Macbeth Lecture Notes

Overview

• Focus on 12 key events in chronological order from the play 'Macbeth'.
• Understanding these events will allow one to answer any question at a top grade level.
• Explore themes such as Macbeth's character, ambition, psychological insights, and the role of the witches.

Key Points

1. Rebellion against Scotland

• Norwegians invade, some Scottish nobles side with them.
• Macbeth kills rebel leader Macdonald in a brutal, personal manner.
• Demonstrates Macbeth's skill, fearlessness, and enjoyment of killing.
• Initially seen as a hero, but reveals his true hamartia: revels in killing.

2. Meeting with the Witches

• Witches flatter King James, obsessed with witchcraft.
• They prophesy Macbeth's rise but never instruct him to act.
• Macbeth's mind immediately turns to murder despite prophecy showing that murder isn't necessary.
• Internal conflict: ambition vs. innate desire to kill.

3. Macbeth's Letter to Lady Macbeth

• Calls her "dearest partner in greatness."
• Acknowledges her ambition is greater than his own.
• Writes the letter to exploit her psychological insight and plan Duncan's murder.

4. Lady Macbeth's Misunderstanding of Macbeth

• Thinks Macbeth is "too full of the milk of human kindness."
• Underestimates his enjoyment of killing.
• Her self-assessment and understanding of Macbeth are flawed.

5. Plan to Kill Duncan

• Macbeth lacks the drive; needs Lady Macbeth's persuasion.
• His ambition likened to Spurs; needs Lady Macbeth as the rider.
• Soliloquy focuses on dagger and blood, indicating thrill in killing.

6. Reaction to Duncan's Murder

• Regret and realization of his true nature.
• To "know my deed 'twere best not know myself."
• Destruction of personal hero narrative.

7. Plan to Kill Banquo

• Driven by jealousy and grief over lack of heirs.
• Killing Banquo and Fleance isn't about ambition but jealousy.

8. Banquo's Ghost

• Fixation on Banquo's bloody appearance.
• Revelation to nobles leads to Macbeth's downfall.

9. Second Meeting with the Witches

• Macbeth decides to kill Macduff's family out of bloodlust.
• Metaphor of a river of blood demonstrates his addiction to killing.

10. Lady Macbeth's Mental Decline

• Shows Macbeth's correct psychological insight into her.
• She becomes consumed by guilt and the bloodshed Macbeth continues.
• Her suicide reveals her inability to cope with the truth of their actions.

11. Macbeth's Reaction to Lady Macbeth's Death

• Realizes life is meaningless without her.
• Nihilistic view on life and his actions.

12. Macbeth's Final Battle

• Chooses not to surrender or kill himself.
• Wants to see the end of his story.

Conclusion

• Macbeth's fatal flaw is his bloodlust, not ambition.
• Lady Macbeth's ambition and misunderstanding of Macbeth contribute to their downfall.
• The play supports King James, cautions against regicide, and questions fate vs. free will.
• Understanding the psychological dimensions of the characters and the context of the play can lead to high-grade essays.