The Porter Scene

Most people think the porter scene is for comic relief. But that in fact is not true. In today’s society the Porter’s language seems normal and even comical but to the audience of this play, in the Elizabethan time, would think of this language as highly inappropriate and from the devil. Evidence of this is scattered throughout this scene. The first reason being that at this time the Divine Right of Kings was in place. To this mainly Christian audience the greatest crime of this time period is the assassination of the King. In their minds this is because this act of treason is equal to murdering God. Secondly the Porter scene makes reference to Christianity many times in an unsettling way to the people of this era. As the Porter stumbles to the gate he wonders who might be at the knocking and references the gates as the gates of Hell. The Porter also says “Who’s there, i’/ the name of Beelzebub?” (act 2, scene 3, lines 3-4) Beelzebub is another name for the devil. Macduff is meant to be depicted like Christ. Macduff was born not of a woman and Christ was born of a virgin. Macduff is foreshadowing the salvation to come in his knocking on the gates. Macduff also makes a sacrifice and leaves his family in order to save the kingdom; Christ makes the ultimate sacrifice and died to save his people. In conclusion, Macbeth’s castle is meant to seem like Hell this realization to the crowds of Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” would be an invasion of beliefs. Therefore this scene is not meant for comic relief.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7g3BDKYbLw

Macbeth’s Nature

The quote “Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness/ To catch the nearest way...” is spoken by Lady Macbeth in act 1 scene 5 of Shakespeare’s "Macbeth". Lady Macbeth says this line in reaction to receiving the letter from Macbeth telling of the witch’s prophecies. Lady Macbeth fears Macbeths nature, she fears he is too kind and sympathetic. If she is correct in identifying his nature she fears that it would get in the way “...To catch the nearest way...” meaning making a shortcut to the thrown and in result killing King Duncan. In conclusion, this statement is meant to persuade her husband, using her words, to do the deed.

Character Maps

Divine Right of Kings

The notion of the Divine Right of Kings in the play “Macbeth” completely died out. The Divine Right of Kings is a divine right under God to rule his kingdom. The King is answerable to God alone and not to his subjects. This concept is lost in “Macbeth” because Macbeth assassinates the King. In defying the King he is also defying God. Macbeth also comes into power without the divine right of Kings. Macbeth was not granted The Divine Right of Kings. Macbeth has done things to get into power that are against Gods wishes like manipulation and murder. God has not chosen Macbeth as King, Macbeth killed Gods chosen one, and Macbeth did things against Gods teaching. Those acts are all against the Divine Right of Kings. This is why the notion of the divine right of Kings is lost in the play “Macbeth”.

Macbeths State of Mind

The quote “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow/ Creeps in this petty pace from day to day/To the last syllable of recorded time;/ And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/ The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!/ Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player/ That struts and frets his hour upon the stage/ And then is heard no more. It is a tale/ Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/ Signifying nothing.” (act 5, scene 5, lines 21-30) is a line said by Macbeth outlining his feelings after the news of his wife’s death. With Macbeth’s reaction to the news of his wife’s death it is apparent that he is facing an emotional shutoff. This is proven when he says “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” (act 5, scene 5, line 9). Macbeth is portraying how his rise to power has given him much personal cost. The most powerful part of the speech is when he says “Life’s only a walking shadow;... Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/ signifying nothing.” (act 5, scene 5, lines 26, 29-30) Macbeth is talking about how life is just a play, and how life is an idiot’s tale that is full of drama and without meaning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAi4qzNHtwY

Beyond His Practice

In “Macbeth” the doctor is telling the truth when he says Lady Macbeths illness is “beyond his practice” (act 5, scene 1, lines 58). Lady Macbeth has gone crazy because of guilt and stress. There is no medicine to give for someone who is crazy. Being crazy is an emotional illness; there are no means that the doctor could do to cure her. The doctor even says this in act 5 scene1 on lines 72-74 “...infected minds/To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets:/ More needs she the divine than the physician.” The doctor thinks only God can save her now.

Believe it or Not

“Guess what happened to me a few days ago.” I asked Ivan.

“I don’t know,” he replied.

“I stumbled into a cavern and there was a cauldron just sitting in the middle of it. It kind of spooked me.” I answered with a bit of worry and disbelief in my voice.

“So what,” he interjected, “somebody probably put it there to scare cowards like yourself.”

“Hey,” I snapped, “you interrupted me, and that wasn’t a very nice thing to say.”

