shakespeare uses short and “headless” lines to suggest the supernatural
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Shakespeare uses short and “headless” lines to suggest the
supernatural
Shakespeare uses short and “headless” lines to suggest the
supernatural
] When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
] When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
An example of line continuation between two
witches
An example of line continuation between two
witches First witch: Where
the place? Second witch:
Upon the heath.
First witch: Where the place?
Second witch:Upon the
heath.
Malcolm: Say to the King the knowledge of the broil
As thou didst leave it.Captain: Doubtful [pause] it stood,
As two spent swimmers that do cling togetherAnd choke their art.
Malcolm: Say to the King the knowledge of the broil
As thou didst leave it.Captain: Doubtful [pause] it stood,
As two spent swimmers that do cling togetherAnd choke their art.
The captain continues Malcolm’s verse line. He misses a syllable, perhaps for breath. Then he adds a metaphor, suggesting the
speech was rehearsed
The captain continues Malcolm’s verse line. He misses a syllable, perhaps for breath. Then he adds a metaphor, suggesting the
speech was rehearsed
Irony and ambiguity:Ross
Irony and ambiguity:Ross
1.2: He reports how Macbeth defeated the Thane of Cawdor and Sweno, the king of Norway.
This repeats what the Captain has said.
Is Ross Macbeth’s agent? Polanski makes him the “third
murderer”
1.2: He reports how Macbeth defeated the Thane of Cawdor and Sweno, the king of Norway.
This repeats what the Captain has said.
Is Ross Macbeth’s agent? Polanski makes him the “third
murderer”
1.3: More adventurers of the first witch
1.3: More adventurers of the first witch
A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap,
And munched, and munched, and munched. “Give me,” quoth I.
Outlandish revenge for small insults typical of incompetent witches.
Not in Polanski
A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap,
And munched, and munched, and munched. “Give me,” quoth I.
Outlandish revenge for small insults typical of incompetent witches.
Not in Polanski
1.3: More adventurers of the first witch
1.3: More adventurers of the first witch
“Aroint thee, witch!” the rump-fed runnion cries.
Her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o’th’ Tiger.
The second line does not scan: essentially prose, as the witch turns to short, happy verse as she plans her revenge:
But in a sieve I’ll thither sail, And like a rat without a tail I’ll do, I’ll do, I’ll do.
“Aroint thee, witch!” the rump-fed runnion cries.
Her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o’th’ Tiger.
The second line does not scan: essentially prose, as the witch turns to short, happy verse as she plans her revenge:
But in a sieve I’ll thither sail, And like a rat without a tail I’ll do, I’ll do, I’ll do.
1.3: More adventurers of the first witch
1.3: More adventurers of the first witch
limited powers the witch cannot kill Control of the weather
Second witch: I’ll give thee a wind.. . . First witch: Though his bark cannot be
lost,Yet it shall be tempest tossed.
limited powers the witch cannot kill Control of the weather
Second witch: I’ll give thee a wind.. . . First witch: Though his bark cannot be
lost,Yet it shall be tempest tossed.
Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony
We know what characters don’t. Suggests supernatural control
(god-like author mimicked by witches, hence Polanski’s reading)
1.3.38: Macbeth: So foul and fair a day I have not
seen
We know what characters don’t. Suggests supernatural control
(god-like author mimicked by witches, hence Polanski’s reading)
1.3.38: Macbeth: So foul and fair a day I have not
seen
Clothing and baby imagesClothing and baby images
Macbeth (1.3.108):The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you
dress me in borrowed robes? (prose)
• Macbeth (1.3.108):[Aside to Banquo]:Do you not hope your children shall be kings?
Macbeth (1.3.108):The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you
dress me in borrowed robes? (prose)
• Macbeth (1.3.108):[Aside to Banquo]:Do you not hope your children shall be kings?
Moral clarityMoral clarity
Contrast Hamlet Compare to theme of doubleness
Banquo (1.3.121):And oftentimes to win us to our harm
The instruments of darkness tell us truths.
Contrast Hamlet Compare to theme of doubleness
Banquo (1.3.121):And oftentimes to win us to our harm
The instruments of darkness tell us truths.
Time (tomorrow and tomorrow)
Time (tomorrow and tomorrow) Macbeth struggles with predestination, restlessness.
Ignores Banquo’s garment image and completes either Banquo’s verse line or his own! (1.3.145-149)
If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown meWithout my stir.Banquo: New honors come upon himLike our strange garments, cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use.Macbeth [aside]: Come what come may,Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
Macbeth struggles with predestination, restlessness. Ignores Banquo’s garment image and completes
either Banquo’s verse line or his own! (1.3.145-149)
If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown meWithout my stir.Banquo: New honors come upon himLike our strange garments, cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use.Macbeth [aside]: Come what come may,Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
Double dealingDouble dealing
Duncan: There’s no artTo find the mind’s construction in the face.He was a gentleman on whom I builtAn absolute trust. (1.4.11-12)
Lady Macbeth:Your face, my thane, is as a book where menMay read strange matters. (1.5.62) (true? Or
hallucination?)
