of power leads to his eventual destruction, showing how
power can corrupt and dehumanize an individual.