“Go on,” he said unenthusiastically.

“Ok,” I said, “I stumbled into a cavern, and there was a cauldron in the middle.”

“You already said that,” interrupted Ivan.

“I know,” I said almost shouting at him in my frustration. Will you please stop interrupting me?

“Ok,” he said sheepishly.

“As I was saying,” I said, not thrilled with his attitude and verging on the line of exasperation. “I walked in to check it out and I saw something moving. My heart started thudding in my chest but my curiosity over took my fear. I huddled against the wall and in the shadows I saw three creatures walking towards the cauldron. Some time passed and they started to speak. I then realized they were witches and were saying a spell.”

“Ha,” Ivan interjected, “witches, spells and you expect me to believe this. You have to be kidding.”

“It is true,” I said looking at him in a way he knew I was telling the truth.”Let me finish. After some time passed and they finished saying there spells, another being joined them. I couldn’t quite make out what she was but she started to congratulate the witches. Next to my disbelief Macbeth walked in.”

“No way, Macbeth,” Ivan said starting to sound intrigued. “Why would he have anything to do with them?”

“Yes,” I said. “After they had a small conversation, that leads me to believe they had met before, Macbeth asked to know what their power was. This is when the first apparition came; it told Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Then the second apparition came it told Macbeth that the only person that could harm him was someone who was not born of a woman.”

“What person is not born of a woman?” he asked. He had now started to listen intently.

“I don’t know,” I answered. “Afterwards Macbeth said that he didn’t fear Macduff because he was born of a woman. Then came the third aspiration, it said that he wouldn’t be defeated until a forest moved. Macbeth looked quite content until he asked if Banquo’s children would become Kings. The witches showed him a long line of Banquo’s descendents and they all were Kings. Macbeth looked disappointed. I thought to myself that he must not want his children to become Kings. Finally Lennox arrived and the witches disappeared. Lennox didn’t see the witches and he informed Macbeth that Macduff fled to England. When they left I was alone in the Cavern. I was really shocked with what I saw, so I left and came home. You are the first person I told.”

“That seems really suspicious,” murmured Ivan.

“I don’t want to question the King, but do you think that if he knows the future and all of these things, maybe he did things to make himself King?” I inquired.

“I do not want to pass judgement on our King. We should stay quiet about this.” He ordered. “Do not tell anyone what you have just told me.” Ivan said his words in such a sharp tone it startled me and I agreed instantly.

“Ok,” I stuttered and he left.

Banquo’s Obituary

Banquo was a loyal Scottish general in the Kings army. His son Fleance still lives after a brutal attack on the two, on the road leading to the palace, by three vicious men. Too soon was he taken from us. His great leadership skills took the men under his control in battle to the next level and gave them the confidence to do things they did not think they could do. He was a hero and a great man who put others before himself and was not one to quickly jump to conclusions. He was strong, trustworthy and did not fall for temptations. As a godly man, he reserved the right to judge for God alone and did not partake in the activity. This quote by an unknown author describes the outlook on life that Banquo had for the short time he was with us. “If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't follow. I'd be at the bottom to catch them when they fall.”

Macbeth’s Logic

During Macbeth’s soliloquy in act 3 scene 1 Macbeth utters “To be thus, is nothing.” In saying this he is portraying his feeling about his station. He is no longer satisfied with his position, Thane of Cawdor. His intention in saying this is that he wants to be King or nothing. Macbeth’s logic seems unsound. Macbeth already has become much more than he started with but the greed and selfishness that has overtaken him pushes for more. He could jeopardize his position in doing more to get the crown because he then has a bigger potential in becoming caught by his deeds. Also, in Macbeths opinion, a factor is that Banquo could know too much as he was there for the prophecies along with Macbeth. What also worries Macbeth about Banquo is that it was said that Banquo’s children would become Kings. This makes Macbeth jealous of Banquo and fester’s his anger towards his friend. Macbeth wants his children to become Kings because he is not totally in control of himself. The evil inside of him is more so controlling his actions and thoughts turning his once good intentions very bad. This is why Banquo who was once his friend becomes his number one enemy.