Duncan: There’s no artTo find the mind’s construction in the face.He was a gentleman on whom I builtAn absolute trust. (1.4.11-12)
Lady Macbeth:Your face, my thane, is as a book where menMay read strange matters. (1.5.62) (true? Or
hallucination?)
Political turmoilPolitical turmoil
King Duff In 968, he fell sick. People suspected
sorcery. Duff puts down a rebellion, but when he
refused to pardon Donald’s friends, Donald killed him at home and slays the groom.
Story elements: Invasion, witchcraft, pushy wife, murder of
king at home, killing of grooms, portents:
King Duff In 968, he fell sick. People suspected
sorcery. Duff puts down a rebellion, but when he
refused to pardon Donald’s friends, Donald killed him at home and slays the groom.
Story elements: Invasion, witchcraft, pushy wife, murder of
king at home, killing of grooms, portents:
First soliloquyFirst soliloquy Recall key to giving soliloquies in Playing Shakespeare What “suggestion” makes Macbeth’s hair stand on
end? (1.3.135) Why are “presents fears” less than “horrible
imaginings” (138-39) Why does Polanski omit it?
Recall key to giving soliloquies in Playing Shakespeare What “suggestion” makes Macbeth’s hair stand on
end? (1.3.135) Why are “presents fears” less than “horrible
imaginings” (138-39) Why does Polanski omit it?
1.3: Action1.3: Action
As we can see from the thoughts of murdering Duncan that terrify Macbeth, he lies to Banquo about wanting to “speak / Our hearts freely to each other.”
Why is this lie an example of irony?
As we can see from the thoughts of murdering Duncan that terrify Macbeth, he lies to Banquo about wanting to “speak / Our hearts freely to each other.”
Why is this lie an example of irony?
Polanski’s added violencePolanski’s added violence
Lynchings after the opening battle Death of the Thane of Cawdor
(1.4.2) Is Malcolm’s report believable, that he
asked pardon and died well, casting away his life like “a careless trifle”?
Lynchings after the opening battle Death of the Thane of Cawdor
(1.4.2) Is Malcolm’s report believable, that he
asked pardon and died well, casting away his life like “a careless trifle”?
Post hoc ergo propter hocPost hoc ergo propter hoc
Macbeth: “They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by perfect’st report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.” (1.5.1)
What report? Why should he tell Lady Macbeth?
Macbeth: “They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by perfect’st report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.” (1.5.1)
What report? Why should he tell Lady Macbeth?
Trope of insufficiency, like speechlessness, a warning
sign in Shakespeare
Trope of insufficiency, like speechlessness, a warning
sign in Shakespeare Duncan says he cannot pay
Macbeth what he owes(1.4.20) Duncan says he cannot pay
Macbeth what he owes(1.4.20)
The set up for ironyThe set up for irony
Macbeth tells Duncan he will “make joyful / The hearing of my wife with your approach” 1.4.45
Lady Macbeth says “The raven himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan / Under my battlements” (1.5.38-41)
And Duncan: “This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air / Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself / Unto our gentle senses” (1.6.1-3)
Macbeth tells Duncan he will “make joyful / The hearing of my wife with your approach” 1.4.45
Lady Macbeth says “The raven himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan / Under my battlements” (1.5.38-41)
And Duncan: “This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air / Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself / Unto our gentle senses” (1.6.1-3)
Word echoes: characters hear each other and
remember
Word echoes: characters hear each other and
remember Lady Macbeth: And when goes
hence? Macbeth: Tomorrow, as he purposes. Lady Macbeth: Oh, never / Shall
sun that morrow see!
Compare “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow”
Lady Macbeth: And when goes hence?
Macbeth: Tomorrow, as he purposes. Lady Macbeth: Oh, never / Shall
sun that morrow see!
