Lecture Notes: Macbeth Essay Plan and Quotes

Introduction

• Speaker: Mr. Everything English
• Topic: Preparation for GCSE exams, focusing on quotes from Macbeth.
• Goal: Provide six adaptable quotes with analysis and context to help students create four solid paragraphs during exams.

Exam Strategy

• Aim to write four paragraphs: two from the extract provided during the exam, and two using pre-prepared quotes.
• Adaptability: If the extract is confusing, write one from the extract and three from pre-prepared quotes.
• Worst-case scenario: Use four pre-prepared quotes if the extract is entirely unapproachable.

Quote Analysis and Techniques

Quote 1: Act 2, Scene 1

• Quote: "Heat oppressed brain"
• Technique: Soliloquy (form), metaphor (heat and oppression)
• Analysis: Macbeth's mind is influenced by external forces (Lady Macbeth, witches).
• Context: Freud's id theory; Macbeth is driven by desires.
• Application: Fits themes of control, ambition, guilt, kingship.

Quote 2: Act 4, Scene 1

• Quote: "Something wicked this way comes"
• Technique: Juxtaposition, cremmorphism
• Analysis: Macbeth is referred to as "wicked" by the witches, indicating transformation.
• Context: Kingship, the great chain of being.
• Application: Discusses Macbeth's evil transformation, the influence of witches.

Quote 3: Act 5, Scene 5

• Quote: "Life is but a walking shadow"
• Technique: Metaphor
• Analysis: Reflection on the futility of ambition; a rare moment of regret.
• Context: Freud's id, the nature of desire.
• Application: Themes of kingship, guilt, and the impact of Lady Macbeth’s death.

Quote 4: Act 1, Scene 3

• Quote: "Instruments of darkness"
• Technique: Metaphor
• Analysis: Witches' prophecies are deceptive.
• Context: Supernatural betrayal.
• Application: Kingship, victimization of Macbeth and others.

Quote 5: Act 1, Scene 1

• Quote: "In thunder, lightning, or in rain"
• Technique: Pathetic fallacy, foreshadowing
• Analysis: Symbolizes the progression of chaos in the play.
• Context: Power of witches.
• Application: Impact on all characters and events in the play.

Quote 6: Act 1, Scene 2

• Quote: "Unseam'd him from the nave to the chops"
• Technique: Violent imagery, cremmorphism
• Analysis: Macbeth’s prowess and ruthlessness in battle.
• Context: Patriarchy, traditional masculinity.
• Application: Macbeth’s power, ambition, influence of witches.

Final Tips

• Rank importance of quotes: Most adaptable quotes are prioritized for use in every essay.
• Practice by applying these quotes to past paper questions.
• Adapt essays based on exam questions, ensuring flexibility and preparedness.

Additional Resources

• Mention of an app for educational content and practice questions covering English, maths, and science.
• Encouragement to explore past papers and structure essays around provided quotes.

Conclusion

• A reminder of upcoming content for other literature papers (e.g., Christmas Carol, Jekyll and Hyde, Romeo and Juliet).
• Focus on understanding and adapting quotes rather than rote memorization for exams.