My Procrastination

When I was in grade seven, I was given a project on ancient Egypt by my teacher. When the criteria sheet was given out it seemed like a fairly easy project and that it was not going to take a great deal of time. That was my first mistake. Second, I worked on my project when there was nothing else to do but when more pleasurable things came up like watching my favourite TV show or if my friends called I did that instead. My third mistake was that when I read through the criteria sheet I missed that it specified that our paragraphs must be typed not written. I am very slow at typing. The day before the project was due I reread the criteria sheet and realized how little I had done. I needed to find pictures, write three more paragraphs, type the paragraphs, print all of the things out, cut them down to size, glue them to the poster board, and finally to do finishing touches on the poster board to make the presentation look better. I started to panic. I cried for a bit before my mom heard me. I explained the situation and she gave me a lecture on procrastination which only made me more upset. After a big long hug from my mom the tears finally stopped flowing. I worked really hard with my mom, dad, and brother well past midnight and we got the project finished. Like Macbeth I pushed off this task because it was unpleasurable. What finally prompted me to do my project was time, but for Macbeth it was his inner desires as well as the pestering from his wife. Fortunately for me, I got my project in on time and I learned a valuable lesson; to never procrastinate again.

Lady Macbeth- Her Manipulative Ways

Lady Macbeth uses many techniques to convince her husband to murder King Duncan. To begin with she placed ideas in Macbeths head and then pressured him by making him feel guilty. Also to make him feel guilty, she referred to their previous agreement to commit the torturous act. After she implies that she would consider him a coward. With all things considered she makes her hardest hit at her husband. She questioned his manhood. She says that real men keep their promises; she really seals it when she said that she would kill a child born to her that fed off of her own breast if she so promised to do so. Finally she tries to make light of the murder and makes it seem as it would be done quickly and that after the deed was finished everything would be alright again.

The Marriage of the Macbeths

The marriage of the Macbeth’s is very unstable. The couple are often found to be arguing. The separation between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth becomes apparent at the time of King Duncan’s death. Lady Macbeth lacks an element of strength; without Macbeth’s permission she tried to commit the murder herself but was unable to prevail. To cover up her weakness she uses the excuse that he looked like her father as he slept. On the other hand Macbeth proves his strength when it results in him killing the king. In addition Macbeth, in hopes to gain independence from his wife, experiments with external forces which he found within the witches. Later he became dependent on their misleading prophecies. These actions show that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are dependent on one another. By the end of the play Macbeth Has used up all his strength and perishes, and as a result is the final factor in their separation.

“I have begun to plant thee, and will labour/ To make thee full of growing.”

The metaphor “I have begun to plant thee, and will labour/ To make thee full of growing.” is said by King Duncan in act 1 scene 4 of “Macbeth”. This metaphor is spoken to Macbeth, and is of great importance to show the reader what King Duncan thinks of Macbeth. King Duncan is creating this Metaphor by comparing Macbeth to a tree. If someone were to cultivate an apple tree the further reward would be to have apples the next harvest. Same is true in this case Macbeth will be given further rewards and promotions from the king because he values and trusts Macbeth. King Duncan could be implying that he sees Macbeth as a future heir to the throne.

Later that Night

That was a little but weird back there, was it not?” asked Angus.


“Yes,” replied Ross, “I thought the great Macbeth would have been more excited then he displayed. I guess I was wrong.”

“Maybe not,” pondered Angus. “Do you think something else may have been going on?”

“Yes perhaps,” answered Ross “why else would he have acted so withdrawn and in thought?”

With more enthusiasm Angus exclaimed, “That is exactly my point.” Angus wrung his hands as he paced back and forth on the stone floor. Finally Ross spoke up.

“Do not fret,” Ross said more impatiently. He eased himself into a chair. As his body relaxed he said, “Macbeth could have been just having a bad day.”

Angus questioned, “But with that said, would not our message to him been enough to satisfy his discontentment?”

“We need to be careful not to jump to conclusions about this, but we should keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. I do not wish to blame him for anything. For all we are knowledgeable of, he could be coming down with something,” concluded Ross.

“A good eye out for him,” agreed Angus. Heavy footsteps were heard coming down the hall way.

Ross whispered, “We will not talk of this again.”

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair."

The play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare is written in very old English. This makes the play very hard to understand for those who do not speak in that way. At the end of act 1 scene 1 on lines 10-12 the three witches say together “Paddock calls. Anon! Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air.” The section “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” is a very confusing statement. In modern day English this line means “Beautiful is disgustingly filthy, and disgustingly filthy is beautiful”. This line is foreshadowing events that are going to come up later in the play. It describes the difference between how someone is thought of and how someone actually is, in other words it predicts that Macbeth's mind will be taken by evil and will cloud his judgment, which to Macbeth will seem fair and just.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1lHYvxieB8