Compare “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow”
Highly charged languageHighly charged language
If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere wellIt were done quickly. If th’assassinationCould trammel up the consequence, and catchWith his surcease success . . . . (1.7.2-4)
If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere wellIt were done quickly. If th’assassinationCould trammel up the consequence, and catchWith his surcease success . . . . (1.7.2-4)
Reasons for not killing Duncan:
Reasons for not killing Duncan:
Bad precedent (“teach bloody instruction”)
Double trust of guest and kinsman Virtues and popularity of king No “spur”
Bad precedent (“teach bloody instruction”)
Double trust of guest and kinsman Virtues and popularity of king No “spur”
Film technique:“If it were done”Film technique:“If it were done”
Use multiple shots Move through space Find visual equivalents for word images:
Musicians Dinner and toast Singing Fleance Wind and lamps Storm and horses Castle in distance
Use multiple shots Move through space Find visual equivalents for word images:
Musicians Dinner and toast Singing Fleance Wind and lamps Storm and horses Castle in distance
Dinner = hospitality (trust as guest)
Dinner = hospitality (trust as guest)
Thunder prelude to musicThunder prelude to music
MusiciansMusicians
Boy singingBoy singing “Equivocal love song, a warning Young boy as prophet, cf. 4.1. Ross in control Dinner = Harmony; communion, Lady Macbeth flirts
“Equivocal love song, a warning Young boy as prophet, cf. 4.1. Ross in control Dinner = Harmony; communion, Lady Macbeth flirts
Back to head shotBack to head shot
Stormy nightStormy night
Horses = passions of Macbeth’s soul Visual equivalent for Lennox’s
description of the night (2.3.55 ff.)
Horses = passions of Macbeth’s soul Visual equivalent for Lennox’s
description of the night (2.3.55 ff.)
Macbeth aloneMacbeth alone Follows text: “left the chamber” Rain Head shot = mental cogitation
Follows text: “left the chamber” Rain Head shot = mental cogitation
Mixed metaphorMixed metaphor
Lady Macbeth: Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? (1.7.37)
Is this part of Lady M’s character?
Lady Macbeth: Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? (1.7.37)
Is this part of Lady M’s character?
Mixed metaphorMixed metaphor
Lady Macbeth: If he do bleed, / I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, / For it must seem their guilt (2.2.62)
Is this part of Lady M’s character?
Lady Macbeth: If he do bleed, / I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, / For it must seem their guilt (2.2.62)
Is this part of Lady M’s character?
Lady Macbeth’s arguments for murder
Lady Macbeth’s arguments for murder
Don’t be drunk or sleepy Show you love me Banish fear “ornament of life” Don’t be a coward Be a man, not a beast.
Don’t be drunk or sleepy Show you love me Banish fear “ornament of life” Don’t be a coward Be a man, not a beast.
Be a manBe a man
Lennox? Motivation? Lennox? Motivation?
1.7: Action1.7: Action
“Away, and mock the time with fairest show.
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”
“Away, and mock the time with fairest show.
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”
Moral moment (2.1.27)Moral moment (2.1.27)
2.1.362.1.36
Multisyllables v. Monosyllables
Multisyllables v. Monosyllables
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red.
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red.
Dramatic ironyDramatic irony
“A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.72)
“A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.72)
Porter (2.3)Porter (2.3)
Faint? (2.3.90 and 120)Faint? (2.3.90 and 120)
His silver skin laced with his golden blood . . .
. . . Who could refrain
That had a heart to love, and in that heart
Courage to make’s love known?
His silver skin laced with his golden blood . . .
. . . Who could refrain
That had a heart to love, and in that heart
Courage to make’s love known?
Macbeth in Holinshed’s Chronicle
Macbeth in Holinshed’s Chronicle
Banquo is a rough tax collector who forces Macdonwald to rebellion.
Macbeth urges faint Duncan to battle, kills Macdonwald and followers, starting a dead grudge by islanders, who get help from Sweno of Norway.
Macbeth meets 3 witches
Banquo is a rough tax collector who forces Macdonwald to rebellion.
Macbeth urges faint Duncan to battle, kills Macdonwald and followers, starting a dead grudge by islanders, who get help from Sweno of Norway.
Macbeth meets 3 witches
Macbeth in Holinshed’s Chronicle
Macbeth in Holinshed’s Chronicle
Macbeth kills Duncan, puts down nobles, reforms thieves
10 years just reign After he kills Banquo, nothing goes
right Builds castle of Dunsinane to oppress
nobles: Macduff fails to appear Kills Macduff’s wife at Fife Trusts witches’ prophecies
Macbeth kills Duncan, puts down nobles, reforms thieves
10 years just reign After he kills Banquo, nothing goes
right Builds castle of Dunsinane to oppress
nobles: Macduff fails to appear Kills Macduff’s wife at Fife Trusts witches’ prophecies
CharacterCharacter
Hallucinations and soliloquies seem to take us into the minds of Macbeth and Lady Madbeth (p. 769)
Hallucinations and soliloquies seem to take us into the minds of Macbeth and Lady Madbeth (p. 769)
Why does Macbeth kill Duncan?
Why does Macbeth kill Duncan?
Witches Lady Macbeth Ambition Self-persuasion Strange attraction to beauty of
death and language
Witches Lady Macbeth Ambition Self-persuasion Strange attraction to beauty of
death and language
Lady Macbeth’s ethosLady Macbeth’s ethos
Ruthless Gender envy, father lover How many children does she have? Is she tragic?
Ruthless Gender envy, father lover How many children does she have? Is she tragic?
The pusher The pusher
TragedyTragedy
Macbeth’s sense of right v. ambition (p. 767)
“Monster” with “poetic spirit” Polanski: meaninglessness of life (and
society) after WWII, nuclear age Macbird during Vietnam Today?
Reaction to Gunpowder plot = double rebellion in play = 9/11 and/or WMD
If good quality creates disaster…
Macbeth’s sense of right v. ambition (p. 767)
“Monster” with “poetic spirit” Polanski: meaninglessness of life (and
society) after WWII, nuclear age Macbird during Vietnam Today?
Reaction to Gunpowder plot = double rebellion in play = 9/11 and/or WMD
If good quality creates disaster…
Act one actionsAct one actions
1.1: The witches unify. 1.2: Duncan rewards Macbeth. 1.3: Macbeth equivocates with Banquo 1.4: Macbeth equivocates with Duncan 1.5: Macbeth equivocates with Lady Macbeth 1.6: Charmed by her welcome, Duncan asks for
Lady Macbeth’s hand. 1.7: Macbeth equivocates with his own features.
1.1: The witches unify. 1.2: Duncan rewards Macbeth. 1.3: Macbeth equivocates with Banquo 1.4: Macbeth equivocates with Duncan 1.5: Macbeth equivocates with Lady Macbeth 1.6: Charmed by her welcome, Duncan asks for
Lady Macbeth’s hand. 1.7: Macbeth equivocates with his own features.
Act two actionsAct two actions
2.1: Macbeth accepts invitation to murder Duncan.
2.2: Lady Macbeth takes the daggers from Macbeth.
2.3: Macbeth orders everyone to get dressed. 2.4: Macduff hints, or boldly and ironically states,
what he thinks of Macbeth.
2.1: Macbeth accepts invitation to murder Duncan.
2.2: Lady Macbeth takes the daggers from Macbeth.
2.3: Macbeth orders everyone to get dressed. 2.4: Macduff hints, or boldly and ironically states,
what he thinks of Macbeth.
Act three actionsAct three actions
3.1: Macbeth apostrophizes Banquo 3.2: Macbeth hides his murder plans from Lady
Macbeth. 3.3: Fleance escapes. 3.4: After seeing Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth uses his
reason to deny the need to reason. [3.5: Hecate berates the other witches for not letting
her in on the plot against Macbeth.] 3.6: Lennox sends a lord to England for help. Rising
action.
3.1: Macbeth apostrophizes Banquo 3.2: Macbeth hides his murder plans from Lady
Macbeth. 3.3: Fleance escapes. 3.4: After seeing Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth uses his
reason to deny the need to reason. [3.5: Hecate berates the other witches for not letting
her in on the plot against Macbeth.] 3.6: Lennox sends a lord to England for help. Rising
action.
Act Four actions (counterstroke)Act Four actions (counterstroke)
4.1: After seeing apparitions, Macbeth vows to take action anytime, anywhere. ///
4.2: Macduff’s son defends his mother. 4.3: Malcolm leads his forces to meet with
the English king, certain “the powers above” are on his side.
4.1: After seeing apparitions, Macbeth vows to take action anytime, anywhere. ///
4.2: Macduff’s son defends his mother. 4.3: Malcolm leads his forces to meet with
the English king, certain “the powers above” are on his side.
Act Five actions (denouement: England
wins)
Act Five actions (denouement: England
wins) 5.1: Doctor dares not speak, 5.2: Lennox leads disaffected Thanes 5.3: Doctor regrets his “profit” 5.4: Siward harnesses himself to time. 5.5: Macbeth orders the wind and clouds for
war. 5.6: Macduff, not in charge, calls for trumpets. 5.7: Englishman invites Scot into Scot’s own
castle 5.8: Malcolm issues invitation to Scone.
5.1: Doctor dares not speak, 5.2: Lennox leads disaffected Thanes 5.3: Doctor regrets his “profit” 5.4: Siward harnesses himself to time. 5.5: Macbeth orders the wind and clouds for
war. 5.6: Macduff, not in charge, calls for trumpets. 5.7: Englishman invites Scot into Scot’s own
castle 5.8: Malcolm issues invitation to Scone.
Country-western MacbethCountry-western Macbeth
What you have What you want. What you had but lost.
What you have What you want. What you had but lost.
Macbeth as tragicMacbeth as tragic
admirable, meditative man not a happy murderer, like Richard III not immune to temptation caught in a world of equivocations himself a bit of a liar, like all of us shows how a good man can go
horribly wrong, producing pity and fear
admirable, meditative man not a happy murderer, like Richard III not immune to temptation caught in a world of equivocations himself a bit of a liar, like all of us shows how a good man can go
horribly wrong, producing pity and fear
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